Festive Belgium: Christmas Markets, Lights & Delights
Please join us December 9 – December 16, 2027
Celebrate Christmas the European way on this GetAway Travel–hosted Belgian Holiday Markets river cruise, round‑trip from Brussels aboard Uniworld S.S. Elisabeth.
The holiday season in Belgium is something truly special. Each city throws an enchanting winter festival, which could include anything from market stalls and elaborate light displays to Ferris wheels and ice skating rinks.
Bordered by the bigger tourism magnets France, Germany, and the Netherlands, Belgium is a small country bursting with cultural impact and well worthy of being the highlight of any European trip—whether it’s your first time on the continent or your tenth. Chocolates, french fries, specialty spirits, and beers are amongst the many things this stretch of the Earth is known for doing well. You’ll get to experience it all during Belgium’s most festive time of the year, when you can sip vin chaud and the world’s most delicious cups of hot chocolate between bites of warm liege waffles and spiced gingerbread.
The Itinerary
Day 1 – Brussels
Brussels – Belgium’s Capital in Holiday Glow
Our Christmas market adventure begins! Arrive in Brussels and board the beautiful S.S. Elisabeth.
Day 2 – Ghent
Ghent: A Living Fairytale
Visit two national gems: beautiful Bruges, the capital of West Flanders and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, and fascinating Ghent, the capital city of East Flanders, whose long history does not weigh on its vibrant present. Belgium’s second-largest city, Ghent abounds in medieval architecture, which makes for a particularly magical canvas for the town’s Christmastime decorations.
Featured excursions included in our journey:
Ghent & Bruges Walking Tour with Christmas Market
Since cars are completely banned in Ghent’s historic center, it’s a particularly pedestrian-friendly area. Stroll with your guide from the Church of Saint James, with its two Romanesque towers, to the Friday Market square, which, as its name suggests, was the site of a huge market every Friday in the Middle Ages. You’ll pass the magnificent 15th-century Great Butchers’ Hall and the elegant medieval trading houses that line Graslei and Korenlei streets. Your last stop is the Belfort, the great bell tower that rises above the Old Town. You will also walk through the UNESCO-designated city center of Bruges with a local guide to see why this lovely city is a popular favorite of visitors to Belgium. The town grew up around a fort built by the first Count of Flanders to defend against Viking invaders. By the 14th century, Bruges had become the center of the international cloth trade. Merchants and traders worldwide came to Bruges for Flemish cloth, and the town’s bounty of beautiful churches and mansions testify to its prosperity. It’s even more wonderful in the wintertime, when the crowds of tourists have dwindled and locals decorate the city in festive fashion. Christmas trees, twinkling lights and the sweet scent of holiday treats fill the streets.
Bruge, a Medieval Masterpiece at Chrismas time
Day 3 – Antwerp
Antwerp: Elegance on the River
You’ll find a penchant for all things high quality in the country’s biggest port city. Diamonds, art, fashion, and more compete for attention here, so you’re sure to find just the thing to make your time in Antwerp memorable.
Select your choice of these carefully curated excursions, which operate at the same time.
The Nottebohm Room
Once named the World Book Capital by UNESCO, Antwerp has a dedicated relationship with literature. The Nottebohm Room of the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library illustrates this well. Walk in to see two open stories of wooden bookshelves, filled to the brim with leather bound volumes. A wrought metal balustrade bisects the two, giving librarians access to the incredible collection of rare items inside. Some particularly exciting members of this collection are accessible to you on the ground floor, including an iconic pair of globes by Dutch cartographer Willem Blaeu.
Chocolate Nation
In the center of Antwerp, you’ll find a whole museum dedicated just to Belgian chocolate. Walk inside to discover the love story that is Belgium’s relationship with the sweet treat, follow the path of the cocoa bean from the farms of Ecuador to the world’s largest cocoa storage port in Antwerp, and of course, you’ll sample a variety chocolates during your time here.
Day 4 – Hasselt
Today, you’ll explore the trendy-yet-quaint town of Hasselt. A blend of city interest—with plenty of cafés and shopping—and an easygoing, small-town atmosphere, the mostly car-free Hasselt is a charming place to explore on foot.
Featured excursions included in our journey
Hasselt Walking Tour
Make your way around Hasselt with a local guide who knows all the best spots in town. As you go, admire the city’s plentiful green spaces, keep your eyes peeled for masterful works of street art, and discover shopping areas filled with major brands and eclectic boutiques alike.
Liège Christmas Market
Visit the oldest Christmas Market in Belgium, an honored tradition in the French-speaking town of Liège. Approximately 200 wooden chalets invite visitors to shop their wares, sit down for a drink, or savor delicious treats
Day 5 – Maastricht
Maastricht: Winter Warmth with a French Flair
Venture into the Netherlands to visit Maastricht, known as one of the most beautiful and romantic cities of Holland and loved for its convivial lifestyle and historic center, which has long played a strategic role in European politics. Not only will you explore this city’s Christmas market, but you will also have the opportunity to head into Germany to visit the famous Aachen Christmas Market.
Featured excursions included in our journey
Nights Out: Maastricht Christmas Lights
After dinner, head into town with your Cruise Manager for an evening stroll through Maastricht, when twinkling lights make the city even more charming than it is by daylight. Grab a hot drink to warm your hands as you walk around the “Magical Maastricht” Christmas event, which features a ferris wheel, covered ice skating rink, and dozens of stalls offering a drink or a bite to eat
Maastricht Walking Tour
Meander through the historic city center of Maastricht with your local guide and take in all of the city’s prettiest sites. During your walk, you’ll discover the picturesque streets of the Stokstraat Quarter and various charming promenades across the old and new city centers. You’ll take a peek into City Hall to see the wall tapestries, stucco, ceiling paintings, and mantelpieces inside. As you go, you’ll hear the fascinating stories and amusing anecdotes of Maastricht history, its progression from Roman settlement to early industrial powerhouse, and the Mestreechter Geis (or “the Spirit of Maastricht”, which is what they call their local way of life). Brimming with charm any time of year, Maastricht is perhaps at its most special in the weeks leading up to Christmas, when a light dusting of snow settles in between the cobblestones and the “Magical Maastricht” Christmas Market—amongst the largest in the Netherlands—is in full swing.
Select your choice of these carefully curated excursions, which operate at the same time.
Christmas in the Caves
Here’s your chance to experience something utterly unique: the underground Christmas market of Valkenburg. Cozy stalls and twinkling lights line the stone walls of this enchanting cave, where you can shop for classic holiday gifts and treats while escaping the weather. And if you venture outside, you’ll find even more Christmas spirit spreading out from the cave across the entire festively-decked town.
About These Videos – To help you picture the journey, we’ve shared select YouTube videos created by independent travelers. They’re meant to inspire and inform. While GetAway Travel didn’t produce these videos, we happily credit and thank the creators for sharing their experiences.
Aachen Christmas Market
The only German Christmas market we’ll visit on this itinerary, Aachen’s market has frequently been named among the best in Europe. The area surrounding the Aachen Cathedral turns into a bustling Christmas village every year, known foremost for its local take on gingerbread. Aachen Printen, as it is known, has many varieties, so make sure to try as much as you can during your time here!
About These Videos – To help you picture the journey, we’ve shared select YouTube videos created by independent travelers. They’re meant to inspire and inform. While GetAway Travel didn’t produce these videos, we happily credit and thank the creators for sharing their experiences.
Day 6 – Antwerp
Antwerp: A Sparkling Riverfront Christmas
Discover an eclectic mix of historic and modern in Belgium’s “Second City,” Antwerp, a town where well preserved medieval buildings are interspersed with artful modern architecture. After your included explorations today, you may find your final Christmas market for this journey centered in Antwerp’s Old Town, lighting up nostalgic facades and the local castle to create the perfect backdrop for this festive event.
Featured excursions included in our journey
Antwerp Walking Tour with Christmas Market Concert
Meander your way around Antwerp with a local guide, arriving at a beautiful city-palace on the Meir shopping street. First built in the 18th century, this residence was owned by Napoleon, Leopold II, and the Belgian Royal family, each leaving their marks on the building’s stunning interiors. Enter to discover a Rococo masterpiece—a particularly arresting setting for a private concert that has been arranged exclusively for Uniworld guests.
Day 7 – Brussels
Grand Place square, Belgium Guildhall
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, offers a treasure trove of historic architecture, along with a rich culinary tradition—chocolate!—and a vibrant culinary capital. Food lovers will be lured by the divine aromas drifting from the many holiday market stalls, while others will be attracted to the city’s enchanting architecture and elaborate Christmas displays.
Featured excursions included in our journey
Brussels Christmas Market
As far north as Brussels, night falls early during this time of year—which means we have the good fortune to be able to catch the Christmas market light up for the evening. Our driver will drop you right off at the city center, where your Cruise Manager will walk you to the market to explore on your own. The largest in Belgium, Brussels’ market has over 200 stalls. Perhaps you’d like to enjoy the city’s most famous sweet holiday-style, with a delicious cup of hot chocolate from one of the market’s many vendors.
Select your choice of these carefully curated excursions, which operate at the same time.
Brussels City Tour with Chocolate Treats
On our way into the city center, we’ll take you on a panoramic tour of the major sightseeing spots in Brussels, such as the Royal Residence, Chinese Pavilion and Japanese Pagoda. From there, we’ll set out on foot to see the city up close—and taste some iconic Belgian chocolates along the way!
Brussels Walking Tour with Belgian Beer Museum
Take in the top sights of Brussels on an engaging walking tour with a local guide, during which you’ll see La Grand-Place and enter the old stock exchange. Here you’ll find the Belgian Beer Museum, where you’ll learn all about one of the country’s most iconic products. This museum isn’t just educational though, it’s also interactive. You’ll sample as you go, getting to know a variety of different Belgian beer varieties to see which suits your tastes best.
Day 8 – Brussels
Disembark the ship.
Stay longer in Belgium, transfer to another country to extend your European holiday vacation or head on home to start baking for the holidays!
The Uniworld S.S. Elisabeth
S.S. Elisabeth exudes contemporary style with luxe velvet and marble accents, while original artwork adds a touch of Uniworld’s signature boutique style. The S.S. Elisabeth has the largest suites on the rivers of Europe, boasting two Royal Suites that offer an incredible 506 square feet each. Guests can even reserve the adjoining standard Suite next door to create a 759 square foot suite with two bedrooms connected by a separate living room. All the Suites and Signature French Balconies offer abundant space—much higher than standard—with ultra-comfortable, water-facing beds dressed in Uniworld’s fine custom linens.
Public Areas
Top Deck Bar
The rest of the ship is equally stunning, featuring a relaxing pool, gym, and massage room. Guests can dine at their choice of three venues: a main dining room, a private venue for smaller groups, and even a sundeck bar.
On the river, the views go on forever
Private dining and event room
24 hr coffees and water station
Main lounge, with unique glass ceiling along sides
Stairs and circular elevator
Lounge – conversation, drinks, music, entertainment – it all happens here
Staterooms
All cabins on the S.S. Elisabeth are beautifully appointed, but the higher the category, the more space you’ll have—ranging from about 170 square feet to over 330 square feet.
Royal Suite
At 335 sq. ft., one of the largest accomodations on this ship, with separate sitting area, enhanced bathroom and premium inclusions. Did we mention it also has a fireplace? The 2 Royal Suites are on the Basel Deck (3)
Royal Suite Floor Plan
Suite, Signature French Balcony
At 253 square feet, these rooms are some of the largest on the rivers with King Size bed facing the water and premium bath amenities. Suites are the same size as Signature French Balconies with additional amenities and services: in-suite butler service, in room breakfast, daily fruit and cooking plate, espresso machine, fine teas and fully stocked mini bar. Suites are on the Basel Deck (3), Signature French Balcony staterooms are on the Cologne Deck (2)
Suite & Signature French Balcony Floor Plan
Deluxe French Balcony and French Balcony staterooms
At 188 sq. ft. with King size beds and premium bath amenities, these are both still great choices for our Christmas market cruise. The only difference in the 2 is location. Deluxe French Balconies are on Basel Deck (3) and French Balconies are on Cologne Deck (2).
Deluxe French Balcony
French Balcony Floor Plan
S.S. Elisabeth Deck Plan
Any questions or to reserve your cabin on this amazing adventure …
just call – 262-538-2140
