| DEPARTURE
DATES - (sundays) |
RATE |
| April
- 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 |
Value |
| May
- 06, 13, 20, 27 |
Value |
| June
- 03, 17, 24 |
Value |
| July
- 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 |
Value |
| August
- 05, 12, 19 |
Value |
| August
- 26 |
Regular |
| September
- 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 |
Regular |
| October
- 07, 14, 21, 28 |
Value |
Click here for Classic Holland Cruise Itinerary
Click here for Classic Champagne Cruise Itinerary
Click here for Classic Alsace-Lorraine Cruise Itinerary
Click here for Classic Belgium & Holland Cruise Itinerary
Click here for Classic Northern France & Paris Cruise Itinerary
Click here for Classic Belgium & Northern France Cruise Itinerary
Cruise Highlights - Holland
- Tour the famous Keukenhof Gardens with the largest
display of flowers in the world
- Stained glass windows of Gouda
- Zaans Schans with its clog maker and working windmills
Cruise
Highlights - Alsace-Lorraine
- Take
a walking tour of the city of Nancy with its Baroque
palaces and home of the Art Nouveau movement
- Strasbourg's
Gothic Cathedral
- The
inclined Plane at Arzviller-unique lock
Cuisine Aboard
- Regional Specialities
Medallions of Veal with a Girolles and Truffle Sauce, Breast of Duck with a
Passion Fruit Glace, Crepes Suzette with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
- Wine
Cellar
Riesling Grand Cru, Chassagne-Montrachet, Chablis
Premier Cru Pouilly Fuisse, Gewurztraminer
- Cheese
Board
Munster, Brie de Meaux, Fourme d'Ambert, Chaource
CLASSIC HOLLAND CRUISE ITINERARY - Harlem to Harlem
Sunday,
Day 1 Amsterdam to Haarlem
We meet you at the designated meeting point 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.
CLASSIC BELGIUM & HOLLAND CRUISE ITINERARY - Harlem to Bruges
Sunday, Day 1 Ouderkerk
Guests are met at the designated meeting point and driven to the Panache for a 'Champagne Welcome' and a cruise through the heart of the city to the quaint little town of Ouderkerk. Captains Welcome Dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 Ouderkerk to Gouda
Morning cruise along the canals to the town of Gouda, famous for its cheese. Afternoon visit to the Keukenhof Gardens, the largest display of flowers in the world. Here you will see hundreds of varieties of tulips, hyacinths and other bulbs. After we return to the Panache there will be time for a stroll around Gouda where we will find the most magnificent stained glass windows in Holland. Dinner on board
Tuesday, Day 3 Gouda to Wilemstad
A cruise out of Gouda to the river Ijssel and across the Holland's Diep, part of the Dutch estuaries, to the charming old fortress town of Wilemstad. This town is preserved in its original state, with windmill dykes, an old church and a 15th century arsenal. There will be an optional visit to the famous Delta Project which is one of the greatest feats of water engineering in the world involving damming the great estuaries. Dinner on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 Wilemstad to Antwerp
Today we will leave Holland and cross the border into Belgium and travel to Antwerp. Antwerp is the city of Rubens, where we can take a tour of Rubens' house, then a walk in the old quarter of this beautiful Flemish city. Dinner on board.
Thursday, Day 4 Antwerp to Ghent
We catch the flood tide up the winding Sea Schelde which takes us to the town of Ghent. You will have plenty of time to visit this beautiful town in the afternoon. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6 Ghent to Bruges
You cannot pass through this part of the world without a visit to the beautiful little town of Bruges, known as the "Venice of the North". The chef will pack a picnic lunch, so there will be plenty of time to explore the many museums, buy some of the handmade lace or take a boat trip in the small canals that wander through the town. Rejoin the Panache in late afternoon to cruise along the river Schelde to the French/Belgian frontier. Farewell Gala Dinner onboard.
Saturday, Day 7 Bruges
After breakfast depart the barge and transfer to the designated drop off point.
NOTE: On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
CLASSIC ALSACE - LORRAINE CRUISE ITINERARY -
Strasbourg to Mittersheim
Sunday, Day 1 Strasbourg
We meet you at the designated
meeting point 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 the highest spire in France,
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 amongst one of the most majestic castles
of Alsace with its 12th century Roman chapel and Gothic
choir. A gourmet lunch shall be served 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. One of the highlights of this cruise,
whilst passing the two Arzvillier tunnels, a candlelit
brunch will be served on deck. After mooring in the
gorgeous village of Niderviller, we visit 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 Cristallerie 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
Disembark
after breakfast and transfer to the designated drop
off point.
CLASSIC CRUISE IN BELGIUM AND NORTHERN FRANCE -
Bruges to Cambrai
Sunday, Day 1 Brussels to Bruges
Pick up at the designated
meeting point and transfer to the barge moored in Bruges
known as the “Venice
of the North”. Champagne Welcome and introduction
from your Captain to the crew and barge. Time for a
walk or cycle into Bruges before dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 Bruges to Ghent
Bruges has an extensive
and picturesque network of canals and bridges, as well
as outstanding medieval
architecture. A walking tour shows us many of the art
treasures contained within its 13th Century fortifications.
Highlights include the Gothic Town Hall, the medieval
Cloth Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. In the
afternoon we cruise to Ghent. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 Ghent to Oudenaarde
A first and lasting
impression of Gent is of marvellous medieval structures,
whose sturdy stone facades reflect
well in canal waters. We visit the Castle of the Counts.
This magnificent, almost unrivalled example of a feudal
fortress of the Counts of Flounders with its massive
medieval shape rising from the reflective waters of
its moat was built about 1180. Afternoon cruise to
Oudenaarde. Dinner on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 Oudenaarde to Tournai
Belgium is very
famous for its various kinds of beer and today we visit
the brewery from Liefmans, specialist
in cherry beer. This is also a great place for chopping.
Our cruise continues on the River Schelde to Tournai.
Dinner ashore.
Thursday,
Day 5 Tournai to Vallenciennes
Tournai has Belgium’s oldest Belfry circa
1200 Century and Europe’s oldest burgher houses
also 12th Century. Return to the barge and enjoy
an afternoon cruise starting from the picturesque
13th-century Pont des Trous to Valenciennes. From
now on we are in France. Dinner on board
Friday, Day 6 Vallenciennes to Cambrai
Today we cruise
all day in the direction Cambrai with an opportunity
for shopping in Vallenciennes
on request during the morning. Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 Cambrai
Disembark after breakfast
and transfer to the designated drop off point.
A CLASSIC CRUISE IN NORTHERN FRANCE AND PARIS -
Pont-l?Eveque to Paris
Sunday,
Day 8 Cambrai to Pont-l’Eveque
Guests
are met at the designated meeting point and transferred
to the then barge moored in Pont-l’Evêque,
famous for its cheese with the same name. A Champagne
Welcome and introduction to your Captain and Crew and
time for a walk or cycle ride before dinner on board.
Monday,
Day 9 Pont-l’Eveque to Compiegne
After
a short cruise we arrive in Compiegne. There a many
places to visit, including the train where the
World War I Armistice was signed, as well as the Royal
Palace. It includes three museums: the Royal Apartments,
the second Empire museum and the automobile and touring
museum. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 10 Compiegne to Creil
Today you have a
free morning in Compiegne and after lunch we cruise
to Creil, the mooring for the night.
From now on we on the Oise River. Dinner ashore tonight.
Wednesday, Day 11 Creil to Auvers-sur-Oise
The day
begins with an unforgettable excursion to the elegant
Renaissance Chateau of Chantilly. This
superb example of 16th century architecture boats an
array of art treasures, gardens lay out by Le Notre
(of Versailles fame) and the great stables. More than
3000 horses are stabled in and around Chantilly making
it the thoroughbred capital of France. Chantilly has
also a very nice golf course, this is an optional Excursion.
Afternoon cruise to Auvers-sur-Oise. Dinner on board.
Thursday, Day 12 Auvers-sur-Oise to Conflans-St-Honorine
Visit
the old village of Auvers sur l’Oise.
It was here that Vincent van Gogh spent the last part
of his life and was buried at the local cemetery. Here
and there, panels indicate the scenes portrayed by
the painter. It is the district around the church,
however, that constitutes the favourite “place
of pilgrimage” for art lovers. Cruise to Conflans-St-Honorine
on the Seine River. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 13 Conflans-St-Honorine to Paris
We drive
to Giverny to visit the Home and Gardens of the great
impressionist, Claude Monet. The gardens
should be at their best at this time of the year, and
we can visit the water lily pond and the Japanese bridge
that inspired so many of Monet’s paintings. We
cruise to Paris for the evening cruise through the
city of lights. Captains Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 14 Paris
Disembark after breakfast and
transfer to the designated drop off point.
A CLASSIC CRUISE IN CHAMPAGNE Paris to Cumieres
Sunday, Day 1 Paris
You are met at the designated meeting
point and transfer to the barge mooring at the Port
d ‘Arsenal,
in the heart of Paris. Champagne welcome and your Captain
introduces you to the crew. We enjoy short cruise through
Paris past the monuments and romantic bridges. Dinner
on board.
Monday, Day 2 Paris to Meaux
After breakfast depart
Paris onto the River Marne. After lunch, we visit the
magnificent Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte
and its gardens, location of the film "The Man
in the Iron Mask". Rejoin the barge in Meaux in
time for a stroll around town. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 Meaux to La Ferte
After breakfast we
cruise to La Ferte. After lunch we visit to a master
cheese ripener for a tasting of
their various Bries, followed by a visit the Merovingian
Crypts of Jouarre - a unique heritage that takes you
back to the 7th Century. Dinner on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 La Ferte to Charly-sur-Marne
Cruise
upstream to Charly-sur-Marne. Visit one of the small
family vineyards before lunch to taste their
wonderful champagne and visit their cellars. Lunch
is followed by an afternoon an idyllic cruise to Chateau
Thierry, the scene of American battles in World War
I. Dinner on board.
Thursday,
Day 5 Charly-sur-Marne to Damery
The river Marne winds
its way through vine-covered hills dotted with small
wine villages to the delightful
little town of Damery. After lunch we visit the vast
cellars of Moet et Chandon for a private tasting,
followed by a stroll around Epernay.
Friday, Day 6 Damery to Cumieres
After breakfast
we cruise the last stretch of the River Marne before
arriving at our mooring in Cumieres.
Visit the outside of the Abbey of Hautvilliers where
the monk Dom Perignon first made champagne. After
lunch we drive to the Reims cathedral, where the
Kings of France were crowned. Return to the barge
for the Captains Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 Cumieres to Paris
Disembark after
breakfast and transfer to the designated drop off
point.
NOTE: On
alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse
direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject
to change.
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