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Bike/Barge Tour from Amsterdam to Brussels, 8-days
Route: Amsterdam > Vianen > Hertogenbosch > Willemstad > Antwerp > Mechelen/Brussels
Price: $1095/person (double occupancy), standard or standard plus barges.
Dates: Saturdays, May 31, June 7 (reverse), June 21, 28 (reverse); July 5, 12 (reverse); August 2, 9 (reverse), 16, 23 (reverse); September 6 & 13 (reverse), 16 (reverse), 2008
This bike & barge route combines the countries Holland and Belgium in a very surprising and attractive way. In eight days time you will sail and cycle two countries from Capital to Capital from Amsterdam to Brussels. The week after that the trip will be reverse from Brussels to Amsterdam. On the arrival day the barge stays in Amsterdam, you have plenty of time to visit this well-known city. Via the Betuwe and the old fortified town of Willemstad, you will reach the rural islands of Zeeland and then cross the Belgian border.
The Flemish port town of Antwerp is another highlight. Belgium is famous for it's tasty beer, so a visit to one of the fine breweries is included. Your tour ends in Belgium's capital Brussels. Standing at the Market Square in Brussels, comparing it to the Dam Square in Amsterdam, you realize they are so close and yet so different.
Day-by-Day Itinerary:
Saturday
Cycle trip ca. 15 km. This day your ship will stay overnight in Amsterdam. Your tour leader will invite you for a small bike ride to try out the bicycles. In the evening you could do a canal tour (not included) or walk around town.
Sunday:
Cycle trip ca. 35 km. We sail the charming river Vecht to Breukelen, where you disembark and start our bicycling tour. Via the impressive castle De Haar and continue via the village of Montfoort to Vianen, where we stay for the night.
Monday
Cycle trip ca. 45 km. We sail by barge to Tiel, through an area called the Betuwe. In this area many types of fruits are grown, but it is especially well-known for its cherry blossoms. Then we cross by ferry to the rural area between the rivers Maas en Waal. After passing many dikes and rich polder land you'll arrive in the town of `s Hertogenbosch, the charming capital of the province of Noord-Brabant and your stay for the night. The St. Jans Cathedral is certainly worth a visit.
Tuesday
Cycle trip ca. 40 km. The day starts with a sailing trip on the river Maas. We disembark in Geertruidenberg for a varied bike tour to the attractive old fortified town of Willemstad, strategically located at the crossing of several waterways. Overnight Willemstad.
Wednesday
Cycle trip ca. 45 km. In the morning after breakfast a cycle tour to the peninsula of Tholen in Zeeland is planned. You will pass the village from where the parents of American president Roosevelt left for the USA. You'll embark for a sailing trip across the Belgian border to the port town of Antwerp. You will be tasting some special beers during a cosy beer seminar in a typical Belgian pub.
Thursday
Cycle trip ca. 40 km. You will have the whole morning to do more sightseeing in the great city of Antwerp. In the afternoon you cycle across the Flemish countryside to the charming town of Mechelen, where the barge is waiting for you, overnight.
Friday
No cycling. By train to Brussels. The guide takes you on a short city walk to make you familiar with the city, then You have all day to visit all the highlights of Belgium's capital Brussels. You might want to try some of the culinary specialties: mussels, Belgium "Frieten" (fries), the famous (hand made) Belgium chocolates, waffles and of course all the different kinds of beers. Some pubs in Belgium sell over 250 kinds of beers.At the end of the afternoon you return to Mechelen by train.
Saturday
After breakfast your guide and crew say goodbye and your bike & barge tour has ended. You can return by train from Mechelen to Amsterdam airport or move on to another destination.
The reverse dates the route will be exactly the same it will start with staying overnight in Mechelen and end with staying overnight in Amsterdam
Included in tour:
• 7 nights accommodations on board of barge in double cabin
• Full board (breakfast + packed lunch + 3-courses dinner)
• Coffee and Tea on board
• Services of local guide
• Information package with map
• Use of 7-speed bicycles
• Beer seminar in Belgium pub
• Several City Walks
• Compensation Bicycle dammage
• credit card fees
• reservation fees
Not included in tour:
• Airfare
• Excursions not in program
• Drinks (other than coffee & tea)
• Transfer between airport and barge in Amsterdam and Brussels (in both locations barge will be at walking distance from train station)
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