Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ – Holiday Collection
One of the most unique ways to see the beloved Christmas markets is with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises aboard a floating boutique hotel. Uniworld takes travelers to the best markets with ease aboard their seven-themed holiday season cruises. This experience includes a mixture of Europe’s most popular and lesser-known markets located in charming towns on a five-star, all-inclusive cruise while only having to unpack once. Like all Uniworld cruises, the holiday sailings are also five-star and all-inclusive of on-trip transportation, gourmet meals, high-speed WiFi, onboard and offshore excursions/activities, gratuities and more. Uniworld’s seven-holiday cruises for 2023 include:
- Rhine Holiday Markets: Eight-day sailing aboard the “S.S. Antonetta” from Basel to Cologne
- Classic Christmas Markets: Eight-day sailing aboard the “S.S. River Queen” from Frankfurt to Nuremberg
- Danube Holiday Markets: Eight-day sailing aboard the “S.S. Maria Theresa” from Budapest to Passau
- Enchanting Christmas & New Year’s: 11-day sailing aboard the “S.S. Maria Theresa” from Passau to Budapest
- Grand Christmas & New Year’s: 13-day sailing aboard the “S.S. Beatrice” from Nuremberg to Budapest
- European Holiday Markets: Eight-day sailing aboard the “River Princess” from Nuremberg to Vienna
- NEW FOR 2023* Belgian Holiday Markets: Eight-day sailing aboard the “River Empress” from Brussels to Brussels
Those looking to spend the holidays onboard can join the 13-day Grand Christmas & New Year’s trip aboard the stunning “S.S. Beatrice” – setting sail on December 22, 2023. The itinerary is the ultimate holiday river cruise, sailing through Germany, Austria and Hungary along the shimmering Danube River during the most festive time of year. Guests will escape the hurry of the holidays and explore charming old-world villages and Gothic churches while sailing in style. Itinerary highlights include Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in a Gothic cathedral in the quiet medieval town of Regensburg; a horse-drawn carriage ride through the serene Bavarian Forest; exploring the iconic filming locations from “The Sound of Music” in Salzburg; meeting royalty during a private reception in a castle overlooking the UNESCO-protected Wachau Valley; ringing in the New Year in the sparkling city of Vienna and much more.
Relax at Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa
Royal Champagne is the Champagne region’s first-ever luxury wellness destination, located just 45 minutes outside of Paris in the French countryside. Situated on UNESCO-protected vineyards, Royal Champagne boasts its original 19th-century Post House; a 16,000 square foot wellness center in partnership with the cult-favorite Biologique Recherche; Michelin-starred dining and sophisticated interiors designed by Sybille de Margerie, combining classic designs linked to French history with local heritage. Royal Champagne has strong ties to Napoleon, boasting its original 19th-century post-trading station where kings of France traditionally stopped en route to their coronations in Reims and Napoleon passed through many times.
The hotel’s logo, a horse & rider, appears throughout the hotel, referencing Napoleon and the 19th-century building’s history as the royal coach stop, which is now home to Michelin-starred restaurant Le Royal. The restaurant’s décor salutes Napoleon with its gold leaf-studded ceiling featuring four curved panels that portray the most important women in his life – Josephine, Marie-Louise of Austria, Countess Marie Walewska and Désirée Clary, his first love. Bumble bee touches are also incorporated on the fine china, on the mirrors in the ladies’ lounge and in the tilework, referencing Napoleon’s bee emblem that he chose to represent his status as Emperor symbolizing hard work, diligence and industriousness. Bumble bees became a symbol of the Napoleonic era after he wore a coat embroidered with 1,500 golden bees during his crowning in Reims.
At Royal Champagne, guests can unwind at the spa; sample over 800 wines including varietals from local small-batch wine growers; dine at the Michelin-starred Le Royal restaurant; take an e-bike to the village of Hautvillers, Dom Perignon’s resting place and much more. Off-site, guests can explore local private labels with their own personal “Champagne Chauffeur,” who works in tandem with the property’s concierge to arrange private cellar visits due to exclusive relationships and open the doors to Champagne houses not open to the public + create a bespoke itinerary to top houses and sightseeing spots.
Royal Champagne guests can end a busy day by unwinding in their luxurious guest rooms on their private terrace, and receive world-renowned bubbly delivered straight to their door with the hotel’s in-room “Champagne Please” button located on the guest room phones. Guests looking to improve their sleep quality after a busy vacation can also check out Royal Champagne’s “Royal Sleep Experience” which bridges the worlds of sleep and holistic beauty with in-room sleep essentials, a dedicated menu at the restaurant and more.
