Thursday, October 17, 2019

Barge cruises in Holland

See The Sights of Holland With A Bespoke Barging Cruise This Spring


Sunsets in Holland are magical

A barge cruise is definitely the way to discover Holland. The Netherlands are famous, of course, for tulips, but as a land with a rich artistic and cultural history, it has a lot more besides. The western provinces of this land of water are populated by windmills which sit above the polders and along the very river that gave its name to Amsterdam, while cities such as Haarlem and Delft are meccas for lovers of pottery and art. A barging cruise uncovers some of Holland's hidden gems and is the perfect way to experience the best the country has to offer.



Windmills

Watch the windmills in their silent majesty as you sit in the opulent saloon with a delicious Jenever (Dutch Gin) and tonic in hand, 



Explore 100 acres of flowers at the world famous Keukenhof Gardens.

Keukenhof Gardens connects people from all across the globe who come to indulge in and be inspired by the natural beauty of Holland, which is famous for its bulb fields and wide variety of flowers.



Be enchanted by the cobblestone streets and gabled houses of the 800-year old Haarlem.

After enjoying a spectacular breakfast, we cruise to the historic city of Haarlem; once a major trading port, Haarlem is an exciting maze of cobbled streets and gabled houses at the center of a major bulb growing district.



Visit Aalsmeer Flower Auction.

Aalsmeer hosts the largest floral auction in the world, with over 40 million plants and flowers from all over the globe traded here. They set the world price for flowers and plants. This happens by bringing supply and demand together by means of the auction clock. Each day, 19 million flowers and two million plants are sold through 13 clocks. The auction begins when each cart of flowers is presented to the buyers, one at a time. As soon as the carts are displayed, the famous Aalsmeer clock starts ticking down from 100, and as the time falls, so does the price of the cart. The first person to make a bid gets the cart and they have been known to sell within hundredths of a second. Buyers don't have to purchase the entire cart which is compiled of a number of crates, but the bidding continues until everything is sold.

As a visitor to Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer, you will walk over a specially designed gallery where you can enjoy the gorgeous flowers and experience the hustle and bustle of the auction.



Enjoy the excursion to Zaanse Schans during their cruise of Holland.

Zaanse Schans conservation area was created in the 1960s in order to preserve the buildings and crafts of the country's industrial revolution in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. With a dozen windmills, a collection of traditional houses and workshops and a number of museums, it offers an unparalleled insight into Dutch social and industrial history.

Learn more about the Netherlands on our web site's Destination page for Holland: CLICK HERE

CURRENT 2020 AVAILABILITY

PANACHE currently has 3 Dutch barging cruises available for 2020. Each of these weeks has a 10% discount if booked by January 6, 2020:
  • March 29-April 4 - Private charter for up to 12 guests
  • April 5-11: Cabin cruise
  • May 10-16: Cabin cruise

LA NOUVELLE ETOILE's Dutch Tulip cruises are fully booked. Book early for 2021.


About The Hotel Barge Panache

Hotel Barge Panache

The 12-passenger Hotel Barge Panache cruises in Holland & Belgium during the springtime, then through Paris to Champagne, and finishes their season in the Alsace-Lorraine region of France.

HOLLAND
Cruise Highlights
  • Tour Keukenhof Gardens with the largest display of flowers in the world
  • Visit the Aalsmeer flower auction
  • Tour the fascinating conservation area at Enkhuizen
  • Visit the Royal Delft pottery to see the world famous earthenware being hand-made and painted
  • Tour picturesque Haarlem and visit a museum of the Dutch painter, Franz Hals
  • Tour the charming city of Leiden, Rembrandt’s birthplace


Panache

The 128-foot Panache is a 12-passenger luxury hotel barge of classic Dutch design, fully air conditioned with spacious public areas and six en-suite stateroms, with your choice of twin or double bed configuration. En-suite bathrooms have twin sinks and oversize showers with massage jets. Panache is traditionally furnished in an old ship style with brass and mahogany, creating a comfortable and charming ambience. The salon and dining room have large panoramic windows for viewing the passing countryside, as well as comfortable sofas, books and music, and an always open inclusive bar. The sun deck is spacious and has a heated spa pool; a perfect place to watch the sun set after dinner.

Panache has a highly professional crew of six, comprised of Master Chef, Deck Hand, Tour guide, two Housekeepers, and led by a knowledgeable and experienced Captain, who will ensure your cruise is memorable and more.





Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book PANACHE
View Panache's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com