A River Cruise Through Europe’s Christmas Markets? Yes, Please.
Strasbourg lights, Baden-Baden charm, and mulled wine in medieval towns all wrapped into one dreamy December trip.
There’s something different about Europe in December.
Maybe it’s the scent of cinnamon and cloves that floats through the air. Maybe it’s the twinkle of lights against half-timbered houses. Maybe it’s just the way everything slows down a little, in the best possible way.
If you’ve ever imagined wandering through a real-life snow globe - cobblestone lanes, cathedral bells, market stalls full of handmade treasures, a Christmastime river cruise might be exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
This one starts in Basel, Switzerland, and floats north to Frankfurt, stopping in some of the most charming holiday towns in Alsace and Germany along the way. You unpack once, sip something warm, and watch the festive magic roll past your window.
Here’s how the week unfolds.
Day 1: Basel – Where It All Begins
Switzerland knows how to do December. If you arrive a little early (which I always recommend), you’ll find Basel’s Old Town dressed up in its winter best. Wooden stalls pop up in the city squares, selling ornaments, spiced cookies, and local crafts. It’s the perfect place to settle into the season—and catch your breath before the adventure begins.
That evening, you’ll board your river ship, enjoy dinner on board, and toast to what’s ahead.
Day 2: Breisach – Black Forest Views & Mulled Wine Moments
Your first full day brings you to Breisach, a gateway to the Black Forest. This region is known for cuckoo clocks, charming villages, and—you guessed it—delicious cake. You might visit a vineyard for a wine tasting, explore nearby Colmar, or simply soak up the scenery and sip Glühwein at the town’s Christmas market.
It’s the kind of day that feels like a deep exhale: festive, slow-paced, and full of local flavour.
Day 3: Strasbourg – The Capital of Christmas
Elegant and peaceful, Baden-Baden is where wellness meets winter charm. You could spend the day exploring the Christmas market, set beside the colonnaded Kurhaus, or slip into one of the town’s historic thermal baths for a steamy break from the cold.
The lights, the music, the scent of warm almonds in the air—it’s the kind of town that makes you pause and breathe a little deeper.
Day 4: Speyer – Cathedrals and Candlelight
This riverside town may be smaller, but it has a quiet beauty that feels just right for the season. You’ll see the grand cathedral, of course (a UNESCO site that dominates the skyline), but it’s the atmosphere that really makes it.
Local artisans, glowing lanterns, the comforting smell of flammkuchen baking in wood-fired ovens—it’s not showy or over-the-top, just deeply charming in that way only European towns seem to manage.
Day 5: Frankfurt – One Last Toast
Your final morning brings you to Frankfurt. You’ll disembark after breakfast, but if you’re not quite ready to head home, you could spend a night or two here. There’s a beautiful market in Römerberg Square, and the city’s museums and wine taverns are a cozy way to wind down your trip.
There’s something satisfying about ending the journey here. One last chance to pick up a keepsake, share a toast on board, and soak up the glow of it all before heading home.
If December has ever felt a little too much, too fast, too busy, too noisy - this kind of trip offers something else: space. Space to enjoy the season without rushing. Space to walk slowly, eat well, and let someone else take the lead for once.
It’s not just a river cruise. It’s a pause. A festive, candlelit pause before the new year begins.
Let’s Make This Happen
If you’re ready to do December differently this year, I’d love to help. I can walk you through cabin options, dates, and flights - and make sure you don’t miss any of the good stuff.
Not quite ready for 2025? No worries - 2026 sailings are available too. Planning early means the best selection (and something pretty special to look forward to).
Because let’s be honest, exploring Europe’s Christmas markets feels extra magical when all the planning is taken care of.
