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Luxury Barging in Holland, Belgium,
and France ...
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| Savoir Faire's Cabin Configurations All six cabins can be configured with two twins OR one queen bed. |
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| SAMPLE MENU |
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Each day, the chef combines fresh ingredients drawn from local markets
to create the most incredible cuisine you have ever experienced. The
menus YOU will experience aboard will always be unique, and tailored
to your specific needs. The following menu selections are typical, but
cuisine aboard will be different -- and is sure to surprise and delight
you!
Breakfast
Dinner typically includes an entree, main course, cheese course, dessert, and coffee, followed by aperitifs and chocolates served in the main salon.
Entrees
| SAMPLE ITINERARY ... HOLLAND CRUISE, Haarlem to Haarlem, in March and April |
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Haarlem to Haarlem
Sunday, Day 1
After your pick-up by the Captain you will be taken to the barge moored
in the center of Haarlem for a champagne welcome. We will relax for
the afternoon with a cruise to Zaandam, where we will moor for the night
and you will enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2
After breakfast we will take a short drive to the Zaanse Schans to visit
a working windmill, a clog maker and a cheese maker. In the afternoon
we will cruise to Amsterdam, through the heart of the city where the
small canals and architecture will take you back to a previous century
and then along the Amstel River to Ouderkerk.
Tuesday, Day 3
An early rise and drive to the colorful flower auction in Aalsmeer.
Upon return we will set off for a cruise on the canals to the cheese
Mecca of Gouda. After lunch, we will take a drive out to a local cheese
farm. Besides cheese, you will find beautiful buildings, excellent shopping
and the most magnificent stained glass windows in Holland.
Wednesday, Day 4
A morning cruise to Rotterdam through the center of this busy port and
then onto Delft. Visit the Delft Pottery works, where porcelain is still
handmade and painted. Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling around
this beautiful ancient Dutch city.
Thursday, Day 5
A morning cruise through the canals past Leiden, across the Brasemmer
Lakes to Oude Wetering. Spend the afternoon at the 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
bulbs.
Friday, Day 6
Morning cruise to Haarlem, a picturesque town and the home of the famous
Dutch painter Frans Hals where we will tour its museum. Farewell celebration
on board and your last elegant gourmet dinner.
Saturday, Day 7
This will be your last breakfast on board. You will then be driven to
either the airport or your hotel in Amsterdam.
Note: This is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are flexible and may
be changed according to passenger requests and local conditions.
| SAMPLE ITINERARY ... THREE COUNTRY CRUISE: 13 days Between Amsterdam and Paris, Mid-May and Paris to Amsterdam, Mid-October |
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From the
canals of Amsterdam and the excitement of the city, through the Dutch
countryside, past windmills and fields of tulips, then on to Belgium,
and the Seine, and into Paris ... this is the most leisurely and pampered
way to visit Holland, Belgium and France ever invented! Special rates
and a very special tour.
Day 1. Guests are met at their hotel in Amsterdam at 1:30pm and driven to the Etoile de Champagne for a champagne welcome and a cruise through the heart of the city to the quaint little town of Ouderkerk.
Day 2. Morning cruise along the canals to the town of Gouda, famous for its cheese. Afternoon visit to the Keukenhof Gardens, the largest display of flowers in the world. Here you will see hundreds of varieties of tulips, hyacinths and other bulbs. After we return to the Etoile de Champagne there will be time for a stroll around Gouda where we will find the most magnificent stained glass windows in Holland.
Day 3. A cruise out of Gouda to the river Ijssel and across the Holland Diep, part of the Dutch estuaries, to the charming old fortress town of Wilemstad. This town is preserved in its original state, with windmill dykes, an old church and a 15th century arsenal. There will be an optional visit to the famous Delta Project which is one of the greatest feats of water engineering in the world involving damming the great estuaries.
Day 4. Today we will leave Holland and cross the border into Belgium and travel to Antwerp. Antwerp is the city of Rubens, where we can take a tour of Rubens' house, then a walk in the old quarter of this beautiful Flemish city.
Day 5. We catch the flood tide up the winding "Sea Schelde" which takes us to the town of Ghent. You will have plenty of time to visit this beautiful town in the afternoon.
Day 6. You cannot pass through this part of the world without a visit to the beautiful little town of Bruges, known as the "Venice of the North". The chef will pack a picnic lunch, so there will be plenty of time to explore the many museums, buy some of the handmade lace or take a boat trip in the small canals that wander through the town. Rejoin the Savoir Faire in late afternoon to cruise along the river Schelde to the French/Belgian frontier.
Day 7. After clearing customs at the frontier, (a simple formality), the Etoile de Champagne continues along the Schelde, through the town of Valenciennes to the junction of Canal du Nord at the little French village of Arleux. The cars will take guests to Valenciennes along the way.
Day 8. The Savoir Faire begins her climb over the Vermandois Hills of Picardie through the many locks and several tunnels of the Canal du Nord. The scenery is splendid - rural France at her best, and a good tow path allows guests to walk between locks. After lunch, the cars take an excursion to Amiens to visit what must be one of the greatest of all the Gothic cathedrals with its powerful, towering columns.
Day 9. The cruise continues along the Canal du Nord as it drops down into the valley of the river Somme; a short trip on the Somme before climbing over another watershed and down to the valley of the river Oise to moor in the riverside town of Compiegne. There are many places to visit, including the train where the World War I Armistice was signed, as well as the Royal Palace.
Day 10. As the Savoir Faire continues down the lovely Oise River, guests are taken on an afternoon excursion to the old Roman town of Senlis with its quaint narrow streets, ancient churches and interesting museums, rejoining the Savoir Faire for an evening cruise to the river town of Pontoise.
Day 11. Loaded down with a picnic lunch, deck chairs and tables,
the cars take guests on a day excursion to Giverny to visit the home
and gardens of the Impressionist, Claude Monet. The gardens should be
at their best at this time of the year, and we can visit the waterlily
pond and the Japanese bridge that inspired so many of Monet's paintings.
Moor for the night in Pontoise.
Day 12. Cruise to Bougival in the morning and visit Malmaison, the home of Napoleon, its many rooms lavishly furnished by Josephine. Guests rejoin the Savoir Faire for an evening cruise into Paris. The last evening is spent moored in the heart of Paris, beside the Place de la Concorde.
Day 13. After breakfast guests are driven either to their Paris hotel or to the airport.
Note: This is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are flexible and may be changed according to passenger requests and local conditions. In May, the cruise route is Amsterdam to Paris; in October, the cruise route is Paris to Amsterdam.
| SAMPLE ITINERARY ... CHABLIS CRUISE, between Paris and Auxerre Scheduled Cruises: May-October |
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From the Kings of France to the jewels of Burgundy, this splendid cruise
includes some of the greatest sites in France.
DAY 1: SUNDAY (Moored in the heart of Paris at the Port Arsenal,
Bastille)
Our chauffeurs collect you from your designated meeting point in Paris
and escort you to the "Etoile de Champagne," moored at the Port Arsenal,
Bastille, in the very heart of the city. It is here that your adventure
begins. After a champagne reception, during which you are introduced
to your crew and the ship, you are free to settle into your cabins.
You will have an opportunity to explore the area before we depart for
our exclusive evening cruise through Paris. While cocktails are served
the "Savoir Faire" glides past the magnificent church of Notre Dame,
the resplendent Louvre art gallery and the symbolic Eiffel Tower. You
will then be served your first of many splendid dinners aboard, prepared
by your personal master chef. After dinner we continue our cruise through
Paris to your overnight mooring.
Paris by night is referred to as the "City of Lights" and is one of
the most romantic sights to behold anywhere in the world. As we pass
beneath the floodlit Eiffel Tower and illuminated bridges, you can see
from our panoramic observation deck why this city has been the focus
of so many creative artists and authors. The very essence of Paris comes
flooding down to the banks of the Seine, overwhelming the senses and
firing the imagination.
DAY 2: MONDAY (Cruise from Paris to Samois)
We set off from the Arsenal bright and early to begin your cruise south
along the mighty Seine towards Burgundy. Once past the reaches of Paris,
the landscape begins to unfold revealing the tranquil beauty so sought
after by busy city folk. Luxury villas and chateaus begin to appear
along the river banks, as we cruise past fishermen patiently sitting
beneath the shade of a willow tree.
Your excursion today is to the magnificent chateau of Fontainebleau.
Your captain has chosen a fully trained Fontainebleau guide to privately
escort you around the chateau, as to walk through Fontainebleau is to
walk through the very history of France. Every royal family has added
their architectural signature, resulting in an unrivalled display of
opulence. Afterwards you will be able to explore the shops and boutiques
of Fontainebleau before joining your chauffeurs who will escort you
back to the "Savoir Faire". This evening we shall be moored beneath
the hilltop town of Samois, a favorite amongst painters and poets. You
will have the opportunity to stroll or cycle along the shaded river
bank and breathe in the fresh air before your candlelit dinner is served.
DAY 3: TUESDAY (Cruise from Samois to Sens)
We begin the day with a peaceful cruise along the last stretch of the
Seine before joining the river Yonne that takes us south towards Burgundy,
the land of Counts and fine wines. This morning there will be opportunities
to cycle alongside the river and explore villages close by. Your tour
guide has personally chosen routes of varying degrees of difficulty
so that you can enjoy your cycling excursions to the full during your
cruise. After lunch on board, your guide will escort you to the medieval
town of Provins where you can explore ancient ramparts, watch a falconry
show and browse around the boutiques and shops. Provins is now listed
as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is listed amongst the most interesting
towns in France. Once back on board you will have time to enjoy a pre-dinner
cocktail before yet another delicious meal is served.
DAY 4: WEDNESDAY (Cruise from Sens to Joigny)
This morning we set off along the Yonne towards our overnight mooring
at the riverside town of Joigny, where cobbled streets and timbered-framed
buildings take you back to a bygone era. After a pleasant cruise through
opening landscapes we stop at Villeneuve-sur-Yonne for lunch on board.This
afternoon your chauffeurs will drive you to Sens for a private guided
tour of the Cathedral of St Stephen, the first of the great Gothic cathedrals
of France. The beauty of the exterior dominates the main square of Sens.
Begun in 1140 AD, this magnificent building houses one of the richest
treasuries in France. In addition to this there is a tour of the museum,
which is in the 13th Century synodal palace, situated in the former
archbishop's residence. It houses a fascinating exhibition of Gallo-Roman
mosaics and works of art from the cathedral. Afterwards you will have
time to explore the charming streets of Sens before your chauffeurs
drive you back to the "Savoir Faire." Dinner is served aboard after
which you may enjoy a stroll around the lamp lit streets of Joigny.
DAY 5: THURSDAY (Cruise from Joigny to Gurgy)
This morning we set off on our cruise to the riverside hamlet of Gurgy.
Today is the perfect opportunity for those who wish to cycle alongside
the ship as she glides gently by. After lunch we take a short drive
to Chablis, town to some of the greatest wines in Burgundy. We have
selected the small family operation of Domaine Laroche for an intimate
tour of their cellar and an insightful introduction to the secrets of
this ancient art. A comprehensive wine tasting rounds off this fascinating
visit. Afterwards we drive over the tops of the surrounding vineyards,
through the wine village of Irancy and on to St Bris, where we shall
visit the 12th Century underground cellars of Bersan and Fils. Once
back on board, you will have time to stroll or cycle along the riverbank
before dinner.
DAY 6: FRIDAY (Cruise from Gurgy to Auxerre)
Our final cruise takes us along the upper reaches of the Yonne to Auxerre,
the most beautiful of all river towns whose skyline is punctuated by
church spires and its streets lined with timbered 16th century houses.
We arrive in time for lunch, after which you have the option of two
visits.
The first visit offered is to explore this wonderful riverside town,
with the Cathedral of Saint-Etienne dominating the skyline. Behind its
apparent simplicity lies one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture
in France. Undoubtedly one of the prettiest towns in France, Auxerre,
the capital of Lower Burgundy, is situated in the heart of a wine growing
area most famous for its Chablis wine. The town's magnificent monuments,
which include a splendid 15th Century clock tower, all bear witness
to a remarkable historical past. The center, which is classified as
a protected area, is best visited on foot.
The second visit to choose from is to the world famous hilltop town
of Vezelay, forty minutes from Auxerre. Listed as a UNESCO world heritage
site, Vezelay has been a place of worship since the Middle Ages and
is a rallying point for the pilgrimage of Saint-Jacques de Compostelle.
It is from here that the second and third crusades were launched, the
latter by Richard the Lionhearted. Dominating this medieval town is
the Basilica Sainte-Madeleine, one of the most impressive churches in
France. Streets lined with 15th Century timbered-framed buildings house
art galleries, boutiques and shops. Quiet parks offer panoramic views
of the surrounding countryside and underground cellars the opportunity
to taste the wines from the surrounding vineyards. Later your chauffeurs
will escort you back to the "Savoir Faire." This evening, after pre-dinner
cocktails, we present our farewell Captain's Dinner. You are joined
by your hosts Chris and Fran, for what promises to be a meal to remember.
DAY 7: SATURDAY (Departure at 9.30am)
After a hearty breakfast you are driven by our chauffeurs to your hotel
or airport in Paris.
Note: This is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are flexible and may
be changed according to passenger requests and local conditions. The
itinerary is in the reverse direction every other cruise week.
| SAMPLE ITINERARY ... CHAMPAGNE & BRIE CRUISE, between Paris and Epernay Charter Cruises: May-September on Request (Subject to Availability), Scheduled Cruises: in mid-September |
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A glorious week of cheese and wine tasting while cruising on the Marne,
one of the most beautiful rivers in France.
DAY 1: SUNDAY (Cumieres)
You are transferred by air-conditioned minivan from your hotel or airport
and driven directly to the Savoir Faire, moored at Cumieres, 2km from
the heart of Epernay. After an introduction to your ship, you are given
time to settle in to your cabin before joining your captain and crew
for our welcoming champagne reception. There will be time to stroll
through the village before coming back on board where your master chef
will delight you with the first of many delicious meals.
DAY 2: MONDAY (Cruise Cumieres to Damery)
This morning, after breakfast, we visit Reims and its magnificent cathedral.
We then join the "Etoile de Champagne" for lunch and a short cruise
to the delightful little town of Damery, with its 13th century church,
which was part of a former Benedictine priory. Later this afternoon
we visit the Abbey of Hautvilliers where the monk Dom Perignon first
made champagne. Dinner aboard.
DAY 3: TUESDAY (Cruise Damery to Chateau Thierry)
You are now entering the true Champagne region. Your hosts have arranged
a pre-lunch visit to the world famous cellars of Moet and Chandon for
a tour and tasting. We then continue to cruise to Chateau Thierry, were
we shall moor for the night. This pretty town offers a promenade along
the original walls of the town with views over the Marne valley. This
whole area was the scene of American battles in World War I. Nearby
is the American Monument. Built in 1929, at an altitude of 660 feet,
the monument keeps alive the memory of the American troops who fought
in WWI. Optional visit to Belleau Wood battlefield and the American
cemetery. Dinner aboard.
DAY 4: WEDNESDAY (Cruise Chateau Thierry to La Ferte)
Your cruise today will take you through picturesque landscapes so loved
by both the French and visitors abroad. Today we have arranged a tour
of some of our favorite places and a selection of visits to small family-run
vineyards so that you can try their fine selection of champagnes. Our
mooring for the night is at La Ferte, which offers beautiful, refreshing
promenades along the river. Dinner aboard.
DAY 5: THURSDAY (Cruise La Ferte to Meaux)
Today we cruise to Meaux, in the very heart of Brie, famous for its
wonderful cheeses of the same name. Nearby, on the route to Soissons,
stands a monument that commemorates the 5th September 1914, the extreme
point of advance of the German troops and the date of the French counter-attack.
We visit Coulomniers, one of the centers of Brie cheese. Your personalized
visit to a master cheese maker will enable you to see the cheese-making
process first hand and to sample a variety of the world famous Brie
cheese, along with wines from his excellent cellar. Dinner aboard.
DAY 6: FRIDAY (Meaux to Paris)
This morning we leave Meaux and head towards the mighty Seine which
will take us into the very heart of Paris. Our cruise will take us past
Coupvray, the birthplace of Louis Braille, the inventor of the alphabet
for the blind. At St Maur des Fosses we pass through the tunnel, which
enables us to bypass the shallow waters of the Marne Loop. Today we
visit the magnificent Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte. The wonderfully-proportioned
chateau and its exquisite gardens are the highlight of this visit. Built
between 1656 and 1661 for finance minister Nicolas Fouquet, the chateau's
construction was monstrous even for those days. Entire villages were
razed, 18,000 workmen called in. Famous architects, painters and landscapers
were called in to reflect Fouquet's refined tastes. So lavish was the
housewarming party, that Louis XIV threw a fit of jealousy and hurled
Fouquet in jail. Just to prove who was boss, Louis XIV began building
Versailles.
We finish our journey with an exclusive evening cruise through Paris.
As the "Savoir Faire" glides past the magnificent church of Notre Dame,
the resplendent Louvre art gallery and the symbolic Eiffel Tower, you
will be joined by your captain and his wife for cocktails followed by
the farewell "Captains Dinner". Paris by night is referred to as the
"City of Lights" and is one of the greatest sights to behold anywhere
in the world. As we pass beneath the Eiffel Tower and the floodlit bridges,
you can see from our panoramic observation deck why this capital has
been the focus of so many creative artists and authors. The very essence
of Paris comes flooding down to the banks of the Seine, overwhelming
the senses and firing the imagination. Our final berth for the night
is in the Arsenal, a stone's throw from the lively district of the Bastille.
Day 7: SATURDAY (Departure 9.30am)
After a hearty breakfast, our chauffeurs will drive you to your hotel
or airport in Paris.
Note: This is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are flexible and may
be changed according to passenger requests and local conditions. The
itinerary is in the reverse direction every other cruise week.
PASSENGER COMMENTS ... 2005 Season
* In 2005, Savoir Faire cruised as "Etoile de Champagne." Beginning with the 2006 Season, "Etoile de Champagne" becomes the "Savoir Faire," continuing a tradition of exceptional cruises in Holland, Belgium and France. |
| 2007
PRICES (USD) |
VALUE | MID | REGULAR | CRUISE SCHEDULE 2007 March 18-May 05
2007: Holland Tulip Cruises, (Haarlem to Haarlem) |
| Charter
for 12 Guests |
$32,000 | $39,000 | $43,000 | |
| Charter
for 11 Guests |
$31,000 | $38,000 | $42,000 | |
| Charter
for 10 Guests |
$30,000 | $37,000 | $41,000 | |
| Charter
for 9 Guests |
$29,000 | $36,000 | $40,000 | |
| Charter
for 8 Guests |
$28,000 | $35,000 | $39,000 | |
| Cabin bookings (p.p.sharing) | $3,000 | $3,700 | $4,100 | |
| Single
Supp. |
$1,500 | $1,850 | $2,050 | |
| THREE COUNTRY
CRUISES (France, Belgium + Holland), 13 nights |
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| 12
Guest Charter-Special rate with 25% off! |
$58,500 | |||
| Double/Twin
Suite (based on two sharing) |
$6,500 | |||
| Single
in a Double/Twin Suite |
$7,290 | |||
| PICK-UP:
In Paris, Amsterdam or other, by arrangement with the barge. DROP-OFF: Locally, by arrangement with the barge. CRUISES START ON A SUNDAY AND END ON THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY. |
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For Reservations or Information,
Hotel-barge
La Maison du Canal
80 Grand'rue
34290 Servian - France
Tel: 00 33 (0)4 67 62 18 18
Fax: 00 33 (0)4 67 35 05 12
Email:
Contact@hotel-barge.com
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