Panache

Sunday, Day 1 Plobsheim

Guests are met in Strasbourg** and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Panache’s mooring for a champagne welcome and the first opportunity to meet your crew. There may be time for a short walk along the canal before dark, or you can enjoy settling into your cabin and relaxing, before your first gourmet dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Plobsheim to Strasbourg

This morning the first cruise of the week takes us from Plobsheim through countryside before we reach the outskirts of Strasbourg and head to our mooring in this historic city. After lunch, we drive to Colmar to visit its six Christmas markets, including the gourmet foods area. Framed by fairy-tale half-timbered houses with festive scenes and Christmas trees on every corner, there is a magical atmosphere here. Later, we visit a local chocolate atelier where there will be the opportunity to try your hand at creating your very own chocolatey souvenirs. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Strasbourg to Souffelweyersheim

After breakfast we explore beautiful Strasbourg – ‘The Capital City of Europe’ with its 13 Christmas markets in its historic centre. We’ll stroll around Place Gutenberg and explore La Petite France – a cobbled pedestrian area brimming with half-timbered houses, boutique shops and cafés. We’ll also see Strasbourg’s breathtaking 12th century Gothic pink sandstone cathedral, home to a famous Renaissance astronomical clock and soaring spire, as well as its popular nativity scene. After lunch we cruise through the city and on past the impressive European Parliament building, the Palais de l’Europe, on the outskirts of Strasbourg to our mooring in Souffelweyersheim. Dinner ashore this evening at a traditional Alsatian restaurant.

Wednesday, Day 4 Souffelweyersheim to Brumath

This morning, Panache cruises further north along the canal, with good walking and cycling opportunities, through pretty countryside and the Forest of Brumath to our rural mooring set amongst the trees. In the afternoon, we drive to the beautiful little medieval town of Riquewhir, located in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards. We have time to wander the Christmas markets and many artisanal craft stalls with the option of a wine tasting experience at nearby Maison Hugel. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Brumath to Waltenheim-sur-Zorn

This morning we enjoy a relaxing cruise to Waltenheim-sur-Zorn. After lunch on board, we visit Meisenthal with its glass bauble factory – the original birthplace of this iconic Christmas decoration – to watch the glass blowers in action. If time permits, on the way back to the barge, we also have the option to visit the famed René Lalique collection and see over 500 exceptional examples of Art Nouveau and Art Deco glassware. Before dinner on board, time for aperitifs and perhaps some traditional Alsatian ‘Flammekueche’ prepared by your chef.

Friday, Day 6 Waltenheim-sur-Zorn to Hochfelden

This morning we cruise further west through open countryside to our final mooring in Hochfelden. After lunch on board, we head to the 12th century hilltop Château du Haut Barr which towers 1,500 feet above the pretty town of Saverne to admire the panoramic view, before having time to wander the decorated town centre for some final festive shopping and perhaps a turn on the ice rink in the market square. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Hochfelden

After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Strasbourg**.

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

**Other locations available for Private Charter bookings