CRUISE MAP
Sunday, Day 1 - 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 Ghent 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 shopping. Our cruise continues on the River Schelde to Tournai. Dinner ashore.
Thursday, Day 5 - Tourni 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.
On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
Sunday, Day 1 - 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 Schoonhoven
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 through Rotterdam, largest port in the World, to Schoonhoven. 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 - Schoonhoven to Gouda
After breakfast we leave the barge for a full day’s experience of the Floriade with lunch ashore. Held only once every 10 years, the Floriade is opening its gates again in 2012. A spectacular theatre of nature in a stunning park in Venlo. Floriade 2012 will host dazzling displays of the world's most exquisite flowers, plants, trees and fruit, as well as a whole array of innovative theatrical attractions - a truly fascinating experience! Return to the barge for 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
After breakfast depart the barge and transfer to the designated drop off point.
On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
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 5 - 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.
On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
Panache Hotel Barge 2017 Rates 
