Charlemagne
Barging in Holland

Passengers: 32
Size: 217 feet long
Rating: First Class, A/C, Great for Groups and Families
Last Visited: 2007

We are sorry to announce that charlemagne is no longer in service.  please call us at (800) 880-0071 and let us recommend an alternate vessel.

In April, 2007, we were among the first guests to be welcomed aboard Charlemagne, moored near Rotterdam in Holland. Owners Guy Bardet and John Senior showed us this bright, spacious and above all comfortable vessel. The salon, lit by floor to ceiling windows, hosts small and intimate seating groups, while the twin-bedded cabins are simpler but have great bathrooms with double sinks and powerful showers. (There are also two suites which may be reserved for a higher price.)The large deck offers the perfect perch from which to enjoy passing scenery.


The Holland at Tulip Time itinerary is very comprehensive, taking in the towns of Gouda, Haarlem and Aalkmaar (a Barge Lady favorite - an enchanting town that no other barge visits.) Excursions include the famed Keukenhof Gardens, the flower auction at Aalsmeer, the windmills lined up at Kinderdijk and the reconstructed Dutch village at Zaansche Schans. As on all Canal and Company barges, wonderful young crew keep the ambiance festive.

Charlemagne

Holland Barge Cruise Itinerary

2009 "Cruising in Holland" Dates
Six-night cruises from March 21 to May 15

Amsterdam To Amsterdam
Saturday: Amsterdam to Schoonoven
We meet in central Amsterdam at 15:00 (3pm) this afternoon and transfer to the Charlemagne moored in Vreeswijk. A welcome on board champagne reception and presentation of the crew before you are shown to your cabin. We will have a delightful cruise this afternoon along the river Lek to Schoonoven, well known for its silver jewelry and traditional clock making since the 17th c. There will be time to stroll into this charming town after dinner on board.

Sunday: Schoonoven to Rotterdam Port
A morning cruise to Kinderdijk where we will visit the 19 windmills which are part of Unesco World Heritage, they were built in 1740 to drain the polders. At lunchtime we will cruise along the Hollandse Ijsell River, passing by the skyline of Rotterdam , one of the world’s largest seaports. Later in the afternoon, a walking tour of Gouda , famous for its cheese, pipes and candles.

Monday: Rotterdam Port to Oude Wetering
After breakfast, a visit to see the remarkable stained glass windows in St John’s church dating from the 15th c. Afterwards we cruise to Oude Wetering on the Gouwe and Oude Wetering canals. Poulders which are low lying lands reclaimed from the sea stretch out in every direction. This afternoon, an excursion to the Keukenhof Gardens , famous throughout the world for their dazzling fields of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.

Tuesday: Oude Wetering to Haarlem
Biggest Flower Auction in the World
An early morning visit to the worlds biggest flower auction in Aalsmeer where some 10 billion flowers are sold every year. Later we cruise on the Ringvaart canal, skirting one of Holland ’s oldest polders. In the afternoon, a tour of Haarlem , the center of the Dutch bulb trade followed by a cruise to Pumerend.

Wednesday: Haarlem to Alkmaar
An Adorable Cobblestoned Town
A very scenic cruise passing fields of blooming flowers to Alkmaar where we will have a guided visit of the town’s monuments: 17th c fortifications, St Lawrence church with one of the finest ancient organs in Holland, the majestic 15th c gothic Town Hall and many picturesque old houses. There will be time for shopping.

Thursday: Alkmaar to Amsterdam
A morning cruise to Zaansche Schans, a reconstructed village of wooden houses and windmills, transporting us 300 years into the past. Our cruise ends in the heart of Amsterdam where we will have a guided tour of the many monuments with time for shopping. This evening is our farewell gala dinner.

Friday: Depart Charlemagne
A Sad Farewell
After breakfast, depart the Charlemagne for onward travels

Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barging in Holland.
Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

Charlemagne
Guest Book

"This was our third barge trip and we really enjoyed it.  Loved the floor to ceiling windows on the Charlemagne.  You could sit on a couch and still see outside!  Also, loved having the whole top deck open.  My favorite day was the one I sat outside in the sun and watched the hillside vineyards go by in Germany.  It was heavenly!"
-Ed and Nancy Hawfield, 2008

"It was a wonderful experience.  We ate and drank our way along the most beautiful river in Europe.  The cuisine was excellent.  A different red and white wine was served at lunch and dinner.  We sampled a total of 24 different wines.  We liked the architecture of the small towns, the castle tour and the winetasting.  As for our fellow guests, the staff commented on how well we all got along!  We thought everyone was interesting:  with different histories and coming from different parts of the country.  We made a great decision by trying barging.  Service provided by The Barge Lady - both on the phone and on the site - is outstanding."
-Nils and Emily Bjerg, 2008

"The cruise exceeded our expectations. The ship was much nicer than the web pictures indicated. We had the Sunflower suite which was great with views on both sides of the ship, clean and well maintained.  The staff was outstanding - all of them. The cuisine was excellent. Far exceeding what we were anticipating. The chef Mario is a find. Not only was the food, wine and cheese excellent, his personality was great. He added a lot of fun to our time aboard. The Black Forest Cake that they baked for my birthday was the greatest. "
- Charles and Janice Sparrer, 2007

Charlemagne Floor Plan

217 Feet long
-Two main deck Queen-bedded suites at 160 square feet
-14 lower deck twin bedded cabins at 140 square feet
-Large salon and dining area with picture windows
-Large sundeck on top deck
-Powder room on main floor