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Bike/Barge Tour from Amsterdam (8 days)
Route: Amsterdam > Nieuwegein > Gorinchem > Heusden > Dordrecht > Gouda > Uithoorn > Amsterdam
Price: $1095/person (double occupancy), on Standard or Standard Plus barge.barge.
Single supplement: $220/person (only one single per departure on standard or standard plus only, rest of singles have to share).
Dates: Saturdays, July 19, August 2, 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.
Day-by-Day Itinerary:
Saturday
Cycle trip 10 km. After the embarkation in Amsterdam you'll be sailing the Amsterdam-Rijn canal to Nieuwegein, the stop for the night. In the evening you'll make a short `warming-up' cycle trip in the vicinity.
Sunday:
Cycle trip 50 km. Following the river Lek you cycle to Culemborg, an old fortified town. After a short stop, you continue and follow the river Linge to Leerdam, known for its glassware. You continue the beautiful road along the river to Gorinchem, your stop for the night. In the evening you'll have the opportunity to discover this fortified town on foot.
Monday
Cycle trip ca. 30 km. You'll go to the castle Loevestein by way of a small ferry. After having visited the castle, your cycle trip takes you to Poederoijen and to Ammerzoden, where you come upon two more castles. The ferry crossing the Bergse Maas takes you to picturesque Heusden, the fortified town where you'll spend the night.
Tuesday
Cycle trip 55 km. We will ride the Drunense Duinen (sand dunes) to Dongen. Then continue to 's-Gravenmoer from where the river Donge will be followed. Geertruidenberg, known as the oldest town of Holland is known for its fortifications and its scenic location at the river Amer. Here you embark and continue by barge to Dordrecht, one of the six towns known as `The Secrets of Holland'. Overnight on board in Dordrecht.
Wednesday
Cycle trip 55 km. In the morning there is a short cycle trip to the natural reserve Biesbosch. Those who prefer to stay the morning in Dordecht, may discover this historic town by themselves. In the afternoon you pass Oud-Alblas and Alblasserdam on your way to the 19 windmills of Kinderdijk. Via the polderland of the Krimpenerwaard you arrive in Gouda. If you prefer to go to Gouda by barge, you have the opportunity to visit a pottery, a candle maker or the St. Jans church (unique stained-glass windows).
Thursday
Cycle trip 35 km. The cycle trip circles along the shores of the Reeuwijkse Plassen, a lake area that is crisscrossed by cycle paths with excellent views of an untouched scenery. Via Woerden the trip leads to a village in the Green Heart, where you stay the night. Overnight Uithoorn.
Friday
Cycle trip 25 km. We have to get up early to take the opportunity to visit the Aalsmeer flower auction. The cycle trip goes alongside the river Amstel to Amsterdam. You can also sail to Amsterdam (app. 3 hours) and discover the town center in the afternoon. In the evening you have time to explore Amsterdam on your own or take a canal tour (not included)
Saturday
After breakfast, your guide and the crew will say good-bye, as your stay aboard has come to an end.
Included in tour:
• 7 nights accommodations on barge with private bathroom in every cabin
• All meals from dinner first day till breakfast last day
• Coffee and Tea on board
• Map with marked tour
• Full time tourleader
• Visit Castle Loevestein
• Visit flower auction in Aalsmeer
• Visit Windmills in Kinderdijk
• Use of 7-speed bicycle with panniers
• Compensation Bicycle dammage
• Booking fee and credit card fee
Not included in tour:
• Airfare
• Excursions not in program
• Drinks (other than coffee & tea)
• Transfer between airport and barge in Amsterdam
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