European Christmas Markets

A blaze of colour and light, flavours and aromas, crafts and carols, the rivers of Europe sing with festive holiday cheer.

By Doug Wallace

Chances are good that you have fond memories of vacationing in Europe in the summer sunshine. But the Continent is equally as enchanting on another level during the winter – cozy and quaint, charming beyond words, less crowded and less expensive, and not as cold as you’d think – just a nip in the air.

The fact is, Europeans really know how to do Christmas right, particularly with regard to the dazzling markets in all their gingerbread glory. If your idea of seasonal serenity includes visiting the storied and stunning Christmas markets of Europe, your secret wish is easily granted by AMAWaterways. A river cruise is the perfect way to experience the magic of Christmas in Europe, engaging in the traditions of multiple cities and cultures with just one holiday.

The consummate pros at Tully Luxury Travel can take your Christmas list, check it twice and run with it, connecting you with AMAWaterways sailings through grand cities like Vienna, Budapest, Strasbourg, Cologne and more.

Imagine Christmas in Total Style

While the holiday tunes tell you there’s no place like home for the holidays, indulging in a luxury cruise to the finest European Christmas markets is a memory just waiting to be etched onto your mind. AMAWaterways has more than 35 sailings to choose from in 2023, many at reduced prices. And that you can have this kind of amazing experience in just seven nights or less is the icing on the plum pudding.

Holiday roots run deep on the Rhine River at this time of the year. The timeless Christmas markets and UNESCO-designated cathedrals in Cologne, Strasbourg, Heidelberg and Basel burst with European grandeur. There are not one but seven different Christmas markets in Cologne alone, plus the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland strung with more than 70,000 lights. Fairy-tale charm spills from every quadrant of Strasbourg, home to Europe’s oldest Christmas market, dating back to the year 1570. Pretzels, chestnuts and hot mulled wine are the order of the day here.

Christmas Markets on the Danube River are a complete overload of festive emotion, as you sail through Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic and Germany. Classical concerts and hearty Christmas culinary delights make Europe’s breathtaking cities a true delight. The iconic capitals of Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna open their streets to music and laughter, goodies and grog, with markets in Regensburg and Salzburg making artisanal gift-shopping a snap.

As you can imagine, the music in Vienna is a classic yuletide constant. Unique holiday traditions abound in Prague, where Mikulas takes the place of Santa, and the Baby Jesus leaves gifts under the tree. Dating back to the early 1600s, Nuremberg’s Christmas markets are awash in light, horse-drawn rides and old-fashioned carousels taking your visit deep into the traditions of the season –along with a second helping of strudel.

Eastward on the Danube, AMAWaterways can also send you from Vienna to Bucharest with countless treasures in-between. Diverse tales and treats await in Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria, with grand cities and medieval villages all coming together to make Christmas more than special. The 14-night Grand Danube Cruise takes you from Vilshofen, Germany, to Giurgiu, Romania, introducing you to even more Eastern European extravagance.

Pre-cruise adventures can extend your vacation time a bit, settling you first into the cultures of Budapest, Zurich, Lucerne, Krakow, Prague and more, before you head down the storied waterways.

See Portugal in a New Light

As for new developments, AMAWaterways has extended the Portugal sailing seasons, which will now include voyages on the Douro River from mid-November through to the new year. This is the perfect time to enjoy the gorgeous fall weather, take part in the olive harvest and crush season at the wineries, or spend the Christmas season enjoying the religious traditions and delicious culinary accompaniment. While it may not be a white Christmas, it will certainly be one to remember.

Get on Board with Tully Luxury Travel

It’s not too late to get in on the festive cheer in Europe this year. The Travel Designers at Tully Luxury Travel can find the perfect AMAWaterways Christmas cruise for you with a variety of special eight-day itineraries to choose from.

The Grand Danube Christmas Markets sailing takes you down one of the most storied rivers in the world aboard the AmaBella. You explore the folktales and traditions on the hillsides of Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Austria and Germany, following the footsteps of crusaders and kings.

Guests aboard the AmaReina also head down the Danube to let you stroll along the cobblestone streets among twinkling lights and handcrafted treasures on the Iconic Christmas Markets tour. Explore some of the most festive and oldest markets in Europe, from Budapest and Vienna to Regensburg and Nuremberg, amid a myriad of Christmas treasures, roasted chestnuts and carol singing.

And with the Colors of Provence Christmas cruise aboard the AmaKristina sailing from Arles to Lyon, markets lining the shores of the Rhône River in France are decked in garlands and lights, epicenters of traditional crafts, incredible food and Christmas crèches.

This is Your Year to Shine

Now is the perfect time to indulge your Christmas fantasies with an AMAWaterways cruise of Europe’s finest and most breathtaking Christmas markets. The team at Tully Luxury Travel is at your beck and call, waiting to make it happen.