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Personal journey / 01

London,
then the Rhine.

A family trip through London, Amsterdam, the Rhine aboard AmaSiena, and Basel—planned as one itinerary.

Dates
28 November–12 December 2025
Travelers
3
Form
City stay + Christmas-market river journey
The Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben against a clear blue London sky
Big Ben · London · photographed by Tabitha

Route overview

London
to Basel.

Four nights in London and one in Amsterdam came before the Rhine sailing.

  1. London

    Four nights at Hotel 41 before continuing to continental Europe.

  2. Amsterdam

    An intentional pre-cruise night protected the embarkation day.

  3. Cologne

    A Rhine stop during the Christmas-market itinerary.

  4. Rüdesheim

    A seasonal stop along the Rhine.

  5. Strasbourg

    Architecture, markets, and the wider Alsace experience.

  6. Colmar / Breisach area

    An Alsace-area stop before the journey’s end.

  7. Basel

    The river journey concluded in Switzerland.

Key planning decisions

Four choices set the trip up well.

Spend four nights in London

London was already part of the flight routing and somewhere Tabitha wanted to experience with her family. Hotel 41 was chosen for its location, character, and personal service.

Arrive in Amsterdam before the cruise

The extra night protected the sailing day from a delayed flight or missed connection.

Choose AmaWaterways for the route

The Christmas-market itinerary linked Cologne, Rüdesheim, Strasbourg, Colmar, and Basel aboard AmaSiena.

Plan it as one itinerary

Flights, hotels, private transfers, the cruise, excursions, and the return were coordinated together.

The columned entrance of the British Museum in London
The British Museum · London · photographed by Tabitha
The wood-paneled reception desk at Hotel 41 in London
Hotel 41 · London · photographed by Tabitha

When the plan changed

A driver went to the wrong Heathrow terminal.

One family member was left waiting while the private-transfer driver went elsewhere. Tabitha rearranged the transfers so everyone reached Hotel 41 and reconnected. The rest of the trip went as planned.

Why AmaWaterways

Christmas markets,
with a caveat.

The route brought historic cities, river scenery, and Christmas markets together without repeated packing and hotel changes.

The atmosphere, food, and architecture were memorable. Many markets, however, sold similar inexpensive, mass-produced goods. Travelers going mainly to shop should know that in advance.

The quiet upper deck of AmaSiena in Amsterdam
AmaSiena · before the Rhine
The warmly furnished lounge aboard AmaSiena
On board · AmaSiena
A twin cabin aboard AmaSiena
A twin cabin · AmaSiena · photographed by Tabitha
Historic buildings reflected along a canal in StrasbourgStrasbourg · along the route

What worked / what changes next time

What worked, and what Tabitha would change.

What worked

London, Hotel 41, the overall pace, and the extra night in Amsterdam all worked well.

What changes

After Basel, she would spend several days in Switzerland instead of returning through London for one airport-hotel night. She would also choose different options for a few cruise excursions.

Planning a multi-stop trip?

Talk with Tabitha about your plans.

Start with your timing, travelers, priorities, and budget. You do not need to have the route decided.

Arrange a conversation