Christmas markets: river cruises to Europe’s best

3. Alternatively, you can kick off your festive celebrations in Prague,
bohemian both by reputation and geography, and head to Wenceslas Square
Market. Try the Trdelnik, traditional cylindrical pastries cooked on a spit
and served with a dusting of cinnamon and ground nuts, and then head to the
stalls with a glass of glühwein in hand. This 10-night cruise, offered by
AmaWaterways (0808 223 5009; amawaterways.co.uk),
then moves on to Nuremberg, the German city on the Rhine-Main-Danube
canal where more than 200 stalls dressed in red-and-white awnings are piled
high with traditional treats (try the edible Christmas figures made of
prunes) and Regensburg, whose impeccably conserved old town enjoys
World Heritage status. Stroll to Kohlenmarkt, Haidplatz and Lucreziamarkt to
see German craftsmanship at its finest: handmade toys, pottery, silk
paintings and wood marionettes (there’s no doubting authenticity – a law
ensures no modern materials, such as plastic, are used). From £1,749 per
person (limited availability) departing from Prague or Budapest on November
23, 2014.

^Nuremberg

4. For those with a little less time to spare, Austrian firm Amadeus by
Lüftner Cruises (00 43 512 365781; lueftner-cruises.com)
has an early December departure aboard Amadeus Princess that is almost
solely based around the Rhine – highlights include Cochem, Koblenz
and Rudesheim. Cruises depart from Cologne in Germany for Basel in
Switzerland. From £610 per person departing on December 1 for six nights.
Flights cost extra.

5. Shearings (0844 209 7143; shearings.com)
launched a new cruise this year in Holland and Belgium.
Highlights include visits to the Christmas markets in Ypres and Brussels,
as well as stops in Dordrecht and Antwerp. Prices for a
five-night cruise start from £519 per person and include one night’s
half-board accommodation en route and return coach travel.

^{Winter in Amsterdam}

6. The River Cruise Line (0843 5611143;
rivercruiseline.co.uk) also offers shorter, more affordable
alternatives, such as a four-day Medley Cruise that visits four of Europe’s
most traditional Christmas markets. The itinerary starts in Lille,
then move on to Liege and Maastricht where you can visit
Valkenburg’s Christmas market, held in the illuminated zigzagging tunnels
beneath the town, known as Fluweelengrot. Finish in Bruges and stock
up on fine chocolate. From £279 including coach transfers to your chosen
port (Newcastle, Hull or Dover) and return ferry.

7. Finally, for those who enjoy cruising in style, ScenicTours (0800 566 8777; scenictours.co.uk)
has a 15-day all-inclusive Christmas Markets River Cruise which will take
you along the Rhine and Danube river, including stops at Vienna’s
traditional Christmas market and Budapest’s Christmas Fair, which
features more than 100 wooden pavillions. Departs from Budapest on November
24, 2014. Prices start at £1,995 and include either return flights or
Eurostar tickets as well as a personal butler and tickets to exclusive
concert at the Palais Liechtenstein.

More
on river cruises
Our guide to river cruises features inspirational writing and expert advice
on voyages along the Nile, the Danube, the Rhône, the Duoro, the Seine, the
Loire, the Rhine and more

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