Castles and Walled Towns
All content by World Expeditions
8 days (Amsterdam)
Destinations visited: The Netherlands, Amsterdam, World
from
USD$1,190
Explore the Dutch countryside encountering welcoming villages and resplendent castles
This itinerary takes in the majestic castles, handsome walled towns and antiquated fishing villages of the Netherlands by bike and barge. We do as the locals do - pedaling by day to explore the dykes and country paths, while evenings are spent aboard our cosy hotel barge which cruises at a relaxed pace along the picturesque canals. There is plenty of time to discover the Hanseatic towns of Kampen and Zutphen and explore the old streets of their historic centres. We visit markets and museums along the way including the famous Kršller-MŸller Museum which houses 278 works by Van Gogh, as well as smaller collections of Picasso and Mondrian.
Highlights
- Cycling through countryside Holland
- Visit majestic castles and impressive walled towns
- Cycle past a variety of landscapes including the dykes, country paths and picturesque canals
- Exploring the towns of Kampen and Zutphen enroute to Amsterdam
- Soaking up the hospitality onboard the comfortable barge
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Amsterdam, join barge and warm up cycle (15km)
After boarding the barge 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 ‘warm-up’ cycle trip in the vicinity which passes by the castles Zandenburg and Walenburg.
Day 2 Cycle to De Hoge Veluwe National Park and the Kröller-Müller museum (50km)
The barge sails the River Nederrijn to the lock near the village Heveadorp, where the cyclists disembark to commence cycling to the National park ‘De Hoge Veluwe’. This is the largest national park in the country, set on more than 5500 hectares and made up of forests and heath covered moors. Within the park there are red deer, boar and a type of sheep, the mouflon. You will also find the museum Kröller-Müller, which has a fantastic exhibition of Vincent van Gogh paintings, as well as a small collection of Picasso. A visit to the famous statue garden is also very worthwhile. The cycle trip ends in Arnhem, where the ship is moored on the River Nederrijn.
Day 3 Cycle past colourful villages & the walled town of Zutphen on the IJssel River (50km)
Today you will cycle past the 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 by the river IJssel.
Day 4 Day cycle to visit museums and small canals (60km)
As the barge stays in Zutphen, todays cycle will be a roundtrip. You begin by cycling past the castle Vorden and the rural community 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 the museum in Zutphen. The Stedelijk Museum has an interesting cultural historical collection that creates a telling image of Zutphen and its surroundings.
Day 5 Cycle to the Hanseatic town of Kampen (60km)
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.
Day 6 Morning at leisure, followed by a cycle around Harderwijk (30km)
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 a cycle trip is planned through the rural area around Harderwijk.
Day 7 Cycle to traditional fishing village enroute to Amsterdam (60km)
By barge you will sail to Spakenburg. After disembarkation you will cycle to Spakenburg, a former fishing village which is still famous for their traditional costume. Via the lake area called Ankeveense Plassen you cycle to castle Muiderslot. After a visit to this beautifully situated castle, you continue cycling to Amsterdam. In the evening you may wish to join the guide for a walk through the centre or you may (on your own account) go for a round trip of the Amsterdam canals.
Day 8 Trip concludes Amsterdam
After breakfast, trip concludes.
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).
- Bicycle with gears and pannier
- Visit to Mansion Verwolde, Kröller Müller Museum ( exhibition van Gogh) and Hoge Veluwe National Park
- Several city walking tours
- Detailed information package including map marked with route
- Experienced guide
Summary
- Barge
Trip Main Activities
- Guided Cycling
- Barge
Group Size Min
Group Size Max
Accommodation Summary
During the trip you will be accommodated on a hotel barge which holds between 15 and 36 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 to 5 star in comfort level. Ask our office for details of the barge used for your 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. From the recreation room you will have an excellent view. Depending on the waterways the ships sail between 8 and 15km per hour. Naturally, the itinerary you would like to sail is also depending on the size (e.g. height and depth) of the ship of your choice. All of the ships used are built under the supervision of the national shipping authorities and fulfill all safety regulations. For contacts ashore during sailing, a marine telephone and cell phone are on hand. The crew consists of a captain and a cook, both professionals, who are often assisted by an extra hand. The crew will see to it that your trip will proceed smoothly.
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 detailed packing list is included in the pre-departure information provided on booking).
What You Carry
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from
USD$1,190
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- Pioneers in responsible travel.
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