Tourplan: mit dem Hotelschiff Panache über holländische Kanäle

1. Tag - Sonntag: Alkmaar

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.

2. Tag - Montag: von Alkmaar nach Zaandam

This morning we visit Alkmaar and Zaanse Schans, you will get a vivid impression of the Dutch way of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. The area consists of authentic houses, an historic shipyard, a pewter factory, a cheese and dairy farm, an age-old grocery store, clog-making demonstrations, and above all, many windmills. After lunch cruise to Zaandam. Dinner on board.

3. Tag - Dienstag: von Zaandam nach Haarlem

For those who enjoy an early start, we visit Aalsmeer flower auction, where some 17 million cut flowers are auctioned every day. Return to the barge for breakfast. After breakfast we cruise to 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. Dinner on board.

4. Tag - Mittwoch: von Haarlem nach Leiden

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 colour on this unforgettable half- day excursion. After lunch we cruise 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 ashore in Leiden

5. Tag - Donnerstag: von Leiden nach Rotterdam

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, a 5 minute walk from the barge mooring, to learn how this world-famous porcelain is made. Return to the barge for a cruise to Rotterdam. An early lunch followed by a visit to the Ketel One distillery in Schiedam for our private 2pm tour. 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 on board.

6. Tag - Freitag: von Rotte4rdam nach Gouda

After breakfast, we cruise to Gouda followed by a water bus to Kinderdijk. Nowhere in the world will you find as many windmills as near the village of Kinderdijk. C1740 19 sturdy windmills were built here and have been well preserved to the present day and in 1997 the mills of Kinderdijk were put on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Waterbus back to the barge. After lunch, from our mooring at Gouda we walk right into town. 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. Tonight enjoy the Captains Farewell Dinner on board.

7. Tag - Samstag: Gouda

After breakfast depart the barge and transfer to the **designated drop off point.
On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
**The designated meeting and drop off point is Amsterdam.  Other options are available for charter groups.