Cycling with Children: Back in Time - 8 dagen

DUTCH BIKETOURS - EMAIL: [email protected] - TELEPHONE +31 (0)24 3244712 - WWW.DUTCH-BIKETOURS.COM Cycling with Children: Back in Time 8 days, € 685

Introduction

This cycling tour is ideal for families. Distances are pleasant and do-able for children. The sights you will encounter along the way are interesting for the old and the young. As for your hotel accommodation, there are family rooms available if you want one. Naturally, this tour could also be suitable for adults who aren’t traveling with children but would like more time for sightseeing or – for whatever reason - less time in the saddle.

Day to Day

Day 1 Arrival Amersfoort Arrival Amersfoort

Day 2 Amersfoort – Muiderberg 43 km From Amersfoort the route goes via the northern side of "royal" Baarn and beautiful Naarden, to Muiderberg.

Day 3 Muiderberg – Volendam 43 km From Muiderberg you will cycle to Muiden where you can visit medieval Muiden Castle. From here, it is a short ride to . A pleasant cycle along the former estuary brings you to Waterland, with its bird-rich peat meadows, ancient canals and watercourses. After that you will proceed to Amsterdam. There is more to this capital city than just canals, bridges and over

800,000 bicycles. How about art, culture, shopping, dining out (have you ever tried Indonesian food?) or going for a drink in a cafe? After taking your leave of Amsterdam, the route continues atop the old sea dike to Volendam. This fishing village has always had a character all of its own.

Day 4 Volendam – 50 km Your first stop is the of Hoorn, pleasantly situated on a bay. The historical town centre has hundreds of listed buildings, many dating back to the 17th century. The street plan has been beautifully preserved. There are two marinas. From Hoorn you will continue along the old sea dike. Windmills and church spires mark the horizon of an extensive landscape dotted with quaint regional style farmhouses with a square base and pyramid roof. At the end of the afternoon you will reach the town of

Enkhuizen. Its historical town centre is said to be one of the ’ most beautiful. It is perfectly situated on the lake and is crisscrossed by numerous canals. The seventeenth century city wall and unique fifteenth century churches make the town a Mecca for lovers of history. If you would like to spend a whole day in open-air ZuiderZeeMuseum it is a good idea to book an extra night in Enkhuizen. The museum illustrates what life was like on the shores of Zuiderzee. Appeals to kids too!

Cycling with Children: Back in Time - 8 dagen

Day 5 Enkhuizen – 35 km At Enkhuizen, board a ferry to (the ferry only goes in summer months). Urk and neighbouring used to be islands in the Zuiderzee. Living conditions were hard for the fishermen and the islanders eventually had to be forcibly evacuated. In 1942 the islands were incorporated into a new polder and people moved in again. You will continue via Schokland, the pearl of , is a former Island in the Zuiderzee. It used to be an island in the Zuiderzee but today it is part of the , one of the created during the in the 20th century. You’ll note that Schokland lies higher than the surrounding polder land. It used to be an island in the Zuiderzee but today it is part of the Noordoostpolder, one of the polders created during the Zuiderzee Works in the 20th century. It symbolizes the battle against the water of the people of the Netherlands. Schokland is 4.5 km long and 400 m wide. After Schokland you will cycle to Lelystad. Here you will find Batavia City, the outlet shopping mall and the Bataviawerf. Very interesting for children to have a look how the ships were made in the Golden Age. After Schokland, continue the tour to Lelystad. Besides two interesting museums, Lelystad is also home to Batavia Stad Outlet Shopping Centre. In low season, when the ferry to Urk is not going, you need to cycle across a 32 km dike towards Lelystad.

Day 6 Lelystad – Hulshorst 38 km After Lelystad, you will cycle the width of Flevoland, on ‘new land’, past farms and fields and through the woods to Harderwijk, back on the ‘mainland’. This is where the Dolphinarium can be found, Europe’s largest zoo for marine mammals. Children and adults

alike will enjoy spectacular shows with dolphins, walruses, sea lions and sharks. After Harderwijk it is only a short distance to Hulshorst where you can relax at the hotel by the pool.

Day 7 Hulshorst – Amersfoort 53 km From Hulshorst, pedal to the banks of the Veluwerandmeren lakes and make your way to Amersfoort. The greatest charm of this

stretch of the route is the mix of woods, water and polderland.

Day 8 Return Home After breakfast in your hotel it’s time to go home.

Prices, Data, Booking

Starting dates: Daily from April 1 till September 23

Price pp € Double room, breakfast 685.00 Single room, breakfast 895.00 Child 445.00 Dinner 227.50 Extra night, breakfast only 70.00 Upgrades pp/night € Van der Valk Hotel Volendam, Volendam 12.50 Rental bike € Child bike 70.00 Hybrid 84.00 E-bike 175.00 Extra services € Bike Breakdown pass € 3.00 x 7 21.00 Child seat € 5.00 x 7 35.00 Bike theft insurance € 3.00 x 7 21.00 E-bike theft insurance € 6.00 x 7 42.00 Extra luggage € 5.00 x 7 35.00 Tag-along bike € 6.00 x 7 42.00 Child trailer € 17.50 x 7 122.50 Bike helmet per piece 10.00 SGR per piece 5.00 Starting point: Amersfoort Cycling with Children: Back in Time - 8 dagen

Practical Info

7 Nights included

3/4 Star Hotels

Breakfast included, Halfboard optional

Detailed roadbooks with maps and tourist information

The possibility of renting our bikes

7-days a week service-hotline

Luggage transport to your next hotel

Amersfoort

Parking possibilities at the hotel

GPS-tracks availible

Any ferry crossings are not included

Arrival info

Nearest Airport is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)

The train from Schiphol to Amersfoort departs 2 times per hour. Travel time is about 40 minutes. A single ticket costs approx €11- per person excl. bicycle.

For timetables and tickets, go to www.ns.nl/en. For bus details, how to reach the hotel, check: www.9292.nl/en.