If you’ve been through the amazing Christmas Markets of Europe, you’ll be familiar with the warming scents of the German spiced mulled wine known as Gluhwein.

Enjoying a warming cup of Gluhwein at the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt. Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

Now, the good people at Viking River Cruises are sharing their own recipe for this traditional delicacy:

Ingredients:
Four quarts dry red wine (e.g., zinfandel, pinot, burgundy)
One quart dry white wine
One pint brandy
One cup white sugar (more to taste)
Six cinnamon sticks
Twelve whole cloves
One-eighth teaspoon allspice
One-eighth teaspoon mace
Two oranges
One lemon

Directions:
Pour red wine into a three-gallon pot (or larger) and begin gentle heating. Add sugar and spices. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add brandy and white wine, slices of one orange and the lemon. Steep for one hour over low heat. Serve hot and garnish with orange slices or a cinnamon stick.

Makes 12-15 servings.

Check out this and other regional recipes on the Viking River Cruises website!

In April, AmaWaterways will take delivery of their newest vessel: the elegantly appointed AmaCerto. While she may look similar to her sleek sisters at first glance, there’s no shortage of reasons to sail aboard her next spring.

Some staterooms aboard AmaCerto will feature a unique "twin balcony" concept. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways.

Capable of holding just 164 guests, the AmaCerto is based largely upon the successful AmaBella and AmaVerde, which joined the AmaWaterways fleet in 2010 and 2011, respectively. At 443 feet in length, the AmaCerto offers up all the fantastic features and amenities that made her predecessors such a hit with passengers.

Take the line’s Twin Balcony concept. Aboard AmaCerto, guests in Category AA, AB, BB and Suites are treated to staterooms that feature both French and full walk-out balconies, all within the same room. These rooms measure a very generous 210 to 235 square feet, while Suites come in at 350 square feet – an almost unheard of size among river cruise vessels.

Popular lounges, like the aft lounge aboard AmaDolce, return aboard the new AmaCerto. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways.

AmaCerto also offers staterooms equipped with a single French balcony. These Category C staterooms come in at a roomy 170 square feet – the same size as most staterooms on the lines’ other vessels. Down on the Piano Deck, accommodations featuring fixed windows replicate the feel of Oceanview staterooms found on deep-ocean cruise ships and represent an excellent choice for the budget-conscious.

Most other AmaWaterways vessels in Europe are 360 feet long, and with her expanded length, AmaCerto is able to offer her passengers a little more of, well, everything. In addition to an outdoor sun deck high atop the ship, one deck down on Violin Deck passengers can utilize the Massage and Hair Salon, the fitness room, or the cozy aft lounge. All the way forward, the main Lounge has been expanded to offer more seating and boasts stunning 180-degree views of the surrounding countryside.

One deck down, the Restaurant has also been expanded. Guests sailing aboard any AmaWaterways ship are treated to complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks with dinner, meaning you don’t have to worry about the cost of that glass of wine. You can simply enjoy the excellent food and the magnificent views.

Be the first to sail down the Danube aboard AmaCerto next year. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways.

Other included niceties aboard AmaWaterways include complimentary internet access, a 24-hour specialty coffee and tea station, a heated swimming pool, an in-stateroom Infotainment centre offering first-run Hollywood movies, and even a passenger elevator, the presence of which can be rare among many river cruise ships.

So where is AmaCerto spending her maiden season in operation? Next year, you can experience this magnificent ship firsthand on the following itineraries:

For more information on AmaWaterways and the forthcoming AmaCerto, be sure to view our complete AmaWaterways fleet overview right here on River Cruise Advisor!

Lately, we’ve spent a lot of time covering various Christmas Markets itineraries, and for good reason: Not only do they provide travelers with an opportunity to experience the magic and traditions of a European winter wonderland, but they’re also one of the most popular seasonal river cruises. And in a few short weeks, we’ll provide you with a firsthand experience.

Christmas Treats abound! Photo courtesy of Ralph Grizzle.

We’re sailing aboard AmaWaterways’ AmaLyra from historic Nuremberg, Germany, to Budapest, Austria, this December. Departing on 11 December, our voyage will take us along the magnificent Danube River to explore some of Europe’s most historic cities and storybook villages, hopefully under a soft blanket of crystal-white snow.

Along the way, we’ll find time to take you on a virtual journey through the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg and walk the snow-covered streets of beautiful Regensburg. We’ll transit the mechanical marvel of the Main-Danube Canal, with its locks that raise and lower ships to properly meet the Danube River. After that, it’s off on a Christmas walk through Passau, or maybe even an optional excursion to Salzburg, Austria – home to The Sound of Music – before re-joining the ship in the Austrian town of Linz.

Follow along with us as we explore the beautiful Christmas markets of Europe, like this one in Linz, Austria. Photo courtesy of the City of Linz.

We’ll guide you through the famous canary-yellow Benedictine Abbey that graces Melk, Austria and sip warm coffee in one of Vienna’s many cafes. Perhaps there will even be time to take in the optional Strauss and Mozart concert that evening, before touring this splendid city and its Christmas Markets the following day.

Finally, the cruise wraps up with a journey into the Hungarian capital of Budapest. With the gothic building of the Hungarian Parliament standing watch over the icy Danube, a day of exploration and a nighttime “Illuminations” cruise are the perfect way to end our journeys here.

Salzburg, Austria is renowned for its Christmas Market, boasting plenty of local handmade crafts. Photo courtesy of christkindlmarkt.co.at,Salzburg

Best of all, you can experience it all live, as we post daily from the ship here and on our sister-site, From the Deck Chair. Part of the Avid Cruiser family, From the Deck Chair normally covers the deep-ocean cruise industry, but is the ideal venue for our live (and avid!) voyage reports.

The full itinerary, both here and onboard:

Stay tuned – live coverage begins on Saturday, December 10 and continues until Sunday, December 18! And we’ll follow it up with plenty of original content right here on River Cruise Advisor, including a complete, deck-by-deck photo-tour of the AmaLyra and a special focus on each of our “winterized” ports.

For more information on AmaWaterways and the luxurious AmaLyra, be sure to read our complete line and ship profiles here on River Cruise Advisor, and watch for our Live Coverage beginning on December 10^th!