European Waterways Bring in 2012 with Panache!

European Waterways is delighted to announce a new addition to its fleet, the 12-passenger luxury vessel Panache, bringing its portfolio of luxury hotel barges on offer to 21.

The 128ft Dutch hotel barge will embark in April and May 2012 on 6-night round-trip ‘Tulip Cruises’, starting and finishing in Haarlem, visiting the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens with the largest display of flowers in the world, the world-famous Delft pottery and the cheese centre of Gouda. There will also be an optional excursion to the amazing Floriade 2012, World Horticultural Expo in Venlo (April 5 to October 7).

Panache will then reposition via Belgium, Paris and Champagne to cruise the beautiful Canal de la Marne au Rhin from Mittersheim to Strasbourg in Alsace-Lorraine between June and October. This is a region with a unique mix of French and German cultures, Baroque and Romanesque architecture.

The new vessel is a beautifully-appointed hotel barge with spacious public areas and six air-conditioned double/twin en-suite cabins, each bathroom having twin hand-basins and oversize showers with massage jets. There are large panoramic windows in the saloon for viewing the passing countryside and the barge has been fitted out in traditional yacht style with brass and mahogany fittings. A large sundeck and heated spa pool complete the picture.

The on-board crew of six comprise the Captain, Master Chef, Deck Hand, Tour Guide and Hostesses. Their extensive knowledge of the region, escorted private excursions, together with the availability of 12 bikes and even a tandem, combine to ensure passengers will have the opportunity to explore the surrounding areas in detail.

Guests can expect to enjoy regional dishes such as Sea Bass with Cucumber and Smoked Eel and Roasted Duck à l’Alsacienne, accompanied by fine wines such as Gewurztraminer Reboltz and Sylvaner Cuvée Réserve. The all-inclusive prices lead in at £2,790 per person in a twin/double suite and at £25,600 for a whole boat charter.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury river cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Cruise To Floriade - The World Horticultural Expo

Floriade is an international exhibition of flowers and gardening held every 10 years in the Netherlands, attracting visitors from all over the world, and eWaterways is offering cruises through the Dutch and Belgian waterways that include a visit to Floriade 2012 as a full-day optional excursion.

The voyage is available on the Amadeus Brilliant, Diamond and Elegant luxury cruise ships.

For more details, visit www.ewaterways.co.uk or the UK's river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Rivers of Holland and Belgium

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Perfect for those who love to explore a number of different destinations at a leisurely pace, here's a river cruise that takes in the unspoilt and picturesque scenery of Holland and Belgium.

Begin your adventure onboard a DFDS Seaways cruise ferry and relax from the moment you step onboard in Newcastle. Enjoy some scrumptious food in one of the onboard restaurants before sitting back with a glass of wine to watch the evening's entertainment. After a peaceful night's sleep in your ensuite cabin, awake refreshed and ready to board your Croisi river cruiser.
Cruising from Amsterdam to Antwerp, you'll enjoy stop-offs on the way, including an excursion to the stunning tulip fields of Keukenhof Gardens (above). You'll also enter the Holland Diep, an inland sea, and go through locks at Volkerak and Kreekak, on the way to Belgium.

Everything is taken care of in this holiday package. All meals and entertainment are included onboard the cruise ferry and Croisi riverboat. In addition, the river voyage offers a variety of activities onboard and ashore, including commentaries and guided tours to historic and cultural sites, local attractions, museums and galleries. Voyages depart April 3, 2011.

To book, visit http://www.dfds.co.uk/

Don't forget to check out the Cruise Show website for all the lowdown and exhibitors at the Birmingham and London shows in October (16-17) and March (26-27).