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So many Christmas Markets to choose from
There is the Danube Eastbound, the eastbound, southbound, you get the idea.
Anyone tried them all that can give us a clue which is preferable? Would really appreciate it!
Anyone tried them all that can give us a clue which is preferable? Would really appreciate it!
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We've done both (Danube - Nuremburg to Vienna and Rhine - Cologne to Basel) and you won't be disappointed on either.
On the Rhine, you get German and French markets. On the Danube, German and Austrian. If you haven't done either (warning here: once you've done one you'll probably not be able to resist doing the other!), then I'd base my selection on the start/end cities and your desire to (possibly) spend extra time in them. In terms of the relative charms of the termini, we'd rate them (great to less great...they are all interesting) as: Vienna, Cologne, Basel, Nuremburg.
One other (slight) consideration: on the Main Canal/Danube you'll be going through many more locks than on the Rhine. After a few, the novelty wears off. The Rhine is a bit more au natural.
We'd give a slight edge to the Rhine, but plan on doing both again in the future. You can't go wrong.
Our first trip was on the Danube starting in Nurnberg to Vienna and the Rhine trip started in Cologne. Trying to determine which trip is better is like asking someone which of their children they like the most--it could be a very difficult answer.
We usually arrive two days ahead of the tour, which gives us time to adjust to the time change and roam on our own. We have also stayed an extra day at the end of the trip, which also allows you so see more. This has worked well for us on both trips.
We are both "Christmas" people and I love Christmas ornaments. I think the Danube trip gives you more options for the purchase of Christmas ornaments, Nutcrackers and Smokers. There is not as much scenery to be seen on the river trip, but most of the traveling was done at night, other than the last day. We really liked Nurnberg as it was one of the largest markets. We have visited Salzburg and Vienna on a previous trip and wanted to return to both at Christmas and were not disappointed.
The Rhine trip was also wonderful, but for different reasons. We loved the little towns we visited and the day of river travel on the Rhine was in the area of lots of "castles". Each of the towns had lots of different Christmas items, but I think less "ornaments". We had not visited France prior to this trip and really enjoyed the towns/markets in this section of France.
I don't know if this helps you determine which trip you might take, but you cann't go wrong with either one.
We did not encounter snow on the Danube 2011 trip--only rain. However, on the Rhine 2012 trip, we had rainy days and then snow and ice on the French/Switzerland portion of the trip.
I suggest you take boots that will work on both. We wore "insulated ducks" for the entire trip--even for none weather days, which kept the packing to a minimum. Our "ducks" were purchased from LL Bean, but I am sure you can find them in your area.
Also take a warm stockings, a hat and ear muffs--all will come in handy. A number of ladies purchased hats on the trip to combate the weather.
If I were to book for the future, does it get very cold in the boat? Any suggestions on best cabins, (within reason of course$$ )
Thanks again!
Lily
Not cold at all in the boat last December. Each cabin has an independent thermostat so you can keep it where you like it. We were in Cat 3 on the middle deck. Never heard anyone say they were cold on the ship.