Viking Cruises

Destination Guide - European Christmas Markets

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Call us on 138 747 (AU), 0800 447 913 (NZ), contact your local Viking travel advisor or visit viking.com | 19 artists and expert craftsmen. Decorating trees and displaying ornaments has been a tradition going back thousands of years. Born from the notion that beautiful decorations and green branches were thought to banish the gloomy feel of winter in the dark season. Upon entering, you are immediately spellbound by Christmas, captivated by the magical sights and sounds before you. Nearly five kilometres of tinsel and Christmas garland, with over 122,000 dazzling lights have been used to gracefully decorate the village. The heart of the village is modelled off a Franconian settlement with snow-covered houses, thousands of twinkling lights and a winding cobblestone street. A five-metre tall revolving Christmas tree, adorned with 12,500 twinkling lights and more than a thousand glass baubles will entrance and enliven the darkest of seasons. Before you leave, finish with a photo with the colourful Käthe Wohlfahrt Gift Express bus – parked right outside – and take home your very own original souvenir. If you've not had enough of Christmas, take time to explore the German Christmas Museum, the first permanent exhibition in Germany on the history of German Christmas traditions. It showcases unusual and rare Christmas decorations from the 19th and the early 20th-centuries. You'll also discover the differences between St. Nicholas and Father Christmas and learn when the first advent calendars and wreaths appeared. Experience the joy of Christmas all year round with an optional excursion to Rothenburg ob der Tauber on our 15-day Grand European Tour voyage.

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