Switzerland & German Christmas Markets HELP

[airboy]

My wife and I will be spending several days in Switzerland.  We then are going on a river cruise down the Rhine to the Christmas Markets.

What sort of things (other than beer) that is fun/interesting in either normal German/Swiss/Dutch cities that I should be sure I do over this two week period?

Thanks in advance.  My travel itinerary is set so I cannot go see different places - but I can experience things within the places I'm visiting.

[Airborne Rifles]

Be sure to try the Gluweinn (mulled wine) in the Christmas markets. Few things better than this on a cold night at the festival. Look for the people doing the real thing, mulling the wine in copper kettles over an open fire.

[FlickJax]

The Rhine Gorge area is stunning; and so is Bavaria.

[airboy]

Be sure to try the Gluweinn (mulled wine) in the Christmas markets. Few things better than this on a cold night at the festival. Look for the people doing the real thing, mulling the wine in copper kettles over an open fire.

Awesome - Thanks!

[Pete Dero]

copy from R&P :

Koln (Cologne) in Germany and Brussel or Brugge (Bruges) in Belgium are the most recommended places to visit.

I must admit I never have been to a Christmas Market so I can't help you any further.  IJskonijn is Dutch so he might have some tips for the Netherlands.

On the Rhine a nice place to visit is Rudesheim https://www.ruedesheim.de/en/events/highlights-2017/
I am more a fan of the Mosel (river that ends up in the Rhine) and often visit the region of Bernkastel http://en.bernkastel.de/events/christmas-market-in-bernkastel-kues.html
This region used to be very popular with Americans (maybe because of the Army bases in the vicinity ?)