Highlights of Holland

More than 400 years ago the most famous Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn was born. His 'Nightwatch' is the most visited painting in all of the Netherlands.

This special Cycling Holiday shows you the still existing 17th century Dutch landscapes that Rembrandt painted. You experience the traditional Dutch atmosphere in the historical centres of Haarlem or Leiden. Furthermore the cycle rides lead along beaches and dune areas, scenic North-Holland and ports like Hoorn where you’ll find the spirit of the Dutch Golden Age.

HIGHLIGHTS: Flower park Keukenhof (only May 10th).
Amsterdam: visit museum The Rembrandt House
Landscapes of Rembrandt ( cycle tour along the river Amstel)
Zaanse Schans: open air museum including several windmills.
Hoorn: port town dating from the 17th century.
Schermerhorn: visit museum windmill



Schedule
- subject to changes -

Saturday: cycle trip ± 20 km
After your embarkment in Amsterdam, you’ll be sailing right through the centre of Amsterdam. There’s a short cycle trip following the banks of the river Amstel ending in Uithoorn / Kudelstaart.

Sunday: cycle trip ± 35 km
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 recommendable.

Monday: cycle trip ± 45 km
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 wifes to go to the market, you’ll end up in Haarlem. The small and surveyable centre invites one to do some shopping in this ‘best shopping town of the Netherlands’. Don’t forget to sit down and have a drink on one of the terrasses at the big market place.

Tuesday: cycle trip ± 40 km
The first village you arrive in 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 visit open air museum the Zaanse Schans and continue following the river Zaan and the Knollendammer canal to our cheese town Alkmaar.


Wednesday: cycle trip ± 40 km
Today the boatel 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: cycle trip ± 45 km
After passing Oterleek and Avenhorn, you arrive in Hoorn. After you have got acquainted with this historical port town, you take the road along the coast from where you have a splendid view over the IJssel Lake. Thereafter you take a ride following the canal ‘Beemsterringvaart’ to Purmerend. On the way we visit the museum windmill in Schermerhorn.

Friday: cycle trip ± 50 km
First you cycle to and look around in the picturesque village of Edam. 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, you arrive at the finish of your tour 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 round trip 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.