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Uniworld’s Christmas Holiday Markets Cruise

by Arie Boris, CruiseGourmet.com Editor-in-Chief

Uniworld’s Christmas Market Cruise in Germany is not only a charming excuse for a visit to Europe during the off-season, but the value for what you get is unbeatable! Tops in service, accommodations and included shore excursions, Uniworld makes river cruising in Europe too good to be true.

River cruising is experiencing a true renaissance. It is more like an all-inclusive European tour, but instead of having to repack and catch a bus every morning, you unpack once, wake up at your leisure, stroll to the dining room for a made to order omelet while enjoying glorious views of the passing countryside. “You stop in villages, towns and vineyards along the way,” said Bob Whitley, head of the U.S. Tour Operators Association. “You have access to inland areas of countries in the Baltics, France and Germany the big ships can’t get to. It’s equivalent to an escorted tour without the continual unpacking.”

As with most of Uniworld’s riverboat fleet, The River Countess, is relatively new. It accommodates only 134 guests in compact, but surprisingly plush, staterooms. The soft wood paneled accommodations offer flat screen televisions, thick terry cloth bathrobes, towels and luxurious European-style comforters. Many cabins have floor-to-ceiling picture windows and are serviced twice a day by a skilled housekeeping staff. With so few guests, the attention and personal touch provided on the River Countess is truly impressive. The entire staff was wonderful!

Dining onboard a Uniworld ship is both a visual and culinary event. Surrounded by the beauty of passing riverbank towns and villages, this classic dining experience features breakfast and lunch buffets daily and full dinner service nightly, with a single open seating. Chefs use the finest local ingredients to create tantalizing menus of regional specialties and classic favorites. Innovative dishes include fresh fish, and vegetarian entrees. Caesar salads, filet mignon and Crepes Suzette are just some of the specialties available. Afternoon tea is served daily in the lounge along with specialty pastries and desserts. The knowledgeable and friendly staff is trained in the best traditions of personalized service. Special meal preferences are graciously accommodated. Available for every meal are wine pairings, occasionally from a vineyard en route. Warmly decorated with rich wood paneling, brass railings, crystal chandeliers and spacious picture windows, the culinary experience was quite similar to banquet dining in a fine European hotel. Another welcomed alternative river cruising offers is getting a recommendation for local restaurants from the ship’s staff for lunch or an occasional dinner at one of the many charming “ports of call” along the river. We had a fantastic meal in Frankfurt at the Holbein Museum. A famous German artist, the museum is worth a visit and the Holbein’s Restaurant within the museum is strictly A-List!

I have always had a desire to visit the famous Christmas Markets of Germany. A tradition, since the Middle Ages, these Christmas celebrations are enjoyed by locals throughout the month of December and attract millions. Uniworld’s Holiday Market Cruise was the perfect, cost-effective way to enjoy several of these charming events in a variety of towns along the Rhine. Everyone onboard, delighted in discovering the origins of many beloved Christmas traditions from decorated trees to candy canes. We admired delicate glass-blown ornaments, sipped mulled wine, nibbled on gingerbread and shopped for local gifts to put under our Tannenbaum back home.

Starting off in Nuremberg, in a week’s time we visited the Christmas Markets in Bamberg, Rothenburg (located on the “romantic mile”), Wuzburg, Wertheim, Heidelberg and Frankfurt. Each town and local market had a character of its own. Coach excursions provided by Uniworld to some of these out of the way places were well organized, comprehensive and were thoroughly enjoyable. Guides were excellent and on full day tours a hearty lunch with wine or good German beer at a local restaurant was included.

There are many ways to travel through Europe, but none compare to the luxury, comfort, and convenience of a Uniworld Grand River Cruise. You glide along the gentle waterways of Europe, rather than congested highways. Your ship docks right in the heart of each city and shore excursions are included. Passengers on our Christmas Market sailing raved about the service, attention and warmth of Uniworld’s staff. They were equally impressed with the quality, value, and charm of visiting the Christmas Markets with Uniworld river cruise.

Christmas Market Cruises offered by Uniworld for 2007 include Rhine Holiday Markets (Basel to Cologne), Danube Holiday Markets (Budapest to Passau), Rhine and Main Holiday Markets (Cologne to Nuremberg), and European Holiday Markets (Nuremberg to Vienna). For prices and dates, call your travel agent or visit the Uniworld Web site, www.uniworld.com. For a free brochure, call (800) 733-7820.

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