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| THREE COUNTRIES, HOLLAND BELGIUM FRANCE |
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Bike/Barge Tour from Maastricht, self guided (7 days)
Route: Maastricht (Holland) > Liège (Belgium) > Namur (Belgium) > Dinant (Belgium) > Givet (France) > Huy (Belgium) > Maastricht (Holland)
Price: $1160/person (double occupancy), luxury motor salon yacht Miró barge.
Dates: Saturdays, April 4 every week until October 3, 2009.
This tour starts and ends in Maastricht, which is in South Eastern Holland only a few hours by direct train from Amsterdam airport. Group- or private holidays with a luxury motor ship and bike. You’ll start on the luxury motor salon yacht Miró, rebuild in 2005, with a various bike- and boat cruise through three countries. The tour will start in Maastricht (in the Dutch province of Limburg) docking place will be the marina Pietersplas near the conference hall.
The route will take us through the valley of the river Maas (Meuse), a scenic area stretching from the Netherlands and the Eastern part of Belgium into France. “In Limburg Italy starts”, they say.“ Because there is twice as much sunshine here then in the rest of Holland. The route will take you through picturesque cities and villages a scenic area. You will cycle along the Route Ravel an adventurous, nearly flat and signposted cycling - and walking route with first class bicycle paths. Our route will go to the historic city of Luik (Liege).
A city with many parks and beautiful gardens, with an impressive industrial inheritance and the world-famous Sunday market, La Batte. The tour continues to Huy with the impressive fort ”Li Tchestia” to the world famous town of Namur (Namen) with its rich history. Namur lies on the junction of the rivers Sambre and Maas. Do not forget to buy some of the famous chocolates! Leaving Namur we follow the river Maas ( Meuse) in Southern in the direction of Dinant passing
many sights worth seeing, such as a lot of brass factories and the medieval ruin of Poilvache. Dinant is well know for its citadel. The caves, which are near by are also worth a visit. Going to the French town of Givet, we will pass Château Freyr, the castle which is also called the little Versailles on the river Meuse.
During this vacation the barge Miró will be your luxury floating hotel. The cycling is easy it follows the river. Of course it is possible to skip the cycling for a day and just relax and enjoy the view.
Day-by-Day Itinerary:
Saturday
Day 1: A Warm welcome on board and a cruise to Liege.
Upon your arrival in Maastricht, you’re expected at the Pietersplas yacht harbour at 1 PM (the harbour has video
surveillance and reserved parking spots). Once on board, we’re pleased to offer you a welcome drinkf and let you know a little bit more about the planned tour.
The bikes are handed out at 3 PM and will be personally adjusted for your biking comfort. We set sail with the barge towards Liege, via the locks of Lanaye. With
their 18 meter drop, these are the highest locks in the Maas and it makes for a pretty impressive event. Upon arrival in historical centre of Liege, we’ll dock
at the aquarium museum Du Liege. You can go for dinner in Liege and in the evening there will be ample time to visit the lovely city highlights – the captain
will be happy to take you on a city Tour and to the renowned Café Chantant Le Jardin des Olliviette, where the music of the region and the famous French
“chansons” create a wonderfully unique atmosphere.
Sunday:
Day 2: Liege - Namur 35 km
We’ll begin the day early with a hearty Captain’s breakfast, after which you’ll be more than fortified for a visit to the famous Sunday market La Batte,
Belgium’s oldest market. The barge will then set sail for Namur via the Route-Ravel, along the mighty steel mills that underline the industrial importance of
the Maas. The route is ever-changing: wild, wooded glens and cultivated areas all compete for your attention along the winding river. We’ll also see many
ancient castles, straight out of a fairy tale. Above Amay you’ll disembark for a bike ride to The Lock of Andenne , and by boat to Namur a rich old city and
also the capital of Wallonia, situated on the junction of the Sambre and the Maas rivers. In the evening hours you’ll visit the enchanting castle of Namur and
wonder at the sights of this lovely city. And you’ll fall asleep under the romantic canopy of lights that illuminate the imposing walls of the Chateau Namur.
Monday
Day 3 : Boat (and Bike ) tour to Dinant 29 km or 52 Km
The bike & boat route takes you from the Maasdal, or Maas Valley, to Namur and then to Dinand. On the left river bank you can admire the strawberry town of
Weppion, while on the other river bank you’ll have a great views of Profondeville en Riviere with it’s fabulous vantage point ‘Sept Meuse’, which offers a
breathtaking view over seven Maas valleys on the right bank. The route travels along the typical Maas-style village Dave-Frenes en Godinne with its beautiful
17th century Spanish manor house called Yvoir. Also the gardens of Annevoie and the lovely abbey-brewery of Leffe. Also (Extra Tour) you can visit The beautiful
monastery of Maredsous and maredred in the valley of the mouliniere . Small, welcoming traditional villages, surround you on your sailing adventure. Shortly
before Dinand you can see the old fortresses of Poilvache to your right and Crèvecoeur to your left, directly opposite each other and each guarding its own
riverbank. Today you’ll also be rewarded by the gorgeous natural beauty of the region. The barge will be waiting for you again in the centre of the picturesque
city of Dinand.
Tuesday
Day 4: From Dinand to French Givet 25 or 52 km
The valley disappears after Dinand, and the villages get sparser and the cliffs more steep. They give this landscape a wild and untouched flavour. On the right
bank you’ll pass Anseremme. Here you can tour the Lesse by canoe, and then via the locks to the Château of Freyr, also known as little Versailles on the Maas.
We cross over in Waulsort towards Hastière. (25 km)
Here you can visit the old Roman abbey church, before continuing onto Givet, a city known as the port of France. The return route is an alternative one to the
one just taken. On the fourth day you’re welcome to rest or you can also take a short bike ride through the lovely scenery surrounding Dinand. After dinner there
is a romantic evening cruise planned to Riviere. This is also where we’ll spend the night, in a quiet place alongside the picturesque banks of the river. If
you’ve still got any energy reserves, the skipper will be happy to take you for a lovely walk to see the charming windmills or the renowned Sept Meuse.
Wednesday
Day 5: Riviere - Huy 32 km
During your breakfast the MIRO will be sailing through gorgeous mountain scenery to La Plante. And from La Plante we’ll take a bike tour via Marche-les-Dames
(the place where in 1934 the Belgian King and mountaineer Albert I met his death while climbing the steep cliffs) to Huy. Here we’ll dock at the beautiful
city piers for the night. Huy is a lovely peaceful city with windy streets and alleys and an ancient tradition in metal work. The golden treasure of the
Cathedral Notre Dame is unique, crafted by goldsmith Godefried von Huy in the 13th century. The Citadel allows unforgettably breathtaking views of the plateau
of Sarte.
Thursday
Day 6: Huy-Maastricht 27 km
While enjoying yet another sumptuous breakfast, we’ll already be sailing towards the sun to Liege, where we’ll begin a bike tour of harbour sides and iron works.
Via the country towns of Monsin and Visé, we’ll cross the border and bike past gorgeous apple orchards to Castle Eijsden, and then through lovely Limburg country
to Maastricht. We’ll be sure to stop at the famous Mergel Caves for your sightseeing pleasure.
We’ll end the day with a Vissit to Maastricht you’re welcome to take the Harbor taxi ( Not Incl . )to the delightful city of Maastricht where it is also
possible to take a City( Not Incl ) tour of this magnificent part of the Netherlands. And for those who enjoy a spot of shopping, all shops are open till
9 PM on Thursday evenings.
Friday
Day 7: Return Trip Enjoy a last delicious breakfast on board; disembark at 10 AM. Your crew will be sad to see you go & will hope that you have had an
unforgettable experience!
Please note that booking an extra night of accommodation either at the beginning of your trip or the end is sometimes possible ask your crew. Dinner is
not included, there are good local restaurants. The crew is there to meet your needs and are happy to make all arrangements as you wish. They’ll be happy to help
you make reservations during your trip
Included in tour:
• Welcome drink
• 6 nights accommodations aboard comfort plus barge in cabin with lower double bed and private bathroom
• All cabins have: satellite TV/ DVD, Air-conditioning, safe, central heating
• Daily cleaning of cabins
• Half board (fine captain's breakfast + packed lunch, self prepared from breakfast table)
• Afternoon tea
• Clean Towels every day/ Bed Linen / Maid service
• use of first-class Gazelle Chamonix bikes with 2 Rollerbraek breaks, 2 saddle bags, extra long step-in, 8-speeds, bike computer, rain poncho, repair materials, a double safety lock and bike helmet, reinforced tires
• Multi-lingual crew on board
• Route Ravel biking maps, walking maps, route descriptions and multi-lingual travel information for your use and convenience
• Warm and welcoming family atmosphere
• City Walk Liege and Visit Cafe Cantant Le Jardin des Ollivette
• booking fee and credit card fee
Not included in tour:
• bike insurance + tourist tax + fuel + harbor tax of 78 euro p.p. to be paid on board
• Airfare
• transfer by train and taxi between airport and barge
• entrance fees and dinners
• extra food bought on board, snacks, soup, wraps, salads, captain's dinner
• snack service
• Drinks from house bar, soft drinks, french wines, liquor and belgian beers
• Transfer between airport and barge in Maastricht
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