Holiday markets-did I choose right one?

Well, the eggs are not made as Christmas decorations- we just liked them! They were smallish- about 1"-2" tall, and painted red with white designs, and had a white ribbon to hang them. We have some rather unusuall Christmas ornaments from our trips. A Welsh Love Spoon, a hand-blown glass "Nessie" from Scotland, a white bell with green shamrocks from Irelad, a golden dragon from Hong Kong, a kangaroo from Australia... etc.

Flip a coin. Is not that much difference. There tends to be some sameness to all the markets.

My daughter and I are on the verge of booking the latter..trip is not necessarily for the purchasing of trinkets...just more for the cultural experience at Christmas time..to have a taste of the ports. City for city, stop for stop, would you still advise to flip a coin? Or is one itinerary more aesthetically pleasing than the other.

Have you ever been to any of these locations? I found the Christmas Markets to be great, but it is as much about the rest of the city as it is the market.... there is only so much Christmas stuff I can look at. I love all these locations but Budapest is one of my favorite cities, so I would choose the later, as well as the Salzburg market being wonderful.

Great, good reinforcement for my possible choice. I have been to Salzburg years ago, but no others. Oh, have also been in Frankfurt. My folks were born in Budapest so I thought that would be an interesting connection and thought I would add on another day no matter which cruise we choose. You are right, for me it is the destination and a grand way to touch on a couple known urban centers.

I have been on 3 Christmas Market tours with a friend (my husband won't go to Europe to shop, period). I would choose the latter. I have not been to Frankfurt or Durnstein but have been to all the others. Nurenberg is large but so is Vienna. Budapest is a very small market, very unlike the others, but Budapest, itself, is wonderful, still 19th Century. Make sure you don't purchase anything made in China - it will be marked so beware! If you go for the whole festive feeling of the Markets (and the gluhwein) you will not be disappointed! It is a wonderful time in all these places at Christmas. Our trip last year (Budapest,Vienna,etc.) we swore there is nothing more we would buy...just enjoy the whole holiday atmosphere - well, we found plenty! If going to Salzburg, check out the posts (just do a "search" on this site at the top right) for The Christmas Shop in Salzburg...it is amazing! (http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/90025/the-christmas-shop--salzburg.html)
The river cruises include a lot more than just the markets so it will not be non-stop shopping. We enjoyed watching the locals, so many of them stop by their local market after work just to enjoy gluhwein - and the mothers with their tots all snuggled in their strollers covered with lambswool throws - rosy cheeks on all of them!

Now you have me excited...it is the feeling of Christmas more than the trinkets that I am looking for. Now I just hope in the last week in November that we don't freeze to death! Thanks!

The Salzburg and vienna markets are great! With Salzburg having a bit of an edge in my opinion. Of course, Salzburg is one of my absolute favorite European destinations, period.
We did a day trip to Budapest one year, but were a few days too early for their market. However, we did enjoy the 'regular' market in an old church-like building. Want to go back there someday. We bought some of the decorated wooden eggs and use them as Christmas ornaments!

Yes, I don't get the egg thing at Christmas though!!

Annemarie = please come back and post a trip report when you return!

I just went to the latter tour in the Fall on the Danube. I met someone on this trip who had experienced both Christmas Markets and thought the Danube was far better.

Well the latter is booked so we are good to go...will try to remember a post a report. Thanks everyone!

The Salzburg market is absolutely beautiful. The ambiance and the variety of wares is wonderful. In the evenings, in front of the Dom, there is a beautiful choir performance. There is also a small ice skating rink. Treat yourself to a lovely lunch at the St. Peterstiftskeller which is in the corner next to St. Peters Cathedral. It is claimed to be the oldest restaurant in Europe, established by Benedictine monks in A.D. 803. Napoleon and Mozart ate here. The restaurant is carved into the cliffs beneath the castle. The ambiance downstairs is wonderful. I enjoyed a wonderful Wiener Schnitzel with roasted potatoes. Have a great trip!