DANUBE, see pages 138 –139 Nights Danube Christmas Markets 4 Danube Enchanting Christmas Markets 5 Danube Christmas 4 Danube Enchanting Christmas 5 Danube New Year's Dream 7 Danube Enchanting New Year's 7 RHINE, see pages 140–141 Nights Rhine Christmas Markets 5 Rhine Christmas Market City Experience 5 Rhine Enchanting Christmas 5 Rhine Christmas City Experience 7 Rhine Enchanting New Year's 6 Rhine New Year's City Experience 7 FESTIVE HIGHLIGHTS ON THE DANUBE The Pöstlingbergbahn mountain tramway in Linz: The old- fashioned tram climbs to the top of the 539-metre hill in Linz in 20 minutes. From the viewing platform, you have a wonderful panoramic view over the city, lit with twinkling Christmas lights. Christmas market in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest: It doesn’t get more festive than this. A huge Christmas market is set up in front of the neo-classical building with its huge dome. This is a wonderfully romantic location, especially when it is fully lit up in the evenings. Great photo opportunities are not just available in front of the basilica – you can also take impressive shots from its dome. The Wiener Silvesterpfad: is a Viennese New Year’s Eve event where the whole of Vienna celebrates with people from all over world. The heart of the city is transformed into one big party district. There are live concerts, shows and even attractions for children. In terms of music, there’s something for everyone – from rock and pop to waltzes. There’s plenty of culinary variety, too. And at midnight, thousands of people dance into the New Year to the sound of "The Blue Danube." FESTIVE HIGHLIGHTS ON THE RHINE A star-studded walk in Strasbourg: At Christmastime, the Quai des Bateliers, the promenade along the Ill river, is particularly idyllic. All the historical half-timbered houses, the bridges and trees are decorated with over 600 large stars. Mainz Christmas market: the next Christmas highlight awaits you here. The 11-metre high Christmas pyramid, which you can go inside of, is particularly impressive, with life-size nativity figures all carved by hand. Advent in Antwerp: What’s tastier than a chocolate Santa? A chocolate Santa made of Belgian chocolate and bought on the Steenplein, the square in the historical centre. Then it’s time for a turn on the Ferris wheel to see the festive atmosphere from above. “Gelukkig nieuwjaar!” in Rotterdam: Rotterdam is a colourful city all year round and New Year’s Eve is no different. On the contrary. The change of year is celebrated in the numerous clubs, bars and pubs, but there are open-air parties too. Midnight is welcomed with a glass of champagne and tasty oliebollen, the traditional doughnuts. Our fes tive crui ses are marked s i lver in our i tinerar y sec tion. 53 FEST I VE CRUI SES
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