More than 400 years ago the most famous Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn was born. His 'Nightwatch' is the most visited painting in all of the Netherlands. This special Cycling Holiday shows you the still existing 17th century Dutch landscapes that Rembrandt painted. You experience the traditional Dutch atmosphere in the historical centers of Haarlem or Leiden. Furthermore the cycle ride leads along beaches and dune areas, scenic North-Holland and ports like Hoorn where youll find the spirit of the Dutch Golden Age.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Flower Park Keukenhof (only at the beginning of May).
Amsterdam: visit museum The Rembrandt House, cycle tour along the river Amstel, Zaanse Schans: open air museum including several windmills.
Seven-speed bicycles are included upright position. Dutch brands.
Accommodations
Standard and Standard plus barges usually have a lower and upper single bed in each cabin (bunk). Some family cabins are available for three or four people.
Comfort barges all have a two lower single beds in each cabin.
All cabins on all barges have private bathrooms.
Transportation to Start Site
By train from airport to Amsterdam Central Railway station from there by foot or taxi to barge. (not included).
Dining
All meals from dinner first day till breakfast last day included.
About Liquor
Can be purchased on board.
Additional Activities
Visit and entrance fee museum mill Schermerhorn (except the first trip in May).
Visit and entrance fee to Rembrandthuis.
Visit annual flower exhibition Keukenhof (only during the first trip in May).
Several city walks (guided).
Rates
$1,135.00 - $1,350.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
Additional Rate Info
Standard or standard plus $1135/person, double occupancy, with private bath. $1350/person on comfort barge (lower bedss, double occupancy, private bath. Single supplement: $225/person (only one single per departure on standard or standard plus only, rest of singles have to share).
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Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Saturday: Cycling, 20km After your embarkment in Amsterdam, you'll be sailing through the center of Amsterdam. There's a short cycle trip following the banks of the river Amstel ending in Uithoorn/Kudelstaart.
Day 2: Sunday: Cycling, 55km Today, cross the real Green Heart of Holland, on cycle paths through the lake areas of Langeraarse Plassen and Braassemer Meer. Your trip ends in university town of Leiden. A city walk in the historical center of this birth place of Rembrandt with its numerous courtyards is certainly recommended.
Day 3: Monday: Cycling, 50km Today's itinerary leads to the seaside resort Katwijk and then through the dune area to Zandvoort. If weather permits, you may spend some time on the beach. Cycling on the path that was used by the fishermen's wives to go to the market, you'll end up in Haarlem. The small and surveyable center invites one to do some shopping in this "best shopping town of the Netherlands". Don't forget to sit down and have a drink on one of the terraces at the big market place.
Day 4: Tuesday: Cycling - 50km The first village you arrive in is Spaarndam (the village of Hans Brinker). After the crossing of the North Sea canal by ferry, you continue cycling through rural villages like Nauerna. You visit open air museum the Zaanse Schans and continue following the river Zaan and the Knollendammer canal to the cheese town of Alkmaar.
Day 6: Thursday: Cycling 45km After passing Oterleek and Avenhorn, you arrive in Hoorn. After you have gotten acquainted with this historical port town, you take the road along the coast from where you have a splendid view over IJssel Lake. Thereafter you take a ride following the canal "Beemsterringvaart" to Purmerend. On the way, visit the windmill museum in Schermerhorn.
Day 7: Friday: Cycling, 50km First you cycle to and visit the picturesque village of Edam. Then you visit the fishing village of Volendam. Take your time for a break and enjoy the atmosphere and the people in traditional costume. The cycle trip continues along the coastline of IJssel Lake through Uitdam and Durgerdam. Via the ferry crossing the IJ, you arrive at the start of your tour in the center of Amsterdam. You visit the Rembrandt House, where the painter lived for years with his wife Saskia. In the evening you may wish to join the guide for a walk though the center or you may want to do a canal boat tour (not included).
Day 8: Saturday: Depart End of tour after breakfast.
This Package Includes
Seven Nights Accommodations on Barge (Double Cabin)
All Meals While on Barge (Dinner on Saturday through Breakfast the Following Saturday)
Services of a Tour Leader (Bikes with the Group)
Route Description with Map
Bicycle Damage Insurance
Booking Fee
Use of Seven-Speed Bicycles
Coffee and Tea on Barge
Notes
Dates standard plus barge: Saturdays, May 9 (tulip time), May 23, June 6, 13, 20, July 11, 25, August 8, 15, September 5, 2009
Dates comfort barge: Saturdays, June 27, July 4, August 1, 22, 2009 on comfort barge.
Reservation Policy
$300 down payment per person is required. Until further notice a discount is offered of $90 per person if tour is paid in full at time of booking.