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Route:
Technical Characteristics:
Tour Profile: Easy. The bike tours are individual, at your own pace, without a tour guide, but with daily briefings on board and detailed bicycle maps and directions. When a guest does not want to cycle one day, she/he can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next harbour.
Distance:256 - 302 km
Travel Season: Saturday departures Season A: March 23; March 30 and October 5, 2024
Season B: April 6; April 13; September 21 and September 28, 2024
Season C: April 20; April 27; September 7 and September 14, 2024
Season D: May 4; May 11; May 18; June 22; June 29; July 6; July 13; July 20; July 27 and August 31, 2024
On joining this vessel, you are immediately aware of the cozy and informal ambience on board. On the upper deck you will find the comfy panorama salon with its bar, on the main deck the comfortable restaurant (no direct access from the cabin zone). On deck there are both deck chairs and ordinary chairs and tables, which encourage conversation and communal activity in fresh air. MS Normandie possesses altogether two 1 bed cabins and forty nine 2 bed cabins. They are all outside cabins, giving some 10 to 11 square metres of space in a 2 bed cabin and about 7 square metres of space in a 1 bed cabin. All 2 bed cabins on main and upper deck are equipped with two lower hotel beds, shower and WC, hairdryer, TV, safe (deposit), central air-conditioning and a picture window. Only on the upper deck the windows may be opened. 1 bed cabins have one lower hotel bed and are otherwise equipped with same features.
The Province of the Southern Netherlands: You are travelling through the green heart of the Netherlands. Hardly any province is more changing and many faceted than the Southern Netherlands. Big cities as well as untouched nature are so close to each other. The many waterways offer uncountable opportunities to discover the wonderful landscapes and culture historical highlights of the province “Zuid-Holland”. Experience such different cities like Dordrecht, Utrecht and Rotterdam, also known as the “Manhattan on the river Maas”. Beautiful landscape of Polderland, the famous windmill row of Kinderdijk and not forget the major porcelain manufacturer in Delft with its “Delfter Blue”.
Itineraries
Day 1
Individual arrival in Rotterdam
Individual arrival in Rotterdam. Embarkation from 4:00 pm. Rotterdam is a city with many faces: important port city, classy shopping city and hip artists’ city, but most importantly a city of architecture, and one of the most interesting cities in Europe.
Day 2
Rotterdam – Dordrecht 40 km
Keep cycling alongside the waterfront via Krimpen aan den IJssel to Kinderdijk, where you will find the most famous group of windmills of the Netherlands. Dating back to the 18th century, the 19 well preserved mills were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Continue through the polder area of the Albwasserwaard to reach Dordrecht. Dordrecht is considered to be Holland`s oldest city. With about 1000 historic buildings that are housing restaurants, museums or theatres, the city`s rich history and the marvellous historic port area will enchant you.
Day 3
Dordrecht – Gorinchem 46 - 53 km
After a short ferry ride, you reach the beautiful De Biesbosch National Park, where several rivers come together to form a fresh water delta of no less than 8,000 hectares. You may enjoy a wonderful boat trip, offered here everywhere, before continuing your tour through the Rhine Delta area and crossing over to Gorichem by water taxi. Do not miss out on the picturesque Old Town of this small but charming city.
Day 4
Gorinchem – Utrecht 47 km
Today an interesting and varied tour awaits you. From Gorinchem, cycle via Leerdam – famous for the Leerdammer cheese – into the fortified city of Vianen. Here you may stop for a short break in one of the numerous street cafes. Take the ferry boat to cross the Lek, and keep cycling to Vreeswijk with its narrow lanes. Continue to the little town of Nieuwegein – perhaps take a short side trip to Fort Jutphaas, hidden in a green oasis in Nieuwegein before reaching Utrecht. Utrecht is considered the heart of Holland. The city was built around the cathedral. That is why it is almost impossible to lose your way in the car-free town with its picturesque canals.
Day 5
Utrecht - Schoonhoven* 40 - 49 km
This morning, be sure to take some time to explore the beautiful town of Utrecht, before getting back on your bike. Cycle tour through the beautiful polder landscape via Oudewater, with its famous Witches` Weigh House, (none of the so-called witches ever weighed here was found to be too light of weight and thus none of them was sentenced) to Schoonhoven, the Silver City of the Netherlands, with its typical Dutch Old Town.
Day 6
Schoonhoven* – Rotterdam 43 km
From Schoonhoven, cycle leisurely to the city of Gouda, which is famous for its cheese. Your today’s destination is Rotterdam. The city has become one of the architectural and cultural metropolises.
Day 7
Rotterdam, Day at leisure / Cycle tour from Rotterdam to Delft and back or from Rotterdam via Den Haag to Scheveningen and back 40 - 70 km
Two options for today’s cycling tour: First one will lead you to Delft (Tip: visit of the porcelain manufacturer), second directly to the governmental seat Den Haag and to the North Sea coastal town and health resort Scheveningen and back. Alternatively, you can also go back to Rotterdam by train (rail and bike is not included, approx. € 16.00 per person, not in rush hour between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.). You do not fancy a bike ride? Rotterdam offers endless possibilities to design your day. Really one is spoilt for choice.
Day 8
Departure from Rotterdam
After breakfast checkout until 9:00 am– have a safe journey home.
Note *
Depending on the official authorities responsible for the distribution of moorings, Vianen can also be called as an alternative for Schoonhoven. Then itinerary on 5th day Utrecht – Vianen, cycle tour approx. 45 – 55 km and on the 6th day: Vianen – Gouda – Rotterdam, cycle tour approx. 59 km. Final decision approx. spring 2024.
Prices
Included:
- Seven nights in outside cabins with shower/WC in the booked cabin category
- Programme according to the routing to/from Rotterdam
- All charges for harbours, bridges and locks
- Welcome drink
- Room cleaning every day, changing of towels and bed sheets if wanted
- Full board consisting of 7x breakfast buffet, 6x lunch snack on board (non-cyclists) or lunch package for cycle tours, 6x coffee or tea in the afternoon, 7x 3 course dinner
- Printed instructions and detailed maps for daily individual bike tours (1 per cabin)
- Tour guide on board
- GPS tracks
- Daily meeting for the cycle tours
Not Included:
- Journey to/from Amsterdam
- Parking fee
- Shuttles
- Entrance fees and excursions
- Ferry fees and fees for water bus
- Drinks on board
- Insurances
- Gratuities (at your discretion) and own expenses
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