PANACHE
- CLASSIC CRUISE IN HOLLAND
Haarlem to Haarlem
Sunday, Day 1 Amsterdam to Haarlem
We meet you at the designated meeting point in Amsterdam 16:15 and
transfer you to the barge moored at Haarlem. Once aboard enjoy a
Champagne welcome and an introduction to your crew and ship. Dinner
on board.
Monday, Day 2 Haarlem to Leiden
Early breakfast and then we take a trip to the Aalsmeer flower
auction, where some 17 million cut flowers are auctioned every day.
Returning to our boat, we cruise on to Leiden. Leiden is the perfect
town for those who like to cycle or walk. The city’s history dates
back to Roman times and includes more recent sites such as the church,
St. Pieterskerk, from which the pilgrims departed for America. History
is best experienced by walking or cycling, occasionally stopping
to look at the architecture. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 Leiden to Delft
This morning marks a cruising highlight: a walk through the
Keukenhof Gardens, Holland's best-known garden park, with more than
100 acres filled with over 7 million flowering bulbs. We stroll
through breathtaking waves of color on this unforgettable half-
day excursion. Return to the barge for lunch followed by our cruise
to Delft, famous for the blue and white porcelain which bears its
name. Dinner on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 Delft to Rotterdam to Schonhaven
This morning a tour of Delft, a fascinating town full of small
canals and humpback bridges and is best explored by bike or on foot.
Many beautiful buildings illustrate the city's historic connection
with the Dutch East India Company. The birthplace of Jan Vermeer,
Delft is also famous for its Delft tableware, and we visit a factory
to learn how this world-famous porcelain is made. After lunch we
cruise during breakfast through Rotterdam, largest port in the World,
to Schonhaven. On route we can visit Ketel One distillery in Schiedam.
Ketel One Vodka is distilled from 100% wheat in copper pot stills,
filtered over loose charcoal, and rests in tile lined tanks until
ready. Dinner ashore tonight.
Thursday, Day 5 Schonhaven to Gouda
After breakfast we cruise to Gouda. From our mooring at
Gouda we walk right into town, where our sightseeing includes St.John's
Church, famous for its 70 magnificent stained glass windows and
St.Catherine's Hospice, decorated with paintings from the School
of The Hague. Our last stop is the town square, home to the Stadhuis,
Gouda's town hall and Waag, where cheese is weighed. Private cheese
tasting and tour. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6 Gouda to Haarlem
Morning cruise to our mooring in Haarlem. After lunch we
visit Historic Haarlem dating back to the 13th Century. Home to
the Frans Hals Museum and its collection of Old Masters, other highlights
include St. Bavo's Cathedral on the main square, where both Handel
and Mozart played the magnificent Muller organ. Tonight enjoy the
Captains Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 Haarlem to Amsterdam
After breakfast depart the barge and transfer to Amsterdam. All
itineraries are subject to change
PANACHE - CLASSIC CRUISE
IN ALSACE
Strasbourg to Mittersheim
Sunday, Day 1 Strasbourg
We meet you at the designated meeting point in Strasbourg, ancient
capital of Alsace, and transfer you to the hotel barge, where we
have a 'Champagne Welcome' and you are introduced to your crew.
Time for a walk or cycle ride before dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 Strasbourg to Hochfelden
This morning after breakfast, enjoy a tour of the beautiful city
of Strasbourg, visiting the Beaux Arts Museum in the Palais Rohan
and the 12th century Gothic pink sandstone Strasbourg Cathedral,
home to an astronomical Renaissance clock and massive spire leaving
enough time to explore La Petite France, a pedestrian area brimming
with half timbered houses, boutique shops and cafes. After lunch
we cruise through the Brumath Forest to the little port of Hochfelden,
home to the Meteor Brewery, an Alsatian family brewery since 1640.
Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 Hochfelden to Saverne
We cruise to the enchanting village of Saverne where history
traces back over 22 centuries to the times of the Gauls, mooring
at the foot of the Chateau de Rohan, the former residence of the
bishops of Strasbourg, rebuilt by Cardinal de Rohan in 1779. After
lunch we enjoy a scenic drive into the rolling Vosges hills and
Route des Grands Crus, where the finest wines of Alsace are produced,
followed by a private wine tasting of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir
and Riesling. Dinner on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 Saverne to Lutzelbourg
After breakfast, your guide will lead you through the narrow
picturesque streets of Saverne and then we visit the hilltop 11th
century Chateau du Haut Barr, considered to be one of the most majestic
castles of Alsace with its 12th century Roman chapel and Gothic
choir. Here we enjoy a gourmet lunch in the gastronomic restaurant
of the Chateau overlooking the Valley of the Zorn. Afternoon cruise
through the valley and forest to Lutzelbourg. Dinner aboard.
Thursday, Day 5 Lutzelbourg to Niderviller
This morning we ascend the Arzviller boat elevator. This
unique barge elevator allows a vessel to glide effortlessly up the
mountainside in minutes, thus avoiding 17 traditional locks and
an additional day's navigation. We serve a candlelit brunch whilst
passing through two tunnels before visiting the mountain top village
of La Petite Pierre with its medieval castle fortified by the personal
engineer of Louis X1V, Marechal Vauban. Later we visit the Chappelle
des Cordeliers with its breathtaking 40 foot high,13000 piece, stained
glass depiction of the tree of life by Chagall, followed by a stroll
around the quaint shop-lined streets of Sarrebourg. After a short
drive we discover the secrets of crystal production at Vallerysthal
in Troisfontaines founded in 1707. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6 Niderviller to Mittersheim
A short cruise to the village of Gondrexange where your guide
accompanies you to Nancy, ancient capital of Lorraine. Our tour
begins at the Baroque Place Stanislas with its ornate gold and wrought
iron gates. This square is considered one of the grandest in all
of France. The Art Nouveau movement originated in Nancy and a tour
of the Musee de l’Ecole, to discover its fine collection, concludes
our excursion. Return to Panache and cruise past several lakes through
the game filled natural park and forests of the Lorraine to Mittersheim.
Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 Mittersheim to Strasbourg
After breakfast on board transfer back to Strasbourg. This is
a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The itinerary is in
reverse direction on alternate weeks.
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