Around IJssel Lake

8 days
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Small Group Tour
Bike & barge from Amsterdam through the northern Dutch countryside to the tranquil Ijssel lake

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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Cycling through countryside Holland
    • Visiting lively harbour towns with traditional sailing boats
    • Discovering a variety of landscapes including the Weerribben National Park
    • Exploring the towns of Kampen and Elburg enroute to Amsterdam
    • Soaking up the hospitality onboard the comfortable barge

What's this trip about?

    Bike & barge from Amsterdam through the northern Dutch countryside to the tranquil Ijssel lake

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 24 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityAmsterdam
End CityAmsterdam

Travel Themes

  • Cycling & Biking
  • Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel

Destinations

  • Europe

Attractions

  • Amsterdam

Activities

  • Cycling

Trip includes

    • 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 on board. Dinner will consist of three courses inclusive of either a pasta, vegetarian or meat dish. Special diets can be catered for on request (e.g. lactose-free and gluten-free diet) however a supplement will apply. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements at the the time of booking.
    • 7 nights accommodation aboard a standard barge with ensuite facilities on a twin share 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 (Category B) which are two split beds - price supplement applies.
    • 7 speed bike rental with lock, pannier and insurance
    • Several city walking tours
    • Information pack including route notes and maps per cabin
    • Experienced multilingual (English, German and Dutch) guide for cycle tours and city walks

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Arrive Amsterdam, join barge and cruise to Hoorn for warm up cycle (15km/9.5mi)

We board our barge in the magnificent European city of Amsterdam from approx 12:30pm, and from 1:30pm set sail through a myriad of locks to the infamous IJssel Lake – a shallow freshwater lake created in 1932 due to the establishment of a dam on the former inland sea ...

Day 2 Cycle through ancient villages and stop for walk in port of Lemmer (30km/18.5mi)

Our cycle today takes us through countryside and villages typical of North Holland – or as the locals say ‘Noordholland’. We enter the region of Friesland, famous for Friesan cattle and home to 195 of Holland’s 1200 windmills. Frieslanders are known for their height a...

Day 3 Cycle through the Friesland province and continue to Weerribben NP (35km/21.5mi)

Today we learn why the province of Friesland is so well-known for its numerous lakes and other waterways. We pass numerous canals and Tjeukemeer Lake en route to the tiny village of Ossenzijl. Located on the edge of the Weerribben National Park, this quaint settlement...

Day 4 Cycle to Giethoorn (Venice of the North) or canoe / bike in Weerribben (40km/25mi)

Our barge remains in Blokzijl/Vollenhove today while we explore nearby Giethoorn, known as ‘the Venice of the North’. The lack of cars here is refreshing and the preferred mode of transportation is by flat-bottomed boats, locally called ‘punters’, steered by a long po...

Day 5 Travel to Zwartsluis and visit the Hanseatic town of Kampen (40km/25mi)

Today we will pass more lakes including Belter Wijde and Schutsloter Wijde on our way to Zwartsluis. Here, in this lively town situated on a crossing of waterways, we wander at our own leisure and relax on the multitude of terraces. We arrive in Genemuiden by ferry an...

Day 6 Visit Elburg, a must see fortified town and Harderwijk (55km/34mi)

This morning our first stop is at the splendidly preserved fortified town Elburg. In the middle of its picturesque town centre is the prominent fish gate built in 1392. At that time Elburg was located at the coast of the Zuiderzee (Southern sea), which was partially d...

Day 7 Cycle past traditional fishing villages en route to Amsterdam (60km/37mi)

Today our barge takes us to the traditional fishing village of Spakenburg from where we commence our last day's cycle. Here the customs of yesteryear are still very much alive with many of the locals still wearing traditional dress. Our journey continues past Blaricum...

Day 8 Trip concludes Amsterdam

Disembark after breakfast around 9am and individual departure.

meals : B

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Dates & Availability

Price From $7,390
Price per day$924
Last Updated: 3/24/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with World Expeditions.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

World Expeditions

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Taking the Paths Less Travelled Since 1975

Since its inception in 1975, World Expeditions has earned an outstanding reputation as an innovator and world leader in quality, small group adventure holidays. Responsible travel at our core, we always believed that it is not only where but also how you travel that truly creates an experience of a lifetime. Over the past decades World Expeditions has been operating authentic and innovative adventure holidays with a genuine focus on the paths less travelled. We are the pioneers in designing groundbreaking itineraries and many say our trips start where others end. As a leader in responsible travel, we offer big adventures with a small environmental footprint. While safety is core to how we operate, we’re also focused on the fun factor and suitably challenging you to reach that great sensation of personal achievement while enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded travellers.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel to and from Amsterdam
    • Drinks and other items of a personal nature
    • Helmets - mandatory on all bike tours, you are encouraged to bring your own well-fitted helmet
    • Entrance fees and excursions not specified
    • Travel insurance - mandatory
    • Transfers not specified
    • Tips - while tipping is not obligatory, it is customary to offer a tip if the guide and crew have done a good job. As a guide we would recommend EUR30-60 per person (to be distributed between the guide/s, captain and crew).

Accommodation

7 nights barge,
Requirements
TRIP GRADING - INTRODUCTORY to MODERATE (2) The cycling is introductory to moderate (2) grade with daily cycling distances from 15 to 60km / 9.5 to 37mi. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos, visit a museum or enjoy the market places in many of the interesting towns visited. It is considered suitable for beginners and children. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list. 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. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.,
Travel Insurance
We require that you take out a personal travel insurance policy to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. A suggested policy is enclosed with these notes. If you take out an alternative policy, we need to be advised of the details. Please note: if you choose credit card cover, in our experience, this may not insure against high cost needs. For example; helicopter emergency evacuation. If you do decide to choose credit card coverage, please check all policy details thoroughly. You should always carry your travel insurance policy, emergency card and photocopies of your passport and cash cards with you during your trip.
Visa requirements
Visas not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days for all Schengen countries (see www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-countries-list/ for countries part of the Schengen). Please ensure your passport is stamped on arrival in the Schengen area. For all other nationalities and for longer stays in countries covered by the Schengen Agreement (Australian New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders), please contact the relevant embassy. Stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen area require a long stay visa for the country you are spending most time in. However long stay visas are unlikely to be issued unless there is a valid reason (eg. studying in country). Unfortunately we cannot assist in obtaining visas for long stays due to individual country visa requirements.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
7 nights bargeAVAILABILITY calendar link - http://www.hat-tours.com/hat/en/calendar Below you will find an overview of WIFI connection on the barges: YES: - Vita Nova - Sarah - Holland (only in NL) - Tijdgeest (only in NL) NO: - Amsterdam - Anna Maria IV - Anne Maria V - Fiep - Lena Maria - Jacob - Waterland 2018-special diets can be catered for with a supplement (vegetarian, low sodium and diabetic are free) and clients will no longer need to source their own food locally (ie. gluten free pasta) as the cook on board will now purchase these using the supplement paid. 2018 - TRIP ALWAYS RUNS, ALL DATES GUARANTEED IN FM 16/11/2017 EFP 2016 UPDATE TO ELECTRICITY ON HAT BARGES (in PDI): There is 220v on board. Electricity is available from early in the morning until around 10pm. After this time a generator or on-shore supply will provide only limited electricity throughout the night to charge cameras / phones etc.. Please note that we cannot guarantee that there will be an uninterrupted supply of electricity. ****INTERNAL USE ONLY - there are exceptions to this - for medical reasons, if notified at time of booking and advised to operator, the captain can provide full power (always no guarantee for interruptions) . e.g. CPAP machine for sleep apnoea, etc.
Trip ID
worldexpeditions-HCA

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