With most of Europe’s traditional Christmas markets canceled, and some cities even canceling all holiday festivities, it’s obvious that the popular Christmas Market cruises on many of the river cruise lines are also not operating—at least for now.
One line, Uniworld, is offering two July cruises on the Danube that are aimed at “turning back the clock with everything red, green and festive in between,” and will stop at favorite Christmas market cities such as Vienna, Salzburg and Budapest. Christmas foods will be on the menu, along with summer takes on winter drinks.
But, you say, there are no Christmas markets in July! No problem: the ship will have its own onboard Christmas market selling typical local souvenirs. Activities for passengers include learning to make gingerbread and tree ornaments. Holiday moves are set for the onboard cinema—and just to make it really over-the-top, an onboard Santa will be available to appear in Christmas card poses.
This reminds me of a Christmas Shop we came across in Monschau, Germany, a few years ago. Apart from January, it is open all year round! Monschau is a very nice – but fairly small – town in the Eifel region, and I wonder how the shop survives there. Apparently it has been in operation since 1997, though – and, whilst we were the only customers in it at the time, we actually bought a couple of things in the shop IN AUGUST. Perhaps it just takes a few people like us every day. https://www.weihnachtshaus-monschau.de/