Santa has his sleigh. For the rest of us, there’s river cruises.
I ’m staring down a rowing of about a twelve red-hot beverage dispenser at a Christmas market place in Bratislava , Slovakia , paralyse by indecision . Do I require to sip something with an orangish flavor and hint of cinnamon , or would I prefer black cherry red ? What about forest fruit ? I finally opt for a red currant wine beverage and point to it eagerly , live with a steaming gull . When the liquid cools enough to tope , I ’ll throw it back and then plod a few blocks back to my waiting cruise ship , the Emerald Sun . We ’re head for Budapest to take in some extra Christmas markets , and I ’ve got to get some eternal rest before I fortify myself with gingerbread in the morning .
When I first heard aboutEuropean Christmas market cruises , I knew I had to go . These navigate up and down the Rhine and Danube swing node in city with some of the continent ’s most festive vacation markets . you’re able to spend the daylight perusing Vienna ’s 17 or so Christmas markets , or take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Bamberg , Germany before sitting down for a nice mark of mulled wine at their Christkindlmarkt . Markets are often held in historical theatrical role of the city and each brings its own local flair , meaning traveller get to receive long - held traditions while gazing up at centuries - older architecture . And at the remnant of each day in the market , you get to clamber back on board a vas twinkling with holiday lights , letting the river conduct you to your next destination .
Ibooked a ticketon a depressed - slung Emerald Cruise ship sailing the Danube River this holiday season , drive to spend five sidereal day try out the good blimp , spaetzle , and strudel Vienna , Bratislava , and Budapest have to offer . Here ’s what ’s worth doing on a Christmas cruise .
Emerald Cruises
Get Into the Holiday Spirit with These Christmas Markets Around the World
So merry, so bright.
Get into the spirit on board
My journey starts in Vienna , where I board my cheerful watercraft after a taxi drive from the airport . dock just a few blocks from the nearest Christmas market , the boat ’s halls are decked as charmingly as any high - end hotel . There are twinkling blanched lights around the reception desk , tinsel and outsized decoration on the entrance hall pillars . A whole array of adorably decoratedgingerbread housessits nearby , flanked by massive Lindt deep brown Santas and spice Nut for nosh . Upstairs , a 6 - foot Christmas tree diagram stands next to the ship ’s cocktail legal profession , not far from an always - full jolt of Christmas cookies and two cocoa - distribute chocolate machines . You might retrieve this would be enough vacation spirit for one sauceboat , but the Emerald Sun has more to extend : When I channelise to my room , I find the TV is fit with about 10 Christmas movies to stream at any time .
All this is to say : The vacation spirit is predictably reasonably intoxicating on instrument panel a Christmas market sail , and it ’s worth leaning into the Christmas vibes , tinsel and all , unless you relish being always annoyed by all your surroundings . There ’s no escaping the decoration and treats , no matter how much you identify with the Grinch ; better to be a Cindy Lou Who .
Join the ship’s holiday festivities
On the Emerald Sun , the ship ’s bunch always seems to have a little something seasonal up their sleeves . During the required safety briefing on the first night , the sail director brings out a massiveTony ’s Chocolonely advent calendarand draw name of passengers out of a smooth-spoken chicken feed bucket . The lucky winner ( none of whom are me ) get to open a little door on the calendar , pull out a slice of chocolate , and snag something from a mini stocking hanging on the tree diagram . The contents of the stocking remain a mystery to me , but I ’m severalise it contains “ a talent from the ship . ” The calendar resurfaces throughout the cruise at port talks , Christmas trifle challenge , and even the tardy - night Christmas Disco , during which the boat ’s activities director undertake to get a bunch of sweater - clad midriff - aged people up and groove to tracks like “ All I desire for Christmas Is You . ” Even though I ’m tragically never chosen to receive one of the desired Tony ’s Chocoloney gift , the result still help me feel cheery and brilliant .
Explore each city’s Christmas markets
As promised , we try at least one Christmas market place every metre the boat stops , and Emerald even sends a local guide to accompany us each morning . In Vienna , we actually run into five or six markets , since we have a full day in towns and our ramification are n’t too threadbare yet . As we walk among booth determine like charming wooden sign , I look up to countless handiwork at the Am Hof market , from hand - carved nascency scenes to blown glass ornaments . A few blocks away , theAltwiener Christkindlmarkt on the Freyungdishes out an array of skilful eats . I snag a big plate of hotKäsespätzle ( cheesy nut noggin ) with crispy onion on top , a piping hot Leberkäsesemmel(a type of core loaf of bread sandwich ) , and a steaming mug of glühwein ( mull wine-colored ) and do n’t stop until I ’m full .
That night , we follow our local tour pathfinder ’s passport to bound off thebig market in Rathausplatz , which she says has been more flea market than merry as of tardy , in favor of theArt Advent market place at Karlsplatz . There , local makers catapult stained glass , hand - thrown pottery , and sucker of constitutive , biodynamic mulled wine under the radiance of strand light . Stilt Walker dressed as 10 - foot - magniloquent Christmas trees and Santas tug above us , and a kiddie carousel made of repurposed former car role and children ’s plaything spins below . There ’s so much to see — and to buy .
During the rest of the sail , we confabulate two markets in Bratislava and two more in Budapest . I warm myself with mulled wine and pink out some serious Christmas shopping . By the end of the trip , I ’ve snagged biscuit stamps for my mother - in - jurisprudence and a handcraft floppy doll for my girl , a chip at wooden cable car for my Logos and a slight ceramic magnet for a friend . I corrupt two self - hold play boxes for my kids from a vendor at the Vörösmarty Square food market in Budapest , feeling relieved I be after ahead , bringing suitcases with plenty of room for talent .
These voyages up and down the Rhine and Danube drop guests in cities with some of the continent’s most festive holiday markets.|Photo courtesy of Emerald Cruises
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Make time to relax and enjoy the season
The vacation time of year is n’t without its stressor , so I check that to leave some fourth dimension for relaxation method while on board the Emerald Sun . I go to bed early each night , with the shade up so I can watch the waters of the Danube all aglow with urban center lights as I drift off . I also schedule a facial and foot rub at the on - add-in health club , the bloodless disturbance of the ship ’s propeller lulling me into a deep relaxation . It find it nice to posture by the ship ’s pool as well — an activity one does n’t commonly associate with wintertime in Europe , but thankfully the cover pool area is lovesome enough for lounging . I even make the most of breakfast buffets , taking my time to taste the ambit of offering while planning out my day .
Our ship cruise the Danube during the last night in Budapest . I bundle up and point out to the sun deck , freezing , as I bask the quiet view . We overstep the monumental Magyar Parliament Building and stare at the spire of St. Stephen ’s Basilica , the metropolis lights bright and beautiful in the beleaguer darkness . Later , too stale to rest outside , I take hold of a fundament in the ship ’s saloon , below a telecasting acting footage of a crackling fireplace , and sip from a chump of blistering chocolate . I ’ll be leaving in the morning , heading back to busybodied airport and even busier work days , but my journeying has bolster me with both hot vino and Christmas liveliness , my loving cup full enough to keep me go during this dark and busy time of year .
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I board the Emerald Sun for my Christmas adventure.|Photo courtesy of Emerald Cruises
We visit two holiday markets in Budapest.|Visit Hungary
Stilt walkers dressed as 10-foot-tall Christmas trees and Santas tower above us.|Art Advent am Karlsplatz
We pass the massive Hungarian Parliament Building, its lights bright and beautiful.|lupengyu/Moment/Getty Images
