River Cruise Advisor

Returning to Europe’s Christmas Markets aboard Viking Baldur

The cozy Altweiner Christkindlmarkt only takes on a more festive feel as evening falls on Vienna. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

Aaron Saunders, Live Voyage Reports

It’s difficult for me to believe that, two years ago at this time, I had never been on a river cruise before. Nor did I really want to.

But then I discovered both European river cruising and Europe’s storybook-esque Christmas Markets all in a single go. I was hooked – not just on river cruising, but on the kind of Christmas I thought had disappeared from North America forever: a place where people say “Merry Christmas” without fear of reproach, one where friends and families still gathered in historic town squares to enjoy their company.

In December, I hope my recurring holiday tradition will become yours as I set sail from Basel, Switzerland on Viking River Cruises’ Christmas Rhine Getaway voyage aboard the brand-new Viking Baldur.

The full itinerary:

Viking Baldur Rhine Getaway

The stunning, newly-designed atrium space aboard Viking Bragi. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Viking Baldur was launched just this past August, joining the fleet of 10 brand-new Viking Longships that the line christened just this past March in Amsterdam. Next year, Viking will break their own Guinness World Record for the most vessels christened in a single day by a single operator with an astonishing 14 new Viking Longships.

Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Viking Odin arrives in Hoorn. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Since the christening of Viking Odin – one of the very first Longships – last year, I’ve seen a succession of small yet important changes that have been made to the Longships. Some of the most noticeable improvements were made to the latest class of ships, which sport an entirely new atrium design that emphasizes Scandinavian woods and subdued lighting in the ship’s spacious Atrium and Dining Room.

There’s also a connection to the sea aboard each Viking Longship, with Nordic-inspired symbols, insignias and wall treatments accenting different works of art aboard, all bordered by floor-to-ceiling windows in every public space.

December has become my favorite month in which to travel to Europe – for obvious reasons! Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

Last year, I sailed on Viking Freya on Viking’s Holiday Romantic Danube itinerary from Budapest to Nuremberg. There’s nothing quite like sailing down the waterways of Europe with flakes of snow drifting softly past the windows, or walking up on the Sun Deck and hearing the sounds of snow crunching underfoot.

Is it cold? Sure – it’s December, after all! But the Viking Freya was always nice and toasty inside. The line always had hot drinks on-hand, and even made a darn good batch of my favorite drink, Gluhwein – mulled, spiced wine that can include cloves, orange peel, cinnamon, and can also be generously spiked for a little extra kick.

Special German coffee was served along with Gluhwein in the Viking Lounge in Regensburg. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

Viking’s Rhine Getaway itinerary calls on 10 different locales in just seven days, including visits to five different UNESCO World Heritage Sites and four separate countries. With the exception of Amsterdam, every single port of call is brand-new to me. Yet, I know what I am most looking forward to.

The opportunity to visit a different Christmas Market in each port of call.

These markets are a veritable attraction in their own right. Some cities, like Strasbourg, actually have more than one Christmas Market – though the most famous still remains the historic Christkindelmärik situated in Place Kléber, anchored by a massive Christmas tree.

Eine gluhwein, bitte. Most markets typically have their own commemorative cups – that you can keep! Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

Even in places with only a single Christmas Market, each one is almost always different from the last, with vendors serving up a variety of alluring foods and beverages designed to ward off the December chill.

It’s a far cry from fighting over the last parking space at the Wal-Mart.

What’s more, this itinerary offers the unique ability to experience the Christmas traditions of Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands – all in a single week.

Skating on the ice at the Leidseplein in Amsterdam. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

If you’ve always wondered about Europe’s Christmas Markets, the Rhine, or River Cruising in general, come along with us as we spend a week in Europe exploring Basel, Strasbourg, Speyer, Heidelberg, Rudesheim, Koblenz, Cologne, Kinderdijk and Amsterdam; a week that I can only hope will come accompanied by white, fluffy snow.

But regardless of what the weather does, it’s nice to know I can always look forward to relaxing in the Aquavit Terrace aboard the Viking Baldur as she sails down the Rhine!

The attractive Viking Embla sails from Visegrad, Hungary. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders