Say goodbye to ‘Bah Humbug’ and welcome the infectious Christmas spirit of Europe.

From quaint villages to bustling cities, locals and visitors alike flock to Europe’s Christmas markets to experience the holiday season the European way.

Discover fairytale snow-capped towns, marvel at the traditional hand-carved wooden toys and enjoy many mugs of mulled wine.

Avalon Waterways Christmas

Christmas time in Alsace and Germany

Embarking in Basel, begin your Christmas journey strolling through the city centre, enjoying the festive illumination and savour sweet Christmas delicacies like waffles, gingerbread and Swiss racelette.

Travelling north, your next port of call will be Breisach in Germany’s Black Forest. Here, you can spend your afternoon browsing Breisach’s Christmas market where you can sample ‘bretzels’, mulled wine and Black Forest Cake.

Savour the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition when you stay in Strasbourg. Wander through the winter market, take in the lights and music and witness the glow of the season.

Stopping at Speyer, you can choose which German Christmas market you visit – either Heidelberg or Speyer. Explore at your own pace to soak up the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of these sparkling winter wonderlands.

Christmas time in the heart of Germany

Unwrap the cherished traditions of Europe’s Christmas markets in the German winter wonderland. Starting your journey in Wiesbaden, begin your Christmas travels with an evening at the Twinkling Star Christmas Market on the Schlosspatz.
Travelling west along the Main River, enjoy a cookie baking class as your ship sails.

Arriving at Nuremberg, spend your time by sprucing the stalls of the Christmas markets, sampling some of Bavaria’s favourites; bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine and countless other Christkindlesmarkt delights.

Finishing your tour in Prague, spend your final evening browsing the exquisite city Christmas Markets. Stroll through the brightly coloured wooden stalls for ornaments and handmade toys and handicrafts.

Christmas time on the Danube

The Danube casts a nostalgic glow of Christmas past to warm the spirit with magical Christmas markets in Prague, Germany and Vienna.

Starting in the Golden City of Prague, enjoy your first night sampling plum dumplings and Pilsner lager at the local Christmas market.

Sailing down the Danube, the next stop will be at Nuremberg, where your perfect Christmas wish will come true as you indulge in traditional Christmas eats, and warm your body and soul with mugs of mulled wine.

Stopping in Regensburg, marvel in the magic of Bavaria’s medieval miracle. Take the time to browse the sparkling Christmas markets, enjoying plenty of hot mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread and bratwurst.

Travelling further along the Danube, your next port of call is Passau in Austria. Here you can take in Passau’s charming Christkindlesmarkt near magnificent St Stephen’s Cathedral.

Finishing up in Vienna, spend your final days wandering the city’s market, sampling Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café.

Experience a unique Christmas with Avalon. Click here for more information.