The Countryside of the IJssel Lake
Cycle around the largest Dutch lake, the IJsselmeer, getting to know the many towns that were once situated on this former inland sea, known as the Zuiderzee.
Your holiday starts in Hoorn, the birthplace of world explorer Abel Tasmen, where you dine in the old harbour overlooking traditional sailing ships. You cycle along the coastline of the IJsselmeer in the direction of Enkhuizen and from here you take the ferry across the IJsselmeer to the province of Friesland. The next few days are spent cycling through the reclaimed polders, rich farmland that was once sea bottom! Seafaring towns that were once at the waters edge, are now reached by rivers through this verdant countryside.
Day to Day Itinerary
Saturday: Travel today to your starting point, your hotel in the historic port city of Hoorn.
In the evening you have your dinner in a restaurant in the centre of Hoorn, located in a monument building from where you can see the traditional sailing ships on the Havenhoofd.
Sunday: cycle/ride ± 45 km. After breakfast you leave for your first real bike ride: along the coast line of the IJssel Lake you cycle to Enkhuizen, another splendid port from the rich Dutch past. From here you make the crossing by ferry to Stavoren in the Province of Friesland (± 80 minutes). From Stavoren it is a one hour bike ride to your next hotel in Rijs.
Monday: cycle trip ± 50 km. From Rijs, the cycle trip leads via Lemmer. From here you ride along The Tjeuke Lake and several tiny rural villages like Echtenerbrug, to Ossenzijl. You’ll be staying overnight in hotel ‘De Kluft’ located in the National Park De Weerribben.
Tuesday: cycle trip ± 40 km. Just outside Ossenzijl, you cycle in to the national reserve ‘De Weerribben’. Via Steenwijk, the route leads to Giethoorn, ‘Venice of the North’. You can make a cruise on the canals with a 'punter' ( a traditional barge used on these small canals) or just make a stroll in this fascinating village. The next part of today’s trip leads straight across some huge lakes and ends in Zwartsluis, a nice little town situated at a crossroad of waterways.
Wednesday: cycle trip ± 50 km You take a small ferry to Genemuiden and cycle to the hanseatic town of Kampen, a town full off monuments. After this town, the road leads to Elburg, a former fishing-town with a beautiful harbour. Your itinerary leads through heath land and forests and finally ends in Harderwijk.
Thursday: cycle trip ± 40 km At the beginning of today’s cycle ride there’s a huge area of woods and moorland, which you’ll be crossing till Nijkerk. You may wish to visit the local cheese farm or the steam pumping station and then head for your hotel in Eemnes.
Friday: cycle trip ± 40 km Through Blaricum villadom, and the Tafelberg moorlands you arrive in Naarden-Vesting. This is one of the finest walled towns in the Netherlands. Via the Ankeveense Plassen lake area, and following the pictoresque river Vecht, you reach the finish of your tour in Weesp. If you feel like visiting Amsterdam at night: it’s only ± 20 minutes by train!
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Ijsselmeer showing reclaimed polderlands.
Giethoorn
Walled town of Naarden-Vesting
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Saturday: After breakfast you leave your hotel for your homeward journey, or extend your stay in Europe.
Airport / Transfers
Flights are in/out of Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. There are trains from the airport terminal to Hoorn every 20 minutes, at a cost of approx. Euro 28.00.
Your return train from Weesp to Amsterdam Airport will cost approx. Euro 12.00.
Schedule
| Dates: 2008 |
| Tours departs every Saturday from May 10th to September 6th |
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| Price per person , double occupancy |
CAD |
$1095 |
| Single Surcharge |
|
$370 |
| Children staying in same room as parents: |
| 0-4 years: |
discount |
60% |
| 4-12 years: |
discount |
33% |
| This tour includes: |
• accommodation in a hotel room with private facilities for 7 nights
• breakfast and 3-course dinner
• bicycle with gears and pannier
• bike insurance
• luggage transportation between hotels
• information pack
• maps and route descriptions
Extra: Ferry crossing paid locally- approx. 12 Euro
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Hotel Accommodations
When designing our cycle tours of The Netherlands, we chose hotels with a true local flavour and design. Many are historical properties and most are family owned and managed. Our hotels are of a Superior Tourist class, rated 3 star by international standards.
All our hotels have rooms with private facilities, and all include a 3-course dinner and a complete breakfast each day
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Here are a few samples:
Hotel BMG Hoorn
Hotel Jans
Hotel Gaasterland
Hotel De Kluft
Hotel Het Zwarte Water
Hotel Marktzicht-Klomp
Hotel Het Oude Gemeentehuis
Hotel Het Hart van Weesp
Daily Activities
These independent tours average around 45 km per day. This means that you’ll propbably be leisurely pedaling from 9.00 a.m. till approximately 4.00 p.m.
Generally you have enough time to have several breaks and chances to do some sightseeing. After all, we’ll never forget: it’s your holiday!
The bicycles
During your tour a bike of good quality is at your disposal. These bikes are provided with hand brakes, at least 4-speed gears (remember, it's a flat country! ), and a pannier.
Your regular travel insurance will not cover theft of and/or damage to your rental bike, therefore we include a special local bicycle insurance as part of our package.
Meals
Each day starts with a regular continental breakfast. You may wish to order a packed lunch (sandwiches, fruit and a drink) for ‘on the road’ from the hotel staff.
In the evening you’ll enjoy a three course dinner (included) in either your hotel or at a nearby restaurant.
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