Europe's Christmas markets, a beloved holiday tradition, draw visitors from all over the world, offering a festive atmosphere with stalls of handcrafted gifts, mulled wine, and local delicacies. AmaWaterways' Taste of Christmas cruises provide an early glimpse into these markets, offering a unique way to experience the seasonal transformation before the crowds arrive.
Beginning in mid-November, AmaWaterways’ Taste of Christmas sailings invite guests to explore Europe as town squares and city streets turn into Christmas wonderlands. While some smaller markets may still be setting up, larger, renowned markets in cities like Vienna, Budapest, and Amsterdam will be among the first to open, welcoming AmaWaterways guests as some of their earliest visitors.
For 2024, the 7-night Blue Danube Discovery Taste of Christmas cruise departs Budapest on November 16th, stopping in Austria, including Vienna, and Germany before concluding in Nuremberg. In addition to visiting Christmas markets in Vienna and Budapest, passengers can enjoy traditional Slovakian cuisine with a home visit in Bratislava, visit the famous Melk Abbey, or take part in an 18-mile guided bike tour along the scenic Danube.
AmaWaterways also offers the Rhine Castles and Swiss Alps Taste of Christmas sailing with 3 departures in 2024 - two from Basel and Amsterdam on November 18th, and a special wine-themed sailing from Amsterdam on November 25th. This journey transports guests from Lake Lucerne to the Rhine Gorge, a region known for its picturesque castles, with Christmas markets in Cologne and Amsterdam providing festive shopping and regional treats.
Additional Taste of Christmas cruises in 2024 include the Gems of Southeast Europe, sailing the lower Danube from Hungary to Romania, and Rhine & Moselle Splendors, running from Luxembourg to Basel. For those seeking to experience Europe’s markets at their peak, AmaWaterways offers an array of Christmas Market sailings on the Danube, Rhine, Rhone, and in Holland and Belgium, but early booking is recommended, especially for 2025 voyages.
AmaWaterways cruises are known for their exceptional onboard offerings, including fine dining at multiple venues, unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks with meals, a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour, and a range of excursions such as hiking, biking, and cultural tours. Guests also enjoy high-quality Wi-Fi, a complimentary Wellness Program with fitness classes, and more, enhancing the holiday river cruising experience.