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See in 2024 on a Luxury New Year River Cruise.

First Published: 16th January 2017
Danube-Budapest-at-winter,-ice-drift-LowRes

There is still time to book an unforgettable 2023/24 New Year celebration.  

Be transported to in the heart of Europe on a luxury New Year river cruise with the help of Global River Cruising, an independent river cruise travel agency based in North Cornwall.

Indeed, in the lead up to Christmas, wouldn’t it be great to have a relaxing trip away to look forward to? It is just the thing to keep you sane. A luxury river cruise allows you to simply let someone else do the cooking, cleaning and organising and generally spoil you rotten.

budapest-firewoks
Fireworks over the Danube. View of the illuminated Chain Bridge, Budapest

Europe’s Rivers at New Year

In mainland Europe, the time between Christmas and New Year is relaxed as work has generally stopped and there is time to enjoy each other’s company and take in the sights and sounds in countries which offer a crisper, snowier winter experience than we get in the UK or Australia.  And going away at this time means you have already enjoyed Christmas with all its hectic planning and can now simply enjoy a holiday.

Salzburg at Christmas
Salzburg at Christmas

Strasbourg: France’s oldest Christmas Market

Sailing down the Rhine at this time of year can show another side to this ancient part of civilised Europe. Deep in the Alsace region, Strasbourg’s medieval centre is home to the oldest and one of the largest Christmas markets in France, started in 1570. Its wooden huts are filled with hand crafted gifts and seasonal food and drink options including mulled wine and sausages. Unlike other Alsace and German markets, this Christmas market and its outdoor ice rink is still open up to and including 30th December.  The whole Rhine area looks wonderfully elegant when covered in a sprinkling of snow and the pubs offer roaring open fires to warm you after sightseeing.

Strasbourg Christmas Market

No Better View of New Years Eve Fireworks Than From Your River Ship

On New Year’s Eve itself, you will be treated to a gala dinner onboard the ship and then be treated to some of the best fireworks displays to be had anywhere in Europe. As you stand on the top of your river ship you will have uninterrupted views of the this once a year river-side panorama complete with colour and sound. Seeing the Rhine or Danube in December is a very different experience to that in the busier, warmer times of year.

new year celebration. fireworks on the castle in bratislava, slovakia.
New Year fireworks around the castle in Bratislava, Slovakia.

View our Christmas Markets, Christmas Time & New Year River Cruises

About Alex Leete

Who is Alex Leete? A passion for travel and over 15 years' experience in the industry encouraged me to set up Global River Cruising, our own family run company. Over the last few years we have been on as many river cruises, ships and seen as many destinations as we possibly can so we can rightfully call ourselves "experts". As independent specialists we work hard to find the perfect river cruise for our clients - at the very best prices too!

View all posts by Alex Leete

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Question

  1. PLEASE ADVISE PRICES & AVAILIBILITY FOR NYE RIVER CRUISES. 2 people . I sit starting in Strasburg and includes dinner and music?

  2. PLEASE ADVISE PRICES & AVAILIBILITY FOR NYE RIVER CRUISES
    Could be for 2 or 4 depending if price is good
    We normally need al least French Balcony cabins

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