Every year, more than 2 million people visit Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, one of the world’s largest Christmas markets. With thousands of Christmas markets to choose from throughout Europe, planning a trip that captures the season’s spirit can feel daunting. Christmas market river cruises offer itineraries that make it easy to experience the yuletide magic without the do-it-yourself planning stress.
A brief history of European Christmas markets
The Christmas markets were initially a Germanic tradition with roots in the Middle Ages. History tells us the first markets started as early as the 13th century. In 1296, Duke Albrecht I granted Vienna’s citizens permission to hold a two-week market in December. However, this first market may have been more about selling the necessary provisions to survive the winter than celebrating the Christmas holiday.
Other markets have equally long histories. The market in Dresden, Germany, known as the Streizelmarkt, claims to be the longest-running, continuous German Christmas market, tracing its roots to 1434. In another famous Austrian city, Salzburg’s market dates back to 1491.
Today, the Christmas market concept has crossed international borders and is embraced across most of Europe. From Brasov, Romania, to Lisbon, Portugal, or Edinburgh, Scotland, town squares engage in this commercial yuletide spirit from the end of November through most of December. The concept of today’s markets may no longer be the same as those first medieval incarnations, but they continue to draw revelers and provide a source of commerce during winter’s shortest days.
What makes a Christmas market special
Though each town puts its own spin on its individual Christmas markets, European markets have many elements in common. The town square or the street where the market is held is festooned with many holiday lights and decorated with Christmas trees and other greenery.
In general, a collection of quaint, small wooden huts decorated for the season is set up for each vendor. Vendors sell a broad selection of goods, though food and drink make up the largest category. “Glühwein,” which is a mulled wine made with cinnamon and other spices, has become a traditional staple; its spicy aroma wafts throughout the market grounds. Huts selling beer and hot chocolate are also prevalent.
Food vendors are abundant and offer an eclectic mix for all tastes. Sausages, chestnuts, candied almonds and large, soft pretzels are Christmas market favorites. Local flavors make each market more distinctive, like melted Swiss raclette cheese served over hot potatoes, Hungarian langos, deep-fried flatbread or cheesy kaesespatzle from Germany’s Bavaria region.
Many markets also have fun activities for the whole family. Ice skating rinks, Ferris wheels and merry-go-rounds are popular. There are also vendors selling ornaments, knick-knacks, clothing and other gift-giving options.
River cruises make it easy to visit Europe’s Christmas markets
For those who want to try a variety of Christmas markets but don’t want the hassle of a different hotel room every night, a river cruise is a comfortable option. All the major European river cruise companies offer Christmas Market itineraries during the season.
The rivers that provide the easiest access to Europe’s Christmas markets are the Rhine and the Danube. The Rhine River cruises include stops at some of Germany’s most popular Christmas market towns, including Strasbourg, Cologne and Koblenz. The Danube offers experiences across multiple countries as the ships stop in popular cities in Germany, Slovakia, Austria and Hungary.
The ships normally dock near the center of town during the day to allow for optimum sightseeing time and then travel to the next stop during the night. At each destination, the cruise lines offer excursions that appeal to diverse interests and mobility levels. For the more independent types, exploring towns and Christmas markets on your own is also easy to do.
Choose the right river cruise company
The size of the locks on the rivers dictates the maximum external dimensions of the cruise ships that sail the Rhine or the Danube rivers. As a result, all the river cruise ships are very similar in size. It is how the space inside a ship is laid out that distinguishes one brand from another and determines the quality of the holiday.
One of the best Christmas Market river cruise experiences is offered by newcomer Riverside Luxury Cruises. With only three ships in its fleet, the company focuses on providing exceptional cruises on Europe’s major waterways.
On average, a Rhine River cruise ship has about 80 to 95 cabins and 160 to 190 passengers. However, the Riverside Debussy has only 55 all-suite cabins for a maximum of 110 passengers, offering the most space per passenger of any European river cruise line. With a ratio of 1 crew for every 2 guests, along with personal butler service for every cabin, Riverside focuses on providing an attentive guest experience.
To ensure that the culinary experience is as memorable as the destinations visited, Riverside also prioritizes a menu of freshly prepared dishes using regional ingredients. With open dining times across multiple dining venues and plenty of seating options, meals are an intimate setting for two or a party affair with newfound friends. Dinners in particular are imaginative creations that will excite the most discerning foodies’ taste buds.
Enjoy the season with a Christmas market cruise
With their authentic seasonal food and drinks, Europe’s Christmas markets are a festive way to celebrate the holidays. A Christmas market river cruise takes away all the travel hassles and lets you focus on enjoying the season’s magic.
Rose Palmer is a retired Ph.D. chemist and a multiple award-winning travel writer, photographer and podcaster who has been recognized with two Lowell Thomas journalism awards. She has traveled to more than 60 countries and shares her personal travel stories at Quiltripping because she believes that “life is a patchwork of experiences.” Her content is regularly featured in numerous U.S. news outlets, including the Seattle Times, the Miami Herald, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, MSN and others.
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