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This means that getting to/from the main attractions is really easy in many ports. Discover these 15 unforgettable things to see and do on a Viking river or ocean cruise in Europe. Learn about the history, craftsmanship and intricate detail of Meissen’s famous porcelain. We were there just before sunset so we were able to see it with some natural sun and then with sparkling lights in the town below as we exited after dark. We learned we were experiencing a UNESCO World Heritage Site called Wachau, when we sailed the stretch of the Danube River between Melk and Krems, Austria. It was really neat to see a candy maker expertly work a pile of yellow tinted hot sugar over and over again, and watch it turn to solid white in front of our eyes.
When should I arrive at the embarkation port?
It's common for people to book a Christmas market cruise a year or more in advance. Some companies will offer a discounted deposit for those who book early, and others will offer monetary savings for booking well in advance. Look for wave season (January through March) or Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday deals for river cruise discounts or other promotional offers.
Christmas River Cruise Route along the Danube
Festive Season: Cruising to Europe's Best Christmas Markets - Luxury Travel Advisor
Festive Season: Cruising to Europe's Best Christmas Markets.
Posted: Mon, 24 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Do some research before you leave home to see what the highlight of each Christmas market is. I did a lot of my research on TikTok and Instagram so I could see what the person was talking about. Even 10 days out from my trip, the app was fairly accurate with what the temperatures would be, which ranged from the 20s to the high 40s, and what the day would look like. On the Danube, you can visit destinations like Vienna, Austria and Passau and Regensburg, Germany. Alternatively, on the Rhine, destinations of interest include Amsterdam; Cologne, Germany; Mannheim, Germany; and Strasbourg, France.
The 8 best Christmas market river cruises for 2024 - The Points Guy
The 8 best Christmas market river cruises for 2024.
Posted: Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Admire the Norwegian fjords
Take part in time-honored European holiday traditions on this 10-day cruisetour. Revel in Berlin’s festive atmosphere and discover the treasured recipe for Dresden’s famous Christstollen. Shop for handmade porcelain in Meissen and spend two days in Prague, delving into the city’s Jewish history while its famed Christmas market exudes an abundance of good cheer. Starting in late November through Christmas every year, the cities and towns along the Danube, Rhine, Seine and other rivers set up markets that display each region's holiday traditions. Many of the most popular river cruise lines with ships based in Europe schedule festive cruises to take travelers to shop and dine at these seasonal markets.
Before going on this cruise, I had a hunch that a river-based tour might be one of the best ways to visit a lot of different cities and Christmas markets in a relatively short period of time. Among the delights of Viking’s 16-day Malta, Morocco and the Mediterranean cruise is an underground expedition inside Spain’s Nerja Caves. Follow your guide around this archaeological marvel, where artefacts indicate human and animal habitation as far back as 25,000 BC.
Viking Cruises has been perfecting this itinerary longer than anyone in Europe (since 1997) and is expert at blending culture, history and an abundance of Christmas cheer. The market season in Europe runs from about November 30 to December 22, essentially three weeks to taste, celebrate and learn. They all showed off the major church in the city center and described how the city navigated various wars. So I used the tours to help navigate to the city center, then ventured off on my own with my travel companion.
Cruises
More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. The Alto Douro, a World Heritage Site, is one of the world’s most beautiful wine regions. Viking Longships drift through this lush valley, past terraced vineyards, charming villages and eye-catching rock formations. At a centuries-old wine-growing estate, guests can cut grapes from the vine before stomping them by foot in a traditional stone trough. Portugal’s River of Gold cruise-tour offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the local food and wine, including its famous Port. The 10-day itinerary from Lisbon to Porto also crosses the border to Spain to visit Salamanca.
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If you don't want to keep your mug, you can return it and get back a euro or two. On my Viking cruise, we were told that some markets are starting to sell mass-produced goods from China. If you want to support local artisans, ask the vendor or look for stickers that say where the products were made. For days exploring the ports, I wore jeans and waterproof boots with long cozy socks, plus a thermal long-sleeved shirt under a sweater.
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. A mesmerising view at the perfect time of day, a natural phenomenon that must be seen to be appreciated, or a heart-pumping activity in a place rarely visited. Stroll the medieval, UNESCO-listed city’s streets and learn about Regensburg’s history.
Enjoy the merry atmosphere of Marktplatz, which spreads through the Old Town’s cobblestone streets while seasonal music and the scents of regional delicacies fill the air. Try a mug of Rüdesheim’s favourite coffee made with locally distilled Asbach Uralt brandy, or shop for a festive memento to take home. Viking’s eight-day Christmas On The Rhine river voyage operates between Basel and Amsterdam. Immerse yourself in the spirit of Christmas as you journey through storybook villages.
Accessories like a warm hat or ear warmers, gloves and a scarf were also helpful. 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. Explore this multicultural city’s highlights and shop for gifts at the Christmas market.
The Elbe is a fascinating Viking river cruise Christmas market destination and ideal for anyone who has already traveled on the Rhine. Rising in the Czech Republic and flowing through Germany, the cruise is book-ended by overnight moorings in the respective capital cities of Prague and Berlin. Prague Castle is the world's largest ancient castle and the narrow streets leading down from the stronghold are lined with small shops, which are particularly colorful at Christmas. Medieval Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square, with its ornate 600-year-old astronomical clock, provide wonderful backdrops to seasonal markets. Look out for cut glass ornaments, delicate decorations made from straw and try the special Christmas fish soup. Avalon Waterways offers a more affordable way to see the Christmas markets, with cruises starting at $2,167 for six days of traveling from Budapest to Vienna.
After 26 years in Europe, Viking knows the most enjoyable aspects of its popular destinations, from major cities to the countryside. Every itinerary has been honed to explore the most beautiful landscapes, stunning landmarks, and unusual customs and cuisines unique to each port of call. These open-air festive monthlong celebrations offer a wonderful chance to experience the ages-old holiday traditions that bring a delightful warmth and charm to the holiday season. Neil Wolkodoff, PhD, is a Sports Scientist in Denver, Colorado who has worked with golfers over the last 15 years. During the rare free times, he travels to exotic golf destinations to see how golf, culture and local geography mix in different locales.
Explore the Czech Republic’s beer-brewing heritage; admire the city’s architecture. Taste a selection of delicious local wines, including the highly acclaimed Riesling. Enjoy a glass of champagne while exploring the festive Christmas markets in Reims.
Viking is small enough you can meet all the other passengers in conversations, meals or mingling and that is the main focus of the first night as the ship sets sail. Viking is about meaningful interaction with other guests, the staff and the culture and history of each stop along the way. On most days, the ship sails at night then docks during the day for exploration. Each night, each cabin receives a detailed overview of the next stop complete with key sites, tours, docking, and departure information.
