Christmas is almost upon us and indeed, if you’ve read any of our past blogs related to Christmas markets and cruises, there’s a good chance you could be reading this one in a wi-fi hot-spot in a riverside city , phone in one hand, glass of mulled wine in the other. That’s because, when it comes to Christmas river cruises, you need to book early. Christmas markets are growing in popularity everywhere, not just here in the UK. The thing is though, with Christmas river cruises in Europe, you get the chance to enjoy all the traditional atmosphere, food fun and festivities in a truly authentic setting. Though most Christmas river cruises end just before the big day, many people opt for a hotel stay in a nearby city to finish off their cruise in festive style and get home in time for the New Year.
Being away for Christmas means either early or late gifts for friends and family and when you’re visiting a series towns and cities which are brimming with festive cheer on Christmas river cruises, chances are you’ll be opting for the late gift option, as you’ll have some great opportunities to pick up some authentic and traditional gifts. Or, if you’re reading this while relaxing with a pre-Christmas drink at home, or perhaps while taking a break from round one of intensive last-minute gift-wrapping, maybe it’ll get you thinking about Christmas river cruises for next year.
So, empty santa sack in hand, let’s take a look at some of the great gifts which you can buy on Christmas river cruises and some of the markets where they can be found.
Brussels
You can visit Belgium’s breathtaking capital during the festive period on a Dutch and Belgium Waterways itinerary which includes a stop at the city. Brussels’ Grand Place certainly lives up to its name and the beautiful architecture which lines it makes the perfect backdrop for the Christmas market which takes place there each year, boasting around 240 stalls. As if that wasn’t enough, the city’s Place St Catherine also gets in on the action, boasting an ice rink and a big wheel.
Gift – Chocolate
Belgium is of course synonymous with chocolate, so what better place to pick up something a little special than what you’ll find down the local supermarket? There are all manner of tasty treats on offer, from luxurious boxed selections in stylish packaging to more fun assortments for the kids.
Cologne
The spectacular Dom Cathedral forms the awesome backdrop for another of Germany’s most famous Christmas markets. Actually, there are seven different markets to choose from in this famous German city along the Rhine but the one in front of the cathedral offers a particularly pleasing setting.
Gift – Wooden toys
Much is said about kids these days burying their heads in mobile devices or watching too much TV, so if you’re on a mission to bring back the traditional toy to your younger loved-ones’ lives, then one of Cologne’s markets is the ideal place to do it. According to an old Cologne legend in the city, the Heinzelmannchen gnomes busied themselves overnight to get everything ready, much in the manner of Santa’s elves. Perhaps because of this there are many toy stands here selling everything from carved santas and reindeer to toy soldiers and trains.
Koblenz
This German city where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet is a popular fixture on a number of itineraries which explore either or both rivers, not least on Christmas river cruises. The city’s old town is full of Christmas card-traditional wood-beamed buildings, so naturally this is where the Christmas market takes place.
Gift – Wine
With 130 stalls to choose from, there’s plenty of gifts on offer in Koblenz but in particular, this is a great city in which to pick up a bottle or two for any wine-lovers you may know. Koblenz is regarded as the place to find some of Germany’s best wines any time of year but at Christmas, there’s sure to be a real showcase of cases. (Don’t forget to sample some of the famous hot Gluhwein while perusing the wine stall!)
Nuremburg
Nuremburg is home to one of Germany’s most celebrated Christmas markets – Christkindlesmarkt and you can visit it on a number of cruises which explore the Danube. The city’s historic medieval streets offer the perfect setting during the festive period, where you’ll find around 180 different stalls offering all manner of wares. Modern wares are forbidden here!
Gift – Gingerbread
This isn’t just your common-or-garden gingerbread that you can pick up in your high street bakers, because Nuremburg’s gingerbread is world-famous. So if you know someone who’s partial to this particular baked treat, you’ll be treating them to the very best.
Vienna
As one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Austria’s capital is the perfect setting for a Christmas market, or 11 to be exact, as that’s how many you can find there during the festive period. Pretty much every Danube river cruise includes a stop at the city, so you’ll have every opportunity to explore.
Gift – Christmas jumper
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a little bit of festive knitwear. Though you’ll find almost any gift you could desire across the many markets in Vienna, one of the city’s oldest squares, Am Hof, is also home to a Christmas market which specialises in hand-crafted goods, including a comprehensive choice of wool-based wares.
By Simon Brotherton
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