Picture twinkling lights reflected on the Danube River as you sail into port, steps away from the merriment of a festive Christmas market. European Christmas markets have been a tradition since the Middle Ages. There are thousands of Christmas markets in Europe. I had my first taste of European Christmas markets on Viking's Danube Christmas Delights, an eight-day river cruise that stops in six places — Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Linz, Krems, and Passau — in four countries. I visited two — one in Hviezdoslav Square and another in city's main square.

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Persons: Maria Theresien Platz, Saliha, Penny Sadler, Santa Claus Organizations: —, Vienna Boys, Choir, Avalon Waterways, Anadolu, Getty Locations: Europe, — Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Linz, Krems, Passau, Ama, St, Stephen's, Vienna's, Stephansplatz, Budapest, Vörösmarty, Germany, Bratislava's, Hviezdoslav, Black, Austria