The festive season is a magical time to visit picturesque parts of Germany, Austria, France, Hungary and Switzerland and Riverside Luxury Cruises presents a wide range of 3- to 17- day long itineraries along the Rhine and Danube Rivers perfectly curated to showcase the spirit of the holiday season. Guests will be sailing from old European cities such as Frankfurt, Passau or Düsseldorf in Germany, timeless Vienna in Austria, Budapest in Hungary or picturesque Basel in Switzerland with their historic Yuletide markets being the ideal places to soak up the festive atmosphere while also treating yourself to a luxurious all-inclusive cruise experience on board Riverside’s boutique vessels.
The towns and cities that Riverside guests will visit along the way are all famous for their charming, outdoor Christmas markets, many of them often having more than one market for guests to enjoy. Soak up the spellbinding atmosphere and taste the tempting regional Christmas fare while strolling around, perhaps enjoying a glass of warming Glühwein (aka mulled wine). This delicious concoction is usually made with red wine heated with citrus zest and spices such as cloves and cinnamon. It can also be drunk mit Schuss, meaning a shot of rum or brandy has been added for extra punch! Shop for traditional Christmas gifts, local wine and treats to bring home for your family and friends.
Spend the afternoon wandering the markets of charming Rüdesheim, whose quirky, crooked houses and tiny streets provide the perfect chocolate-box setting for its Christmas market. Koblenz, dramatically situated at the confluence of the Rhine & Moselle Rivers, is a romantic’s dream where forest-covered hillsides dominate the skyline, whilst the lower slopes are strewn with the pretty, half-timbered buildings so typical of the Rhineland. Test your endurance and see if you can discover one (or all) of Cologne’s seven Christmas markets, with the largest one situated just outside the city’s famous Cathedral, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When sailing along the Danube, the fascinating city of Budapest is often your embarkation or disembarkation port. At Christmas time, the muted colours of its magnificent archaic spires and grand domes are especially captivating against the wintry skyline. The historic and palatial buildings, the superb Roman ruins and exquisite Art Nouveau architecture provide a truly impressive backdrop for the city’s acclaimed Christmas markets. The scent of traditional honey cookies pervades the air and you should indulge in a slice of a traditional chimney cake.
In Bratislava, Slovakia’s fast emerging capital wander the maze of its narrow streets until you reach the main square and the market with its cozy atmosphere and the sweet fragrance of cinnamon wafting through the air and hundreds of fairy lights twinkling among the branches of the Christmas trees. The pretty red and white stalls groan with inspirational artisan gifts, from decorations, wooden figurines or pottery. There are few places that can so delightfully evoke the spirit of Christmas than Vienna – where the elegant imperial facades, their decorations glittering in the glow from a thousand Christmas lights, the sound of classical carols floating on the crisp air and the irresistible smell of candyfloss and roasted chestnuts is truly reminiscent of Christmas from a bygone age. There has been a Christmas market here since the Middle Ages and today there are more than 20 markets held over the festive period selling a huge range of seasonal gifts and mouth-watering treats.
A small sample of Riverside Christmas Markets itineraries available for you to choose from:
Dreaming of Christmas on the Danube
7-nights Vienna Roundtrip aboard Riverside Mozart
November 22 & December 6, 2025
Season’s Greetings from Germany, Switzerland & France
6-nights Frankfurt Roundtrip aboard Riverside Debussy
November 26 & December 8, 2025
Yule Time on the Rhine
6-nights Frankfurt Roundtrip aboard Riverside Debussy
December 2 & December 14, 2025
Exhilarating Celebrations on the Danube
13-nights Vienna Roundtrip aboard Riverside Mozart
December 20, 2025
Four-Country Christmastime on the Rhine
10-nights Basel to Amsterdam aboard Riverside Debussy
December 23, 2025
Many more Christmas Market itineraries are available, including some last minute 2024 options. Visit here for complete details or contact your Travel Professional.
Europe’s newest cruise line, Riverside Luxury Cruises, operates three vessels Riverside Mozart (162 guests), Riverside Ravel (110 guests), and the latest addition, Riverside Debussy (110 guests), redefining opulence on the water and offering an upmarket river cruise experience, appealing to the over ‘40s crowd, empty nesters as well as multi-generational cruisers looking to share their vacation experiences with their families. Riverside Mozart's double-width stands out from almost every other river cruise ship and allows plenty of space for facilities which most river vessels don’t have, like an indoor, counter-current swimming pool, Jacuzzi, a wraparound promenade deck and even a large gym with a sauna and steam bath. The ship's large size also means the vessel has a higher space per guest ratio, features five onboard dining venues, which is virtually unheard of on river ships, as well as two lounges, two bars and public rooms designed in a way that nobody feels crowded.
All guests enjoy Riverside’s signature personalised service from every staff and crew member; butler service in every suite; gourmet cuisine prepared à la minute made with high-quality, fresh ingredients; included premium wines, Champagne and spirits; complimentary StarLink broadband Wi-Fi; use of bicycles (including e-bikes), ship transfers and daily small group (no more than 15-20 guests per guide) shore excursions to immerse yourself in Europe’s history, cultures and landmarks. For an even more inclusive experience, the gratuities for your guide and coach driver are already included in your fare as well as to the staff onboard.
One of the highlights of your Riverside cruise will be your culinary discovery. The chefs will spoil you from breakfast to dinner, and in between, from the bread and jam made on board, to exquisite dishes based on the regions the ships are travelling through, using fresh, locally sourced produce. Then there are the exquisite wines, carefully selected and expertly paired with your every meal, from the regions you are sailing through. For the ultimate dining experience, try the elegant and exclusive Vintage Room, available on all three vessels at an upcharge. This private enclave dressed in fine linens, welcomes up to 10 guests for a seven-course wine pairing dinner on select nights. Over a glass of Bollinger Champagne, meet the chef and sommelier who will introduce and describe each course and wine choice in detail.