River Cruise on the Rhine - Holiday Markets Question

You might need to define "authentic". Most Christmas markets offer the same exact things, but what makes them special is the setting. Keep in mind, that the bigger the city, the bigger the market. My #1 choice would be in Seligenstadt with their market in the Abbey with all of the items being hand-crafted artisan wares with the artists themselves as the seller. Beautiful setting and the town is lovely too. This is just 1 weekend, and the outside market in the square is lovely too. 2nd would be Idstein, one of the towns on the half-timbered road. The market was just on 1 weekend and wound its' way through the cobblestoned streets all the way up to the Hexen Turm and Residence. 3rd would be in Büdingen, as the town is just so gorgeous to begin with and the market, like Idstein winds its' way through town, with the Medieval market part set up along the city walls. Held just 2 days. I would like to go to Burg Ronnefels, but it is quite difficult to get to without a car. They have a Medieval market on 2 seperate weekends. Gelnhausen was on my list for this year but didn't make it as was Michelstadt. Wasn't that impressed with the Heidelberg market, but it was fine. I wouldn't go out of my way to visit it though.

Thank you, Jo. Those markets sound wonderful. By authentic, I mean what you described. Hand crafted items, medieval markets, etc.

"By authentic, I mean what you described. Hand crafted items..." They pretty much all sell the same type of stuff. The merchandise, for me, isn't the primary attraction. It's the atmosphere... and the outdoor socializing and drinking. They're all "authentic". What would make one "inauthentic"? "...medieval markets, etc." I don't know what you mean exactly by this. But towns usually hold their markets in the most attractive area. Usually not the Aldi or Real parking lot, but the historic market square or something similar. Of those you listed, I've been the Aachen and Heidelberg markets. Aachen's was nice. Right next to Charlemagne's cathedral. I agree with Jo, Heidelberg's market left me underwhelmed. It was too fragmented throughout the Haupstraße area. I normally would recommend Heidelberg over Mannheim any day of the year, but in the case their Christmas markets, Mannheim's is much better.

Thank you, Tom. The social atmosphere is also important, not to mention the food and drink. Having never done this kind of tour, I'd like to gather as much information as possible. My husband and I are independent travelers, so this river cruise is a departure from our usual travel style. I read somewhere that some of the Christmas markets are full of American tourists (of course, I would be one of them.) We like to have different cultural experiences. After viewing Rick's Christmas in Europe progam, we thought it would be special to experience this ourselves. The Christmas Markets would be only one aspect of our trip.

Thank you, James. I believe the river cruise is both on the Rhine and Main.

Since you are planning ahead for December of 2012, you may want to compare the Christmas Market cruise on the Rhine, Main, Danube. Look at the stops, do some research, determine which towns have the most interest to you. We have done both rivers for the Christmas Markets and they are very different.

Thank you, Tom. Will do. Am looking at Vantage Travel and they do have a Holuday Cruise on the Danube.

I've been back and forth to Europe for business over the years. In Germany the "locals" I've worked with consider most of the Christmas Markets to be tourist draws. Of course, most of these were men so judge from there. One year my wife asked me to get a "merry-go-round" driven by candles. I was told they were only made for tourists. Not to rain on your parade but there is little in Europe you can't buy for less in the US. They pretty much have the same stuff we do but less of it (look at the size of their houses). I've been to Christmas Markets and they are fun to walk around in, look and have a hot wine. I've never bought anything. Go on the cruise but go to see the sights and experience to season. It's wonderful. Don't expect a bunch of "authentic" craft items at bargain prices.

"I read somewhere that some of the Christmas markets are full of American tourists (of course, I would be one of them.)" Like James said, Christmas markets are crowded in general and the overall majority of the people are German. Forget about "authenticity", and don't let the presence of other tourists bother you. Just go, grab some glühwein, and enjoy the unique atmosphere. If you really want an interesting market without too many other American tourists, then check out a Weihnachtsmarkt in a city that Americans usually don't visit, like Stuttgart, Mannheim, Weimar, Essen, Jena, Darmstadt, Hannover, Hamburg, Dortmund, Bremen or Düsseldorf. "We like to have different cultural experiences." I'm not exactly sure what sort of expectations you have in mind. It's usually pretty similar everywhere you go. The same sort of merchandise (except at the small town markets, which can be little more than glorified rummage sales... and some of the larger cities might have a little more up-market stuff), food, drink, often some small kiddie rides, and rarely, a temporary ice rink. Sometimes there may even be music performers. What usually makes a difference between one market versus another is the size and the setting. Seligenstadt, which Jo mentioned, doesn't have a particularly large market, but the Altstadt location couldn't look more Christmas-y.

Most of the smaller markets are going to be local residents. When you go to the big markets, you get lots of tourists, from around the world. Also, if you go to a market where there is a base near-by, you will of course find a lot of Americans. Wiesbaden, Mainz, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Mannheim, etc. As to the tourist gifts. I know many Germans who have "pyramids", the wooden spinning contraptions with the blades on top that spin due to the heat from the candles. These are very traditional. Wood nativity sets too. What you don't often see in a German household would be a cuckcoo clock or a nutcracker. That said, if you like these, then buy them. Who cares? Get a smoker or a "lichter bogen" for your windows too. When I go to the Frankfurt market, though I hear plenty of other languages, it is mainly German I hear and it is all the people who have gotten off work and are here drinking gluhwein every evening. And I do mean every evening. Having a blast from the sounds of laughter that fill the air there every night. The most touristy market I have been to is in Ruedesheim. The location is great, the decorations on the houses are fantastic, but the stalls sell really tacky stuff, and the bus loads of tourists fill the streets. Food is good and cheap there though, and every friend I have taken there has ooohed and aaahed. I forgot one of my favorite markets and that is in Bad Homburg. Nestled in the Taunus mountains, part of the market is in the courtyard of the palace, then runs down into the Old Town. A miniature steam train gives rides to the kids and it is a very family oriented market, but with lots of hand-made items.

Wow! Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. I have a lot to think about beore making a decision. Fortunately, I have some time. But, I wanted to start here knowing that the experts would have lots to offer.

You have been given good information by the previous posters. I have been to all of the markets you mention, except Aachen. Nürnberg is the one the will be most crowded and "touristy" of the bunch, but it is also one of the most picturesque, especially when it gets dark. The market will be crowded, but that is part of the excitement. At night, it is all lit in tiny white lights, with music playing, and aisle after aisle of little wooden stands ... it is a sight to behold. But any of the other markets are fine, too. I have yet to go to a market that i didn't care for ... pick a town, any town - I say go to any and every one ! Understand, however, that the Christmas markets are not craft shows, but there are lots of good things to buy. You WILL, however, see some of the same merchandise at nearly every one: small candles, glass tree ornaments, crochet lace ornaments, some baked goods, salt lamps, wooden toys, etc. You will see the most delicate ornaments of glass or straw, but there will also be a a few stands selling merchandise that is not so appealing. Just buy a little something here and there, and then in future years, you can look at your Christmas tree like I do, and remember where you were the night you bought a certain ornament. And eat !! The food and drink is an important part of the experience !! Drink a mug of Glühwein, eat a sausage, nibble on a cookie, eat a hot crepe ... its all about cold night air, maybe a little snow, sipping a hot drink, having a bite of something tasty, and a relaxing wander thru the stalls.

Thank you, Laura. Your input is great. I couldn't agree with you more about memories some of the little ornaments will create. As I said in a previous post, the markets are just one aspect of the trip. So, I'll make sure to soak up the atmosphere and definitely have something to eat and drink.