Every holiday has its own inherent magic and charm — but you know what they say: location, location, location. While a common thought is to stay local for celebrating, take this article as a nudge, a prod, a vote of confidence to swing for the fences with your vacation days and try something new: Consider a river cruise for the following celebrations.
Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, is a legendary scene of lederhosen and brews.
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is legendary; even the most casual beer enjoyer dreams of donning lederhosen to sample soft pretzels and drink from mallet-sized steins. It’s an extrovert’s nirvana — the entire country seemingly congregates around massive picnic tables in fields or beer halls to share in good drink and good conversation. In truth, there are hubs; the epicenter is the Theresienwiese in Munich, Germany. But there are plenty of others, providing you the chance to sample and compare a flight of lagers — and this is where a river cruise really shines. There’s no hassle of logistics needed to get from A to B or lugging of luggage to catch a taxi or make a train. It’s simply you, kicking back and relaxing in your river-view suite or on the elegantly uncrowded deck, watching the serene European scenery coast by. And, for those eager to experience Oktoberfest but unsure if they can visit in season, fear not: AmaWaterways has itineraries that visit Vilshofen, which hosts an authentic (and exclusive!) year-round Oktoberfest celebration.
Cologne, Germany, is a true winter wonderland.
Christmas Markets
Christmas markets are a quintessential holiday affair, one that has seeped into the very roots of how we view the holiday itself, like Christmas trees or colorful wrapping paper. In Europe, they’re less a scene in a Christmas rom-com and more a scene right down the street. A massive Christmas tree might adorn an Old-World market square, with local handicraft and vendor stalls radiating out like a sprig of mistletoe. The scent of mulled wine and candied nuts permeates the air, combining with the soft glow of the lights to create a perceptible aura of sweet delight. These are, of course, broad strokes: The vibe of Vienna’s Christmas markets will be different from Regensburg’s or Budapest’s or Strasbourg’s or Cologne’s. The joy of visiting more than one is akin to the experience of opening presents on Christmas morning: Even sitting with the bliss of the new present in your hand, there’s a giddy anticipation at what the next one entails — an overabundance of delight.
The only thing that makes New Year's Eve more magical than who you celebrate it with is where you celebrate it.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s is a peculiar holiday; the core of it stays the same — the buildup and celebration of crossing the veil from one year to another, the notching on your belt for being just a little bit wiser, the chance to look to your loved one with a knowing smile that says, “Hey, look at us. Who would’ve thought, eh?” This feeling is universal; it’s what makes singing Auld Lang Syne with whoever’s near so potent. But! This is just to say there is something of a multiplier to the moment if you do it somewhere totally new and novel to you — a small European village, a charming cosmopolitan city or even a swanky cocktail party on the deck of an intimate river cruise. The sentiment is a bit more concentrated, the moment more acute: Look how far you’ve come (truly!). Look at how much love your fellow man has to share, as we all celebrate this one precious life we have to live together. A change of scenery for New Year’s reinvigorates what the holiday is all about.
AmaCerto is just one of the many sleek river vessels that transport you through the enchanting landscape.
Trust Our Travel Agents to Book Your Holiday Cruise
An ideal way to visit Europe during the holidays is on a river cruise with AmaWaterways. Not only will you have plenty of time to experience the sights and flavors listed above, but AmaWaterways tailors their offerings to provide you the opportunity to truly make the most of it. In addition to their exclusive Oktoberfest celebrations, did you know they also offer itineraries dedicated to visiting iconic Christmas markets, meaning your entire cruise is a smorgasbord of mirth and cheer? Or that they offer a cornucopia of New Year’s cruises, so you can count down to midnight at a number of enchanting European cities? The best part? Our agents know AmaWaterways well, so we can help you choose, plan and book your cruise vacation to perfection.
