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| Around the IJssel Lake | Ref: NL011 |
| 8 days / 7 nights | |
| Price: £465pp (based on 2 people sharing) | |
Type:  |
Guided:  |
Level:  |
| Distance: approx 171 miles | ||
travel :
- Fly to Amsterdam
The "Noorderzon" is one of the barges used on this tour. Classified as a Standard barge it has 12 cabins with bunk beds, all with their own facilities and will take up to 24 people. In the saloon, where meals are eaten, there is an "honesty" bar. You help yourself to wine, beer or soft drinks and record what you have taken so that you can pay at the end of the week. We use an operator in Holland for these holidays, and as they sell to other agents in Europe such as ourselves it is likely you will have a mix of different nationalities on this tour adding to the cultural enjoyment.
Itinerary
Day 1 (saturday):
At approximately 1.00pm your barge will cruise through the locks to the IJssel Lake and the village of Hoorn. In the evening there is a short ‘warming-up’ cycle ride. 9 miles.
Day 2 (sunday):
Cycle through the Noordholland scenery through villages with names such as Nibbixwoud and Hoogkarspel. In Enkhuizen you will rejoin the barge for the crossing to Lemmer in the province of Friesland. 19 miles.
Day 3 (monday):
The province of Friesland is well known for its numerous lakes and other waterways and today you will be passing some canals and the lake called ‘Tjeukemeer’. You will stop in the tiny village of Ossenzijl, on the edge of the Weerribben nature reserve. Following the Kalenberger canal, the cycle trip for today ends in Blokzijl/Vollenhove. 25 miles.
Day 4 (tuesday):
The barge stays in Blokzijl/Vollenhove while you ride via Steenwijk to Giethoorn, called ‘the Venice of the North’. One of the possibilities here is renting a ‘punter’, the local boat, for a trip. After leaving Giethoorn, you will pass the lake Beulaker Wijde and through Dwarsgracht to return to Blokzijl/Vollenhove. As an alternative you could spend the day on your own and make a trip by canoe or by bike in the Weerribben nature reserve. 22 miles.
Day 5 (wednesday):
Today you will pass the lakes Belter Wijde and Schutsloter Wijde on your way to Zwartsluis. You will reach Genemuiden by ferry and cycle on top of the Kamper Zeedijk, an old dyke, to the 16th century hanseatic town of Kampen. 25 miles.
Day 6 (thursday):
Your first stop is in the splendidly preserved fortified town Elburg. After having passed Nunspeet, you enter the moorlands of Elspeet and the forestries around the country estate ‘Huis te Leuvenum’ before ending in Harderwijk. 34 miles.
Day 7 (friday):
The barge takes you to Spakenburg a former fishing village that has an old harbour and is known for its traditional clothing still worn by a number of locals. Next you will pass villadom Blaricum and cross the wood and moorlands of the Tafelberg. Alongside the IJssel Lake and via Muiden you arrive back in Amsterdam to rejoin your barge. 37 miles
Day 8 (saturday):
It is the end of the tour and so it is time to say farewells, exchange contact details and make your way home.
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Cycling Holidays in Holland
Cruise and Cycle
- Tulip Tour
- Spring Flowers
- Holland Meets Belgium
- Highlights of Holland
- Family Special - Tales and Castles
- Family Special - IJssel Lake
- Towns of the Golden Age
- Hanseatic Towns
- Amsterdam to Brussels
- Riverland Holland
- Around IJssel Lake
- Southern Holland
- Northern Holland
Hotel and Cycle
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