Bike & Float Through Holland…On The Charlemagne
Amsterdam to Amsterdam Presented by Deb Roberts of Short North Travel and Tom & Shawn Smith of The Garden, The Joint, The Chamber
April 24, - April 30, 2010 Seven Days on Dutch Land & Six Nights on Charlemagne			The Flag of Amsterdam
The Netherlands - Amsterdam The Netherlands (often referred to as Holland) is a charming country filled with treelined canals, enchanting windmills and fields of colorful tulips reaching toward the sun. Amsterdam is the beating heart of the Netherlands, and as a major center of art and design, it is one of the world’s trendiest cities. Amsterdam’s delightful canals and cobblestone pathways create a beautiful setting for world-renowned museums housing the works of native sons Rembrandt and Van Gogh. While days are filled with canal-side dining and scenic row houses, nights in Amsterdam are lit by tiny lanterns lining the more than 1200 bridges spanning the city’s 160 canals. Still the home of ‘Free Thought,’ and a melting pot of cultures, this modern and growing city has embraced its practical side and become a cosmopolitan center, while holding onto the appeal that has always made it such a desirable destination. Index
Discover Ø A Unique Way To Visit Holland Ø Introduction To River Cruises Ø Destination Info Activities Ø Itinerary Ø Bike & Barge Ship Information & Fares Ø Charlemagne Features Ø Charlemagne’s Specifications Ø Deck Plan Ø Pricing Ø Charlemagne’s Terms & Conditions About Us Ø Canal & Company and Short North Travel Reservations Ø Reservations Form
Cruise is now ready for booking! Phone 1-614-228-1868 or E-Mail
A Unique Way To Visit Holland... Relaxed and pampered encounter with the treasures of Holland aboard a floating hotel! From April 24, 2001 for six nights, this luxury hotel barge cruise offers you a unique and pampered way to visit Holland. With a knowledgeable crew to guide you and to cater to your every need, you can relax for a wonderful week of cruising and leisurely, personalized touring of the magnificent displays of tulips, artists, cheese making, art by Dutch masters, cruises and cycling through the countryside with Holland’s windmills and flowers in the fields, and more. A cruise on this luxury hotel barge is quite unlike any other way to travel. From exceptional cuisine, wines, and attention from crew, to personalized excursions led by Deb Roberts of Short North Travel and Tom & Shawn Smith of The Garden, The Joint, and The Chamber, and crew, exploring unique and often little-known destinations on side trips each day by either foot, public transportation or bike, the entire week is relaxing, pampered, and memorable. Click on the website links in the list, below, to see complete descriptions of each of the luxury hotel barges cruising in Holland. Then call or email special places travel to assist you in choosing the right barge for your cruise week, and to work with you to complete all the details of your cruise in Holland. Click here for phone and email contact information, or to complete our contact form. In the price chart, note that all prices are in us dollars. The price per person is based on double occupancy and the charter price is based on a full-barge charter for the maximum number of passengers. (back)
	Start and end in Amsterdam. Float around Holland living the Dutch lifestyle!
	The 32-passenger Charlemagne cruises in the Spring in Holland when the tulips are in bloom, and then cruises to Germany in mid-May for the remainder of the season.
Itinerary Holland during the Tulip Season See Holland (The Netherlands) at its brightest time of the year, the spring tulip season.  Our Float through Holland Cruise visits sites that have made this country a popular tourist site for centuries. We will sail roundtrip from Amsterdam to Amsterdam.
	Dining aboard the Charlemagne.
Saturday April 24, 2010 We meet in central Amsterdam and board the Charlemagne Canal Barge. Spend the afternoon bike riding along the canals of Amsterdam. Getting lost, exploring the nooks and crannies of this old and historical, yet cosmopolitan city. Sit at a café or coffee shop and people watch. Captain’s Dinner – Casual attire acceptable. After dinner there will be time to stroll the Red Light District as a group. You are always welcome go out and explore on your own.
	Charlemagne's Salon and Dining Table Set for Luncheon
Sunday, April 25, 2010 After breakfast on board, grab a packed lunch and head on out to see more of Amsterdam and delight in all of her glory. Later in the afternoon, cocktails in the lounge, and then an early dinner while gliding along the canals of Holland enroute to our next overnight city on the itinerary. (Still working with the Captain on exact itinerary. We’re looking at Utrecht, Gouda, or Nijmegen as the next destination. Trust me, it will be exciting!)
	Charlemagne's salon.
Monday, April 26, 2010 Breakfast on board. Lunch on board or sack lunch to go. Dinner on board. (Still working with the Captain on exact itinerary. We’re looking at Utrecht, Gouda, or Nijmegen as the next destination. Trust me, it will be exciting!)
	Charlemagne offers clients a well stocked bar and lounge area with large picture windows so that you do not miss any of the sites while you visit with newly made friends.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 Breakfast on board. Lunch on board or sack lunch to go. Dinner on board. (Still working with the Captain on exact itinerary. We’re looking at Utrecht, Gouda, or Nijmegen as the next destination. Trust me, it will be exciting!)
	The Charlemagne's waiter introduces cheeses served after the dinner.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Breakfast on board. Lunch on board or sack lunch to go. Dinner on board. (Still working with the Captain on exact itinerary. We’re looking at Utrecht, Gouda, or Nijmegen as the next destination. Trust me, it will be exciting!)
	The Dining Room serves travelers a truly Gourmet bill of fare with wines chosen to complement the various courses of the meals.
Thursday, April 29, 2010 Breakfast on board, then a morning cruise back to Amsterdam. Lunch on board or sack lunch to go. If you so choose, you can bike your way back to Amsterdam. Dinner on board. Our cruise ends in the heart of Amsterdam in the afternoon where we will have a guided tour of the many monuments or museums with time for shopping. Feel free to explore the city on your own.  This evening is our farewell gala dinner.
	Photos of an excellent luncheon aboard the Chardonnay, cruising in Holland.
Friday, April 30, 2010 After breakfast, depart the Charlemagne for onward travels. (back)
	Charlemagne's bar. (Yes, you may bring your own libations onboard during this particular cruise. Don’t bring a wine opener from home)
Bike & Barge The perfect answer to cycling in Europe. The barge is your hotel, restaurant, and baggage carrier. You are served breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the barge. We can make sandwiches, etc. to carry with you for lunch. The barge provides (included in cost) a bicycle for each passenger. There are bike trips that meet the barge each night at its new destination. If you don't want to bike any day, you just ride the barge. The pace is really called a "social ride" adjusted to see the sights, take pictures and enjoy the coffee shops and bakery stops. It is recommended that you should be able to ride a bike for one hour and cover at least ten miles. We’ll be about 30 miles from Amsterdam at all times. (Back)
	Lower deck cabins have two twin beds and spacious bathroom.
Escorted by Deb (Mz Doo Dah) of Short North Travel And Tom & Shawn Smith of The Garden, The Chamber & The Joint Columbus, Ohio
	Down filled comforters induces dreamy sleeping! (Some twins convert to double size).
INTRODUCTION TO RIVER CRUISES For those travelers to Europe who have not yet experienced the enriching culture and the breathtaking scenery, combined with the peaceful environment and total relaxation that a European river cruise offers, well, all we can say is, ONCE YOU TRY IT, YOU'LL LOVE IT. Welcome to our revolutionary floating hotel concept where your 12 hour days on a cramped motorcoach, packing and unpacking day after day, staying in a different hotel room every night while racing through 7 countries in 6 days, is now officially a relic of the past. Short North Travel now has a much better idea. River cruising affords you the opportunity to experience several countries in one program, to stay in the same comfortable cabin every night, to enjoy wonderful local cuisine, to shop for local specialty products and souvenirs, while doing so in a unique format that you will want to experience over, and over again. But that's quite all right because we have lots more rivers to show you. Most of your sightseeing can be experienced from our comfortable lounge area with large picture windows or from the top deck of our 100+ passenger ships while relaxing in the sunshine, marveling at the scenery and breathing in the fresh air. This is the absolute best way to visit Europe, via legendary rivers like the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Seine, Po and Douro that are the cradles of transportation, culture and history. Plus, there is always an opportunity to go on specialized optional sightseeing excursions, city walking tours or just to take a stroll around quaint villages and historic towns after dinner. Every night, we dock in a different location that is nearly always within a few minutes walking distance of interesting sightseeing, shopping or the local pub, where you can sample the regional spirits. Contact us today at 614-228-1868, by