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8 day Escorted tour
In April and May, all of Holland is blooming. This is the perfect time to see the famous bulb fields showing colourful tulips and hyacinths. This tour also visits some lovely old Dutch town like Dordrecht and Gouda. Crossing the border to Belgium takes you to the Belgian pearls of Anwerp, Ghent and Bruges! Each day, you have the option of joining the cycling guide or perhaps stay aboard until you arrive in the next port.
There is a choice of standard or comfort barges on this tour.
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DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
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Day 1: Individual arrival in Amsterdam
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Embarkation and checking in aboard the hotel barge. Later this afternoon the barge crosses Amsterdam and heads for the village of Oude Wetering.
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Day 2: Haarlemmerneer (25 km)
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Early in the morning we cycle through the reclaimed land of the Haarlemmermeer to the world famous flower park Keukenhof. After having seen all the blooming tulips and daffodils everyone returns to the barge.
Appr. 2.00pm the ship will depart for cheese town Gouda. Free time in Gouda late afternoon and after dinner
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Day 3: Kinderdijk (40 km)
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This morning the cyclists ride to the world famous windmills of Kinderdijk. One of the mills will be visited. After the visit the cyclists head for Dordrecht, where the ship will be moored. There’s a short evening walk with your tour leader in the historical centre of Dordrecht.
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| Day 4: Biesbosch - Moerdijk (20 km) |
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Today we cycle through the nature reserve Biesbosch and will be picked up at Moerdijk. We sail to Willemstad, a beautiful walled town where a short city walk is planned.
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Day 5: Antwerp
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Across the impressive waterways of Zeeland by ship, we take you to the lively city of Antwerp in Belgium. After arrival its free time to explore this port city.
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Day 6: Ghent (35 km)
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Today we have an early departure as the ship needs appr. 7 hours to reach Ghent. The cyclists get off in Terneuzen, hit the road and enjoy the flat Flemish countryside. In the old city of Ghent the tour leader takes us for a walk through the wonderful town centre.
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| Day 7: Ghent |
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Today your barge will stay in Ghent, while you take the train to the gorgeous walled city of Bruges. In the afternoon there is a horse carriage ride and a guided walk past the many historic monuments in the centre of Bruges.Late in the afternoon we return to Ghent.
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Day 8: Journey home or extension of stay
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After breakfast your tour comes to an end and you may begin your journey home. We would also be more than happy to extend your stay in Europe.
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PRICE & DETAILS
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| Price & Schedule |
DEPARTURE DATES:
Independent tours depart every day from April to October.
Amsterdam to Bruges: April 7th & 21st (Standard Barge)
April 14th & 28th (Comfort Barge)
Bruges to Amsterdam: April 14th & 28th (Standard Barge)
May 5th (Comfort Barge)
| Price per person, double occupancy - Standard barge |
CAD |
$1150 |
| Price per person, double occupancy - Comfort barge |
CAD |
$1350 |
| Children staying in same cabin as parents: 4-12 years: |
discount |
33% |
| Single supplement: |
CAD |
$300 |
| Single share (on request) |
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No extra charge |
| Additional adult in 3 or 4 bed cabin: |
CAD |
$900 |
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| Included: |
- accommodation in a double cabin with private facilities
- bedding and towels
- full board (breakfast, packed lunch & 3 course dinner)
- Cycling tour guide
- Comfort style bicycle with handbrakes, gears, & pannier
- bike insurance
- Day tour information guides and maps
- Visit to Keukenhof
- Several City Walks
- Ride in horse carriage Bruges
- Train ticket Ghent - Bruges round-trip
- Bus transfers between Ghent and Amsterdam Airport
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Logding:
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MS Tijdgeest 3***+ Standard Barge: The TIJDGEEST has been sailing with tourists since 1897, in the early years as a passenger ship on the River Rhine in Germany. More than 100 years later, in 1998, the ship was completely renovated and rebuilt into a luxurious hotel ship. On the lower deck you’ll find the cabins, all with private facilities and upper and lower beds. On the upper deck a very spacious living/dining room with panoramic views.
MS Lena Marie 4**** Comfort Barge: This first class barge was constructed in winter 2005/06. This ship is so spacious that even when fully booked there’s room enough for everybody.
The ship is fully airconditioned. The meals are served in the dining room at the lower deck. On the upper deck you can enjoy your drink in the lounge or at the sun deck.
All 12 luxurious cabins on the LENA MARIA offer level beds and a beautiful sanitairy section. If you like to sail the luxurious way, this ship is the place to be.
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| Rate: |
EASY: Paved cycle paths and quiet backstreets along the lakeshore; very few hills, suitable for experienced and novice cyclists, as well as families.
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| Airport / Transfers |
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. 8€. The barges are docked right beside the Central Station.
Your return transfer from Bruges to Amsterdam is included in the tour.
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Tours 
