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Does your family love celebrating the holiday season? Does it become a little overwhelming for your autistic child? I know Christmas can be a little overstimulating for some children with autism. Especially if you try to do too many new things at once. However, there are ways to limit sensory overload, while still enjoying the sights and sounds of the season. Taking an autism-friendly Christmas market river cruise with Adventures by Disney is an excellent way to celebrate, get away from home, and keep things calm for your autistic child. During these cruises, you can experience the magic of Disney. At the same time, you will sail to different areas of Europe and experience the magic of the Christmas markets. You won’t need to change hotel rooms. Most meals will be covered on the ship. And you can have downtime whenever your autistic family needs it. This probably all sounds too good to be true. I can assure you it is not. I would love to chat with you about how I can make a Christmas market river cruise in Europe work for your autistic family. To find out more about how we can work together to book your cruise reach out today!
Experience an Autism Friendly Christmas Market River Cruise with Adventures by Disney
During an autism-friendly Christmas market river cruise in Europe, you will have the choice of cruising along the Rhine River or the Danube River. Along the Rhine River, you will stop in destinations like France, Germany, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. While on the Danube, the focus will be on the countries of Germany, Austria, and Hungary.
These Christmas market river cruises last for 8 days and 7 nights. While it’s true you will see Christmas markets on both cruises, the other activities are a little different. Therefore, you may find you are more interested in one river cruise over the other, simply due to the trip highlights.
I can help you determine which Christmas market river cruise would be best for your autistic family if you simply cannot decide. To get you started thinking about each river cruise though, let’s dive into a few of the details of each one.
The Christmas Market River Cruise on the Rhine River
Your Christmas adventure will begin in Basel, Switzerland. This is a low-key day, which will be perfect for your autistic child. You will have plenty of time to adjust to your new surroundings. Take the time to relax in your stateroom, explore the ship, and go for a swim in the heated pool.
Day two brings the beauty of Strasbourg, France. Your family can choose between three exciting tour options. Those options include wandering through the Black Forest, ziplining high above the trees, and going on a toboggan ride. Your family may prefer visiting the woodworking museum and learning how to create a cuckoo pipe. Or exploring the Riquewihr Christmas Market and doing a little shopping.
During your second day in Strasbourg, you can choose between a canal boat tour or an Alsace canoe trip in the morning. The afternoon brings making macarons or exploring wine caves. You can also use this time to go swimming or relax in your room.
Over in Mannheim, Germany, you will want to spend as much time as possible exploring the town of Heidelberg. This includes the infamous Heidelberg Castle. This can be quite a leisurely day, as you wander around at your own pace.
Music lovers will want to make a stop at Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum while in Rȕdesheim, Germany. This museum is filled with music boxes, pianos, and other instruments.
Afterward, you can either bike around the town or take a gondola ride to the Niederwald Monument. If those options don’t thrill your autistic family, venture to a cafe for some yummy hot cocoa and coffee.
You may prefer to spend time on the ship in the morning and then head out in the afternoon for the iconic castle cruise through the Rhine Gorge.
Your autistic child may not want to walk that far during the walking tour in Cologne, Germany. You can skip that if you want, but I don’t recommend skipping the Chocolate Museum. It is an excellent place to learn about the history of chocolate. Plus, you can all create your own chocolate bar at the end of your visit!
Your last full day on the ship will be when you arrive in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. My favorite thing to do in Amsterdam is the Amsterdam Canal Cruise. During this canal cruise, you will travel along one of the many canals that fill this city. It is an excellent way to see most of the city, while not experiencing sensory overload.
Other options for this day include visiting the Rijksmuseum, The Rembrandt House, and the Van Gogh Museum. The kids may prefer exploring Zaanse Schans. The area is filled with windmills and other childlike structures. No one in your family will be able to resist walking around to see all the wooden houses. You may even be tempted to do a little clog decorating.
Your autistic family won’t be ready to leave the ship the next morning. Your Christmas market river cruise will be complete though, and the only thing left to do is return home. Unless you decide to stay in Amsterdam for a couple more days to truly experience the beauty of the area. I can arrange for that to happen.
The Christmas Market River Cruise on the Danube River
Your first day on the Danube River Christmas market cruise is just as low-key as the one on the Rhine River. This is the day to get used to the ship, swim, and enjoy German foods and drinks.
Day two brings time in Passau, Germany. The kids will love learning how to make something with marzipan. Especially since they get to eat it when they are finished! During the afternoon, you can explore the Passau Christmas market before heading back to the ship.
The Salzburg Christmas Market will be waiting for you on day three. You may also want to spend a little time wandering through the salt mines. I recommend taking a raft ride in the underground mines. Although, the kids may prefer going down the mineshaft slide.
Once you arrive in Melk, Austria, you will need to decide if you are staying on the ship or venturing out to enjoy a little culture. If you venture out, your day will be filled with sights of the Melk Benedictine Abbey and Dȕrnstein Castle. If you choose to stay on the ship, you can go swimming, decorate Christmas cookies, or take advantage of the peacefulness of an almost empty ship.
A motorcoach tour of Vienna, Austria is a must. It is an excellent way to see the sights in a calm setting. You can also wander around Vienna on your own if you are not interested in touring Schönbrunn Palace. The Christmas market at Maria-Theresien-Platz is one you won’t want to miss. I also don’t recommend missing out on the private marionette show. Since it is a private show, your autistic child won’t become as overstimulated as they might with a larger crowd.
You get a second day in Vienna, which is perfect if you simply couldn’t fit in all the must-sees on day one! If you have the time, do a little ice skating at one of the outdoor rinks in the city.
Your last full day on the ship will be spent in Budapest, Hungary. I recommend doing the city tour of Budapest, as well as visiting Budapest Central Market Hall. You can even take a carriage ride, or watch a horse show, at Lazar Equestrian Park.
This is another Christmas market river cruise you will never want to end. But in the morning of day 8 when you wake up, it will be time to leave the ship and head home.
As you can see, there are so many fascinating options for activities when you take a Christmas market river cruise over in Europe. Yes, you can spend time at the local Christmas markets, but there are so many other things you can include in your days. The best part about these cruises is you can customize them to fit your autistic family’s needs. I can help you do that, as well as make sure you have all the resources necessary during your Adventure by Disney cruise. Contact me today and see how you can make a Christmas market river cruise in Europe a reality instead of a dream. Together, we can make it happen!
