Christmas in July Question: Which Christmas Market River Cruise to Choose?

It’s never too early to start counting down the days until Christmas – or plan a holiday getaway. Christmas in July reminders are a great opportunity to think about how you want to celebrate or travel to get into the spirit of the season. And for me, Christmas market river cruises may be the very best way.

First, you get the benefits of river cruising: unpacking once and sailing into the hearts of these European villages, towns and cities, and having all the details taken care of: being dropped off at the markets without having to find parking! And enjoying seasonal festivities and cuisine on board. Even the Grinch would convert to Christmas on a Christmas market river cruise!

But which Christmas market river cruise?

The Christmas Market River Cruise Conundrum

There are two major Christmas market river cruise itineraries, which almost all the river cruise lines operate, so you have maximum choices for cruising style and price point.

The Rhine and the Danube are the two major cruising rivers overall, and also happen to be in the heart of where many of our most beloved Christmas traditions were born, with many Christmas markets in different styles. Sometimes you even visit 2 a day!

Rhine Christmas Market River Cruises

Rhine River cruise itineraries wind their way between Amsterdam in the north, through the far west of Germany, touching France, and ending in Basel, Switzerland.

Ports of call include major urban centers and their Christmas markets, from the vast market surrounding the imposing Cologne cathedral, to charming medieval village markets like Freiburg in the Black Forest, where I bought a bouquet including Christmas pine and amaryllis to take back to my balcony stateroom aboard the Viking Sigyn.

What makes this itinerary unique?

The inclusion of France. Strasbourg is the ‘Christmas Capital of France’ and its market is renowned. If you love all things French, you’ll get a little taste of Noel here. Mulled wine that’s white Alsatian wine with citrus (which I prefer to red wine that’s sweetened and spiced) and French-German twists, like chocolate pretzel-beignets – irresistible!

And Switzerland. Chocolate, fondu, apres-ski… The Swiss do comfort and winters like you imagine them to be!

Don’t forget: the castles. The Middle Rhine has the highest concentration of castles anywhere in the world.40 castles in 40 miles. A UNESCO site and one of the most romantic scenic sailings in the world, best seen from the river so you can see these medieval marvels on both banks. They’re even more romantic cupping a mug of spiked hot chocolate, bundled up on the top deck of our Viking longship.

Danube Christmas Market River Cruises

The middle section of the Danube runs between Passau, in the south-east corner of Germany, through Austria, touching Slovakia and ending in Budapest, Hungary. At any time of the year, it’s a celebration of Central European culture and history. At Christmas, local food, beverages, arts, crafts and traditions you won’t experience at any other time come to life.

What makes this itinerary unique?

One of the things I loved most about our Scenic Christmas market river cruise on the Danube was the inclusion of the nighttime, artisan Christmas market in the castle grounds in Regensburg, dubbed the ‘Most Romantic Christmas Market’. With fires and torches illuminating the castle walls, and craftspeople smoking fish, baking sweets, hammering metal before your eyes.

Not to mention the side excursion to Salzburg, Austria, home to the heart-warming classic film that’s become a Christmas season favorite: The Sound of Music. The Salzburg Christmas market is also one of the most authentic in Austria.

Plus the magic of fairytale, wedding-cake architecture and horse-drawn carriages in Vienna in the winter and comfort food like Chicken Paprikash in Budapest, Hungary. Hot tip: get the ingredients like authentic Hungarian paprika to take home as souvenirs or gifts to keep your heart warm through the entire winter season!