|
8 day Escorted tour
On this tour you will visit six towns that were very important during the Dutch Golden Age: Haarlem, Leiden, Delft, Schiedam, Dordrecht and Gouda. These towns still exhale the character of this period of wealth in Dutch history. The influence of the 17th Century is still noticable in the many monuments, buildings, and different trades you get to know on this tour.
In Haarlem a beer connoisseur tells you about the many Haarlem breweries and especially the local beer, Jopen, during a special beer dinner (see: www.jopen.nl).
In Leiden, birthplace of Rembrandt, the tour leader takes you for an evening walk. In Delft you will visit pottery ‘De Porceleyne Fles’ where the world famous Delft Blue chinaware is still being manufactured. Schiedam is famous for its high windmills and gin distilleries. Maybe you would like to try our national ‘borreltje’ (drink).
From Dordrecht, a historical harbour town, you cycle to the 19 windmills of Kinderdijk, and go on to the cheese town of Gouda.
Your holiday ends in Amsterdam where you can admire the glory and splendour of the Golden Age while making a canal cruise along the city streets.
|
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
|
Day 1: Individual arrival in Amsterdam
|
|
|
We depart Amsterdam this afternoon in the direction of Spaarndam, where we leave the barge and cycle to Haarlem. Lots of Flemish moved here to find their luck and fortune and it was partly due to them that the linen commerce grew inmensely. The wealth that came along with this commerce attracted lots of artists, among them Frans Hals. In the evening you will enjoy a delicious meal and a special guest will tell you all about the history of the Haarlem Breweries.
|
Day 2: Leiden (30 km)
|
|
After a sailing cruise you cycle right through Holland’s Green Heart to Leiden, the birthplace of Rembrandt and Jan Steen. The Leiden university is one of the oldest in the Netherlands. You may wish to visit the local museum De Lakenhal, where you’ll find an interesting collection of industrial art and paintings from the 17th-20th century. In the evening you may also take a city walk through the historical centre.
|
|
Day 3: Leischendam - Delft (35 km)
|
 |
From Leidschendam onwards you go biking to Delft. In the 17th century the Delft potters were so impressed by the Chinaware that was brought in from overseas that they created there own Delftware (Delft Blue). A visit to the china ware factory ‘De Porceleyne Fles’ gives you a good impression of Delft Blue and modern ceramics.
|
| Day 4: Delft - Schiedam (30 km) |
|
After a city walk through the centre of Delft you cycle via the Westland region to the town of Schiedam. Here you'll find the five highest windmills in the world. Schiedam is also famous for its many gin distilleries (called Jenever in Dutch) that were founded during the Golden Age. You might want to try a 'jenevertje' in the museum of spirits and strong liquor 'De Gecroonde Brandersketel'.
|
Day 5: Schiedam - Dordrecht (40 km)
|
|
|
Today the programme consists of a cycle tour past small rural villages and a part of the national reserve ‘De Biesbosch’. The cycle trip ends in Dordrecht, one of the first ports of transhipment of the Netherlands. In the Dordrecht Museum you will find a interesting collection of several Dutch Masters.
|
Day 6: Dordrecht - Gouda (35 km)
|
|
How Dutch can a landscape be? After leaving Dordrecht you get sight of the 19 windmills of Kinderdijk. After visiting one of the mills you continue to Gouda, world famous for its cheese. At the central marketplace markets have been held since the middle ages. The famous St. Jans church with her beautiful stained windows is certainly worth a visit. You visit a potter who shows his crafts in making earthenware and Gouda clay pipes.
|
Day 7: Gouda - Amsterdam (25 km)
|
 |
Early in the morning the barge leaves Gouda in the direction of Amsterdam. Around noon you disembark and cycle alongside the river Amstel into the city. In the afternoon there’s time left to explore the Dutch capital. In the evening you may wish to make a circular tour of the Amsterdam canals by tour boat, or join your guide for a walk.
Overnight stay in Constance/Kreuzlingen.
|
Day 8: Journey home or extension of stay
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
PRICE & DETAILS
|
| Price & Schedule |
DEPARTURE DATES:
July 7th, 21st, 28th August 11th, 25th
|
Per person, double occupancy
|
CAD |
$1225 |
| Children staying in same cabin as parents: 4-12 years: |
discount |
33% |
| Single supplement: |
|
$300 |
| Single share (on request) |
|
No extra charge |
| Additional adult in 3 or 4 bed cabin: |
|
$700 |
|
| Included: |
- accommodation in a double cabin with private facilities and two loer beds
- 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
- Entry into Porceleyene Fles
- Entry to Kinderdijk windmills
- beer lecture
- Visit Museum of Spirits and Strong Liquor de Gecroonde Brandersketel
- Several citywalks
|
|
Logding:
|
Anna Cornelia 4****: In the year 2000, the Anna Cornelia has been transformed from a freighter into a modern and luxurious passenger ship. The upper deck consists of a large sundeck and a cosy bar/lounge. At the lower deck you find the airconditioned dining room. All 12 two persons cabins contain level beds and a bathroom with toilet and shower.
|
| Rate: |
EASY: Paved cycle paths and quiet backstreets; very few hills, suitable for experienced and novice cyclists, as well as families.
|
| 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.
|
Tours 
