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A huge Christmas tree forms the centerpiece of the market and it's well worth climbing the 509 steps to the top of the cathedral tower to get a panoramic view of the city and riverscape. Our travel advisors will ensure that you receive every AmaWaterways river cruise offer that you qualify for, including complimentary shore excursions and beverages. Our travel advisors can also help you book hotel stays at ports on either side of your voyage. Go wine tasting in the winemaking town of Rüdesheim then enjoy holiday traditions from around the world at the Rüdesheim Christmas Market of Nations.
Christmas Markets of Rhine-Main
Evenings brought out the more elevated fashion; women donned cute sweaters and dresses, while men dressed in jeans and nicer tops or sweaters. Uniworld cruises are the most expensive, with prices ranging from $3,399 to $7,199 for 8- to 11-day sailings throughout the season. Tauck is also pricier than its competitors, but it's one of the few options that has a family cruise option. The standard of dress on river ships tends to be more relaxed, even when you’re sailing with the same cruise line. For example, on my Viking River sailing in Portugal, most of the gents wore polo shirts to dinner, but long-sleeved collared shirts and dressy slacks were the norm on my Viking Ocean cruise. If you’re travelling on a tight budget, opting for a cabin with a window instead of a balcony is an easy way to save money.
Night Cruise With 2-Nights Budapest Pre-Cruise, 3 Nights Prague Post-Cruise
I was most impressed by Vienna, which had two, but the one near City Hall is the one that makes most of the viral TikTok videos and Instagram reels. The City Hall Christmas market is the larger of the two in the city center and is more photogenic. They are about a 10-minute walk from each other and have different foods to try and souvenirs to buy.
Additional Nights
The market held in the Volksgarten Gardens in Linz is a magical place for adults and children alike. It features Austria's largest wooden nativity scene, featuring life-size, hand-painted figures. Every 30 minutes in the late afternoon there is a short nativity play with special effects and a classical music soundtrack. Yes, please keep me updated with the latest special offers, travel inspiration, product updates, and event invites. Most river cruise cabins are spacious enough to relax and unwind, but they often leave very little room for bulky bags. Depending on the length of your cruise, you can get away with just a large piece of luggage, a carry-on bag, and a small personal item.
Budapest To Vilshofen
Our bus driver, Paul, was also a great asset to Gate1Travels. He kept us safe and made sure we were able to travel the 750+ miles to see the beautiful countries on our itinerary. Our tour dates were at the end of February/beginning of March, which was right before the start of peak season in these various countries, but that did not affect us at all! We still found places to eat, shop at, and enjoy during each of our stops. It is mostly a Germanic-style area, but each stop had its own individual beauty and uniqueness that had me and my family in awe. I hope to return another time and will be requesting the same amazing staff members to have another A++ experience.
This is the perfect spot to raise a glass and toast Christmas as it is the "capital" of the Champagne wine-growing region and home to one of France's largest Christmas markets. You'll sail on one of Viking's state-of-the-art Longships which moor in the heart of towns so you're close to all the sights. Back onboard, the ships are beautifully decorated and the daily program will feature special events such as Christmas music performances, tree trimming and cookery demonstrations. Here's a preview of the Viking Christmas market cruise experience. It's common for people to book a Christmas market cruise a year or more in advance.
Danube Christmas Delights
We just completed a Rhine River cruise, and it was spectacular and life-changing! We had never been on a river cruise before, and we thought it would be an extra special way to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We could not be more pleased and honestly, cannot wait to take another river cruise or land tour with Gate 1! It was a luxurious, first-class experience but one without pretentiousness. It felt very comfortable and was a family-type of atmosphere but with class. Strolling through the quaint Christmas markets is truly spectacular, but the fun doesn't stop once you're back on the boat.
The Best Christmas Markets in Europe to Visit on a River Cruise
Nuremberg's other claim to fame is its pork sausages -- much smaller than typical German sausages or wurst -- which are sold in portions of six to a dozen. Not only will you get exclusive bonus offers when you book through our travel advisors instead of directly with the cruise line, but you also rack up AmaWaterways Privilege Rewards benefits. Our travel advisors aren’t just concerned with offering the best deals — they’re also committed to offering the best experience. Some markets, like the Vienna Christmas Market, even have their own website, where you'll find more specific information related to the market in question. There is usually a calendar of daily activities, and you might even find lists of the vendors and what they sell, which can help you with your souvenir planning. Be on the lookout for local food and drink specialties to snack on as you browse the stalls.
No Tours Match Your Room Configuration
Riviera Travel releases festive river cruises for 2024 - Cruise Trade News
Riviera Travel releases festive river cruises for 2024.
Posted: Wed, 02 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Warm up with a steamy mug of mulled wine as you wander the enchanting stalls of some of the largest and most famous Christmas markets in Europe. Shop handmade ornaments, toys, and gifts as you inhale the festive aroma of gingerbread and roasted chestnuts. Dazzling decorations and lights delight the eyes, while the sound of Christmas carolers and church bells fills the air. Enjoy mulled wine and gingerbread as you browse handicrafts made by locals, each hut adorned with beautiful Christmas decorations making them the ideal festive destination for friends and family.
As someone who’s never been interested in war history, the prospect of touring Normandy’s World War II sites didn’t thrill me. However, learning about what happened at Omaha Beach and walking through the thousands of crosses at the Normandy American Cemetery was one of the most poignant and memorable moments of my trip. Popular souvenirs include Alsatian beer steins or plush white storks -- a local symbol of good luck. Then it’s on to the winemaking hamlet of Rüdesheim and the festive Christmas markets of Heidelberg. Forty hilltop castles and fortresses dot the banks of the historic Rhine Gorge, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Step back in time at a Bavarian castle at Regensburg’s Romantic Christmas Market.
Rivers were once the highways of Europe, and as such the Christmas Market Villages are right there near the shoreline. Take a Christmas Market River Cruise for 2023 and 2024 and Explore the Europe Christmas market traditions through the Danube and Rhine Rivers. Enjoy an immersive experience celebrating the varied cultures of five Central European countries. It's also a good idea to know the currency of each destination you're going to.
This is especially helpful for more expensive items as well as changes in currency from country to country. If you're looking to pay for most things by card, ask your bank about international transaction fees, as those quickly add up. Riverside Luxury Cruises' Christmas Atmosphere Along the Danube cruises depart in early and mid-December 2024.
As river cruise itineraries can involve long days of touring, pack comfortable clothes you can layer, a pair of worn-in walking shoes that can handle cobblestones, and wet weather gear. If your ship has a plunge or spa pool on the top deck, don’t forget your swimmers. European river cruises offer year-round adventures, from autumn hues along the Douro River to Christmas markets in winter. This is regarding the 12 days Danube river cruise Oct 29 to Nov 11 on the Monarch Queen instead of the Monarch Empress.Thank you so so much for such a great experience. We were so impressed with the level of service and how organized everyone was.We had such a great time and a lasting memory of the trip.
Always try to arrive at least a day early for any river cruise, especially if you're flying overseas. For some river cruises, the embarkation port is just that, a place to get on the ship and leave. If you arrive the day your cruise begins, you could miss out on exploring the city. Your cruise director is an expert on your itinerary and the areas you’ll visit, so don’t be shy about asking questions when you’re aboard. Also, take advantage of the cruise tour guides in each destination.
While it’s impossible to accurately predict river levels in advance, a mid or shoulder-season sailing is more likely to be hassle-free. Julia our Tour Manager, was exceptionally impressive with her knowledge about not only the areas we toured but also all the detailed historicknowledge she so willingly enjoyed sharing. She was a walking encyclopedia on just about any subject you would ask her about!
As one of Europe's best-known waterways the Rhine is a popular Viking river cruise Christmas market destination. There's a scenic drive through wintery countryside to medieval Freiburg, on the edge of Germany's Black Forest, for a market visit and festive organ recital. On my Viking river cruise, each day's included tour was a walking tour of the city to point out historic landmarks and show people how to get to the Christmas markets. After you find a few river cruises that fit your travel dates, dig into each destination and what it has to offer. Christmas markets are open from midmorning until between 8 and 10 p.m., but there's not enough to do at each market to fill that entire time. I usually spent about an hour at the smaller markets in places like Passau and Linz and about two to three hours at the larger markets in Vienna and Budapest.
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