The Main is the under-the-radar gem of Christmas-market cruising. It links the Rhine to the Danube via the Main-Danube Canal, and its towns — Bamberg, Würzburg, Miltenberg — are the fairytale half-timbered villages most travelers picture when they think of a German Christmas.
The itinerary
The Main doesn't get standalone itineraries — it appears on Rhine-to-Danube 'Grand' sailings (Amsterdam to Budapest, 14+ days), which give you both the Rhine's grandeur and the Main's intimacy. If you have two weeks, this is the most comprehensive Christmas-market itinerary available.
The markets
- Bamberg — UNESCO old town, four-spired cathedral, Rauchbier (smoked beer)
- Würzburg — baroque Residenz (UNESCO), Franconian wine
- Miltenberg — 'Pearl of the Main,' perfectly preserved half-timbered square
The Rauchbier
Bamberg's oddity is Rauchbier — a smoked beer brewed from malt dried over beechwood fires. It sounds strange (and tastes like a campfire) but pairs perfectly with market sausages. The Schlenkerla brewery, in the heart of Bamberg's old town, has been making it since 1405.
Tip
If you're considering a Rhine-to-Danube 'Grand' itinerary, book early — these 14-day sailings are limited and sell out faster than the individual 8-day segments.
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