Celebrate holiday magic with a Christmas Markets Cruise on the barge Panache!
Originating in Germany in the late Middle Ages, Christmas markets are still held in Alsace, where aspects of French culture reflect long periods of German influence. Floating from one magical fairytale town to another, the Panache offers a marvelous introduction to this extraordinary Christmas experience.
Visit vendors selling handcrafted gifts, painted ornaments, and colorful candles. Savor fragrant foodstuffs, sample seasonal sweets, and sip mugs of spiced wine. Gorgeously decorated trees and holiday displays light up the surrounding streets, beckoning for further exploration.
Besides mingling with locals at the Christmas markets, passengers enjoy many other cultural connections. Visits include a glassblowing studio where working artisans share the secrets of their fire-fueled craft, while tours of world-class museums reveal private collections and curated exhibits. Best of all, guests can accompany Chef to purchase freshly baked pastries at a canal-side bakery, ensuring a most memorable taste of holiday magic.
A spacious and contemporary two-story vessel, Panache gleams with elegant décor and chic design. Roomy cabins offer generous storage space, and the modern bathrooms feature a double sink. Handsome leather couches in the lovely salon provide the perfect perch for enjoying a glass of wine with friends or cozying up with a good book and a cup of tea.
Food and drink reflect the culinary customs of this unique region. Guests enjoy a meal at a traditional inn, or ‘bierstub’, for an evening of classic Alsatian recipes such as ‘Flammekueche’. Onboard, classic French fare is presented with a contemporary twist and accompanied by boutique wines from nearby vineyards. Christmas cocktails, holiday-inspired dishes, and homemade desserts round out Panache’s dynamic dining program.
