How do you spend the holidays? This year, I celebrated Christmas aboard a European river cruise with my daughter, Liz! We were excited to hop on this Viking cruise headed from Amsterdam through Germany and France, and finally ending in Switzerland. The trip highlighted some of the best Christmas markets and artisan shops this region had to offer. Here’s what the Christmas on the Rhine cruise had in store for us!
What Is a Christmas Market?
First, let’s pin down what a Christmas market is. After all, they aren’t nearly as popular in the U.S. as they are in Europe. While you’ll find a few scattered across the states, European cities big and small make room for these markets.
Christmas markets are a collection of stalls (most of which are BEAUTIFULLY decorated) where vendors sell all kinds of goods, from Christmas ornaments and jewelry to local foods and drinks. This tradition goes back hundreds of years with roots in medieval Germany. Today, you’ll find Christmas markets all over Europe, with some major cities even having more than one.
Now, with a bit of context under your belt, let’s set off on Viking’s Christmas on the Rhine cruise!
Starting Things Off in Amsterdam
My trip started with a flight into Amsterdam, the land of stroopwafel! Before boarding the boat, Liz and I got ourselves some of these iconic pastries at an adorable little shop. We walked along the famous canals and wandered through the gorgeous city center. So much was done up for Christmas—red bows, greenery, and everything! And the cherry on top? I got to meet up with a social media friend before cruising away. I just love making new friends all over the world!
Exploring Germany’s Christmas Delights
After sailing through Amsterdam and a few other towns in the Netherlands, we were off to Germany. Our first stop was Cologne, where the Christmas Markets were amazing with carousels, Ferris wheels, ice skating, curling, live performances and more. Every single stall took decorating seriously, and we found no shortage of unique gifts. Another highlight of Cologne was its backdrop , the grand cathedral. According to legend, the Cologne Cathedral houses the bones of the three kings who visited baby Jesus. But whether you believe or not, the ornate architecture makes this place a must-see!
While we could have spent lots more time exploring Cologne and sampling the Christmas market’s incredible food, it was time to hop back on the boat. The next few days took us through the German Black Forest, with stops in Koblenz, Mannheim, and Speyer. Highlights included:
- Spaghetti Ice Cream in Mannheim— Just down the street from the Mannheim market the Eis Cafe offered a really unique experience—spaghetti ice cream! The vanilla ice cream was spooled onto the plate just like a heap of noodles. Delicious!
- Speyer Christmas Market—The Speyer Christmas market was nothing short of incredible! I didn’t expect such an over-the-top market from a small town like this one. Speyer itself has a quintessential German vibe, so consider adding it to your itinerary if you plan on seeing this country.
- Cuckoo Clocks in Freiburg—If you’ve ever talked to me on the phone or seen my house, you’ve certainly heard my clock ticking in the background. I just loved visiting this wonderful cuckoo clock store in Freiburg. The craftsmanship was amazing. Too bad one wouldn’t fit in my suitcase!
Stopping in Strasbourg
Goodbye Germany, and hello France! While the bulk of this cruise was focused on German towns, we also made a stop in Strasbourg (apparently, the Christmas capital of France!). Its Christmas market is the oldest in France and has stalls dedicated to all kinds of crafts, food, and wine. Outside the market, the local shops certainly didn’t skimp on Christmas decorations either. Poinsettias hung from balconies, and so many stores had festive window displays. Just like in Cologne, Liz and I paid a visit to the local cathedral. This one was magnificent, with jawdropping grand clock and a wonderful Nativity scene featuring colorful flowers and running water.
What to Know About Cruising Through Europe
The Viking Christmas on the Rhine cruise swept us through three countries (technically four if you count ending in Switzerland), which can be intimidating for first-time or solo travelers. But I’d say this trip is perfect for all kinds of travelers, whether you’re a beginner or veteran cruise-goer. In fact, Liz recommends everyone add a Christmas Markets cruise like this to their bucket list. Here’s what you should know about booking this trip:
- River Cruises Aren’t Ocean Cruises—Ocean cruise liners are massive and can be quite overwhelming. River cruise ships are much smaller and more intimate. For example, our ship carried less than 200 passengers, while the average ocean cruise has 3,000.
- Mother/Daughter Travel Is Encouraged—Are you looking for a perfect mother/daughter trip for next winter? This is it! Of course, I was with mine, but I also saw several other mother/daughter pairs aboard the ship.
- Bring Lots of Layers—I’m no stranger to cold winters (Chicago raised, Indianapolis resident), but be sure to bundle up for this cruise! Puffy coats are your friend.
- The Views Are Incredible—You don’t have to get off the boat to enjoy some incredible views! We passed over 20 castles, and everyone on board was always running outside to snap photos as the captain pointed them out over the PA system.
- It’s Totally Safe—Liz and I felt completely safe navigating these Christmas markets throughout Europe. While you should always be cautious during international travel, European cities are generally safe.
What’s Your Dream Cruise?
Christmas on the Rhine was a dream cruise for me. I always love solo travel, but it was extra special getting to share this experience with my daughter. After this trip, we’d love to become Christmas market regulars! As you plan for next year’s holiday travel, be sure to consider this cruise with Viking. See more highlights from this trip (and others) when you follow me on Instagram, and don’t forget to leave me a comment on what cruise you’d like to take!