Rhine River
Christmas Markets
Germany & France aboard the MS Lafayette
December 3–13, 2027
Experience the magic you thought only existed in storybooks.
Imagine wandering beneath thousands of twinkling lights as church bells echo across a centuries-old European square. The scent of roasted chestnuts, gingerbread, and warm mulled wine drifts through the crisp winter air.
Each day brings another castle, cathedral, cobblestone street, or beautifully decorated Christmas market. Each evening, we return to our floating hotel for dinner, drinks, conversation, and the next breathtaking view along the Rhine.
This is more than a vacation. It is Christmas the way it was meant to feel.
The best of small-group travel and river cruising
All the ease and amenities of a professionally operated cruise, paired with the warmth, flexibility, and friendship of traveling with Namaste Studio.
Christmas Around Every Corner
Wander festive squares filled with handcrafted gifts, glowing stalls, seasonal treats, and European holiday traditions.
Unpack Once
Your hotel travels with you. Wake up near a new city without repeatedly packing, checking in, or hauling luggage.
Travel With Familiar Faces
Our Namaste Studio group remains intentionally small, even while we share the ship with other travelers.
Eleven unforgettable days
A relaxed blend of guided experiences, Christmas markets, free time, river cruising, and moments that cannot be scheduled.
Depart the United States
Our Christmas adventure begins as we board our overnight flights to Germany.
Welcome to Cologne
Arrive in Germany and settle into our Cologne hotel. The day is intentionally easy, with time to rest, begin exploring the markets, and gather for a welcome dinner.
Cologne Cathedral & Cruise Embarkation
Visit the magnificent Cologne Cathedral and enjoy time at the surrounding Christmas market before boarding the MS Lafayette. Settle into your cabin, meet the crew, and set sail at approximately 6:00 PM.
Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Speyer & Heidelberg
Our days unfold along the Rhine with medieval towns, festive markets, panoramic river views, beautiful architecture, and thoughtfully selected excursions.
Strasbourg: The Capital of Christmas
Disembark in Strasbourg, store our luggage, and spend several hours exploring one of Europe’s most celebrated Christmas markets. Later, travel by train to Cologne for our final overnight stay.
Return Home
Fly home carrying gifts, photographs, new friendships, and the kind of memories that make Christmas feel magical again.
More than a list of places
These are the moments we will remember: soaring viewpoints, music-filled rooms, glowing markets, and streets that seem designed for wandering.
Koblenz & Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
Ride a scenic cable car high above the Rhine to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for breathtaking panoramic views before wandering one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets. Sip mulled wine, browse handcrafted gifts, and soak in the festive charm of Koblenz’s Old Town.
Rüdesheim & Siegfried’s Music Museum
Ride the charming little train through the winding streets of Rüdesheim before stepping inside the fascinating Mechanical Music Museum. Then stroll the famous Drosselgasse, lined with cozy taverns, festive shops, music, and holiday cheer.
Heidelberg Castle & Old Town
Discover why Heidelberg has inspired artists and poets for centuries. Visit the magnificent castle overlooking the city before wandering cobblestone streets filled with twinkling markets, charming boutiques, and centuries-old architecture.
Strasbourg: Capital of Christmas
Explore glowing market squares, elaborately decorated streets, magnificent architecture, and the half-timbered beauty of Strasbourg. There will be time to shop, taste local favorites, and gather a few last treasures before returning to Cologne.
The MS Lafayette
The MS Lafayette offers the intimacy of a river ship rather than the scale of a large ocean liner. The vessel accommodates approximately 78 guests, allowing for a comfortable onboard experience with panoramic river views and easy access to each destination.
We will share the ship with other cruise passengers, while our Namaste Studio travelers remain their own small group within the larger sailing.
What your trip includes
Included
- Seven-night Rhine River cruise aboard the MS Lafayette
- Hotel stay in Cologne before the cruise
- Hotel stay in Cologne after the cruise
- Train transportation from Strasbourg to Cologne
- All meals while onboard the ship
- Standard drinks onboard, according to the cruise line’s included beverage program
- Planned group excursions and experiences described on this page
- Namaste Studio trip planning and group coordination
- Optional gentle movement or yoga when time and space allow
Not Included
- Round-trip airfare to and from Germany
- Travel insurance
- Passport expenses
- Specialty or premium beverages
- Dinner on December 4
- Lunch on December 5
- Lunch and dinner on December 12
- Personal shopping, souvenirs, or optional activities
- Any item not specifically identified as included
Choose the option that fits your adventure
Cabins are limited. Namaste Studio does not pair roommates, so shared-room travelers must register with a spouse, friend, or chosen travel companion.
Shared Cabin
Total for two travelers sharing one cabin.
$3,300 per person
Solo Cabin
One traveler in a private cabin.
Private cabin for one traveler.
$500 non-refundable deposit per traveler
Your deposit reserves your space and is applied toward the total trip price. Details about the remaining payment schedule will be provided after registration.
Registration opens August 1, 2026
Cabins are limited, and registration will be available to everyone beginning August 1. Full registration instructions and deposit information will be posted here when enrollment opens.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a large group?
The MS Lafayette accommodates approximately 78 guests, making it far more intimate than a large ocean cruise ship. We will share the ship with other travelers, but our Namaste Studio group will remain intentionally small. You will enjoy the service and amenities of a professionally operated river cruise while still having a familiar group with whom to explore, dine, laugh, and create memories.
Do I have to participate in everything?
No. This is your vacation. You are welcome to join the planned experiences, skip an excursion, linger at a market, relax onboard, or enjoy quiet time whenever you need it. The itinerary provides structure without making the trip feel rigid.
Is this a yoga retreat?
No. This is first and foremost a European Christmas-market adventure. When the schedule and available space allow, Jessica may offer optional gentle stretching, mobility, breathwork, or a quiet morning practice to help everyone recover from walking and begin the day feeling good. Participation is always optional.
Will Namaste Studio find me a roommate?
No. Shared cabins are reserved for travelers registering with a spouse, friend, family member, or another roommate they have selected themselves. Namaste Studio does not pair travelers who do not already know one another.
How much walking should I expect?
European cities and Christmas markets often include cobblestones, stairs, uneven surfaces, and extended periods of standing or walking. We will move at a comfortable pace whenever possible, but travelers should be prepared for active sightseeing and winter conditions.
Are flights included?
No. Airfare is not included. Flight guidance and recommended arrival information will be shared as the trip approaches so travelers can coordinate plans.
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is not required, but it is highly recommended. Your deposit is non-refundable, and the trip involves international travel, cruise arrangements, hotels, transportation, and expenses that may not be recoverable if plans change.
What will the weather be like?
December along the Rhine is typically cold and may be rainy or snowy. Travelers should plan for layered clothing, a warm waterproof coat, comfortable waterproof walking shoes, gloves, and a hat.
Next Christmas could look very different.
Instead of rushing through crowded stores, imagine sipping warm Glühwein beneath cathedral spires while the lights of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets sparkle around you.
Come for the castles, the food, the river, and the holiday magic. Come home with friendships and stories you will still be talking about years later.