I get asked a lot, “Where would you go?” and that’s a hard question to answer. My list is long. I have the privilege of seeing so many amazing destinations and experiences all over the world. Every once in a while, something comes across my desk that makes me stop and daydream for a second.   

One such trip came over a few months ago and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. So, I decided to start a new blog series…’Bucket List Travel.’ Here I will share one trip that is on my bucket list. 

Many places are off-limits for now due to COVID and political unrest. Some options are on my list because they are places clients are asking about and I’ve never been. They are within reach, I just need to find the time to go. Others are my true bucket list trips. They are the once in a lifetime trips that I have my heart set on. 

While cruising wasn’t possible this last Christmas, I thought this month was the right time to share the Christmas Market River Cruises that Amawaterways offers. Their Iconic Christmas Markets River Cruise takes you down the Danube through Austria, Germany, and Hungry. I’ll be honest, I would go on any of them! 

Travel back through centuries as you walk along cobblestone streets through grand cities and historic towns bedecked with twinkling Christmas trees and lined with wooden huts gleaming with handcrafted treasures. Sparkling lights; the festive sounds of children dressed as angels singing carols; enticing smells of hot-mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, sausages and sweet treats of every kind; and timeless wonders are a feast for all your senses.

Christmas Markets on the Danube lets you experience timeless holiday traditions and elegant pageantry in five countries—Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. Let iconic capital cities—Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna—decked in holiday finery with glittering Christmas trees illuminated by thousands of lights, bells pealing from cathedral towers and children dressed as angels singing Christmas carols, dazzle you. Wander the stalls of Europe’s most traditional and enchanting Christmas Markets, including Regensburg and Salzburg, shopping for handcrafted toys and gifts, sipping hot mulled wine and inhaling the fragrance of gingerbread and roasted chestnuts. Cherish all the glory and magic of the season in grand European style as you cruise along the Danube during this festive time of the year.

Experience the deep-rooted holiday traditions of Europe at its most festive time of year and get caught up in the magic of the holidays with visits to some of the world’s most timeless Christmas Markets on the Christmas Markets on the Rhine cruise. Warm-up with a mug of steamy glühwein while at the Cologne Christmas Market located in front of its UNESCO-designated Gothic cathedral. Let the “Capital of Noël,” Strasbourg, the oldest and largest Christmas Market in France, captivate you the way it has for so many others for centuries. Meander through Heidelberg’s majestic Christmas Market nestled idyllically amongst the historic squares of the Old Town. And while in Gengenbach, marvel at the world’s largest Advent calendar, where every evening at 6:00 PM, the brightly lit windows of the neo-classical town hall open and behind each one is a picture by a famous artist, such as Andy Warhol. Cherish all the glory of the season in grand European style as you cruise along the Rhine.

Throughout this dreamlike journey, an overflowing of good tidings and magical Christmas markets come alive on the Magical Christmas Markets River Cruise. A winter wonderland awaits at Prague’s Christmas markets brightly decorated with wooden huts stocked with handicrafts and delicious scents flavoring the air. Be spellbound by the medieval atmosphere of Nuremberg’s main Christmas market, and sample its renowned gingerbread. Stroll through Regensburg’s romantic Christmas market at the Thurn and Taxis Castle, savoring fresh dumplings with vanilla sauce. Get caught up in the magic of Salzburg’s Christmas markets at both Hellbrunn Palace and at Christkindlmarkt, located at the foot of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and around the venerable cathedral, which is a feast for the senses, from the warm aroma of mulled wine and Austrian pastry delights, to the sights and sounds of holiday performances, to the colors and textures of traditional handcrafts. And while in Vienna, visit enchanting Christmas markets from the regal Schönbrunn Palace to Vienna’s charming Maria Theresa markets.

2021 and 2022 Christmas Market River Cruises are now available to book!