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Holland's Green Heart 7-day Barge Cruise with Cycling
Enjoy a relaxing river cruise with some cycling tours, visiting the beautiful heart of Holland. Starting out from Haarlem, the barge will take you across calm waterways to the historic town of Leiden, birthplace of Rembrandt. From here to the famous Keukenhof tulip gardens, on to Delft and the Royal porcelain factory, to Gouda, famous for its cheese, Ulthoorn, Zaandem, the windmills at Zaansce Schans, and back through Amsterdam to Haarlem. So many historical buildings, market squares, pretty waterways and interesting excursions, this is a trip not to be missed!
Thoughtful and excellent touches make living on this spacious barge supremely comfortable and the week’s cruise a joy. In addition to 2 spacious sundecks, there’s a great aft bar lounge, a favourite gathering place for all to talk about the day. The 6 pleasant staterooms boast plenty of storage space, 220V and US 110V outlets and a unique “split” bathroom design. Each room is decorated beautifully with plenty of personal touches, including drawings by the owner. The barge offers an extensive library and individual DVD facilities in each bedroom.
At 40 meters long and a full 5 meters wide the main accommodation runs the entire length of the ship. A huge lounge, spacious dining room and a unique and completely separate saloon bar provide exceptional space for only 12 guests. They will never feel crowded. Continually refurbished and refitted to maintain her full glory, with personal touches everywhere, this beautiful barge offers a true “home away from home” ambience. An upright piano, extensive library and beautiful artworks create a cozy intimate atmosphere. Many guests return for this very reason
On this tour, there is less of the ‘get off the boat’ in the morning, but rather a more relaxed and luxurious approach to bike barging. Not everyone wants to cycle for 6 hours a day, so on this tour you will have less pressure to cycle and meet targets, and more time to enjoy the cruise and the barge. A few hours cycling most days is enough for many people, yet still enables them to feel positive from all of the exercise endorphins! Guests can choose to stay on board instead of cycling if they prefer.
Breakfast, packed or buffet lunch and dinner is included, as well as the services of 5 staff including a tour guide who will guide the bike rides and city walks. Coffee, tea, soft drinks and water available all day. There is a fully stocked bar at the rear of the barge where guests can relax or just get a drink to take up onto the roof. There’ll be an honesty box for the bar, or guests can just mark down what they had and settle up at the end. Service and presentation are of great importance. Having a high staff to client ratio helps to achieve that.
When we visit attractions such as Zaanse Schans or the Delft Porcelain Factory, guests will be at liberty to choose what things they’d like to see and entry fees (if any) are paid by guests individually. If guests wish to bring their own bikes they are very welcome to. Please bring your own helmets.
Slow Tours offers a number of other Bike and Barge Tours in Europe
Haarlem to Leiden
All guests are to arrive at the barge moored in Haarlem, by no later than 12.30 pm. Earliest arrival time is 12.00 noon. A light buffet lunch will be served once underway. After an introduction to your crew and the ship, we set off on what promises to be a great adventure. There’s time to relax on board and enjoy the wonderful views as we pass across the lakes just north of Leiden. Our mooring is in the center of this historic town, home to one of the oldest universities in the country and the birthplace of the famous Rembrandt Van Rijn. Leiden is an ancient and impressive historical city (city rights since 1266) full of charm and character.
Dinner is at 6.30 pm, with the option afterwards to take a stroll around the harbor.
Leiden to Delft
After breakfast each bike is adjusted to your specification, starting at 9.00 am. By 9.30 am you are ready to set off on a visit to the world famous Tulip Gardens of Keukenhof. We then continue on to meet the barge in Delft. Dinner is at 6.30 pm
Delft to Gouda
After breakfast we start our bike tour by visiting the Royal Porcelain Factory, followed by a visit to Delft town center. We rejoin the barge in Rotterdam where we embark for our cruise to Gouda. Dinner is at 6.30 pm
Gouda to Uithoorn
This will be a relaxed day. We visit Gouda town center by foot from the barge after breakfast. This Medieval town is renowned for it’s 15th Century town hall as well as the Gothic St Jan Church with its spectacular stained glass windows. We then return to the barge for lunch and our cruise to Uithoorn, a chance to relax and watch the world go by from on board. Of course anyone preferring to cycle can do so, it’s around 35km by bike. Your guide will accompany you. Dinner is at 6.30 pm
Uithoorn to Zaandam
We have an optional biking visit to Aalsmeer Flower Auction, the largest in the world. For early birds only as we will have to set off at 6.30 am! A hearty breakfast awaits you. We then cruise up through the center of Amsterdam, the perfect way to see this vibrant city. After lunch we cycle to see the working windmills at Zaanse Schaans, the round trip by bike will be around 15km in total. Dinner is at 6.30 pm
Zaandam to Haarlem
After breakfast we cycle to Haarlem, where you will meet the barge . On the way we pass through the sand dunes to the sea at Bloemendaal an Zee and weather permitting, there is time for a swim in the North Sea. Later that afternoon we can take a walk around Haarlem and visit the magnificent market square and Saint Bavo Church, home of the Muller Organ. Also on offer is the Frans Hals Museum as well as an abundance of boutiques and terraced cafes.
Gala dinner is at 7.30pm.
Haarlem
End of your tour. Disembark 9.30am after breakfast.
If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.
Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote
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