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35 Call us on 138 747 (AU), 0800 447 913 (NZ) or contact your local travel agent Winter is a magical time of year in Europe, with fairy- tale, snow-topped castles and mountains, and a wonderful, festive spirit everywhere. Warm light beams out of home windows, and advent wreaths decorate the doors. This holiday season, immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit with Viking. FAIRY-TALE CHRISTMAS MARKETS From late November to early December you can explore Europe's famous Christmas markets on Viking's Rhine Getaway, Romantic Danube and Danube Waltz river cruise itineraries. In medieval town squares and down cobbled lanes, market stalls offer a delightful array of hand-carved toys, ornaments, nutcrackers and colourful woollen scarves, and the air is filled with the scents of gingerbread and spicy gluhwein. Feel the crunch of white snow underfoot as you behold the stalls brimming with traditional arts and crafts, and soak up the joyful atmosphere. FESTIVE CHRISTMAS CRUISING From Austria and Germany to Portugal and France, Viking's Christmas cruises help spread the cheer with onboard festivities. You can bake gingerbread cookies with our executive chef, decorate the ship's Christmas tree and enjoy live, regional holiday music from a local ensemble. Whether you choose to travel in early December and return home in time for Christmas or spend Christmas on board, you can look forward to a relaxing festive season with no rush – just the wonder of Europe's most enchanting destinations, and the best dressed ship in town. CHRISTMAS MARKET ITINER ARIES ROMANTIC DANUBE, Budapest to Nuremberg See page 52 for more information DANUBE WALTZ, Budapest to Passau See page 58 for more information RHINE GETAWAY, Amsterdam to Basel See page 62 for more information THE MAGIC OF A EUROPEAN HOLIDAY SEASON N U R E M B E R G , G E R M A N Y C H R I S T M A S O R N A M E N T S