BIKE & BARGE TOURS 2008   DAY BY DAY SCHEDULES

 

Tulip Tour

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

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

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)

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.