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Holland - the land of Tulips, wooden shoes and windmills! The land of Rembrandt and Van Gogh! A cyclist's paradise because of its flat terrain, mild weather and safe bike paths. Distances are short and Holland is small but it offers a great variety of beautiful landscapes and historical towns.
Country of
Tulips Tour
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The tour starts in lively Leiden, a city with a rich artistic history. Here we'll visit the church where the Pilgrims prayed before they left for America and we'll walk in the footsteps of Rembrandt, who was born here. The next day we'll visit the incomparable Keukenhof, where 7,000,000 magnificent blooming flowers await us! For many, this radiant paradise is the highlight of their visit to Holland. Then we'll pedal through "Cape-Cod-like" sand dunes to The Hague, seat of the Dutch government and home of Queen Beatrix. You'll have time to visit the old city center before we continue on to Delft, world famous for its magnificent Delft Blue Pottery. We'll glide through flat, cow-filled polders with windmills to our charming, private hotel with its well-known gourmet restaurant, beautifully situated on an idyllic lake in Noorden. Included:
2013 Tour
Dates:
April 14 – 20, April 21 – 27, April 28 – May 4
Holland Self-Guided Bicycling Tours
Self-guided tours are for experienced cyclists who can adjust and repair their own bikes and enjoy cycling alone or with a small group. There are many routes to choose from. All tours include daily breakfast, dinner and luggage transportation from hotel to hotel. All accommodations are in charming, mostly family owned hotels and all rooms have private facilities. Comfortable three speed bikes with hand brakes, sufficient for the Dutch terrain, can be rented. 21 speed bike and tandems are available only on the North Holland tour. Daily distances for each tour: 25-40 miles.
Edam - Amsterdam Tour
21-speed hybrid bikes or 5 speed tandems in excellent condition are available for this tour. You’ll stay in a lovely, 3-star, family owned hotel.
North Holland Tour This 8 day/ 7 night tour is one of the most varied and relaxing cycling vacations possible in Holland. Imagine cycling through five provinces in 6 days. Discover historic, cozy and picturesque IJsselmeer towns, such as Volendam, Edam, Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Stavoren and Kampen, following the winding dike that separates the north west of Holland from the IJsselmeer. The IJsselmeer, formerly know as the South Sea, is now enclosed by the Afsluitdijk (Barrier Dam). A scenic one and a half hour ferry ride takes you across the IJsselmeer from Enkhuizen to Stavoren in Friesland. Enjoy the views over Western Europe's largest bird sanctuary and explore the Weerribben Nature Reserve by bike. You'll stay in comfortable, cozy 3 and 4 star accommodations on this tour. 2013 Tour Dates: Saturday departures from April 20
– Sept. 21
Friesland, Holland’s most northern province, is a region of lush green farms, boat filled waterways and scenic lakes. Friesland is truly special! Imagine skillful, puffing skaters in the wintry landscapes of the Eleven Cities Tour or Elfstedentocht (whose route you’ll follow by bike), a 125 mile long ice skating race looping through 11 towns in Friesland. The Eleven Cities Tour owes its name to two men who decided in the winter of 1808 to skate past eleven towns in one day, a total of 230 kilometers. To prove they had done it, they obtained the signatures of the owners of cafés or hotels in every town. You’ll see on this tour the Frisian sailing ships called “Skutjes”, hamlets, built on earthen mounds to protect them from flooding and beautiful fortified towns all along the way. Friesland has many handsome 17th century houses and picturesque farms. Occasionally entire town centers have been designated a historically protected area. There are also numerous little museums in Friesland. The Frisians even speak a language of their own! Friesland is an ideal area for a bike holiday. The cycle route winds its way around the province, mainly on quiet lanes and country roads. This 8 day/ 7 night tour is a very relaxing cycling vacation in Holland. You'll stay in comfortable, cozy 3 and 4 star accommodations on this tour. Daily breakfast and dinner included. 2013 Tour Dates: Daily Departures from 4/20
– 9/21
Holland Bike and Barge Tours The barge - your "floating" hotel - is a snug little vessel, which can accommodate up to 30 travelers in its cabins. The boat motors quietly each day via a scenic route and if ever you do not fancy cycling, you are welcome to spend the day on board. Late each afternoon the bikers rendezvous with the boat at the next landing place for afternoon tea, dinner and overnight stop. On board you will meet an international group whose members have at least one thing in common: the pleasure they share from cycling. Accommodations on board the barge are basic with 2 and 3 berth cabins containing bunk beds or twin beds and a wash basin but all cabins have a private shower and toilet. Prices vary depending on the class of boat we can offer you for a certain date and route. The barge has a cozy dining room and a sun deck. The tour is suitable for all ages. Children under 12 room with their parents or in groups of two. All tours depart on Saturday afternoon either at 1:30 PM or at 4 PM and end the next Saturday after breakfast. The short tulip tours also start on Tuesdays. Included
on All Barge Tours:
The
Southern Route: $1145 2013
Departure Dates Southern Route: May 18 & 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22
& 29,
The
Southern Route Relax: $1255 2013 Departure
Dates Southern Route Relax:
The
Southern Relax Tulip: 2013 Departure
Dates Southern Relax Tulip Tour: April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4 & 11 - $1155 (standard plus barge) The
Super Tulip Tour: $1340 2013 Departure
Dates Super Tulip Tour: The
Luxury Highlights of Spring Tulip Tour: $1270 2013 Departure
Dates Luxury Tulip Highlights of Spring Tour:
Short
Tulip Tours
2013 Departure
Dates: 2013 Departure
Dates:
The Northern Route (Top of Amsterdam):
$1115 2013 Departure
Dates:
The
Highlights of Holland Route
2013 Departure Dates: Standard Plus barge ($945): May 18, June 15, July 29, August 3 & 31, September 7 & 14
The Island Hopping Route 2013 Departure
Dates: $1115 for bunk bed cabin $1255 for low bed cabin
The
Towns of the Golden Age Route: $1130
2013 Departure
Dates:
The Castles and Walled Cities Route: $945
- Standard Plus Barge
2013
Departure
Dates:
The Golden Circle Route: $1145 2013 Departure
Dates:
Amsterdam - Gouda - Bruges Route: 2013 Departure Dates Amsterdam - Gouda - Bruges: May 25, July 27, August 10, 24: $1340 (comfort plus barge) Bruges - Antwerp - Amsterdam Route: $1340 2013 Departure Dates Bruges - Antwerp - Amsterdam: Amsterdam to Bruges Deluxe Route: $1410 2013 Departure Dates Amsterdam to Bruges Deluxe: 2013 Departure Dates Bruges to Amsterdam Deluxe:
Spring Flower Tour - Amsterdam to
Bruges
2013
Departure Dates Amsterdam to Bruges:
2013
Departure Dates Bruges to Amsterdam: Amsterdam
– Brussels Route: $985
2013 Departure
Dates: Brussels
– Amsterdam Route: $985 The Bruges to Amsterdam Route: $1165
2013 Departure Dates Bruges to Amsterdam:
14 day Bruges to Paris and Paris to Bruges
Tour
Treasures of
Belgium Tour:
"Biking in Fabulous
Flanders" We start our tour in the enchanting, medieval canal city of Bruges often called the “ Venice of the North”. With the city center closed off to cars, all the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city can be easily explored on foot, by boat along quiet canals or by romantic horse-drawn carriage over cobblestone streets. Although Bruges is a small city it will take more than one day to explore all the architectural and artistic treasures, chocolate shops, lace boutiques and atmospheric restaurants. We hope you will arrive at least one day early so you have extra time to soak in the ambiance and visit some of Bruges’ remarkable museums. From Bruges we’ll cycle to the North Sea to visit the “Queen of the coastal cities”, Ostend and the smaller seaside village of De Haan. The next day we’ll enjoy pleasant biking along the canal to the friendly city of Ghent. With most of the town center closed to cars, Belgium’s third largest city is best explored on foot and we’ll do just that the next morning with our local guide. Ghent is a greatly underappreciated, unassuming, un-touristy city filled with university students, linger-as-long-as-you-like cafes, well priced restaurants and vibrant energy. Ghent boasts an Opera House, 18 museums, 100 churches and over 400 historical buildings. The most visited site in Ghent is the famous and beautiful “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” painted by the brothers Jan and Hubert van Eyck in 1432. Mechelen is next on our eastward journey through Flanders. It has no less than 336 listed buildings and monuments including eight gothic and baroque churches from the 14th up to and including the 17th century. The grace of centuries old palaces and majestic churches have almost universal appeal and the imposing St. Rombouts Cathedral, towering over the pleasing market square, is a sight not easily forgotten. Our tour’s final cultural treasure is Antwerp. M uch like the diamonds it is famous for, Antwerp sparkles with an impressive range of architecture from medieval buildings to the Art Nouveau styles. Antwerp is an art-loving city eternally linked with the name of Peter Paul Rubens. More than 400 years after the birth of this brilliant painter, it is still possible to see the extent to which Rubens left his mark on the city. Antwerp offers a wide range of attractions from a funky nightlife to historical buildings and rich cultural offerings to innovative fashion throughout the town. Antwerp was voted one of Europe’s “Cool Capitals” and you’ll discover why on our walking tour through the city with a knowledgeable local guide.
2013 Tour Dates:
June 10 – June 17 and August 26 –September 2
Belgium Self-Guided Bicycling Tours
Bruges &
Coast The pedaling commences in Roeselare easily reached by train from the Brussels Airport. You’ll visit medieval Ypres well know for its WW I battles and the Tyne Cot Cemetery and world famous Menin Gate. You’ll have time for some beer tasting in the St.-Sixtus Abbey before cycling along the borders of the River Yzer to Diksmuide with its historic plaza. Next is splendid Bruges. Over the years this medieval canal city has gone by many names: City of Romance, Venice of the North, the City That Time Forgot, and Cultural Capital of Europe since 2002. However, none of these titles accurately capture the enchantment of Bruges. With the city center closed off to cars, all the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city can be easily explored by foot, canal boat or horse-drawn carriage along cobblestone streets. From Bruges you’ll make two circular rides. The first is to the seaside of Ostend and the second is to Knokke where you can stroll along the new promenade, sunbathe on the broad sandy beach, or wander through the exclusive shopping boulevards. Finally, on your way back to Roeselare, there is are opportunities to visit a chocolate manufacturer and the National Cyclist Museum.
2013 Tour
Dates:
Saturday
departures
from 4/20 –
9/21 (except August 3, instead it is August 4)
Historic Art
Cities Tour
Starting in Brussels, you’ll bike on predominantly quiet, flat roads and bike paths along the well signposted Flanders Cycle Route. You’ll see lush meadows, canals, sandy dunes and coastal villages as well as castles, abbeys, churches and windmills. You’ll also visit Leuven, home to Belgium’s oldest university and historic Ghent site of the famous St.Baafs Cathedral where you can admire the renowned “Adoration of the Lamb” by Jan van Eyck. The charming coastal villages of De Haan and Ostend, wonderful North Sea beaches and Bruges, the enchanting Venice of the North, are other highlights you’ll encounter on this splendid cycling vacation!
2013 Tour
Dates:
Saturday
departures
from 4/20 –
, Sundays 6/30 - 8/18
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