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Highlights of Holland
(formerly On the Trail of Rembrandt)
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.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Flower park Keukenhof (only during April & early May departures).
Amsterdam: visit the Rembrant House museum
Landscapes of Rembrandt ( cycle tour along the river Amstel).
The Hague: visit museum Mauritshuis.
Zaanse Schans: open air museum including several windmills.
Hoorn: famous port town dating from the 17th century.
Schermerhorn: visit a museum windmill
Day to Day Itinerary
Saturday: (approx. 20km) From Amsterdam you cycle along the river Amstel to Uithoorn, it is here where Rembrandt made many of his drawings.
Sunday: (approx. 35km) 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.
Monday: (approx. 45km) 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 of the Netherlands’. Don’t forget to sit down and have a drink at one of the many cafe terraces lining the market square.
Tuesday: (approx. 40km) 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.
Wednesday: (approx. 40km) 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.
Thursday: (approx. 45km) 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.
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Standard barge - MS 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. At the upperdeck a very spacious living/dining room with panoramic view.
Comfort barge - MS ANNA CORNELIA
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.
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Friday: (approx. 50km) 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.
Saturday: After breakfast your guide and the crew will say good-bye and your stay aboard 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.
Schedule - Standard barge
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| Dates 2008: |
| May |
10 |
|
|
|
|
| August |
16 |
30 |
|
|
|
| Per person, double occupancy |
CAD |
$1095 |
| |
| Children staying in same cabin as parents: |
| 0-4 years: |
discount |
60% |
| 4-12 years: |
discount |
33% |
| Surcharges: |
| Single supplement: |
CAD |
$195 |
| Additional adult in 3 or 4 bed cabin: |
CAD |
$680 |
| This tour includes: |
• accommodation in a double cabin with private facilities
• 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 Keukenhof Gardens ( May 12th)
• entry into several museums
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Schedule - Comfort barge
.
| Dates 2008: |
| June |
|
|
14 |
|
28 |
| July |
|
5 |
12 |
19 |
26 |
| August |
|
2 |
9 |
23 |
|
| September |
|
6 |
13 |
|
|
| Per person, double occupancy |
CAD |
$1250 |
| |
| Children staying in same cabin as parents: |
| 0-4 years: |
discount |
60% |
| 4-12 years: |
discount |
33% |
| Surcharges: |
| Single supplement: |
CAD |
$255 |
| Additional adult in 3 or 4 bed cabin: |
CAD |
$800 |
| This tour includes: |
• accommodation in a double cabin with private facilities
• 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 Keukenhof Gardens ( May 12th)
• entry into several museums
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