by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 12:50 PM ET, Tue September 3, 2024
For guests who want to get a head start on holiday shopping, AmaWaterways is offering early season Christmas market sailings on the Rhine and Danube rivers in 2024 and 2025.
The river cruise line has “Taste of Christmas” departures starting in mid-November, just as Europe’s famed markets are starting to open. These sailings give travelers a chance to shop for handcrafted toys and stroll with mulled wine while the markets
are still quiet and uncrowded.
Some smaller markets may not be open yet, but the Christmas markets in large cities like Vienna, Amsterdam and Budapest start opening in mid-November.
"We are excited to invite our guests to experience the enchanting atmosphere of Europe’s Christmas markets in the most intimate way,” says Kristin Karst, co-founder and executive vice-president at AmaWaterways.
“From the twinkling lights of Vienna to the charming stalls of Nuremberg, we aim to create unforgettable memories that celebrate the joy of the holiday season."
If you’re still making plans for the upcoming holiday season, AmaWaterways is offering a 7-night “Blue Danube Discovery Taste of Christmas” cruise that departs from Budapest on November 16.
Three departures of the “Rhine Castles and Swiss Alps Taste of Christmas” itinerary also still have staterooms available. Two will depart from Basel and Amsterdam on November 18, while a special wine-focused cruise will leave Amsterdam on November 25.
The line is also offering “Taste of Christmas” cruises this year on the lower Danube, as well as the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
Travelers who are interested in sailing during peak season should start planning ahead for 2025, as departures tend to book up quickly.
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