As we enter the final days of October, it feels like we have reached the top of a hill. A summit which offers a brief, calm period before leading us down the other side to a variety of fun festivities which ultimately end in Christmas. That is to say that it will soon be Halloween, which is followed by Bonfire Night, which is in turn followed by Thanksgiving for our American friends before we dive head first into a feast of mistletoe, merriment and far too many mince pies.

But before all that there is just time to plan an escape. A break which not only gives you some time away prior to things inevitably getting a lot busier, but that also fills you with just the right amount of Christmas cheer ready for the celebrations back home.

And so, with this in mind, here are some fantastic Christmas river cruises that will prepare you perfectly for the festivities to come.

Christmas Time Cruise

The aptly named ‘Christmas Time Cruise’ is offered by AmaWaterways on a variety of different departure dates throughout November and December, and aboard various different ships. The route takes you from Budapest to Nuremberg along the Danube but can also be done in reverse.

Along the way, you will get the chance to visit Christmas markets in Vienna, Regensburg, Passau and Salzburg, as well as the opportunity to enjoy a Mozart and Strauss concert. As you cruise this beautiful stretch of water, the Christmassy makeover of the ports you’ll visit is sure to have you in high spirits.

Prices for 2014 start from £1687pp for 7 nights.

Christmas Markets Cruise

The Christmas Markets Cruise is offered by Luftner Cruises and will take you down the Rhine from Cologne to Basel. As you may have guessed, there will be visits to various different Christmas markets on the agenda, including those in Cologne, Cochem and Strasbourg.

Although each market will offer a similarly festive environment, the sights and sounds will be different in each of the towns and cities that you discover. Cologne mixes over 150 stalls with live events in an outdoor arena, whilst Rudesheim’s market focusses on how Christmas is celebrated around the world, with the chance to try delicacies from countries like Finland and Mongolia. Another highlight of your trip, which encapsulates everything Christmas is about, is the Sharing Village at Strasbourg’s market situated under the enormous tree.

Prices start from £666pp for 6 nights.

Magic of Advent on the Danube

Although this Christmas river cruise from Luftner also takes place on the Danube, it features a slightly different itinerary to that of the ‘Christmas Time Cruise’, including a stop in the charming German town of Roth. This trip also offers an excellent opportunity to see one of Europe’s most enchanting cities, Vienna, lit up at night time.

There will again be chances to explore the stalls at various different Christmas markets, as you also enjoy plenty of seasonal festivities on board the deservedly named Amadeus Brilliant.

Prices start from just £580pp for 6 nights.

If you would like to book your place on any of our Christmas River Cruises then the team at Fred. can give you plenty more details on the itineraries that we have available. So call us today to get your yuletide celebrations started early.