Christmas Market Europe Cruises

European cities, towns and villages are filled with Christmas magic during the holiday season. The Christmas Market season runs throughout the Advent period, from the end of November to the third week of December, with some markets open till New Years.

The Christmas Markets are usually held in the town squares and have been in existence for hundred of years. As you stroll through the markets, your senses will be delighted with the smell of Christmas trees, mulled wines, roasting nuts, gingerbread and other regional specialities; you will delight to the sounds of Christmas choirs and the sights of all the lights, festive decorations and the wonderous gifts available to take home.

The crisp clean air makes for a great time while exploring the many stalls looking at beautiful blown glass ornaments, carved wooden nutcrackers, nativity sets, other holiday decorations and toys as well as beautfull lace and linens.

With a river cruise, you can quickly get from one Christmas Market to another - on the Rhine River from Cologne with its Christmas Market near the Cathedral or its Medieval Christmas Market on the banks of the Rhine with entertainers, minstrels and jesters; Koblenz - where the Rhine and Mosel rivers meet, enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride, visit over 130 decorated stalls or listen to a Christmas concert at the Town Hall; Rudesheim featuring over 120 market stalls from 12 countries in "The Christmas Market of the Nations" and Europe's largest Nativity scene, Frankfurt's "Weihnachtsmarket", Fussen Germany Christmas Market; Strasbourg with France's oldest Christmas Market or Colmar Christmas Market or Mulhouse's Christmas Market.

Along the Main River in Germany, there is the Nuremburg Christmas Markets, Rothenberg Christmas Market and Regensburg Christmas Markets.

Christmas Markets along the Danube, there is the Passau Christmas Markets, the Vienna Christmas Markets and Salzburg Old Town Christmas Markets (usually offered an an excursion from the ships)