For years, the thought of European river cruising seemed more like a summer activity, walking cobblestone streets under an azure sky, exploring historic ruins, vineyards, and going on truffle hunts. But now the winter cruise has become quite popular, due to the desire of the river cruiser to experience the many European Christmas markets, most near a major river or tributary in Europe.

In many small towns and major cities, the markets present colorful, lively events: staging of Medieval period dance and music, re-creation of old family recipes made daily: the grilling of exotic wursts, strudels, and Lebküchen (Bavarian gingerbread.) Also, hand-hewn toys, hand-knit scarves and gloves are made in summer to be sold in winter at the Christmas markets. Preparation and planning for this event take all year but come together during Advent, the four weeks before Christmas and the beginning of the Christmas markets season.

Most major luxury river cruise companies, Viking, AmaWaterways, Emerald Waterways, and Uniworld  take curious visitors into the heart of these markets to enjoy the anticipation of Christmas through the European Christmas market experience.  Passau, Germany; Riquewihr, Alsace; Vienna, Austria and Strasbourg, France are those in particular with significant culture and history attached.

The European Christmas Market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, Marché de Noël, and Weihnachtsmarkt, originated in Germany, Austria, and many French regions including the Alsace and Strasbourg.

The Vienna December market was a forerunner of the Christmas market and dates back to 1294. This event began as a one-day 11th-century experience, in order, it was thought, to ameliorate the angst of a dark winter, where townspeople could buy Christmas decorations and food, allowing them to better prepare for the the oncoming season. However, the popularity of this event expanded from one day in the 11th century into four weeks in the 21st.

Now, Vienna, Austria has twenty Christmas market areas, but the one at the Rathaus, or city hall, is the oldest in Central Europe. Nearby, these market stalls sell aromatics, Christmas décor, red and white Glüwein, Viennese chocolates, and sparkling Mylar balloons, all reflecting the elegant Austrian spirit of the season.

Also, on the Danube, is Passau, Germany, a small university town with a lively Christmas Market that has existed for over 400 years. Passau, historically, is the first town to have made and sold gingerbread (Lebküchen) and now that product is everywhere, as is its scent.

Passau’s Christmas market is on Cathedral Square in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, dating back to 1688. As one can eat Lebküchen and sip Glüwein, a warm mulled wine, one often hears organ concerts playing Stille Nacht (Silent Night) and other familiar carols. They are played on what is said to be the largest church organ in Europe.

There are other scents and tastes on Christmas Markets Rhine Cruises, and most stop in medieval village of Riquewihr, in the Alsace region of France. This is a bicultural area, due to all of the battles of French and German monarchies. One consequence of all the change in ruling is a gustatory one. The unique dual French/German food combinations found at the Christmas Market combine the best of both. Visitors can experience the scent of a buttery sautéed French foie gras, a warm paté made of goose liver, wine-paired not with the usual white Bordeaux, but with a sweet German late-harvest white Gewürtztraminer.

Another city one may visit is Strasbourg, France, called the Capital of Christmas because it was here in 1570 that the first true Christmas market in Europe took place. It is said that over 300 vendor stalls are spread over teh Strasbourg city locations, making Strasbourg one of the largest Christmas markets in Europe. But there are others. In the Christmas market in Cologne, Germany, the long shadows of its magnificent cathedral, which began construction in 1238, touch the many vendor stalls in the area.

The markets, whether French, German, Austrian or bicultural, express an homage to tradition, reflecting historic commitment to the seasonal rituals of Christmas. And, moving along the rivers, the trip often becomes more spiritual odyssey than river cruise.  The Christmas Market cruises combines the various traditions of Christmas past – but all still inform and delight the contemporary Christmas present.