Make the Holidays Merry–Explore Europe’s Christmas Markets!
I know it is only May but if you are considering taking a vacation during the Christmas holidays now is definitely the time to begin planning for Christmas 2020 or 2021. Even though you cannot travel now you definitely can start planning and booking future vacations. Plus, AmaWaterways has a very nice promotion for vacations booked before June 30, 2020.
But first, let’s learn more about the beautiful cities and towns on the Danube River that are part of AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Markets cruise!
Sail the AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Markets Cruise
There are a few fantastic Christmas Market Cruise itineraries of AmaWaterways that I could have chosen to share with you today. But I loved the classicness (I just made up a new word 🙂 ) of this one. I guess the “Iconic” in the name says it all! Come with me and learn all about AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market tour on the Danube River as we travel through Hungary, Austria, and Germany.
Christmas Traditions to Experience
Part of the treasure of the touring the Christmas markets in Europe is learning about holiday traditions that are so different from the United States. Different fascets of Christmas are important in Europe than they are here.
How Santa differs in Europe
Let’s take Santa Claus for instance. Countries in Europe don’t have the same Santa Claus tradition that we do. They have something similar but yet, very different. There are no chimneys, trips around the world with flying reindeer, or the North Pole. In the Czech Republic and Austria, you will find a similar character to Santa Clause. Austrians call him St. Nicholas and the people of the Czech Republic call him Mikulas. Each country has differing traditions on how he arrives bringing small gifts to children on December 6th with his companion Krampus (who gives coal, onions, or potatoes to the naughty children). Traditionally, the real gift-giver, Baby Jesus, (Christkindl in Austria and Jezisek in the Czech Republic) comes on the 24th.
Christmas Markets
As you travel down the Danube River from town to town you are delighted by the different traditions you come across, the food, decorations, music, and of course, the Christmas Markets! During the holidays, from early/mid-November to late December, these wonderful outdoor markets come alive. Some cities even have quite a few options. As you wander throughout, from booth to booth, enjoy the smells, sounds, and sights of the season.
Special Traditions Onboard
Of the boat is not the only place you will get to experience some holiday traditions. The AmaWaterways staff wants to create the most magical holiday possible. A couple of activities you might get to participate in are:
- Leaving out your shoes for St. Nick
- Trimming the tree
- Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve
- New Year’s Countdown
Iconic Christmas Market Itinerary
Day 1 & 2–Budapest, Hungary
Guided options in Budapest
If you choose to join the included “Queen of the Danube” tour you will be treated to the best of what Budapest has to offer. You will visit Buda Castle, Heroes’ Square, and the Great Market Hall. You will see what makes gives Budapest its name by visiting the Buda (hilly) side and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. And since this is a Christmas Market cruise you will be given some time to wander through the oldest and most spectacular market in Budapest, Vörösmarty Square. This tour will give you a great overview of the city. It might even spark some desire to head back someday for a longer stay.
On your own in Budapest
If you would like to venture out on your own don’t miss some of these iconic sights:
- Vörösmarty Christmas Market in Vörösmarty Square.
- Chain Bridge near Buda Castle. It is gorgeous lit up at night. The current bridge is an exact replica of the bridge from 1849 that was destroyed during WWII.
- Castle Hill–Home to Buda Castle, Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest History Museum, and National SzĂ©chĂ©nyi Library. This historic quarter is also home to Sandor Palace (official residence of President of Hungary), Hungarian National Archives, and the beautiful Gothic Matthias Church. Tunnels and caves underneath are for the adventurous. You could spend a whole day just on Castle Hill!
- Buda Castle Funicular–A tram ride up the hill. You must have tickets before you go and they can only be purchased at select Budapestinfo Offices.
- Hungarian Parliament--The third largest in the world and modeled after the Parliament in London
- St. Stephens Basilica–One of the most important ecclesiastical buildings in Hungary and a major attraction. It can seat up to 8000 people.
- Dohany Street Synagogue–Tied with Amsterdam Synagogue as the largest in the world
- Andrassy Avenue ending in Heroes’ Square, the gateway to City Park.
- Sczechenyi Thermal Bath and Swimming Pools–It is one of the largest bathing complexes in Europe with 21 pools. Wow!
- Margaret Island–Otherwise know as “Budapest’s Central Park”
Oh my goodness! There is so much to see and do in Budapest. Way more than a day so it is a wonderful thing you are staying overnight in Budapest. The nice thing about a river cruise is you will get a chance to spend a little time in Budapest and see what you might like to come back later and do. If you are traveling on your own, even for just the day, you might be interested in a Budapest Card. Pay one price and have free admission and discounts for many Budapest attractions.
Day 3–Vienna, Austria
The next stop on the AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market cruise is the breathtaking city of Vienna! What could be more magical than strolling through stall after stall laden with traditionally handcrafted treasures, magnificent aromas of gingerbread, piping hot waffles, and mulled wine and listening to open-air concerts or Mozart as you shop. Start the day with the choice between two different excursions.
Guided Options in Vienna
- The “Imperial Vienna” tour–Revel in the beauty of the Vienna Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Hapsburgs and end up in the gorgeous historic city center. Then, off to take in the sights, sounds, and traditions of the Austrian holiday at the Rathaus (Town Hall) Christmas market.
- A bicycle ride through the city of Vienna taking in the sights at a little slower pace.
During the afternoon you may choose to join the visit to Schonbrunn Palace (former Imperial summer residence) and the magnificent Christmas market. Don’t miss the giant, sparkling Christmas tree.
End the day with Vienna all lit up and shining at the Maria Theresaplatz Christmas market in the heart of the Ringstrasse. Also, visit the illuminated Rathahus, Vienna’s Largest Christmas market.
On your own in Vienna
The day they have planned for you gives you a wonderful taste of Vienna as well as the Christmas markets, the focus of your cruise experience. But, if you want to go out on your own and focus on just a couple of places, here are some suggestions:
- Hofburg Palace Complex–And I do mean complex! It is 2.5 million square feet with 18 wings, 19 courtyards, and 2,600 rooms. Phew! Don’t miss the Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum (dedicated to Empress Elizabeth of the late 1800s), and the Silver Collection.
- Schonbrunn Palace–The summer residence of the Imperial Hapsburgs. If you are touring both palaces purchase a Sisi ticket to save some money.
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral–A gorgeous mishmash of architectural styles. The tile pattern on the roof is astounding!
- Museumsquartier–Even though this area looks baroque on the outside, inside the more than 70 museums, galleries, theaters, cafes and restaurants you will discover Vienna’s vibrant contemporary art scene.
- City Hall (Wiener Rathaus)–Built in the 1800s in Neo-Gothic style. Located nearby is a fabulous Christmas market.
- Enjoy Wiener Schnitzel at Schnitzelwurt.
- Ride Wiener Risenrad, Vienna’s giant ferris wheel.
Day 4–Melk, Austria
Guided options in Melk
Melk, Austria is a small, picturesque little town watching over the Danube right where it enter the Wachau Valley. This little town is best know for the impressive Benedictine Abbey perched above the Danube. The magnificent Baroque monastery is one of the most revered in Europe. The inside is as magnificent as the outside and also houses a famous library with more than 90,000 volumes and rare manuscripts. Touring this beautiful monastery is one tour option for this stop. The other option is a guided bike ride through the Old Town, many building date back to the 1700s.
This lovely laid-back little town surrounded by gorgeous landscapes and countryside will be a wonderful respite from the busyness of Vienna and Budapest.
Day 5–Passau, Germany
Passau, Germany is situated at the confluence of three rivers–the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz. This city, which is considered by some to be the most spectacular city on the Danube, has been around for 2000 years. The combination of the gothic and baroque architecture creates a enchanting atmosphere as you walk the cobbled streets.
Guided options in Passau
Your day in Passau will begin with a possibly difficult choice. All of the included tour options are fantastic. Here are your options for your day:
- Join the “City of Three Rivers” walking tour through this 2,000-year-old city renowned for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. A stunning centerpiece of the city is St. Stephen’s Cathedral which houses one of the largest organs in the world. After the tour, the rest of the day is for you to explore on your own.
- Option two is a full-day excursion to Salzburg, in the Austrian Alps and the birthplace of Mozart, for a walking tour of UNESCO-designated Old Town, spectacular cathedral, and of course, Christmas market. The Hellbrunn Palace inner courtyard is the romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria.
- The third option is a guided bicycle adventure along the Danube.
On your own in Passau
If you would like to sightsee on your own you might like:
- Veste Oberhaus–A fortress atop the hill built-in 1219 meant to display the power of the Roman Empire. Overlook the city from this high vantage point and also enjoy a bit of history and art in a small museum.
- Weihnachtsmarkt–A Christmas Market in the Old Town with the glorious St. Stephens Cathedral in the background.
- St Stephens Cathedral–A gorgeous baroque-style cathedral with one of the world’s largest organs. If you are there on a Wednesday or Saturday you can attend an organ concert from Noon-12:30 PM.
- Passau Glass Museum–Holds the world’s largest collection of European glass with over 30,000 exhibits spanning many centuries.
- New Episcopal Residence (Bishop’s Palace)–Behold the display of riches of Passau when it was the capital of the largest dioceses of the Roman Empire. The Rocco stairway and the frescoes of the gods of Olympus are two special exhibits in the Museum of the Treasure of the Cathedral.
- Wander down to the outside wall of City Hall and look back at the levels and years of past floods that have covered the lower parts of the city.
Day 6–Regensburg, Germany
Guided options in Regensburg
Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities awaits. And it marks another day that begins with a difficult choice of how to spend your day. You will have three excursion options to choose from or go out on your own. Your choices include:
- You might want to take a nice overview tour of the city on foot. You will see the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. To cap off the tour you will be able to explore the Old Town Christmas Market.
- Today might be a good chance to sample some of Bavaria’s specialties. You don’t want to leave Germany without trying some of the local beer, sausages, or pretzels.
- For active travelers, an option for you might be bicycling to the base of Walhalla, a neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens that houses the German Hall of Fame.
Later in the afternoon, you will be able to visit one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas markets at Thurn und Taxis Palace, a former monastary converted into an opulent palace for a family who earned their fortune in the postal business. This Christmas market is a fascinating place to watch artisans make their unique arts and crafts.
On your own in Regensburg
But, maybe you just want to strike out on your own. Some things that could interest you might be:
- Old Stone Bridge–A marvel of engineering built in the 12th century and spanning over 300 meters. This pedestrian bridge was the only bridge across the river until the 1930s. There is an interesting statue to see at the hump of the bridge.
- Regensburg Museum of History–Track the cultural history of Regensburg from the Stone Age to the 1800s.
- Patrician Towers–In medieval times, to show wealthy families built their home up and not out. Many houses were erected from the competition to show off wealth. The attention-grabbing Goliathhaus has a mural of David and Goliath painted in 1573 on the side (this building has the restaurant David on its upper floor overlooking Regensburg). Fortress-like patrician house, Goldenes Kreuz, lines Haidplatz, the triangular “square” in the middle of Old Town that hosted medieval jousting tournaments. The tallest building at 50m is Goldener Turm and now houses university students.
- Porter Praetoria–A 2nd-century rough-hewn stone gate for the northern wall that was absorbed into later buildings.
- Altes Rathaus–Regensburg bright yellow 13th century Old Town Hall that has been incorporated into the later baroque new town hall. Much has been left, unchanged from the 14th and 16th centuries.
Day 7 & 8–Nuremberg, Germany
Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the scenic sailing down the Main-Danube canal as you cross the Continental Divide and Nuremberg comes into view. Nuremberg is a lovely town that has weathered many momentous events from the time of the Holy Roman Empire to the 20th century and is the last stop on AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market tour. The Altstadt (Old Town) is still surrounded by walls and is overlooked by a Roman Empire era castle on the north side.
Guided Options in Nuremberg
After docking you have a couple of choices if you wish to join the included excursions.
- Take the city tour of WWII highlights then down the cobblestones streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old ramparts. Nuremberg is home to the courthouse which held the Nuremberg Trials to judge Nazi personnel. When court is not in session it is possible to see inside the courthouse.
- Option two is a gastronomic delight with Franconian specialties–bratwurst, rotbier (red beer) and lebkuchen (gingerbread).
Later in the day, you can visit Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world’s oldest, largest, and most famous Christmas Markets.
On your own in Nuremberg
- Kaiserburg Castle–Explore the towers, circular staircases, courtyards, courts and deep well bored into the sandstone. The observation deck boasts the best panoramic view of the city.
- Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds–A congress hall built in the 1930s as part of an unrealized plan for the city. It now houses an exhibition on the Nazi regime.
- Nuremberg Trial Memorial–Courtroom 600 of the Justizpalast can be hard to view because it is a currently working courtroom. The top floor of the building has been turned into a museum highlighting the Trials and their impact until today.
- German National Museum–An enormous collection of German treasures from its cultural past in over 25,000 exhibits.
- Albrecht DĂĽrer’s House–He was possibly Germany’s greatest painter (early 1500s). This 5-story home is the only example in Europe of an artist’s home from this time period. It is one of the few burgher houses left from Nuremberg’s 15th century.
- Schöner Brunnen–An amazing 19m Gothic fountain crafted in the late 1300s in the main market square. It resembles a church spire and within is carved many figures representing pilars of the Roman Empire and Church. Truly a marvel to behold. During WWII they wrapped the monument in concrete and in emerged after without a scratch.
- City Walls–Take a walk along the city walls for an interesting jaunt through history.
- Nuremberg Toy Museum–Just the building, the Renaissance Hallerschess Haus, is a sight to behold in the Altstadt (Old Town). Inside celebrates toys! You will find pre-War games and toys and an impressive model railway on the first three floors. Toys from 1945 and beyond (think lego, Playmobil, and Barbie) are on the top floor along with a place for kids to play.
Since Nuremberg is where you disembark the ship you can plan to take a little more time to explore this fascinating city. Or another possibility is to extend your trip with an additional 3-night excursion to Prague to explore another wonderful European city with spectacular Christmas markets, interesting history, beautiful architecture and so much more.
Phew! That is one action-packed week of wonderfulness! I hope that you enjoyed learning about this fantastic AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market cruise. If you have any questions please let me know! I am here when you are ready.
AmaWaterways Triple Holiday Savings!
Earn Triple Savings on your holiday cruise when you book categories BB and above. The promotion applies to select cruises.
- $1,000 savings per person
- $50 per person onboard credit
- Complimentary category upgrade
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
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