The Canals Of Holland
Panache, Savoir Faire, La Nouvelle Etoile
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS*
The World Famous Delft Pottery
Sunday, Day 1 ALKMAAR
Six Nights
Guests are met at the designated meeting point in Amsterdam and transferred to Panache moored at Alkmaar. Once aboard enjoy a Champagne Welcome and an introduction to your crew and hotel barge. Dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 ALKMAAR TO ZAANDAM
Holland’s Cheese Centre in Gouda
This morning we visit Alkmaar, a beautiful coastal town famous for its traditional cheese and clog making, for a guided walk and free time to enjoy the quaint shops and town. After lunch we cruise to Wormerveer and then a bicycle ride or drive to Zaanse Schans, an open air conservation area and museum, giving you a vivid impression of the Dutch way of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. This area consists of authentic houses and windmills, an historic shipyard, pewter factory, a cheese and dairy farm and an age-old grocery store dating back to the 1900’s. Return to the hotel barge by bicycle or air-conditioned minibus and cruise to Zaandam. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 ZAANDAM TO HAARLEM
The Spectacular Tulip Fields
A Small Selection of the Wines Served Aboard l Domaine
Jadot, Mâcon Villages
l Château
La Rose Trintaudon, Haut Médoc
l Domaine
Chapoutier, Châteauneuf du Pape
l Château
de Fieuzal, Saint Emilion Grand Cru
l Domaine
Henri Bourgeois, Pouilly Fumé
l Château
Davenay, Montagney
l Domaine
Laroche, Chablis Premier Cru
l Domaine
Bouchard Père et Fils, Santenay
Cruise Highlights l Tour
Keukenhof Gardens with the largest display of flowers in the world
l Visit
the fascinating Zaanse Schans conservation area
l Visit
the Aalsmeer flower auction
l Visit
the Royal Delft pottery to see the world famous earthenware being hand-made and painted
l Tour
picturesque Haarlem and visit a museum of the Dutch painter, Franz Hals.
l Explore
Gouda's cheese markets and church of St. Pieterskerk
l Tour
the charming city of Leiden, Rembrandt's birthplace
Early morning cruise to the historic city of Haarlem, dating back to the 13th Century. Haarlem is home to the Frans Hals Museum founded in 1862 with its vast 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, or free time to visit the many boutique shops. This afternoon marks a cruise highlight, with a walk through the world famous Keukenhof Gardens. Known as the garden of Europe, with more than 100 acres filled with over 7 million flowering bulbs, we stroll through breathtaking waves of colour on this unforgettable half day excursion. Dinner ashore at a local restaurant.
ednesday, Day 4 W HAARLEM TO OUDE WETERING An optional early morning tour is to Aalsmeer flower auction, where some 17 million cut flowers from all over the world are traded here each day. Return to the hotel barge for a breakfast cruise to Oude Wetering. Free time this afternoon to cycle along the many towpaths around the lake or visit a local cheese market, in the nearby medieval town of Gouda. The large Gothic church of Sint Janskerk in Gouda is famous for its magnificent stained glass windows, for which it has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list of Dutch monuments. Dinner on board.
Thursday, Day 5 OUDE WETERING TO LEIDEN After breakfast we cruise to Leiden. Home to one of the oldest universities in the country and the birthplace of Rembrandt. Leiden is an historical city full of charm and character and perfect for those who like to cycle, or simply stroll the banks of the pretty tree-lined canals. This afternoon, we take a tour of the city, with your tour leader explaining the history that dates back to Roman times and includes more recent sites such as the church, St. Pieterskerk, from which the pilgrims departed for America. Free time to explore the many local cafes, boutique shops, markets and antique dealers. Dinner on board.
F riday, Day 6 LEIDEN TO DELFT Morning cruise, arriving in Delft by lunchtime, our final mooring. Delft is world famous for its earthenware, which was styled on the imported Chinese porcelain of the 17th century. This beautiful, unspoilt city is more than 750 years old and began as the home port of the Dutch East India Company. Following lunch, we visit the Royal Delft factory, just 5 minutes' walk from our barge mooring to learn how this world-famous earthenware is made. You will have time afterwards to explore Delft further. Tonight enjoy the Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
S aturday, Day 7 DELFT After breakfast, disembark Panache and transfer to the designated drop off point in Amsterdam. *This is a sample itinerary for Panache and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the 45 reverse direction.