Experience European Christmas Markets on the River
(410 Reviews)
99% Recommended
Pam MacIntyre
Maple Grove, MN
Australia & New Zealand Specialist
New Zealand
In all my years as a Travel Professional, I’ve asked countless people, “What’s on your must-see list?” And without fail, New Zealand is always at the top! Honestly, who wouldn’t want to experience this majestic ...
New Zealand
In all my years as a Travel Professional, I’ve asked countless people, “What’s on your must-see list?” And without fail, New Zealand is always at the top! Honestly, who wouldn’t want to experience this majestic part of the world?
I was fortunate enough to visit both the North and South Islands, and what I love about New Zealand is that it offers the perfect blend of laid-back charm and action-packed adventure, all while being nothing short of epic.
The country is home to endless national parks, a rich Maori culture, and unforgettable experiences like sailing through the sounds while dolphins playfully follow your yacht. And let’s not forget the awe-inspiring moment of witnessing a sperm whale off the coast of Kaikoura—talk about jaw-dropping beauty!
Oh, and did I mention wine? If you’re a fan of great wine (and who isn’t?), New Zealand is a must-visit for its world-class Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and more. How do I know? Because I couldn’t resist visiting a winery or two during my travels!
Honestly, I could go on and on about the magic of New Zealand, but if you’re reading this, you already know you want to explore this incredible part of the world. Let’s work together to create your perfect New Zealand adventure!
Australia
Let me start by saying, I’ve wanted to visit Australia since I was a child. Why, you ask? Well, to pet a kangaroo, of course! And yes, I did! Not only did I pet a kangaroo, but I actually fed FOUR at the same time. Childhood dream come true, right? And I can’t wait to go back for round two.
While I was in Sydney, I had the chance to experience the spectacular Vivid Sydney Festival, celebrating its 10th year. It was honestly WOW! Never in my wildest dreams did I think Australia would be so perfect to visit during their winter season. But coming from Minnesota, their “winter” felt more like our fall—absolutely ideal! Seeing the Sydney Opera House light up during the festival was something I’ll never forget.
And then there’s the Blue Mountains region—so lovely to explore on foot. From there, we ventured to Hunter Valley (known to the locals as "The Hunter"), where wine flowed freely, and every glass was more delicious than the last.
Australia’s size is truly hard to grasp until you’ve experienced it firsthand. To put it in perspective: Sydney would be in Florida, Cairns (home of the Great Barrier Reef) would be in Maine, Uluru (Ayers Rock) would be in Kansas, Melbourne would be in New Orleans, and Perth would be in Los Angeles.
Whether you're dreaming of visiting the world’s largest Great Barrier Reef, immersing yourself in Aboriginal culture, swimming with whale sharks, or gazing upon the majestic Uluru, Australia has endless possibilities waiting for you.
Let’s make your dream trip to Australia a reality—one that you’ll remember for the rest of your life!
Frankfurt Christmas Market, Frankfurt Germany
Christmas Markets are traditionally held in the town square. There are various foods, drinks, Christmas tree decorations, candles, wooden toys, and sweets … just to name a few. Walk along beautiful open-air stalls alongside, listen to traditional singing and observe the locals dancing.
As soon as you walk in the incredible aromas of sausages, gingerbread, roasted chestnuts and mulled wine will take over your senses. You'll admire the one-of-a-kind handicrafts, nutcrackers, ornaments and MORE. There are plenty of choices that will be perfect to bring home to your loved ones! Be sure to enjoy a cup of hot mulled wine ... with several flavors to choose from such as: Peach, Orange, Apple, Apricot, Blackberry, Cherry, Boysenberry, Blueberry and of course the traditional. If you're in Germany be sure to check out their specialty, Glühwein.
Major Christmas Market Locations:
- Germany: Augsburg, Dresden, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Dortmund, Cologne, Regensburg, Gengenbach, and Stuttgart
- Austria: Vienna (OVER 20), Salzburg, Innsbruck, Linz, and Graz
- France: Riquewihr & Strasbourg, in Alsace
- Denmark: Copenhagen
- Switzerland: Basil, Lucerne & Zurich
- Slovakia: Bratislava
There are several Christmas Markets, so this just notes a handful of them. Christmas markets open up early November and vary from the 3rd week of December until early January. The most popular way to experience the Christmas Markets are aboard a River Cruise. I'd recommend for first timers the Danube or the Rhine.
Dresden, Germany is one of the oldest & most beautiful Christmas markets not just in Germany, but all over Europe. Dresden is located on the Elbe River. Elbe River commonly has low river challenges, so not all river cruise lines will sail here.
Amsterdam has a Light Festival from Nov. 28 - Jan. 19. While they don't have a Christmas Market, the houses along the canals are lit up in the most beautiful colors and the city is adorned with decorations making it a fun way to see this city. Lyon also offers a Light Festival.
When in Zurich, I recommend the traditional Swiss Cheese fondue located in the Swiss Chalet. You will not regret it, it's quite the experience to be there with the locals. Did you enjoy the "Sound of Music"? If you visit Salzburg, Austria you can go to the Austrian Lake District where you can see the church in Mondsee where they filmed. While there are a few cities with Medieval Markets ... Regensburg, Germany has a very special Medieval Christmas Market in a castle showing you what it was like during the 13th & 14th Century.
Traveling to Europe during the winter is described as a fairytale land with the white snow capped terrain alongside blue skies and the beautiful sunshine. Not only will you be taken to the Christmas markets, you'll have additional tours to choose from. Sometimes the weather can be quite nice during the holiday time where you can even enjoy a bike tour. If the weather gets down to about 0 Celsius (which is about 30 Fahrenheit) they'll get a little bit of ice on the sides of the river where you'll see birds picking at the ice to try and get at the fishes. If you're coming from the Midwest, you'll appreciate just how enjoyable 30 degrees can be for an experience such as this. Coming from the South? Pack an extra layer!
In addition to normal items, a few "must pack" for a Christmas Market River Cruise:
- Coat (if possible, a long coat), scarves, gloves & hats.
- Thermal leggings & tops. Dressing for warmth is key.
- Comfortable well-padded walking shoes or winter boots (preferably water, rain or snow proof)
- Portable charging options for your cell phone (especially if this IS your camera)
- One elegant outfit. The rest you'll probably be more comfortable with casual & laying type clothing options to adjust to varying temps indoors & out.
- Fold-up tote bag for all those fun souvenirs you'll surely find in the markets!
- Small amounts of local currency, as some places will not take credit cards. ATMs are widely available.
Many of the Christmas Markets at first glance look alike, however every market in every town has its own personality, locals, songs & food. So trying them all will ensure you aren't missing out on these special differences. Many love to collect the various "Christmas Mugs" to bring home as memorable keepsakes to enjoy your hot beverages in.
If you want to immerse yourself in all things Christmas, there is no way better than with a river cruise. Not only will you be able to see several markets, but enjoy them in a few different countries! No matter if you're sailing between Amsterdam and Budapest or the North Sea (Amsterdam) down to the Black Sea. If you're looking to walk the streets of storybook towns rich with history and full of architecture—this might just be perfect for you! These magical Holiday river cruise experiences do fill up early, so be sure to plan in advance for best pricing & availability. Couples, singles and families will surely make everlasting holiday memories!