Savoir Faire
Barging in Holland

Passengers: 12
Size: 128 feet long
Last Visited: 2007 in Holland, 2008 in France
Rating: Deluxe, A/C, Families

2012 Holland Cruise rates

2012 Holland Cruise Dates

March 25 - 31	April 8 - 14	April 22 - 28	May 6 - 12
April 1 - 7	April 15 - 21	April 29 - May 5	May 13 - 19

2012 Amsterdam to Bruges Cruise

2012 Bruge to Paris Cruise

May 27 - June 7
Whole-Boat Charter of up to 12: $75,000

On our last visit to Savior Faire in Holland in April 2007, we found SAVOIR FAIRE moored in Haarlem, one of the most quaint and interesting of the Dutch ports. Savoir Faire's Dutch season cruises are very value-priced for this gorgeous vessel on a top Tulip Time itinerary: Excursions include Keukenhof Gardens, where millions of tulips are blooming, and the Aalsmer Flower Auction, from where a multitude of flowers are auctioned and shipped daily. Cruise to the enchanting towns of Delft, Gouda, Haarlem and right through Amsterdam!

In 2007, we welcomed in Holland some wonderful guests, Eve and Sam Beller, who were kind enough to supply some of our new photos. They said: "We loved exploring the quaint towns and villages. The cruise was wonderful from the beginning to end and we hope to cruise on SAVOIR FAIRE next year."

SAVOIR FAIRE , the former Etoile de Champagne, was purchased by Captain Chris Bennett. Previous owner of a small and informal vessel on the Canal du Nivernais, Captain Bennett had high aspirations for Etoile de Champagne. The most welcome changes were made in the cabins: totally gutted and rebuilt, they are now spacious and pretty havens, overflowing with books and art, which includes Chris’ own delicate pencil drawings. The elegant public areas have been redecorated, too; these areas are especially spacious on this larger 3-story vessel. Everybody’s favorite is the back-of-the-barge bar, scene of a convivial cocktail hour.

Savoir Faire

Holland Barge Cruise Itinerary

CRUQUIUS to HAARLEM
Sunday: Cruquius to Leiden
Begin to Cruise right away!
Your chauffeurs collect you from your Amsterdam hotel at 2.00pm for the short drive to the Savoir Faire, moored at Cruquius. Once aboard your Captain and host welcomes you with a champagne reception and an introduction to your crew and ship. Shortly afterwards we begin our cruise to Leiden, Holland’s oldest university town, where we shall moor overnight. This evening your chef welcomes you to your table with the first of many delicious offerings. Candlelit crystal and gleaming silverware add to the romantic ambiance of what promises to be the first of many memorable occasions.

Monday: Leiden to Delft
Acres of Tulips at Keukenhof Gardens.
A peaceful morning cruise along the canals out of Leiden and through the oldest lock in Holland at Leidschendam. After lunch we drive to the world famous Keukenhof Gardens with the largest display of flowers in the world. Here you will see hundreds of varieties of tulips, hyacinths and other beautiful bulbous plants. Afterwards we continue our cruise into Delft.

Tuesday: Delft to Gouda
Hand-Made Porcelian
After breakfast we take a walking tour of the Royal Porcelain Factory, where beautiful hand painted ceramics are still made. We then take a stroll around the cobbled streets and over canal bridges in Delft, observing scenes that could have been painted by Vermeer. RE-join SAVOIR FAIRE for a cruise through the busy port of Rotterdam and onto Gouda.

Wednesday: Gouda to Uithoorn
Gorgeous Stained Glass Windows in Medieval Gouda
This morning your tour guide will escort you through the streets of medieval Gouda, where you will see the most famous of all stained glass windows in Holland. A leisurely stroll through town is a must, with its traditional bricked main square and small boutiques. After lunch we cruise through charming towns to our overnight mooring at Uithoorn.

Thursday: Uithoorn to Zaandam
A Unique View of Amsterdam from the Water!
Today we begin our cruise along the winding Amstel River into Amsterdam and then through the very heart of this enchanting city where small canals and unique architecture take you back to a bygone era. You can literally reach out and touch the passers by. Leaving Amsterdam we join the mighty North Sea Canal and head west towards our overnight mooring at Zaandam. After lunch your tour guide drives you to Zaans Schans with its clog maker and working windmills. There's even the first supermarket in Holland.

Friday: Zaandam to Haarlem
Haarlem - Famous Museum of Dutch Masterpieces
Our final cruise takes us to Haarlem, a town of exceptional beauty with its main square, once used for jousting and the famous Frans Hals Museum. There will be plenty of time to enjoy this wonderful place and to shop around its many boutiques. Tonight we celebrate your company at the Captain's table with mouth watering offerings from your chef.

Saturday: Return Transfer
A Sad Farewell
You will depart Savoir Faire at 9:30 am and chauffeured either back to your central Amsterdam departure point (hotel, railroad station) or to Schiphol Airport. Do not book a flight out of Schiphol on the day of departure before noon at the earliest. Breakfast is your last on-board meal. We hope to see you on Savoir Faire again – what about a cruise in Burgundy next time?

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 the canals and waterways of France Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

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HAARLEM to BRUGGES
From the canals and cobbled streets of Haarlem, through the Dutch countryside, past windmills and fields of tulips, then on to Ghent and Brugges in Belgium ... this is the most leisurely and pampered way to visit Holland and Belgium. A very special tour! There are ample opportunities for bicycling and walking throughout the cruise. Your tour guide is on hand to advise you of the best possible choices.

Sunday: Haarlem
Guests are met at their hotel in Amsterdam at 2pm and driven to the Savoir Faire. After a Champagne Welcome by your Captain, we'll get your suitcases to your cabins and then take you on a tour through the centre of Haarlem and show you some of its famous sights before a short evening cruise. We shall be moored just outside Haarlem overnight.

Monday: Haarlem to Delft
This morning we start our cruise towards Delft. Before lunch we take a tour of the famous Keukenhof Gardens, the largest display of flowers in the world. Here you will see hundreds of varieties of tulips, hyacinths, and other bulbs. In the afternoon we continue our cruise to Delft, home of the famous porcelain factories. A delightful experience as we pass through typically Dutch villages and towns.

Tuesday: Delft to Willemstad
This morning, after breakfast, we visit the Royal Porcelain Factory. We then cruise through Rotterdam. Your cruise from this busiest of ports takes you onto the tidal river Nieuwe Maas and later across the wide open waters of Holland Deep, part of the Dutch estuaries, to the charming old fortress town of Willemstad. This is real barging! We shall moor here overnight. This town is preserved in its original state, with windmill dykes, an old church, and a 15th century arsenal. Great pubs along the waterfront as well as charming pathways around the old fortifications.

Wednesday: Willemstad to Antwerp
Today, after a very early start, we leave Holland and cross the border into Belgium and travel south to Antwerp, home of Rubens and diamonds. A tour of Rubens' house, then a walk in the old quarter of this beautiful Flemish city, round of the day nicely.

Thursday: Antwerp to Ghent
Another early start today! Once through the sea lock at Antwerp, we catch the flood tide up the winding 'Sea Schelde'. This mighty river rises over 20 feet during high tide, providing an ever changing landscape which is seen best from the decks of the Savoir Faire. Later on your tour guide will meet you and drive you to the city of Ghent, with its magnificent cathedral and collections of fine art.

Friday: Ghent to Brugges
Our final cruise takes us to Bruges where you will be free to roam the cobbled streets of this fascinating town, known as the 'Venice of the North'. This magnificent city is one of the great architectural and cultural treasures of Europe.

Saturday: Brugges Departure
After a hearty breakfast your drivers will take you to your hotel or to the rail station in Bruges.

Savoir Faire Guest Book

"Dear Capain Bennett,
Just wanted to extend a personal thank you for a lovely trip. We have some wonderful photos and memories, which I will share with Ellen. You and your staff provided a wonderful environment for us to relax and thoroughly enjoy ourselves. Thank you so much for the effort to include the car museum, which made the trip for Ron. We only discovered it was open just before leaving home.
Until next time."
- Elaine Lee and Friends, 2011

"We had a wonderful time! The highlight of the barge experience was the culinary expertise of Chef Sofie--the food was absolutely out of this world. Her presentation, and combination of different foods - every meal was a masterpiece. It really was unbelievable.

So, thank you for helping make this all happen for us. The hotels were perfect--the Marriott was very nice and centrally located. Terry and I did a walking tour around Amsterdam. The Le Meridian in Brussells was beautiful and was directly across a plaza from the train station, and centrally located so we again could walk to everything. We took the train to the airport in the morning with the Jennings, and it was all very convenient and easy. Just perfect. Thank you very much for all your hard work to make this such a fantastic trip for us.
- Betty and Terry Cummings, 2011

"Our cruise was excellent. Every need was catered for and all we had to do was ask and we received. We had a great time!"
- Ian Bruce Andrews and Jane Elizabeth Hall, 2009

"At our post-barge dinner party, we asked our guests for feedback. No one could just sum up our experience in a word or two - it started from AWESOME and expanded from there. Most felt that the SAVOIR FAIRE was the trip of a lifetime, one that could not be improved upon. We are still basking in the afterglow and working off the pounds put on!"
- The Kenney Family, 2009

"Our barge voyage along the canals and through the locks provided us with a unique, comfortable, and delightful way of experiencing charming villages and beautiful countryside."
- Robert Reed and Karen Saunders, 2009

"Excellent: staff, quality of service, supreme lunches and dinners, views of the countryside."
-Dr. Leona Zastrow, 2009

"Our first barge trip on the Savoir Faire through the Burgundy and Upper Loire Valley of France was unique and lovely! The crew was greatly responsible with their delightful creativity and humor. And, the food, wine and cheese for lunches and dinners on board were quite delicious and well-presented (even a sushi-making lesson one day!) Day excursions to Vaux-de-Vicomte, Fountainbleu, Sens and Provins were great for history, architecture, culture and shopping. A real highlight was a picnic in the Chablis region with a gorgeous vista of vineyards. Bicycling countryside with its sunflowers, cornfields, churches and manor homes also was quite memorable. We enjoyed the barge journey itself through locks, canals and rivers with lush scenery and pretty country surrounding route to read, converse, write postcards or in travel diaries and the like in the cozy parlor room. The barge certainly was compact but well-designed within cabins and with front, back and topdecks, sitting and dining rooms and bar. In all, August 2009 will be well-remembered for the most distinctive voyage! Merci beaucoup!"
- Dara Hensley and Jack Smith, 2009

"One of the nicest cruises we have had - with wonderful staff!"
- Carl and Karen Brasee, 2009

"Dean's history lessons were superb - loved his commentary on the towns, cathedrals and chateaux. The cuisine and crew were excellent - plus. The entire experience was splendid - the Captain and entire crew bent over backward to give us the time of our lives!"
- Robert and Eve Eckhardt, 2008

"The first barge trip we have ever taken but it certainly won't be our last. We are already thinking of next year on the Savoir Faire."
- Dr. and Mrs. James Brawner, 2008

"For a family of 23 people, our double charter proved to be an exceptional trip. There were activities for guests age 14 to 83 to enjoy! The Captains and crew did so much to make the cruise memorable. The 4th of July celebration was spectacular! Thanks so much!"
-Doug and Kitty Quarles, Jr.
Marjorie II - Savoir Faire Double Charter, 2008

"Ellen, thank you for all the help with the trip. Everyone loved it. Chris and his entire crew were perfect. I told Chris that his service was better than the Hotel Plaza Athenee! They went out of their way to make us feel at home."
-Very Satisfied 2008 Guest

"Our trip went off without a hitch. The captains and crews on the Savior Faire and Marjorie II were terrific...very friendly and seemed to go out of their way to make the side trips worthwhile."
-Bob Doolittle
Marjorie II - Savior Faire Double Charter, 2008

Savoir Faire Floor Plan

128 Feet long
-Bow cabin 142 square feet , Five cabins 116 square feet - all with twin or queen beds
-Individual DVD player in each cabin, large selection of movies
(Snuggle up with hot cocoa and your favorite film!)
-New for 2011: New towels and upgraded toiletries in each bathroom; all-new bed linens
-Internet access available on the barge laptop
-Elegant lounge with mahogany paneling
-Piano and large salon/dining room with large windows
-Separate bar at stern
-Two sun decks