Adventourus Active Vacations

8 day Escorted tour

   This tour offers an attractive combination of towns and countryside in Holland. It starts with a sailing trip right across the centre of Amsterdam. Soon after having left the city behind, it appears that amidst the larger Dutch towns lies a splendid rural area: the Green Heart. One moment you'll be cycling amidst quiet lakes, the next you'll experience the old Dutch atmosphere in the historical centre of towns like Haarlem and Leiden.
    The bike trails lead along beaches and dune areas, scenic North-Holland and ports like Hoorn where you’ll still find the spirit of the Dutch Golden Age.

   From Amsterdam you cycle along the river Amstel to Uithoorn, it is here where Rembrandt made many of his drawings.

   Today you’ll cross the real Green Heart of Holland: on cycle paths through the lake areas of the Langeraarse Plassen and Braassemer Meer. Your trip ends in the university town of Leiden. A city walk in the historical centre of this birth place of Rembrandt, with its numerous courtyards, is certainly recommended.

Day 3: Katwijk - Zandvoort (45 km)

   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 along the path which was used by fishermen’s wives to go to the market, you’ll end up in Haarlem. The small city centre invites you to do some shopping in this ‘best shopping town in the Netherlands’. Don’t forget to sit down and have a drink at one of the many cafe terraces lining the market square.

   The first village you arrive in today 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 will visit the open air museum the Zaanse Schans and continue following the river Zaan and the Knollendammer canal to our cheese town Alkmaar.

   Today our river boat stays in Alkmaar. There’s a cycle trip to the unique wooded dune area near the villages Bergen and Schoorl and to the Hondsbossche Zeewering, a sea wall. You’ll have plenty of time to have a drink at an outdoor café or to walk on the beach. If you feel like it, you are of course, free to spend a day on your own sightseeing in Alkmaar or relaxing at the seaside.

   After passing Oterleek and Avenhorn, you arrive in Hoorn. Hoorn still breaths the atmosphere of a harbour city from the 17th century. It is from Hoorn that most of the sailing ships left to other parts of the world during the Dutch Golden Age.

Departing Hoorn, you take the coast road from which you'll have a splendid view over the IJssel Lake. Afterwards you follow the canal ‘Beemsterringvaart’ to Purmerend. On the way we visit the museum windmill in Schermerhorn.

   First you cycle to and explore the picturesque village of Edam, famous for its cheese. 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 the IJssel Lake through Uitdam and Durgerdam. Via the ferry crossing the IJ canal, you arrive in the centre 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 centre or you may go for a tour of the Amsterdam canals.

   After breakfast your guide and the crew will say good-bye and your stay aboard has come to an end.

PRICE & DETAILS

Price & Schedule

STANDARD BARGE

DEPARTURE DATES:

May 18th           June 15th              July 27st     August 3th, 31st        September 7st, 14th

- accommodation in a double cabin with private facilities and two bunk style beds

- bedding and towels

- breakfast, packed lunch, and 3-course dinner

- tour guide

- bicycle with handbrakes, gears, and pannier.

- bike insurance

- info pack and tour maps

- entry into several museums

- Entrance fee Museum Windmill Schermerhorn (except departures on May 1 and 8)

Lodging

Tijdgeest: Built in the year 1897 the TIJDGEEST sailed in the early years as a passenger ship on the River Rhine in Germany. More than 100 years later, in 1998, the ship has been completely renovated and rebuild into a luxurious hotel ship. At the lower deck you’ll find the cabins, all with private facilities and bunk style beds. At the upperdeck a very spacious living/dining room with panoramic view.

Price & Schedule

DEPARTURE DATES:

June 29th               July 6th              August 17th

Included

- accommodation in a double cabin with private facilities and two lower beds

- bedding and towels

- breakfast, packed lunch, and 3-course dinner

- tour guide

- bicycle with handbrakes, gears, and pannier.

- bike insurance

- info pack and tour maps

- entry into several museums

Logding

In the year 2000 the ANNA CORNELIA was transformed from a freighter into a modern and luxurious passenger ship. The upper deck consists of a large sundeck and a cosy bar/lounge. On the lower deck you find the airconditioned dining room. All 12 two persons cabins contain level beds and a bathroom with toilet and shower.

EASY TO MODERATE: Paved cycle paths and quiet backstreets along the lakeshore; very few hills, suitable for experienced and novice cyclists, as well as families.

Flights are in/out of Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. There are trains from the terminal into Central Station every 20 minutes, at a cost of approx. Euro 8.00. The barges are docked right beside the Central Station.