Reverendos Palace of Culture

Holland Spring Flowers

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8 days (Amsterdam)

Destinations visited: The Netherlands, Amsterdam, Belgium, World

Grading:

introductory

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

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Enjoy the highlights of Springtime in Holland & Belgium

On our bike and barge holiday we will experience the highlights of springtime in Holland. Leaving Amsterdam we travel by barge to Oude Wetering. The Flower Park Keukenhof is our next focus where we are welcomed by thousands of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths of various colour, shapes and scents! We make a stop at Gouda famous for its cheese and then cycle to the world famous windmills of Kinderdijk before heading through Dordrecht and the natural reserve of Biesbosch to Willemstad. We continue by barge across the impressive waterways of Zeeland and onto the lively town of Antwerp in Belgium. In the delightful town of Ghent we have a walking tour before continuing to Bruges where we will take a horse carriage ride and a guided walk of the town. There is a bus transfer to Amsterdam Airport on the last day. NOTE: For summer departures (as detailed in our brochure) see ‘Amsterdam to Bruges’ trip notes.

Highlights

Visit The Flower Park Keukenhof, and walk the cobble stoned streets of Bruge and Ghent
Cycle past a variety of landscapes including windmills of Kinderdijk and the natural reserve of Biesbosch
Sample local specialties including Belgian waffles, beer and mussels
Soaking up the hospitality onboard the comfortable barge

Itinerary

Day 1 Join barge in Amsterdam and sail to Oude Wetering

Early in the afternoon you can check into the barge. Later that afternoon the barge crosses Amsterdam and heads for the village of Oude Wetering.

Day 2 Cycle through Haarlemmermeer to Keukenhof Flower Park then Gouda (25km)

An early start this morning as you pedal through the reclaimed land of the Haarlemmermeer to the flower park Keukenhof. If you don’t want to cycle today you can go by bus (public transport) to the Keukenhof. After having seen all the blooming tulips and daffodils you return to the barge. In the early afternoon the ship will depart for the cheese town of Gouda. There will be ample time to explore the town both before and after dinner. The famous St. Jans church with its beautiful stained windows is the longest church in the Netherlands and certainly worth exploring. There may also be an opportunity to pay a visit to a potter to see his craft in making earthenware and Gouda clay pipes.

Day 3 Ride to Kinderdijk and onto Willemstad (40km)

An exhilarating cycle this morning to the world famous windmills of Kinderdijk. We plan to visit one of the mills, and then pedal to Dordrecht and partially through the natural reserve Biesbosch to Moerdijk. The night will be spent in the walled town of Willemstad, a real Dutch beauty!

Day 4 Sail the waterways of Zeeland and onto Antwerp

Right across the impressive waterways of Zeeland the ship will take you to the lively town of Antwerp in Belgium. After arrival free time to explore this port town, with its interesting streets and abundance of jeweller’s shops. The city has a large Hasidic Jewish community who have traditionally controlled the thriving diamond industry.

Day 5 Cycle to Dendermonde (35km)

The day starts with a sailing trip to the outskirts of Antwerp. The cyclists cross the riverland of the river Schelde. In the charming provincial town of Dendermonde you'll spend the night aboard the barge.

Day 6 Barge to Ghent and cycle the Flemish countryside (30km)

This morning we have an early departure as the ship needs around 7 hours to reach Ghent. The cycle begins from Terneuzen, and the terrain is typical flat Flemish countryside. In the old city of Ghent we join the tour leader for a walk through the wonderful town centre. There are many interesting bars and shops dotted throughout and lovely old bridges.

Day 7 By train to Bruges (guided tour/free time) then return to Ghent

This morning we take a train ride to Bruges. After arriving there is a horse carriage ride and a short guided walk past the many historic monuments in the centre of Bruges. You have until mid afternoon to explore Bruges, sample some delicious waffles or chocolates before we return by train to Ghent.

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Day 8 Coach transfer to Amsterdam, trip concludes

This morning you check out and transfer by bus to Amsterdam airport.

Additional Information

Inclusions

7 breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 dinners (does not include drinks). Continental breakfasts are served and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. At breakfast you will prepare your packed lunch for the day which will be sandwiches, fruit & juice. If you choose not to cycle on a particular day, the crew will serve lunch onboard. Dinner will consist of three courses inclusive of either a pasta, vegetarian or meat dish.
7 nights accommodation aboard a barge with private facilities on a twinshare basis. If you are travelling by yourself you will be matched with another passenger. Cabins are configured with bunk beds (upper and lower) except for comfort departures which are lower beds – price supplement applies.
Ride in horse and carriage in Bruges
Bicycle with gears and pannier and insurance
Sightseeing - Visit Keukenhof ( April/May), Kinderdijk Windmills
Several city walking tours
Train ride Ghent - Bruges - Ghent
Bus transfer Amsterdam Airport to Ghent (or Ghent to Amsterdam Airport, depending on which way the itinerary operates)
Detailed information package
Experienced guide

Summary

BARGE

Trip Main Activities

GUIDED CYCLING

Group Size Min

15 - minimum group size must be reached at least 4 weeks prior to trip.

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

THE BARGE During the trip you will be accommodated on a hotel barge which holds between 15 and 35 passengers depending on the barge used on your departure. There are a number of different barges in the fleet which are used for the trip and these range from 4 stars for our regular departures to 5 stars for our comfort level departures. A supplement applies to comfort departure. Ask our office for details of the barge used for the date you are interested in travelling. The barges are not only a means of transportation; you also sleep, eat and relax aboard. The ships are equipped with a recreation/ dining room, sometimes with a separate bar, a modern galley, a spacious sundeck, mostly double cabins with bunk beds and wash facilities. The comfort departures offer more space per person, some have air-conditioning and the beds are lower berths. From the recreation room you will have an excellent view. Depending on the waterways the ships sail between 8 and 15km per hour. The crew consists of a captain and a cook, both professionals, who are often assisted by an extra hand.

Equipment Required

Bike helmet, wet weather gear, sunscreen, jogging shoes and sun hat. Note that storage capacity is limited in cabins and we recommend you bring a soft luggage bag. (A comprehensive gear list is included in the pre-departure information provided on booking).

What You Carry

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