Savoir Faire
Barging in Holland

Passengers: 12	Your Host: Captain Chris Bennett
Size: 128 feet long	English Speaking Crew of: 6
Last Visited: 2012	Bicycles: 12
Rating: Deluxe	Air Conditioned: Yes

Cruise Rate Includes: 6 nights/7 days in a cabin with a private bath, chauffeured transfers from Amsterdam to the barge & return, all meals, from dinner the first night to breakfast the last morning, all wines with lunch & dinner, open bar, daily escorted excursions and use of onboard bicycles.

Cruise Rate Does NOT Include: Airfare to and from Holland, cancellation insurance and crew gratuity (suggested minimum amount is 5% of the cruise price)

2013 Holland Cruise rates

2013 Holland Cruise Dates

March 31 - April 6	April 14 - 20	April 28 - May 4
April 7 - 13	April 21 - 27

2013 Haarlem to Bruges Cruise

May 5 - 11
Whole-Boat Charter of up to 12: $50,600

2013 Bruges to Paris Cruise

May 12 - 22
Whole-Boat Charter of up to 12: $64,500

Ellen visited Savoir Faire in April, 2012: “I boarded Savoir Faire moored in the port of Haarlem, which happens to be my favorite of the Dutch towns. The very well-appointed Savoir Faire looked right at home in this elegant and prosperous environment. This barge is owned by Captain Chris Bennett and has been maintained in absolutely pristine condition. The public areas of commodious lounge, full-size dining room and back-of-the-barge bar are like a real home: spacious and filled with comfortable furniture, artwork, and books. The six cabins are well-organized with a nice amount of storage space and divided bathrooms in five of them. This is a vessel on which guests can really relax – and therefore, it is a very good choice for private charters of families.

There are many spaces to spread out, from the large upper level deck, two smaller first story decks and the petite bar, which is the scene of convivial “cocktail hours” every night. Guests like to take turns tending the bar, while Captain Bennett often serves as bartender, too!

Savoir Faire spends the months of April to mid-May in Holland, following a route of many highlights, cruising over rivers and lakes dotted with windmills and enchanting villages. Excursions include Keukenhof Gardens, the showpiece of the Dutch growers industry; and such towns as Delft. Gouda and Haarlem. Haarlem is lined with chic boutiques, while a visit to the Frans Hals Museum is a must – many Golden Age artworks, incredible flower displays and an antique dollhouse.

Captain Bennett is assisted by five in crew, including a top chef. Savoir Faire represents a wonderful opportunity to see the top sights of Holland in an atmosphere of comfort and luxury.”

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, pictured above, 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 Porcelain
After breakfast we take a walking tour of the Royal Porcelain Factory, pictured above, 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 Zaanse 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

"It was a fabulous trip. The captain and crew were spectacular. Our cabin was comfortable and better than some cabins we have taken on river cruises throughout Europe. The cuisine was excellent; the crew friendly, accommodating and always helpful. It was truly ‘the trip of a lifetime' "
- Gordon Male Family, cruised April, 2012

"Dear Captain 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 Brussels 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

Savoir Faire Floor Plan

128 Feet long
Bow cabin 142 square feet
-One queen or two twin beds
-Ensuite bathroom with shower
Five cabins 116 square feet
-One Queen or two twin beds
-Ensuite bathroom with shower
Also in cabins
-Hair dryer
-Individual DVD player in each cabin, large selection of movies
-New towels and upgraded toiletries in each bathroom
-All-new bed linens
In the Public Areas
-Internet access available on the barge laptop
-Elegant lounge with mahogany paneling
-Piano in lounge
-Separate mahogany paneled dining room
-‘Back of the Barge Bar'
-Three sun decks
12 Bicycles
Dahon foldable bikes with seven gears