Route: Amsterdam > Hoorn > Lemmer > Blokzijll/Vollenhove > Blokzijll/Vollenhove > Kampen > Harderwijk > Amsterdam
This itinerary roughly follows the coastline of the former Zuiderzee, now called IJsselmeer. Lively harbour towns with lots of traditional sailing boats and a variety of landscapes are the ingredients of this remarkable tour.
From the old Dutch harbour town of Hoorn you cycle across the polder landscape, so typical for this region, to Enkhuizen. Here you embark for to sail to Friesland. You pass lakes, waterways and canals before you arrive in Ossenzijl, situated in the heart of national reserve the Weerribben.
Cycling through this unique marshland you reach Blokzijl or Vollenhove, two small towns formerly located at the Zuiderzee.A roundtrip by "punter" on the small canals of Giethoorn, the "Venice of the North", is certainly worth a try!
From Zwartsluis, a ferry takes you to the other side of the Zwarte Water (Black Water). Cycling on top of the Kamper Zeedijk you reach the hanseatic town of Kampen. Passing the beautiful conserved fortified town of Elburg you cycle through the forestries before arriving in Harderwijk.
Spakenburg is a traditional village, where you can still find people wearing their traditional costumes. The cycle trip takes you through the exurb of Blaricum to the walled town of Naarden.
2010 Dates: Saturdays, June 12, July 3,24,31, August 7, 14, 21, on standard or standard plus barge.
Tour price $1,167.00 per person with double occupancy.
Discount of $100 per person for full payment at time of booking through February 1, 2010.
Day by Day Itinerary
Saturday
Cycling ± 15 km. After your embarkation in Amsterdam, your boatel sails the IJ and through the locks to the IJssel Lake. The sailing trip to Hoorn takes about 4 hours. In the evening we will make a test ride in and around Hoorn.
Sunday:
Cycling ± 30 km. Todays cycle trip leads through the Noordholland scenery and shows villages with names like Nibbixwoud and Hoogkarspel. In Enkhuizen we embark and make the crossing to Lemmer in the province of Friesland. In the evening your guide invites you for a walk through this characteristic port.
Monday
Cycling ± 35 km. The province of Friesland is well-known for its numerous lakes and other waterways. That's why today you'll be passing some canals and a lake called "Tjeukemeer".
Your cycle trip ends in the tiny village of Ossenzijl, on the edge of of National Park the Weerribben. We could certainly recommend to you to pay a visit to the visitor's centre of this natural reserve which is unique for Europe. Following the Kalenberger canal, today's cycle trip ends in Blokzijl/Vollenhove.
Tuesday
Cycling ± 40 km The barge stays in Blokzijl/Vollenhove and the cyclists paddle via Steenwijk to Giethoorn, also known as the Venice of the North. One of the possibilities here is renting a "punter", the local boat, to make a trip. After leaving Giethoorn, we'll pass the lake Beulaker Wijde and through Dwarsgracht we return in Blokzijl/Vollenhove.
As an alternative you could spend the day on your own and make a trip by canoe or by bike in the natural reserve the Weerribben.
Wednesday
Cycling ± 60 km. Today we'll pass the lakes Belter Wijde and Schutsloter Wijde on our way to Zwartsluis. In this lively town, situated on a crossing of waterways, you'll find it nice to sit down on one of the many terraces. We'll reach Genemuiden by ferry and cycle on top of the Kamper Zeedijk, an old dike, to the hanseatic town of Kampen. The ship will be moored at the river IJssel.
Thursday
Cycling ± 45 km. Our first stop, a "must", is in the splendidly preserved fortified town Elburg. After having passed Nunspeet, we enter the moorlands of Elspeet and the forestries around country estate Huis te Leuvenum. Finally we reach Harderwijk, a cosy port that is known for its dolphinarium.
Friday
Cycling ± 60 km. The barge takes you to Spakenburg. This former fishermens village has a traditional harbour and is known for its traditional clothing still worn by lots of locals.
Next we'll pass villadom Blaricum and cross the wood- and moorlands of the Tafelberg. After a short visit to 14th century Naarden-Vesting, a fortified town. Alongside the IJ-Lake and via Muiden you arrive back in Amsterdam. In the evening you may wish to join the guide for a walk though the centre or you may (on your own account) 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.
(subject to changes)
Included in tour:
Stay aboard (8 days/7 nights)
Full board (breakfast + packed lunch + 3-courses dinner)
Bicycle with gears and pannier
Map with marked route
Informationpackage
Tourleader
Visit Mill/Cheesefarm
Several citywalks
Compensation Bicycle dammage
Not included in tour:
Airfare
Transfers between airport and barge
Drinks aboard other than water, milk, juices, tea and coffee
Excursions out of program
Gratuities at your own discretion
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
* $1167.00 per person price is for standard or standard plus barge, double occupancy.
Discount of $100 per person for full payment at time of booking for booking and payment by February 1, 2010.
* Leave US one or more days before departure date of barge, barge leaves 1.30 PM from Amsterdam. You can fly back last day of tour.
* 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 lunches 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
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Bicycle Touring
Barging
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