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Bike/Barge Tour from Amsterdam (8 days)
Route 1: Amsterdan > Oude Wetering > Gouda > Willemstad > Antwerp > Demdermonde > Ghent/Bruges >
Prices route 1: For this tour you choose between 2 barges.
Price is: $1150/person double occupancy standard/Standard Plus Barge.
Date: July 19,(July 26 reverse) August 30, (September 6, reverse) 2008
Price is: $1335/person double occupancy, comfort barge.
Date: June 14,(June 21 reverse), September 6, (September 13, reverse), 2008
Price single supplement: $220 on standard/standard plus barges (only one cabin per departure); on comfort singles have to share with someone of the same gender
With this tour the transfer from the barge in Belgium back to the airport in Amsterdam is included in the price.
Route 1: Holland's Golden Age in the 17th century and the hey-day of the Flemish trade cities in the Middle Ages united in one route.
This tour shows you lovely Amsterdam and old Dutch towns like Gouda (well known for its cheese, candles and pipes), and Willemstad with its old fortified walls, that were built many centuries ago.
When you cross the border to Belgium, you will visit the Flemish pearls of Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges.
Day-by-Day Itinerary route 1:
Saturday
Amsterdam - Oude Wetering, cycle ride of approx (10km/7 miles)
After embarkation and check in on board of the barge, the barge leaves and sails the center of Amsterdam and heads for the village of Oude Wetering. In the evening after arrival the bicycles will be tested on a short ride around the village.
Sunday:
Oude Wetering - Gouda (35 km)
You will enjoy an easy bike ride on bike lanes through the green Dutch pastures and end your trip in the cheese town of Gouda, with its scnenic market square with its old 16th century town hall and a church with beautiful stained glass windows. Gouda is also wellknown for its candles and pipes. Time to stroll through town in the evening
Monday
Gouda - Willemstad (45 km)
Today you ride your bike to the world famous windmills of Kinderdijk and then bike via the old 17th century city of Dordrecht to the National reserve "Biesbosch" on to Moerdijk, where the barge will pick you up for your sailing trip to the scenic old fortified town of Willemstad, where you spend the night on board.
Tuesday
Willemstad - Antwerp (No bicycle ride)
Today the barge sails across the impressive waterways of Zeeland, the ship will take you to the lively town of Antwerp in Belgium. After arrival your guide invites you for a short city walk and you will have time to explore this lively city on your own afterwards.
Wednesday
Antwerp - Dendermonde (30 km)
We sail out of the city of Antwerp on board of the barge. Then we disembark to bike through the plretty Flemish countryside along the river Schelde to Dendermonde, where we spend the night.
Thursday
Dendermonde - Ghent (35 km)
The river Schelde is a tidal river, therefore the barge may have to wait for high tide in order to continue its journey. But we do not have to wait, because we will cycle to the old city of Ghent. The tour leader will invite you for a walk in town. To see the very impressive medieval castle "Gravensteen" and the old merchant houses along the canal and of course the impressive cathedral, which are all in the center of Ghent.
Friday
Ghent - Bruges (cycle ride of approx. 25 km)
By train you go to Bruges and have an attractive horse and carriage ride which will give you an overview of the medieval heart of Bruges. After that you are free to discover Bruges till mid afternoon, then back by train to Ghent and the barge
Saturday
Ghent to Amsterdam airport
After breakfast you will be brought back to the Amsterdam airport by private coach, arrival early afternoon
Included in tour:
• 7 nights accommodations aboard barge in double cabin with two lower single beds (comfort) or lower and upper bed (standard/standard plus) with private bathroom
• Full board breakfast + packed lunch + 3-courses dinner
• Coffee and Tea on board
• Services of local tour leader/guide
• Route description with map.
• Use of 7-speed speed hybrid bikes with panniers and water bottle
• Horse and carriage ride in Bruges
• Credit card fee
• Booking fee
• Bicycle damage protection insurance
• transfer back from the barge in Belgium by coach to Amsterdam airport
Not included in tour:
• Airfare
• Entrance fees if you want to visit any museum.
• Drinks (other than coffee & tea)
• Transfer between airport and barge in Amsterdam
Route 2: Amsterdam > Vianen > Dordrecht > Zierikzee > Middelburg > Ghent > Bruges
Prices route 2: For this tour, you may choose between three barges
Price is: 1260/person double occupancy On a Standard Plus Barge for the Low Season
Date: (September 20, reverse), September 27, (October 4, reverse), 2008
Price is: $1375/person double occupancy for the High Season /person.
Dates: July 5, (July 12 reverse), August 30, (September 6, reverse), September 13, 2008
Price is: 1315/person double occupancy On comfort Barge Low Season
Date: (June 7 reverse), 2008
Price is: 1405/person double occupancy On comfort Barge High Season
Date: May 17, (May 24 reverse), 2008
Price is: $1570/person double occupancy on comfort deluxe barge Low Season.
Date: (June 7 reverse), 2008
Price is: $1685/person double occupancy on comfort deluxe barge High Season.
Dates: April 19, (April 26 reverse), May 31, August 9, (August 16 reverse), 2008
Price single supplement: $400 on all departures (only one cabin per departure).
For reverse tour dates and description see:Bruges to Amsterdam
Route 2: Holland's Golden Age in the 17th century and the hey-day of the Flemish trade cities in the Middle Ages united in one route.
You will notice the large differences between the green Dutch polder landscape with water aplenty and quiet roads and villages, the old island world of Zeeland, with fields, creeks, winding dikes and dams, and the often picturesque countryside between the Flemish cities of Ghent and Bruges in Belgium.
Also, the large rivers in this part of the Netherlands and Belgium are a prominent feature along the route. Of course, you will be introduced to the Netherlands' own world wonder: the Delta Works, which bear witness to the country's age-old battle against the sea. Beautiful Zeeland towns include Zierikzee, Middelburg and Vlissingen. Zierikzee is a town rich in monuments. It used adjoin an open connection to the North Sea; now it is closed off by a dam, but the spaciousness and wealth are still very visible. Middelburg is known for its cheerful shopping center. Perhaps Michiel de Ruyter is the best known person from Vlissingen. He was born there in 1607 and discovered the love of the sea. 2007 is the year in which we commemorate the birth of Michiel de Ruyter 400 years ago; Vlissingen will put on many events.
Day-by-Day Itinerary route 2:
Saturday
Amsterdam, embarkation at 4 PM, short roundtrip optional (20km/13 miles)
Sunday:
Amsterdam - Vianen (47 km)
Monday
Vianen - Dordrecht (47 km)
Tuesday
Dordrecht - Zierikzee (54 km)
Wednesday
Zierikzee - Middelburg (51 km)
Thursday
Middelburg - Breskens - Ghent (73/41km)
Friday
Ghent - Bruges (68 km); or a shorter route (57 km).
Saturday
Bruges, debarkation before 10am.
Included in tour:
• 7 nights accommodations aboard barge in cabin with lower beds and air conditioning and daily cleaning service (on comfort de luxe barge) or
• 7 nights accommodations aboard barge in cabin with upper and lower bed on standard plus barge
• Full board (breakfast buffet + packed lunch + 4-courses dinner on comfort de luxe barge) or (breakfast + packed lunch + 3-course dinner on standard plus barge)
• Coffee and Tea on board
• Services of local tour leader
• Use of 24 speed Gazelle Medeo bicycle with panniers and water bottle
• route description
• Credit card fee
• Booking fee
Not included in tour:
• Airfare
• Entrance fees to museums, approx 15 euro p.p.
• Drinks (other than coffee & tea)
• Bicycle damage protection insurance, can be paid on board
• Transfer between airport and barge in Amsterdam
• Transfer between barge in Belgium and Amsterdam airport
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