Panache

In the afternoon, you will be met by a crew member of the Panache at the designated meeting point. From here, relax as you are chauffeured to the barge, moored in the delightful town of Alkmaar. A traditional champagne welcome and introduction to the crew awaits you, before your first of many gourmet dinners aboard. End the evening with a nightcap in the hot tub.

Enjoy a walking tour of Alkmaar before our first cruise to Zaanse Schans near Amsterdam, a place renowned for its wooden windmills, barns, and houses built in the traditional Dutch style. In the afternoon, take a tour of Zaanse Schans, an open-air conservation area and museum, revealing a vivid impression of the Dutch way of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. Return to Panache for drinks and dinner onboard.

Enjoy an early morning cruise to the historic city of Haarlem, dating back to the 13th century. This afternoon marks a highlight of the week with a visit to the world famous Keukenhof Gardens, known as the ‘Garden of Europe’. There are more than 100 acres filled with over 7 million flowering bulbs! Stroll through a breath-taking backdrop of colour during this half-day of flower power. Mingle with locals this evening during dinner ashore.

Greet the sunrise with a very early morning tour to Aalsmeer flower auction, where some 17 million cut flowers from all over the world are traded each day. After breakfast back onboard, your Tour Guide accompanies you on a walking tour of Haarlem. The city is home to St. Bavo's Cathedral on the main square, where both Handel and Mozart played the magnificent Muller organ. Sample fine Dutch cheese and wines before returning to Panache for an afternoon cruise. Upon mooring, walk or cycle along the towpaths framing the lake before Chef presents tonight's dinner party onboard.

A leisurely morning cruise begins the day. Leiden, home to one of the oldest universities in the country and the birthplace of Rembrandt, is an historical town full of charm and character. This afternoon, disembark to tour the city's living canals on a private boat trip. Then, explore lively Leiden's many local cafés, boutique shops, specialty markets, and antique dealers. This evening, canapes and cocktails in the salon precede tonight's gourmet dinner onboard.

Relax on deck with a freshly brewed cup of coffee during this morning's final cruise. Delft, a beautiful, unspoilt town, is more than 750 years old and began as the home port of the Dutch East India Company. Renowned for its pottery ceramic products, a visit to the Royal Delft factory, just 5 minutes’ walk from our mooring, spotlights how this world-famous porcelain is made. In the late afternoon, explore Delft's charming boulevards on foot or by bicycle. Tonight, Chef presents the Captain’s Farewell Feast onboard.

After breakfast, you will be chauffeured to the designated drop off point.