Rhine River cruise leads to Christmas markets, heritage sites

Though most people think of cruises as large apartment-like ships navigating through tropical waters, there’s another form of cruise distinctive in its own right: a longship river cruise. With their smaller vessels, river cruises are more intimate and can get you closer to the areas you’re exploring. The one I chose for taking in various UNESCO World Heritage Sites and this year’s Christmas markets in the Netherlands, Germany and France: the new Viking Jarl.

Click on the image below for a photo gallery of sights along the Rhine River.