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18 of the best Christmas market river cruises

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4 weeks ago

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When it comes to Christmas markets, it’s hard to beat the ones held across mainland Europe. Steeped in tradition, Germany, France and Austria have held festive markets for hundreds of years, with some dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. City squares, often overlooked by grand town halls and magnificent cathedrals, are filled with stalls decked out with twinkling lights selling toys, local crafts and gifts. The aroma of gingerbread and spices fills the air and warming mugs of glühwein and plates of pretzels and bratwurst provide tasty treats. Here’s our pick of the best Christmas market river cruises.

Ambassador Cruise Line’s ocean ships are small enough to access rivers and this six-night cruise, which starts and finishes in Tilbury, sails up the Elbe to visit Hamburg where the main city market is held in front of the city hall; others nearby include the forest-themed market next to St Peter’s, the oldest church in the city. The cruise also visits Amsterdam, which has markets throughout the city including a particularly magical option near the skating rink on Museumplein.

Best suited to 21+
Price £
Family-friendly N

• Read our full guide to the world’s best cruises

2. Cologne with Tui

The Christmas market in Cologne’s Rudolfplatz

ALAMY

A giant twinkling Christmas tree forms the centrepiece of Cologne’s most famous market, held in front of the city’s landmark cathedral. It’s one of the seven main markets in Cologne and a stop on several of the line’s wide choice of five and seven-night festive itineraries, which take place on three comfortable adult-only ships aimed at British travellers. As well as sailings in the run-up to the festivities, there are trips that span Christmas and New Year.

Best suited to 21+
Price £
Family-friendly N

3. Germany and Austria with Uniworld

Uniworld’s Maria Theresa

Nuremberg, known as the “gingerbread capital of the world”, has one of the largest Christmas markets in Europe. There are about 200 stalls filled with hand-carved toys, crafts and gifts, and the irresistible scents of roasted chestnuts, spices and grilled sausages linger in the air. You can visit it on sailings with boutique line Uniworld, where every day brings a different market. You’ll also visit the fairytale market at the Volksgarten in Linz, which is home to one of Austria’s largest wooden cribs, with life-size, hand-painted figures; short nativity plays are performed throughout the day.

Best suited to 21+
Price £££
Family-friendly N

• Best Christmas markets in Germany

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4. Germany with Riviera Travel

Cologne Christmas market

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Geared to UK travellers, Riviera offers flexible itineraries with the choice to fly or travel by Eurostar and high-speed rail to reach your ship, along with the option of shorter four-night sailings which pack in four different Christmas markets. A minibreak will still provide time to soak up the atmosphere in Rüdesheim and Koblenz before seeing big-city festivities in Cologne and Bonn. There’s even more Christmas cheer this season as guests get a complimentary drinks package.

Best suited to 21+
Price £
Family-friendly N

5. The Rhine and Amsterdam with A-Rosa

Pool of Dreams by Vibhor Sogani at the Amsterdam Light Festival

ALAMY

Have an electric Christmas with the family on a dedicated multigenerational vessel, the first hybrid river ship that uses battery power. A-Rosa provides free sailings for youngsters and A-Rosa Sena takes family-friendly facilities to a new level with cabins for up to five, a kids’ club and children’s dining area. Festive sailings include a seven-night cruise along the Rhine river and Dutch waterways with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Amsterdam to coincide with the city’s dazzling Light Festival, when artists from around the world create elaborate illuminated displays.

Best suited to 4+
Price £
Family-friendly Y

• Best river cruises in Europe

6. Germany with CroisiEurope

CroisiEurope has a six-night cruise from Berlin to Dresden

CROISIEUROPE

For a Christmas cruise with a difference, CroisiEurope has a nine-day itinerary on the lesser-known Elbe aboard its modern paddlewheel vessel, which is built to navigate the river’s low water levels. It starts in Berlin, so there’s plenty of time to explore the numerous markets in Potsdam before sailing on to culture-rich destinations including Magdeburg, Wittenberg and Meissen. The celebratory itinerary includes the chance to attend Christmas services in Dresden, and a special Christmas Eve dinner.

Best suited to 21+
Price £
Family-friendly N

croisieurope.co.uk

7. The Rhine and Danube with Amadeus River Cruises

Strasbourg Christmas market

ALAMY

With its Austrian roots, it’s no surprise that Amadeus embraces the yuletide tradition with Christmas-decorated ships sailing on a variety of cruises on the Rhine and Danube. On the Rhine you’ll visit Strasbourg’s Christmas market, founded in 1570 and the oldest in France, which is set against the backdrop of the city’s distinctive single-spired cathedral. Other excursions take in the village of Gertwiller, famous for its gingerbread, and Obernai, where a crib with life-size figures takes centre stage in the marketplace. On the Danube there are sailings between Vienna and Nuremberg, with the chance to visit the market in front of Schönbrunn Palace and enjoy a mulled wine party.

Best suited to 21+
Price ££
Family-friendly N

• Best cruise lines for solo travellers
• Best Christmas markets in Europe

8. Germany to Hungary with AmaWaterways

Vorosmarty Square in Budapest

ALAMY

Germany and Austria form the heartland of the Christmas market scene, but similar events can be found throughout Europe. In Budapest, the enchanting market in Vorosmarty Square is the longest running in the city, with handcrafted traditional gifts, children dressed as angels singing carols, choirs, free music recitals and the chance to warm up with a bowl of Hungarian goulash. It’s one of the stops on AmaWaterways’ seven-night Iconic Christmas Markets cruise, which runs from Budapest to Nuremberg — home to Christkindlesmarkt, one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany.

Best suited to 21+
Price ££
Family-friendly N

9. Lower Rhine with Viva Cruises

Viva Cruises’ MS Swiss Ruby

This cruise line is based in Düsseldorf and makes the most of this often neglected but incredibly interesting city. Advent sailings along the Lower Rhine showcase the seven themed markets near the Altstadt (old town). Christmas cheer is guaranteed in the Altstadt, described by some as “the world’s longest bar”. Raise a toast with a glass of Düsseldorf’s copper-coloured “old beer”, brewed in traditional style, or the fiery local herb liqueur Killepitsch. Itineraries include three-night cruises on Viva’s all-new vessel Viva One, also visiting Koblenz, Bonn and Cologne.

Best suited to 21+
Price £
Family-friendly N

10. The Danube with Tauck

Making gingerbread in Passau

Gingerbread is perfect for Christmas, and with this cruise line the young and young at heart can join a gingerbread and marzipan-making workshop at Café Simon in Passau, where four generations of the Simon family have perfected the sweet recipes. The seven-night sailing on the Danube also features a scavenger hunt in the tiny Slovakian capital Bratislava, and a visit to Oberndorf, the Austrian town where Silent Night was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818. Note that Tauck is one of the few lines that offer a Christmas market cruise to families.

Best suited to 4+
Price £££
Family-friendly Y

• Best family-friendly cruise lines

11. The Danube and Prague with Emerald Cruises

The town of Regensburg in Bavaria

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Take in four countries on a Christmas market river cruise between Regensburg and Budapest with Emerald Cruises. You’ll be immersed in local and international festivities and traditions at each diverse port of call; in Regensburg, visit one of the region’s most atmospheric markets, set against the backdrop of Thurn and Taxis Palace. The seven-night cruise ends in Budapest: if there’s no need to rush home, add a hotel stay in Prague, where you’ll find a range of festive-themed activities to choose from.

Best suited to 21+
Price ££
Family-friendly N

12. Germany with Leger Holidays

Koblenz Christmas market

ALAMY

Leger offers good-value breaks with coach travel from pick-up points throughout the UK. The four-night cruise, which starts and finishes in Cologne, begins with a stop in the pretty winemaking town of Rüdesheim which hosts the Christmas Market of Nations, where more than 100 stalls sell specialties from a dozen countries. Then it’s on to Koblenz, situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, before an overnight in Cologne to see the famous marketplace in front of the cathedral and smaller markets dotted around the old town.

Best suited to 21+
Price £
Family-friendly N

13. Germany with Travelmarvel

Taste a liqueur coffee with cream and chocolate in Rüdesheim

ALAMY

Swap Christmas pudding for Black Forest gateau on sailings through Germany and beyond with Travelmarvel. This expanding line is the value-for-money alternative to all-inclusive sister brand APT; its three Contemporary ships sail on itineraries such as the week-long Christmas market river cruise on the Rhine and Moselle. Stops include the Black Forest Open Air Museum in Vogtsbauernhof for a cake-making demonstration followed by the all-important tasting.

Best suited to 21+
Price ££
Family-friendly N

14. Switzerland and Germany with Scenic

The Christmas market in Baden-Baden

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Enjoy the best of both worlds on an 11-night itinerary that combines a land tour with a river cruise. Your journey begins in Zurich and from here you’ll travel to picture-postcard Lake Lucerne, the jet-set Alpine village of Gstaad and lakeside Montreux. Then board your ship, which will be adorned with Christmas decorations, to sail from Strasbourg — which has one of the largest festive markets in Europe — to Amsterdam. This sailing features a lesser-known Christmas market in the spa town of Baden-Baden as well as big hitters including Cologne.

Best suited to 21+
Price £££
Family-friendly N

15. The Netherlands and Rhine with Nicko Cruises

Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands

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A high spot in this five-night trip is a visit to Heidelberg Castle, which towers above the Neckar Valley. The castle’s giant 16th century wine barrel, holding 130,000 litres, would certainly have provided plenty of festive cheer in times gone by. Afterwards there’s time to stroll around the Christmas market spread through the streets and squares of the Old Town at the foot of the castle hill. This round-trip Cologne sailing also takes in the markets in Mainz and Strasbourg, which is credited with having one of the oldest in Europe.

Best suited to 21+
Price ££
Family-friendly N

nicko-cruises.co.uk

16. The Seine with Viking

The Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris

GETTY IMAGES

Add a taste of Noël to your December with Viking’s itinerary on the Seine. The ship docks for three nights in Paris, providing plenty of time to see the sights and take in beautiful window displays at Galeries Lafayette and other big-name department stores. Atmospheric stops include Rouen, where half-timbered houses are adorned with ornate decorations and the town square by the cathedral hosts the Christmas market. Excursions include a trip through Normandy to the picturesque fishing village of Honfleur with a tasting of warming apple brandy.

Best suited to 21+
Price ££
Family-friendly N

viking.com

17. France with European Waterways

Celebrate the festive period aboard European Waterways’ hotel barge Panache

The luxury 12-passenger hotel barge Panache is a wonderful choice for anyone looking for the ultimate intimate cruise experience. It can also be chartered by families and groups of friends. Resembling a floating house party, with a personal chef providing gourmet meals, this leisurely sailing will take you along canals through Alsace and Lorraine. There’s a drive to Colmar to take a look at the town’s six Christmas markets and a visit to Strasbourg’s chocolate museum to see seasonal treats being made. Another highlight is Haguenau festive market with its impressive nativity scene.

Best suited to 21+
Price £££
Family-friendly N

europeanwaterways.com

18. Take in a trio of festive markets with Saga

Take in four markets on this five-night sailing along the Rhine. The cruise takes in the contrasting markets in the cities of Mainz, Bonn and Cologne, plus the traditional wine town of Rüdesheim. The sailing from Mainz to Düsseldorf is aboard the Spirit of the Rhine which is exclusively for Saga guests. It’s a short walk from the docking spots to the city centres and interactive maps and headsets are provided to make it even easier. Fares include a chauffeur-driven home pick-up service or free airport parking.

Best suited to 21+
Price ££
Family-friendly N

travel.saga.co.uk

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Shocking number of Brits ‘cannot identify foreign road signs when driving’

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21 hours ago

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August 10, 2025

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It can be hard to read up on all of the local laws when going on holidays, but road experts are urging Brits to learn the meanings behind local road signs to avoid accidents and fines

A survey has found most UK drivers don’t recognise key road signs abroad(Image: Getty Images)

Before you embark on your European road trip, make sure you’re up to date on the local driving laws. A new survey has revealed four in five British drivers admit they struggle to understand key road signs when driving overseas – which can have serious consequences.

In a research conducted by road experts at Ready Set Supplied, an overwhelming 80 per cent of the 440 Brits surveyed failed to correctly identify standard signage used across France, Germany, Italy, Spain and other EU countries.

Furthermore, the study also found that 87 per cent of Brits do zero preparation before driving abroad – which includes failing to glance at local driving regulations. This means that millions of drivers are using guesswork to interpret restrictions and other unfamiliar signs. It comes after UK drivers were warned over ‘avoiding’ road instead of having to follow new rule.

READ MORE: ‘Fish and chip capital’ that’s perfect for tourists named top place to visitREAD MORE: Golden beach an hour from London starred in famous film but is miles from the sea

Failure to recognise road signs can lead to accidents or fines(Image: fhm via Getty Images)

These findings come amid concerns that poor sign recognition is contributing to avoidable fines, missed turns and even potentially dangerous driving decisions when abroad.

Meanwhile, problems can also arise from the fact that sat-navs and Google Maps offer turn-by-turn directions, which don’t help drivers interpret symbols on unfamiliar roadside signs. Crucially, some of these can carry legal implications or even indicate unusual rules.

A spokesperson from Ready Set Supplied said: “Most UK drivers wouldn’t dream of driving here without understanding basic road signs. But as soon as they cross the Channel, that caution seems to disappear. The assumption is that it’ll all just make sense when you get there.”

Misunderstanding road signs can have serious consequences. These include fines for illegal parking and causing confusion, which can lead to both legal trouble and road safety issues.

This can also be dangerous when it comes to signs give advance warning of hazards like narrow passes, slippery road conditions or mandatory detours.

READ MORE: Hidden phone charge costing Brits who visit popular holiday destination £300

Experts warn that missing these cues raises the risk of sudden braking, poor positioning and even crashes. This is especially true on unfamiliar terrain.

Ready Set Supplied said: “People don’t realise that the layout and flow of roads abroad are designed with those signs in mind. If you don’t understand the system, you’re not driving safely.”

The survey also highlighted the lack of awareness around quirky local laws that can catch them off guard. For example, in many EU countries things like driving a dirty vehicle or listening to music at petrol stations can result in tickets or fines.

Experts cautioned that while drivers may assume that because they didn’t see a sign on their theory test it’s not important, that mindset won’t work outside of the UK.

To avoid running into trouble abroad, Ready Set Supplied is urging motorists to spend just ten minutes reviewing basic signage rules before hitting the road. They emphasise that a simple refresher on how foreign systems handle rules around lane priority, emergency stop areas and turn restrictions could make a massive difference.

A spokesperson explained: “Driving abroad shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. A little knowledge goes a long way—not just to avoid fines, but to genuinely protect yourself and other road users.”



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40 years through the lens: A photographer’s Tasmanian journey | The Examiner

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1 day ago

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August 9, 2025

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Since this date, the darkroom doors have had over 30 photographers go through – Neil Richardson, Peter Aylett, Maria Connors, Matthew Stanley, Will Swan, Craig Sheriff, Michelle Webb, Jeremy Smith, Eddie Safarik, Tim Hughes, Lorisse Dart, Leila Williams, Sarah Rhodes, Simon Tennant, Sharee Smith, Simon Groves, Ben Vos, Glenn Daniels, Mark Jesser, Geoff Robson, Scott Gelston, Rod Thompson, Phillip Biggs and Craig George.



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6 Most Scenic Drives in Alabama

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1 day ago

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August 9, 2025

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Known as the best state in America for freshwater diversity, Alabama is a nature lover’s paradise. However, unknown to many avid trippers, Alabama also boasts some of the most scenic drives in the country. You will enjoy heart-gripping views at thousands of feet above sea level, then swooping down to take in delicious waterfront views along the state’s white-sand beaches. Some roads cut through dense forests and deep canyons. Meanwhile, others showcase rolling hills, old barns, and other elements of a bygone era. Keep reading to discover the 6 most scenic drives in Alabama.

The Natchez Trace Parkway

Bridge over the Tennessee River on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Natchez Trace Parkway is a phenomenal drive that spans more than 400 miles and winds through three states, including Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. To a large extent, it follows the “Old Natchez Trace,” a historic artery used by American Indians, slave traders, soldiers, and even future presidents. You only need a minute on the historic parkway, and you will immediately appreciate why it is ranked as one of America’s 10 best biking roads. The Alabama segment spans slightly more than 30 miles in the state’s northwest corner, but its visual effect is profound in both scope and intensity. It starts on the Mississippi border, a few miles southwest of Cherokee, and winds through to the Tennessee border near Stewartville. Highlights include Colbert Ferry Park, named for Chickasaw George Colbert, and Freedom Hills Overlook, which features a steep, quarter-mile trail that leads to Alabama’s highest point on the parkway.

Alabama State Route 65

A birding trail in Paint Rock, Alabama.

There are road trips that leave you yawning at the dull expanse of sameness. Others give a sense of rural calm, especially as they feature curvy, tree-lined segments and offer tasty views that set the heart purring with joy and anticipation. Alabama State Route 65 (not to be confused with Interstate 65) is curvy but incredibly peaceful. Think of old barns, historic homesteads, and weathered farm structures. People skip it for long drives and big names, but this 27-mile eye candy is such a revelation, notably for the fact that it cuts through the entire length of the Paint Rock Valley, described as “the Little Sister to Virginia’s Shenandoah.” The route starts from near the slow-paced town of Gurley and leaps through the mountainous regions of northeastern Alabama to Francisco near the Tennessee border. Roy B. Whitaker Paint Rock River Preserve in Paint Rock has nice, flat trails to explore, while Curly Putman Park in Princeton is photo-worthy in every direction.

Selma To Tuskegee Through Montgomery

Aerial view of Selma, Alabama.

A significant portion of the route from Selma to Tuskegee through Montgomery is the historic Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, which commemorates one of the most consequential moments in the history of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. A confrontation between peaceful protestors and law enforcement officers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge pricked the conscience of the nation and sent sympathetic shockwaves across the globe. The route’s starting point is the Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Selma, while the Alabama State Capitol marks the endpoint on the other side. An extension to the vibrant college town of Tuskegee winds through peaceful rolling countryside tastefully punctuated with forested stretches. Highlights include the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, where a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. stands, and the Lowndes Interpretive Center (White Hall), a nostalgic spot dedicated to participants of the historic march.

Talladega Scenic Drive

Sunset At Cheaha overlook in Cheaha State Park, Alabama.

Talladega Scenic Drive, also known as State Route 281 in Alabama, extends from U.S. Route 78 west of Heflin, a Hallmark-worthy town that serves as the gateway to the Southern Appalachian Mountains, to the intersection of two forest roads in the Talladega National Forest around Adams Gap, about 11 miles northwest of Lineville. It winds through the southernmost extension of the Appalachian Mountains and boasts some of the best vistas in the South, including Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in the state. Rock outcroppings and small rural settlements dot the stretch, sitting as mesmerized witnesses to nature’s incredible grandeur, vastness, and majesty. There are several scenic overlooks to stop and pull over. You can then hide at the Cheaha State Park and explore the jaw-dropping trails around.

Lookout Mountain Parkway

Noccalula Falls in Gadsden, Alabama. Editorial credit: Jimmy Rooney / Shutterstock.com

Lookout Mountain Parkway is a two-lane gem that spans approximately 93 miles and effortlessly imprints itself on the minds and memories of those lucky enough to experience its poetic beauty. The parkway starts outside the gates of Gadsden’s Noccalula Falls Park, where a path leads to a photogenic view of Noccalula Falls, a 90-foot waterfall steeped in Native American myth. The park and waterfall are in Gadsden, once Alabama’s second-most important commercial and industrial hub. The Alabama section of the parkway ends at the Georgia-Alabama border near Mentone before crossing into the Peach State. If you find Noccalula impressive, you will find DeSoto Falls, one of the most photographed attractions in Alabama, nothing short of stupendous. A short detour will take you to another unmissable highlight on the Lookout Mountain Parkway: the sandstone cliffs of the Little River Canyon.

Barbour County Governors’ Trail

Octagon House, Clayton, Alabama.

Barbour County Governors’ Trail has a giveaway name that easily reveals its overarching focus: the Alabama governors who called Barbour County home. The trail features 8 governors, including those with historical significance such as Governor Shorter, a strong secessionist and a co-author of the Confederate constitution. Still, despite its name, the Barbour County Governors’ Trail is not exclusively about governors. You can pass by the Octagon House in Clayton, which served as Union cavalry headquarters during the Civil War years. Alternatively, you can explore the gorgeous Blue Springs State Park, which features several attractions, including a spring-fed swimming pool. The trail begins in Clio and continues northeast through Louisville to downtown Clayton.

The Takeaway

Besides being some of the best stress-relievers out there, road trips are fun, enjoyable, and often come with a euphoric sense of freedom and adventure. Alabama, one of the most diverse states in America, is home to some surprisingly beautiful drives. The best part is that the drives travel the whole gamut: From the flat terrains with shimmering water views to cloud-grazing pathways with panoramic vistas. Depending on your pick, you can also enjoy a big dose of history. Keep in mind that several defining events associated with the Civil Rights Movement played out in Alabama, including the Selma to Montgomery March, making this state perfect for road-trip-loving history buffs.



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