'SAVOIR FAIRE'

Sunday
We meet at an Amsterdam hotel in the city centre at 2pm (Schiphol Airport pickup can also be arranged) and transfer 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. Captains Welcome Dinner onboard.

Monday
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. Dinner on board.

Tuesday
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. Dinner on board.

Wednesday
A morning cruise to Rotterdam through the center of this busy port and then onto Delft. Visit the Delft Pottery works, where beautiful hand-painted ceramics are still made. Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling around this beautiful historic town. Dinner on board.

Thursday
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 bulbous plants. Dinner on board.

Friday
Morning cruise to Haarlem, a picturesque walled town and the home of the famous Dutch painter Frans Hals, where we will tour its museum. Farewell Gala Dinner celebration on board.

Saturday
This will be your last breakfast on board. You will then be driven to either the Schiphol Airport or your hotel in Amsterdam by about 11am.

Note: This is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are flexible and subject to change

Sunday, Day 1 Amsterdam to Ouderkerk
Guests are met at their hotel in Amsterdam at 2pm (Pickup at Schiphol Airport can also be arranged) and driven to the Savoir Faire for a Champagne welcome and a cruise through the heart of the city to the quaint little town of Ouderkerk. Captains Welcome Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Ouderkerk to Gouda
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 Savoir Faire there will be time for a stroll around Gouda where we will find the most magnificent stained glass windows in Holland. Dinner on board

Tuesday, Day 3 Gouda to Wilemstad
A cruise out of Gouda to the river Ijssel and across the Holland’s 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. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Wilemstad to Antwerp
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. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 4 Antwerp to Ghent
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. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Ghent to Bruges
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. Farewell Gala Dinner onboard.

Saturday, Day 7 Bruges to Ghent
Guests who have selected 6 nights will be transferred to Ghent by about 11am

Note: This is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are flexible and subject to change

Sunday
Your drivers will meet you at your Bruges hotel or the rail station and drive you to the Savoir Faire, which will be moored in the picturesque town of Bruges. Lovingly referred to as the "Venice of the North", this beautiful town is laced with small canals and magnificent squares. Deserving of the UNESCO World Heritage Site award it has received, our guests are continually delighted by this gem.
After a Champagne Welcome and some delicious canapes, your tour guide will arrange a canal boat ride, so you can see the architecture from a different perspective. Upon your return, you will have time to relax and enjoy the ambiance of the bar onboard, before the first of many gourmet meals.

Monday
After a hearty breakfast, your tour guide will escort you on a walking tour of Bruges to explore the many architectural wonders of this town. We then return to the barge for lunch, after which you will have time to explore and shop on your own - lace is a speciality of Bruges. Later we begin our afternoon cruise to Ghent.

Tuesday
This morning your guide will escort you into Ghent. Our visit includes the magnificent cathedral with its fabulous painting 'The Mystic Lamb', painted by the Van Eck brothers. There's also an assortment of fantastic boutiques nearby. Upon returning to the barge for lunch, we begin our cruise up the River Schelde to the town of Oudenaarde, where we will moor for the night.

Wednesday
A gentle morning cruise further up the River Schelde will take us past sleapy hamlets and rolling landscapes to the ancient town of Tournai, with its famous 'Pont des Trous' (Bridge with holes). We shall also explore the wonderful square with its ancient and fascinating clock tower.

Thursday
We continue along the river Schelde as it winds its way through the town of Valenciennes to the busy junction of Canal du Nord at the little French village of Arleux. This sleepy town is the meeting place of many of the barges setting south towards France. Along the way we will drive to the bustling town of Valenciennes to visit the Museum of Fine Arts.

Friday
This morning we begin our climb over the Vermandois Hills of Picardie, through the many deep locks and several tunnels of the Canal du Nord, one of which is over 3 miles long. The scenery is spectacular, giving you the opportunity to see rural France at its best.
Well maintained towpaths follow alongside the canal that allow for great walking and cycling.
After lunch, we have a real treat in store with an excursion to Amiens, to visit what must be one of the greatest of all Gothic cathedrals in France, with its towering spires and magnificent columns. This is one of the "not to be missed" items on any visit to France.

Saturday
After breakfast you can visit the War Museum in Peronne. Upon return, we will continue our journey along the Canal du Nord. There will be plenty of opportunities to walk or bike while the barge travels from lock to lock.
The cruise now continues along the Canal du Nord, as it drops down into the valley of the Somme River before climbing over another watershed. The landscape unfolds revealing a part of France tourists rarely see.

Sunday
Today we will cruise down to the Oise River valley to moor in the busy riverside town of Compiegne, with its Royal Palace and huge square There are many places to visit, including the train where the World War I Armistice was signed. Shops abound everywhere, giving you the opportunity to see how the local people live.

Monday
The Oise River Valley is truly beautiful. Our cruise today takes to Auvers sur Oise, where we moor for an opportunity to explore this charming Van Gogh scene. Here is where he lived and painted many of his last and most important paintings, and where he stayed in a small room above a local cafe.
We will have an afternoon walk around the town and visit the cemetery where Vincent and his brother are buried.

Tuesday
Today we are off on a day excursion to Giverny to visit the home and gardens of Claude Monet, probably the most famous of all the Impressionist painters. Your chef will prepare a delicious picnic lunch to be taken in the gardens of Giverny.
During your walk you will see the famous 'Lily Pond' and the 'Japanese Bridge' that inspired so many of his paintings.
We will moor for the night in Conflans, which is the junction of the Oise and Seine Rivers. It is here that many of the commercial skippers retire, thus the reason for so many barges moored alongside the quays.

Wednesday
In the morning we will cruise up the mighty river Seine to Bougival and visit Malmaison, the home of Napoleon. We will see its many lavishly decorated rooms furnished by Josephine. We will rejoin the Savoir Faire for an evening cruise through Paris, past the Eiffel Tower and the cathedral of Notre Dame and into the 'Port d'Arsenal' adjacent to the Bastille for a farewell dinner on board.

Thursday
After another hearty breakfast, our drivers will take you to either your Paris hotel or the airport.

All itineraries are subject to change.

SUNDAY: Ancy-le-Franc
Your chauffeur collects you from your Paris hotel at 2.00pm for the drive to the "Savoir Faire", moored at Ancy-le-Franc on the Burgundy Canal. Your host and Captain, Chris, welcomes you aboard with a Champagne Reception and an introduction to your crew and ship. Before dinner, your tour guide is at hand to introduce you to the local area and tell you about the cruise week ahead. After a well deserved aperitif on deck you are served your first of many splendid dinners aboard, prepared by your very own master chef.

MONDAY: Ancy-le-Franc to Lezinnes
Fresh ground coffee and fluffy croissants and pastries straight from the local baker - a delicious breakfast sets us up for our excursion to Fontenay, a marvelous medieval abbey with its cloisters, capitulary hall, dormitories and fish basins full of trout. There’s even a prison. Returning to the Savoir Faire for lunch we start our gentle cruise past the beautiful 16th century Renaissance palace and gardens of Chateau d'Ancy le Franc, towards the canalside village of Lezinnes where we moor overnight. Today, as with every day of your cruise, there's plenty of opportunity to wander or cycle ahead as the vessel descends through a series of quaint hand operated locks.

TUESDAY – Lezinnes to Tanlay
Today we have a real delight in store! Ropes away and onward past sleepy hamlets and cattle grazing by the canal banks. Our cruise today takes us to Tanlay, famous for its beautiful 16th century Renaissance-style Chateau. After lunch we take a short ride to the Chateau of Ancy-le-Franc. This Renaissance jewel, set in the centre of a large park on the banks of the canal, houses the biggest collection of Renaissance murals in France, making Ancy-le-Franc a direct contender of Fontainebleau Palace. The immense quadrilateral, which is a classified historic monument, holds a rich decor attributed to some of the most celebrated Italian, Flemish and Burgundy artists of the 16th and 17th century.

WEDNESDAY – Tanlay to Tonnerre
After breakfast we take a short walk to the Chateau de Tanlay, nestling serenely within this picturesque village. The interior is luxuriously furnished and decorated by some astonishing frescoes. After lunch we continue your cruise along the Burgundy Canal. Our cruise this afternoon takes us to Tonnerre, one of the few places along the canal where you will find vineyards. This town is the centre of a small wine growing area of about 60 hectares producing excellent reds and roses under the name "Bourgogne Epineuil". Of particular interest is La Fosse Dionne. Situated in the centre of the old town this natural spring, the second deepest in France, has long mystified people and is well worth a visit. In 1758 it was converted into a "Lavoire". Also worthy of note is the old hospital, built in 1293 by Margueritte of Burgundy.

THURSDAY – Tonnerre to Flogny la Chapelle
A good hearty breakfast sets us up for our morning cruise. This is barging at it's best. Relaxed, gentle on the soul, every bend offering something new. Hop on, hop off - we're going nowhere fast! Feeling left out - why not help us with the locks. Great exercise and the photos will be the envy of your friends.
After lunch your tour guide drives you to the world famous town of Chablis where you'll take a tour of the ancient press and cellars of Domaine Laroche, followed by a wine tasting of their various fine vintages. After seeing Chablis we drive a short distance to a beautiful secluded spot where you can enjoy a panoramic vista of the Grand Cru vineyards and the surrounding countryside. A little cheese, a glass of wine - perfect!

FRIDAY – Flogny la Chapelle to St Florentin
Our cruise this morning takes us to our final destination of St Florentin. After lunch we drive to one of the prettiest towns in France. Auxerre, the capital of lower Burgundy, is situated in the heart of a wine growing region most famous for its Chablis wine. The success of this thriving town is celebrated by architectural jewels such as the ornately painted 15th century Clock Tower, the soaring Gothic cathedrals of Saint Germain and Saint Stephen and an abundance of ornate Renaissance houses bordering tree lined squares. Every street offers a golden opportunity for the aspiring photographer.
Relax before dinner with a drink from the bar and enjoy the evening from the panoramic deck of the "Savoir Faire". Tonight your chef adorns your table with a special Farewell Dinner. Candlelit crystal and gleaming silverware add to the romantic ambiance of your celebration. Laughter, great times and the warmth of friendship contribute to those "Golden Memories" that last a lifetime.

SATURDAY – St Florentin
Finally time to say farewell to the Savoir Faire and her Captain and crew, but not before a hearty breakfast. After all, we wouldn't want you leave hungry! Bags are loaded by 9.30am and off we drive to your designated destination in Paris.


Itinerary is subject to change. Please note that cruise week runs in opposite direction on alternate weeks.

Sunday, Day 1 Cumieres
Your chauffeurs collect you from the designated meeting place for your transfer 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.

Monday, Day 2 Cumieres to Damery
This morning, after breakfast, we visit Reims and its magnificent cathedral. We then join the "Savoir Faire" 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.

Tuesday, Day 3 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.

Wednesday, Day 4 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.

Thursday, Day 5 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.

Friday, Day 6 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. 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". Pass beneath the Eiffel Tower and the floodlit bridges. Our final berth for the night is in the Arsenal, a stone's throw from the lively district of the Bastille.

Saturday, Day 7 Paris
We end the cruise with a hearty breakfast and a fond farewell from your crew and then transfer you to the designated drop off point.

On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary is subject to change