In the Middle Ages a treaty existed among the many trading towns that were located on the waterways of Northern Europe. This was called the Hanseatic Treaty. On this cycle tour through the eastern part of the Netherlands you will visit several of these so-called Hanseatic towns. In the vicinity you will find lots of grand castles and estates, often situated in areas of great natural beauty.
Day to Day Itinerary
| Saturday: cycle trip ± 15 km After the embarkation in Amsterdam you’ll be sailing the Amsterdam-Rijn canal to Wijk bij Duurstede, the stop for the night. In the evening there’s a short ‘warming-up’ cycle trip in the vicinity which passes the castles Zandenburg and Walenburg. |
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Sunday: cycle trip ± 50 km The barge sails the river Nederrijn to the lock near the village Heveadorp, where the cyclists disembark to start their cycle trip. You will cycle to National park ‘De Hoge Veluwe’ . In this park you will find the museum Kröller-Müller, where you’ll find a fantastic exhibition of Vincent van Gogh paintings. A visit to the famous statue garden is also very worthwhile. The cycle trip ends in Arnhem, where the ship is moored in the river Nederrijn.
Monday: cycle trip ± 50 km Today you will cycle past castle Rosendael to the ferry near Rheden. The ferry takes you across the river IJssel and the trip continues through the villages Doesburg and Brummen to the Hanseatic & walled town of Zutphen, situated on the river IJssel.
Tuesday: cycle trip ± 50 km As the barge stays in Zutphen, you make a roundtrip. You will pass castle Vorden and the rural communiy of Lochem. After a visit to Mansion Verwolde you follow the Twente canal back to Zutphen. Alternatively you may wish to spend a day shopping and/or visiting musea in Zutphen. The Stedelijk Museum has an interesting cultural-historical collection that creates a telling image of Zutphen and its suroundings.
Wednesday: cycle trip ± 55 km Today you sail by barge to the Hanseatic town of Deventer, where the cyclists disembark. Enjoy the picturesque landscapes while following the river IJssel to Diepenveen, castle Oude Rande and the rural estate Hoenderloo. Through the village of Windesheim the trip ends in Kampen, a historic Hanseatic town.
Thursday: cycle trip ± 35 km Today’s motto is ‘relaxing aboard’ as there’s a 4 hour sailing trip to Harderwijk, where you’ll stay for the night. In the afternoon there’s an optional cycle trip through the rural area around Harderwijk.
Friday: cycle trip ± 60 km By barge you will sail to Spakenburg this morning. After the disembarkation you will cycle into Spakenburg, a former fishing village which is still famous for the traditional costume. Via the lake area called Ankeveense Plassen you cycle to the attractive port town of Muiden, continuing on to your barge in the centre of Amsterdam. In the evening you may wish to join the guide for a walk through the historical centre or you may opt to go for a circle tour of the Amsterdam canals.
Saturday: After breakfast say good bye to your tourleader and the crew. Your bike & barge holiday has come to an end.
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. Euro 8.00. The barges are docked right beside the Central Station.
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 The 4 star ship, Zeeland, was built in 1963 as a passenger ship. After a large renovation in the nineties the ZEELAND now contains nice twin cabins with shower and toilet. The living area also houses a corner bar. On the high sundeck are comfortable seats and a wonderful view.
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Tour Rating - Easy
The total length of this tour by bike is about 310 km. These are lovely bike paths along well signposted bike routes. Suitable for all levels of cyclist.
You are welcome to take time off and stay aboard ship during the course of the tour if you wish.
Schedule
| Dates: 2011 |
| June 18 July 9, 16, 23 |
August 6, 13 |
| Price per person, double occupancy |
CAD |
$975 |
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| Children staying in same cabin as parents:4-12 years: |
discount |
33% |
| Single supplement (on request) |
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$250 |
| Single share cabin (on request) |
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No extra |
| Additional adult in 3 or 4 bed cabin: |
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$700 |
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| This tour includes: |
• accommodation in a double cabin with private facilities
• bedding and towels
• full board (daily breakfast, packed lunch & 3 course dinner)
• tour guide
• bicycle with handbrakes, gears, & pannier
• bike insurance
• information on cycle trips
• Visit Mansion Verwolde
• Visit National Park Hoge Veluwe
• Visit Kröller Müller Museum ( exhibition van Gogh)
• Several citywalks
Back to Cycling in The Netherlands Home Page |
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