Christmas Markets in Europe
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© Photos from the album of Joy Cutchin
The Christmas season is special everywhere....but in Germany, France and Switzerland, it is MAGICAL! Each city has its own Christmas market and visiting them is a wonderous, not-to-be-missed experience. And Tauck has the perfect way to do it... take a Rhine or Danube River cruise! In December, Young Travel led a group of ladies on this special journey.
We started our tour in Cologne, Germany and traveled down the Rhine River on the beautiful, comfortable Tauck Swiss Sapphire. Each city along the way had unique sites and markets. We had a city tour each day with cathedral and museum visits...and ended with visits to the festive Christmas markets. Some highlights included lunch at a mountain top resort in Petersberg, a visit to the Musikkabinett (music box) museum in Rudesheim, watching a fencing demonstration in Heidelberg and a champagne lunch in the famous Baden-Baden casino. Each market featured special foods..from Printen gingerbread in Aachen to roasted pork in Heidelburg and gluhwein, hot mulled wine, in all the markets. The sights & smells are indescribable!
Our riverboat, the Swiss Emerald, was just as festive, with its own Christmas tree, decorated by all of the 100 passengers. We looked forward each night to a lovely dining experience & a time to share memories of our special days. One night we were told to put our shoes outside our door... and guess what, Kris Kringle filled them with chocolates!
Tauck is known for providing unusual experiences with outstanding service, accommodations and food... with some "surprises" thrown in to make your trip extra special! And they certainly succeeded with this Christmas market riverboat cruise on the Rhine! If you are interested in this tour in 2011, just give me a call.... Joy