PANACHE - HOLLAND, a 12-passenger deluxe barge, cruises in Holland

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PANACHE is a classic Dutch barge furnished in a contemporary style creating a comfortable and charming ambiance. The well planned accommodation on this barge cruise offers six air-conditioned junior suites with ensuite oversized showers with massage jets and double sinks, and a choice of queen or twin beds. The salon and dining room feature comfortable sofas, books and music, and an open bar available 24/7. The sun deck is spacious and has a heated spa pool, a perfect place to watch the sun set after dinner.

Panache's professional crew of five is led by a knowledgeable and experienced Captain who will ensure your barge trip in Holland is fun and memorable. Their knowledge of the country, combined with fascinating private excursions and the 12 bikes provided, allows you to explore the western provinces, populated by windmills in the land of water.

Cruise Highlights

• Visit the Alkmaar cheese market
• Walk or bike the ancient town of Leiden
• Visit the Frans Hals Museum and its collection of Old Masters paintings
• Stroll through the 100 acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens, with over 7 million flowering bulbs
• Tour Delft, known for its famous tableware, and visit a factory to learn how this world-famous porcelain is made
• ​Browse around the Dutch ​town of Enkhuizen, steeped in maritime tradition

Cruise Features

Owner Operated: No
Number of Passengers: 12
Category: Deluxe
Cabin Bookings: Yes
Charter Bookings: Yes
Cruising Region: Holland - Belgium
Length of Cruise: 6 nights - Sunday to Saturday
Cruising Season: March - May
Theme Cruises: Family, golf, wine tasting, biking, walking cruises; April and May Holland Tulip Cruise; May Belgium Cruise; Paris Cruise; Champagne Cruise
Meeting Location: Designated meeting point

Floorplan

Cruise Rates 2025

Included in Cruise Price

• Transportation between the designated meeting point and the barge
• Six nights accommodation in private stateroom with ensuite bath
• All meals, wine and drinks on board
• Open bar
• Daily escorted excursions by air-conditioned van
• All barge amenities including bicycles, hot tub on deck, music system, library

Not Included in Cruise Price

• Air or other transportation to the meeting location
• Trip cancellation or medical insurance (available when booking)
• Personal expenses
• A discretionary gratuity for the crew (suggested 5-10% of the cruise price)

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PANACHE Features

Passengers: 12 Category: Deluxe Crew: 5 Barge Size: 129 ft long Cabins: 6 Cabin Size: Junior suites at 150 sq ft, including bathroom Accommodations: 6 twin/queen junior suites, all with ensuite tile baths and TV/DVD Heat & Air: Central heat and air conditioning Amenities Hairdryers Toiletries Bathrobes Slippers Library and games Bicycles Spa pool on deck Piano in salon Minivan with A/C Email Access: WiFi internet access when available TV/DVD/CD: Music system in salon; TV/DVD in each suite Electricity: 220V Theme Cruises Family, golf, wine tasting, biking, walking cruises; April and May Holland Tulip Cruise; May Belgium Cruise; Paris Cruise; Champagne Cruise

Cruising on PANACHE

Classic Holland Cruise
Alkmaar to Delft (or reverse)

Sunday - Transfer to Barge
We meet you at the designated meeting point and transfer you to the barge moored at Alkmaar. Once aboard enjoy a Champagne welcome and an introduction to your crew and ship. Dinner on board.

Monday - Alkmaar to Zaanse Schans
Perhaps visit the Alkmaar cheese market, before our first cruise to Zaanse Schans near Amsterdam, a place renowned for its wooden windmills, barns and houses built in the traditional Dutch style. After lunch on board, we visit the delightful Dutch harbour town of Enkhuizen, steeped in maritime tradition. The town boasts a remarkably well-preserved historic centre and we visit the fascinating open-air conservation area and museum that tell the story of the maritime history of the Zuiderzee. The reconstructed buildings and local craftsmen demonstrating traditional skills and trades give you a vivid impression of the Dutch way of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. Dinner on board.

Tuesday​ - Zaanse Schans to Haarlem
We enjoy an early morning cruise to the historic city of Haarlem, dating back to the 13th century. After lunch on board, this afternoon marks a highlight of the week with a visit to the world famous Keukenhof Gardens, known as the ‘Garden of Europe’. There are more than 100 acres filled with over 7 million flowering bulbs and we stroll through a breath-taking backdrop of colour on this unforgettable half-day excursion. Dinner ashore this evening at a local restaurant.

Wednesday​ - Haarlem to Oude Wetering
An optional very early morning tour to Aalsmeer flower auction, where some 17 million cut flowers from all over the world are traded each day. We return to the hotel barge for breakfast, then enjoy a tour of Haarlem. The city 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 there is free time to visit a fine selection of boutique shops. After lunch on board, we cruise to our mooring at Oude Wetering where there is time to walk or cycle along the towpaths around the lake. Dinner on board.

Thursday​ - 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, a perfect place to explore on a bicycle, or simply stroll the banks of the pretty tree-lined canals. This afternoon we take a tour of the city and a private boat trip, with your tour leader explaining the history that dates back to Roman times and 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.

Friday​ - Leiden to Delft
Morning cruise arriving in Delft by lunchtime, our final mooring. Delft is renowned for its pottery ceramic products, which were styled on the imported Chinese porcelain of the 17th century. This beautiful, unspoilt town 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 mooring to learn how this world-famous porcelain is made. You will have time during the afternoon to explore Delft further. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday - Transfer to Amsterdam
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Amsterdam.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. The itinerary is in reverse direction on alternate weeks.