La Nouvelle Etoile
Three Country Cruise

12 day cruise - Cruise date:   May 14 - 26, 2006   
Amsterdam to Paris

The La Nouville Etoile  slowly plies along picturesque inland waterways of Holland, France and Belgium lined with magnificent foliage and speckled with charming towns.

The La Nouville Etoile includes a large sundeck with jacuzzi, a main deck with a panoramic  lounge, a bar area with piano, a dining room, a fitness room and an elevator.  There are 4 oversized  suites (over 200 square feet), featuring flat screen monitors with internet connection, satellite television and video, double sink bathrooms with large showers.

Meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout - from the selection of the linens, to the fresh fruit and flowers in each suite.  The warm, elegant teak interiors, subtle color schemes and pleasant furnishings invite you to relax and enjoy.

Amsterdam to Paris

Sunday, Day 1  Amsterdam - Haarlem 
After being met by our driver you will be driven to the barge for a champagne welcome. We will be moored in the quaint little town of Haarlem, full of windmills, cheese makers and clog makers. You will relax for the afternoon then have your first wonderful gourmet dinner on board. . .

Monday, Day 2  Haarlem 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 beautiful other bulbs. After we return to the barge there will be time for a stroll around Gouda where you will find the most magnificent stain glass windows in Holland. 

Tuesday, Day 3  Gouda to Wilmstad
A cruise out of Gouda to the Ijssel River across the Holland Diep, part of the Dutch estuaries, to the charming town old fortress town of Wilmstad. 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 that involves the great estuaries. 

Wednesday, Day 4  Wilmstad to Antwerp
Today we will leave Holland and cross the border into Belgium and travel to Antwerp. Antwerp is the city of diamonds and Rubens, where we can take a tour of Rubens’ home, then walk in the old quarter of this beautiful Flemish city. 

Thursday, Day 5  Antwerp to Ghent
We will 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. 

Friday, Day 6  Ghent to Bruges
You cannot pass through this part of the world without a visit to the wonderful little town of Bruges, known as the “Venice of the North”. The chef will pack a picnic lunch so there will be alot of time to explore the many museums, buy some of the handmade lace or take a boat trip on the small canals that wander through the town. Rejoin the barge in the late afternoon to cruise along the river Schelde to the French-Belgium frontier. 

Saturday, Day 7  Belgium to Arleux
After clearing customs at the Frontier, a simple formality, we continue along the Schelde through the town of Valenciennes to the junction of Canal du Nord at the little French village of Arleux. We can take you into Valenciennes along the way. 

Sunday, Day 8  Arleux - Picardie 
We begin our 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 its best, and a good tow path allows you to walk between the locks if you wish. After lunch, we take an excursion to Amiens to visit what must be one of the greatest of all Gothic cathedrals with its powerful, towering columns and incredible interior. .

Monday, Day 9  Picardie to Compiegne
The cruise continues along the Canal du Nord as it drops down into the valley of the Somme River before climbing over another watershed and down to the valley of the Oise River 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. 

Tuesday, Day 10  Compiegne to Pontiose
As we cruise 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 barge for an evening cruise to the town of Pontiose. 

Wednesday, Day 11  Pointiose
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 this time of year, and we can visit the water lily pond and the Japanese bridge that inspired so many of Monet’s paintings. Moor for the night in Pontoise. 

Thursday, Day 12  Pointiose to Paris
Cruise to Bougival in the morning and visit Malmaison, the home of Napoleon, its many rooms lavishly furnished by Josephine. Guests rejoin the barge for an evening cruise into Paris. The last evening is spent moored in the heart of Paris, beside the Place de la Concorde. Here you will enjoy a memorable celebration gourmet dinner that will be your last on board. 

Friday, Day 13  Paris
After a great breakfast on board you will be taken to either your hotel in Paris or the airport. 

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