Netherlands - North Holland Surrounded by Water Bicycle Tour (2018) Individual Self-guided 6 days / 5 nights OR 5 days / 4 nights North Holland truly is a waterside region: the rare numerous ponds, creeks and canals. Not only the many idyllic landscapes, but also the indescribable silence of this part of Holland will seduce you. It is almost unbelievable that this quiet place is situated at only 15 minutes from the capital city, Amsterdam. Of course, there s not only silence, but also a nice mix of traditions and culture in the typical cities and villages, with the beautiful farms, windmills and museums. North Holland is an attractive region, where you can stay near a metropolis but where nature and silence are never far away. For this holiday, we carefully selected an excellent hotel. It is peacefully located, next to a golf course, in Purmerend. Near the hotel, you can take a bus to Amsterdam. But, we can also go by bike to the capital of Holland. Even in such a big city, there are safe cycle paths. We will certainly not only cycle to Amsterdam, but also to some of the nicest villages in North Holland: Hoorn and Edam. Edam, situated next to the former Zuiderzee (South Sea), is also called the Cheese City. Another tour brings us to the Zaanse schans, with the picturesque wind mills, and to Volendam. There is no better example for a Dutch village than Volendam. An interesting experience is the Marken peninsula! This island has perfectly taken care of its cultural heritage. That is why you can admire such beautiful wooden houses.
Itinerary Day to Day Tour 1: To Edam and Hoorn 60 km The first town you can discover during this tour is Edam. Edam was a flourishing town in the 16th and 17th century because of its cheese & fish trade and its shipyard. Edam has a picturesque town centre with typical houses and canals which date back to the 17th and 18th century. From Edam you will cycle to Hoorn. Hoorn calls itself the pearl of the IJsselmeer. Hoorn was founded in the 12th century. After the establishment of a division of the United East-Indian Company (Verenigde Oostindische Companie, abbreviated VOC) in 1602 the town gained international importance. Hoorn is also famous for its well-known sailors such as Willem Cornelisz Schouten and Jakob Le Maire who rounded for the first time Cape Horn in South America about 400 years ago. Tour 2: Beemster 47 km This tour goes through the polder landscape of the Beemster. The polder with its well preserved 17th century farmhouses, old rectangular street pattern and the old windmills in the village of Middenbeemster has been classified by the UNESCO as world heritage. The church of Middenbeemster is truly worth a visit. Tour 3: To Volendam and Amsterdam 60 km During this tour you can see and do many things. First you can visit the town of Volendam. Volendam has several particularities: its customs e.g. the inhabitants of the town speak a dialect (Volendams) and on special occasions typical attire is worn, its wooden houses, its fair, its shops and gastronomy which make the city distinctive of other places in Holland. Further on this tour you will get the opportunity to visit the exciting capital of the Netherlands: Amsterdam. A visit to Amsterdam is certainly the highlight of this bike holiday. Tour 4: to the Zaanse Schans 46 km This tour will bring you to one of the loveliest places of Holland: the Zaanse Schans. The Zaanse Schans is a famous open air museum where you are thrown back into the Holland of the 18th and 19th century. Between 1961 and 1974 some old buildings of the region around Zaandam have been transported to the Zaanse Schans. The windmills here have carefully been restored. You can visit the old houses and also a souvenir shop, a cheese farm, a shipyard, a clog workshop, a bakery museum, a clock museum and the only dye windmill in the world.
Route Technical Characteristics: Tour Profile: Easy and flat, suitable for all cyclists and families. Easy cycling, along a signposted cycling network Distance: 213 km Travel Season: Departures daily from April 1 until October 22, 2018
Price per Person: 5 days/4 nights 6 days / 5 nights Double Occupancy B&B 269.00 329.00 High Season Supplement from June 17 until August 27 25.00 30.00 Single Room Surcharge 105.00 130.00 Half Board 110.00 135.00 Bike Rental 7/21 gear with hand brakes, pannier bag, pump, lock and repair kit 50.00 E-bike (must be booked in advance) 100.00 Child Bike, Trailer and 3 rd Wheel 40.00 Child Seat 15.00 Bicycle Insurance for Hybrid Bikes 12.00 Bicycle Insurance for Electric Bikes 20.00 Reduction for 3 rd person in the room none Reduction for children 0-2 years when sharing with two adults in one room -100% Reduction for children 3-6 years when sharing with two adults in one room -50% Reduction for children 7-11 years when sharing with two adults in one room -25% Extra Nights in Purmerend Double Occupancy with breakfast 55.00 Extra Nights in Purmerend Double Occupancy with breakfast 80.00 For the 5 days/4 nights tour: bikes are available on day 1-2-3-4 For the 6 days/5 nights tour: bikes are available on day 2-3-4-5 Services Included: 5/6 days, 4/5 nights in 4* hotels Room with Shower/Bath and toilet 4/5 x breakfast buffet Half board possible (4/5 x 3 course dinner) Local taxes Map, tourist information and road book in English, German, French, Spanish and Dutch Service hotline (also on weekends) Not Included: Personal expenses Ferry Volendam Marken: to be paid on the spot
Bikes Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848