BUTLERS AND BUDAPEST
You can take the plane or the train to Amsterdam for this Scenic Tours (0800 690 6987/ www.scenictours.co.uk) river cruise on the Scenic Pearl.
Before setting sail for some of Europe's best Christmas markets take a canal trip in a glass-top boat or explore the city on a guided bike tour.
Among the markets you'll visit are Cologne with its impressive cathedral backdrop and the Old Town with a wealth of gabled houses. Don't miss the toy stalls and Santa's grotto.
Sail through the spectacular Rhine Gorge with a stop for Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rudesheim and the great glassworks in Wertheim.
You'll also visit Regensburg, Passau, Vienna and Budapest and experience classical and traditional concerts on the way.
The Scenic Pearl has two dining rooms one of which specialises in Italian cuisine. Suites have balconies and, for a five-star touch, butlers.

A 15-day Christmas Markets River Cruise from £1,895pp (two sharing), full board. Price includes flight from London to Amsterdam and return from Budapest (or Eurostar from St Pancras International to Amsterdam via Brussels). Departs Amsterdam, November 23, 2011.

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FESTIVE RHINE
For a little luxury hop aboard the AmaCello with its gourmet dining and state-of-the-art spa for a cruise down the Rhine.
Begin this AMA Waterways (0808 223 5009/www.amawaterways.co.uk) voyage in Basel, home to Switzerland's most traditional Christmas market. Then head to Strasbourg's Christkindelsm¤rik which dates from the 16th century and from where the decorative bauble originated.
Next it's Heidelberg in Germany with its red-walled castle and the city of Worms for a market with a "living nativity scene".
Cruise past castles standing above the Rhine Gorge and on to Cologne, where biscuits in the shape of the city's 13th-century Gothic cathedral make great stocking-fillers, before heading to Amsterdam.

A seven-night Rhine Winter Voyage from £1,435pp (two sharing), full board. Price includes return flights from London and transfers. Departs Basel, November 26, 2011.

DELUXE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
A river cruise through Germany on board the sumptuous River Queen with Uniworld (0845 678 8307/www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk) is a majestic affair that includes fascinating lectures on the traditions of Christmas.
Highlights of this seven-night trip include Rothenburg with its fairytale Doll and Toy Museum and the market at the Wurzburg Residenz, a magnificent baroque palace and Unesco World Heritage Site.
In Frankfurt explore more than 200 stalls packed with goodies from arts and crafts to seasonal food and drink.

A seven-night Classic Christmas Markets cruise from £2,075pp (two sharing), full board. Price includes flights from London to Nuremberg and return from Frankfurt, private transfers and all excursions. Departs Nuremberg November 30, December 7, 14 and 21, 2011.

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PUNCH IN HAMBURG
Sail from Southampton with Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines (01473 742424/www.fredolsencruises.com) to Sweden and the Liseberg Christmas market in Gothenburg to buy sweaters, angel chimes and clogs.
Then it's on to Copenhagen and the famous Tivoli Gardens before a scenic daylight cruise along the Kiel Canal to arrive in Hamburg. Here circus artists serve punch as you wander stalls selling gingerbread and handmade decorations. The final stop is Amsterdam.

A seven-night Christmas Markets of Northern Europe cruise on Balmoral from £516pp (two sharing), full board. Departs Southampton, November 30, 2011.

MUSIC AND TREATS ON THE DANUBE
This Avalon Cruises (0800 668 1802/www.avaloncruises.co.uk) Yuletide voyage has proved so popular that this year's programme is sold out. Fear not though, it will be repeated in 2012 on the Panorama, which was launched this year and features wall-to-wall panoramic windows and a spacious Sky Deck with whirlpool.
Start off with two nights in Prague where you can enjoy the market in the huge Old Town square dominated by the grandest of Christmas trees. Shop for ornaments and wooden toys and sample hot wine and roast pork.
Then wander the medieval, cobbled streets of Regensburg where dolls, toys and puppets fill market stalls before taking in the Wachau Valley as you head to the final stop at Vienna.

A nine-day Christmastime on the Danube cruise from £1,669pp (two sharing), full board. Price includes two nights at the Prague Hilton and six nights on Panorama, flights from Heathrow to Prague and return from Vienna and all sightseeing excursions. Departs Nuremberg, December 3, 2012.