Bike/Barge Tour from Amsterdam (8 days)
Route: Amsterdam - Nieuwegein - Gorinchem - Heusden - Dordrecht - Gouda - Uithoorn - Amsterdam
Price: $1095/person (double occupancy), on Standard Class/Standard Plus barge.
Dates: Saturdays, July 19,and August 2 and 16, 2008.
This route presents the relatively unknown center of the Netherlands. We follow rivers like the Linge, Bergse Maas and Lek. You will be passing the mediaeval castles Loevestein and Ammershoyen and staying overnight in fortified towns like Gorinchem and Heusden. You will also have a chance to visit the famous natural reserve Biesbosch. By bike and by ship you will be able to enjoy both this unique scenery and the rivers that run through it. Some stretches of the route will be done by barge.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, Saturday:
Cycle trip 10 km. After embarkation at 1 pm we sail the Amsterdam-Rijn canal to Vreeswijk, our stop for the night. In the evening we will test the bikes for a short ride around the town.
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Day 2:
Cycle trip 50 km. Following the river Lek, we cycle to Culemborg, an old fortified town. After a walk through town, we follow the river Linge to Leerdam, known for its glassware. We continue along the river to Gorinchem, our stop for the night. In the evening time to explore this fortified town.
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Day 3:
Cycle trip 30 km. We will cross the river with a little ferry and visit the Castle “Loevestein”. After this we will continue our cycle trip to Poederoijen and Ammerzoden, with two more castles. We cross the river again by ferry and continue to the fortified town of Heusden, where we will spend the night.
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Day 4:
Cycle trip 45 km. We will ride the Drunense Duinen (sand dunes) to Dongen. Following the river Donge and crossing the rivers Oude Maas and Bergse Maas we cycle to Dussen & Geertruidenberg, known as the oldest fortified town of Holland and for its scenic location along the river Amer. Here we embark and leave by barge for Dordrecht, one of the six towns known as “The secrets of Holland”.
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Day 5:
Cycle trip 30 km. The barge stays in Dordrecht and the cycle trip leads to and through the national reserve “Biesbosch”. In stead of taking a bike trip through this unique national reserve, you can also stay in town for shopping.
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Day 6:
Cycle trip 35 km. Crossing the polders just outside Dordrecht, we pass Oud Alblas and Alblasserdam on our way to the 19 windmills of Kinderdijk. One of these mills is open to the public. Via the polderland of Krimpenerwaard we arrive in Gouda, another town of “The secrets of Holland”. We recommend a visit to a pottery, a candle maker, to the St. Jans church (unique stained windows) and a walk in town.
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Day 7:
Cycle trip 40 km. The lake area of the Reeuwijkse plassen has many cycle lanes, providing nice views. Via Woerden we cycle to Uithoorn, where we embark to continue our route by barge over the river Amstel to the center of Amsterdam, the starting point of our tour. In the evening you may wish to take a walk through the center or take a canal tour.
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Day 8, Saturday:
After breakfast end of tour.
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Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
* Price tour is for land only on standard or standard plus barge. Leave USA one or more days before departure date. Tour leaves 1.30 PM Saturday from Amsterdam.
* Flight back can be arranged for the end of tour date. Groups of 18 - 30 people can rent their own barge and get customized itinerary.
* Included in tour:
- 7 nights accommodations on board of barge in double cabin with private bathroom
- All meals while on board of barge from dinner first day to breakfast last day, packed lunch from breakfast table
- Coffee and Tea on board
- Services of local guide
- Route description
- Use of 7-speed bicycles
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Netherlands
Bicycle Touring
Barging
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