BIKE & BARGE
TOURS 2008 DAY BY DAY SCHEDULES
Tulip
Tour
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Day
1. cycle trip ± 10 km.
After the embarkation in Amsterdam, you’ll be sailing to Spaarndam, the
picturesque village of Hans Brinker. From here there is a short cycling
trip to Haarlem. In the evening you your tour leader takes for a nice city
walk through the old centre.
Day 2. cycle trip ± 15 km
Today you sail to Lisse here you disembark and cycle to the famous flower
garden ‘Keukenhof’ for a visit. Here you see about 6 million tulips,
hyacinths, daffodils and other flowers. After your visit, the cycle tour
crosses the blossoming bulb fields and ends in Leiden.
Day 3. cycle trip ± 25 km
In the morning you will make a walking tour through Leiden, the birthplace
of Rembrandt. Later you will cycle through the fine Dutch landscapes in
the so-called Green Heart of Holland to Uithoorn. During this cycle trip
you will visit a traditional cheese farm and a miller will tell you about
the history and working of his windmill.
Day 4. cycle trip ± 15 km
You rise early, because you visit the world’s biggest flower auction in
Aalsmeer. Before leaving the barge you have to clear your cabin. After the
visit you get back on board and sail back to Amsterdam.
Springflower
Tour Amsterdam-Bruges
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Friday: Arrive Amsterdam and
check into Hotel Nova for your overnight stay.
Saturday: Embarkation and checking in aboard the hotel barge. Later
that afternoon the barge crosses Amsterdam and heads for the village of
Oude Wetering.
Sunday: cycling ± 25 km
Early in the morning the cyclists pedal through the reclaimed land of
the Haarlemmermeer to flower park Keukenhof. Walkers go by bus (public
transport) to the Keukenhof. After having seen all the blooming tulips
and daffodils everyone returns to the barge.
Apr. 14.00 hrs. the ship will depart for cheese town Gouda. Free time in
Gouda late afternoon and after dinner.
Monday: cycling ± 40 km
The cyclists mount their bikes and ride to the world famous windmills of
Kinderdijk. The strollers will arrive by ship. One of the mills will be
visited. After the visit the cyclists pedal through Dordrecht and
partially throught the natural reserve Biesbosch to Moerdijk. The night
will be spent in the walled town of Willemstad, a real Dutch beauty!
Tuesday: no cycling
Right across the impressive waterways of Zeeland the ship will take you
to the lively town of Antwerp in Belgium. After arrival free time to
explore this port town.
Wednesday: cycling ± 35 km
The day starts with a sailing trip to the outskirts of Antwerp. The
cyclists cross the riverland of the river Schelde. In the charming
provincial town of Dendermonde you'll spend the night aboard the barge.
Thursday: cycling ± 30 km
The ship follows the trip on the tidal river Schelde all the way to
Ghent. The cyclists continue their trip across the flat Flemish
countryside. In the old city of Ghent we all join the tour leader for a
walk across the wonderful town centre.
Friday: no cycling
Everybody makes the train ride to Bruges. After arriving there is a
horse carriage ride and a short guided walk past the many historic
monuments in the centre of Bruges. Till halfway the afternoon you are
free to visit Bruges. You return by train to Ghent.
Saturday:
Check out and transfer by bus to the Amsterdam airport.
Springflower
Tour Bruges-Amsterdam
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Saturday:
Transfer from Amsterdam (airport) to Ghent; arrival appr. 17.00 hrs.
Embarkation and checking in aboard the hotel barge.
In the evening there's a short guided walk in the beautiful centre of
Ghent.
Sunday: Everybody makes the train ride to Bruges. After arriving
there is a horse carriage ride and a short guided walk past the many
historic monuments in the centre of Bruges. Till halfway the afternoon
you are free to visit Bruges. You return by train to Dendermonde.
In the evening your tour leader takes you for a walk across the town
centre.
Monday: cycle ride appr. 30 km
The barge leaves for Antwerp an will arrive there appr. 15.00 hrs.
Cyclists hit the road and enjoy the flat Flemish countryside. In Antwerp
they join the rest of the group and make a short walk thriough the town
centre.
Rest of the afternoon and the evening free time in the lively Antwerp
town centre.
Tuesday: cycle ride appr. 25 km
Right across the impressive waterways of Zeeland, the barge sails to the
town of Tholen. From here the parents of president Roosevelt left for
the USA. Cyclists start cycling from here to Willemstad, a beautiful
walled town, where the barge has already moored for the night.
Wednesday: cycle ride appr. 45 km
.You sail to Moerdijk, the drop off for the cyclists. The walkers sail
to the world famous windmills of Kinderdijk. One of the mills will be
visited by all. The walkers get aboard and the cyclists head for cheese
town Gouda.
You have free time in Gouda in the late afternoon and after dinner.
Thursday: cycle ride appr. 25 km
Early departure for Oude Wetering. From here the cyclists pedal through
the reclaimed land of the Haarlemmer Meer to flower park Keukenhof.
Walkers go by bus (public transport) to the Keukenhof. After having seen
all the blooming tulips and daffodils everyone returns to the barge.
Friday: cycle ride appr. 25 km
Cyclists depart for Amsterdam, following the river Amstel all the way to
the port. After arrival everyone has free time to explore Amsterdam.
In the evening there’s a city walk and you may wish to make a
roundtrip by excursion boat on the famous Amsterdam canals.
Saturday:Transfer on your own to Hotel Nova for your overnight stay
in Amsterdam
Sunday: Check out for your departure
Highlights
of Holland ( * see below)
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Saturday:
cycle trip ± 20 km
After your embarkation in Amsterdam, you’ll be sailing right through the
centre of Amsterdam. There’s a short cycle trip following the banks of
the river Amstel ending in Uithoorn / Kudelstaart.
Sunday: cycle trip ± 35 km
Today you’ll cross the real Green Heart of Holland: on cycle paths
through the lake areas of the Langeraarse Plassen and Braassemer Meer.
Your trip ends in the university town of Leiden. A city walk in the
historical centre of this birth place of Rembrandt with its numerous
courtyards is certainly recommendable.
Monday: cycle trip ± 45 km
Today’s itinerary leads to the seaside resort Katwijk and then through
the dune area to Zandvoort. If weather permits, you may spend some time on
the beach. Cycling along the path which was used by fishermen’s wifes to
go to the market, you’ll end up in Haarlem. The small and surveyable
centre invites one to do some shopping in this ‘best shopping town of
the Netherlands’. Don’t forget to sit down and have a drink on one of
the terraces at the big market place.
Tuesday: cycle trip ± 40 km
The first village you arrive in is Spaarndam (the village of Hans Brinker).
After the crossing of the North Sea canal by ferry, you continue cycling
through rural villages like Nauerna. You visit open air museum the Zaanse
Schans and continue following the river Zaan and the Knollendammer canal
to our cheese town Alkmaar.
Wednesday: cycle trip ± 40 km
Today the boatel stays in Alkmaar. There’s a cycle trip to the unique
wooded dune area near the villages Bergen and Schoorl and to the
Hondsbossche Zeewering, a sea wall. You’ll have plenty of time to have a
drink at an outdoor café or to walk on the beach. If you feel like it,
you are of course, free to spend a day on your own sightseeing in Alkmaar
or relaxing at the seaside.
Thursday: cycle trip ± 45 km
After passing Oterleek and Avenhorn, you arrive in Hoorn. After you have
got acquainted with this historical port town, you take the road along the
coast from where you have a splendid view over the IJssel Lake. Thereafter
you take a ride following the canal ‘Beemsterringvaart’ to Purmerend.
On the way we visit the museum windmill in Schermerhorn.
Friday: cycle trip ± 50 km
First you cycle to and look around in the picturesque village of Edam.
Then you visit the fishing village of Volendam. Take your time for a break
and enjoy the atmosphere and the people in traditional costume. The cycle
trip continues along the coastline of the IJssel Lake through Uitdam and
Durgerdam. Via the ferry crossing the IJ, you arrive at the finish of your
tour in the centre of Amsterdam. You visit the Rembrandt House, where the
painter lived for years with his wife Saskia. In the evening you may wish
to join the guide for a walk though the centre or you may go for a round
trip of the Amsterdam canals.
Saturday:
After breakfast your guide and the crew will say good-bye and your stay
aboard has come to an end.
*
This tour package also includes one night in Amsterdam Hotel. Please
advise us if you would like it at the beginning or the end of the
tour.