Summer 2019 Holland Tulip Tour Bike and Barge

BIKE & BARGE TRIP  $2830 

May 1-11, 2019

Holland Tulip Tour!

This awesome trip includes 7 nights on a Comfort Plus class barge, with daily, guided bike tours of about 22 to 28 miles per day through the Dutch countryside and past beautiful tulip fields, plus two additional nights in Amsterdam!  Airfare, most meals, & bikes are included.  

Pricing: 

• $2830 per person, sharing a double cabin
  
• Single pricing available on request
• Land only price available on request

Payment schedule: 

• $500 deposit per person upon registration
• $250 per person due Oct 1, 2018
• $750 per person due Jan 1, 2019
• Balance due Feb 15, 2019

ITINERARY:

Wed May 1: Overnight flight to Amsterdam from Miami

Thur May 2: Check into Hotel Die Port Van Cleve 

Fri May 3: In Amsterdam

Sat May 4: Amsterdam - Haarlem, approx. 15 km (approx. 9 miles)

Private bus transfer to the sea port, arrival no later than 2:00 p.m.  When you arrive on board you can put your luggage away in your cabin and then enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the guide, skipper and crew and of course your fellow passengers.

The first part of the tour you will sail to Spaarndam – known as the village of Hansje Brinker – and from here we make an easy ride into the beautiful city of Haarlem.

Sun May 5: Haarlem - Leiden, approx. 45 km  (approx. 28 miles)

Todays trip leads you through the oldest tulip fields of Holland and along the Keukenhof. Of course you’ll have time to admire the most beautiful bulb park in the world (tickets are included in the tourprice). Keukenhof is the place where the spring breaks. An overwhelming blaze of colours; seven million flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acres’ background of traditional and modern gardening architecture. You also can admire the various hyacinths, narcisses and many other colourful flowers. You spend the night in Leiden which is Rembrandt’s hometown but also Armin van Buuren.

Mon May 6: Leiden - Kudelstaart, approx. 45 km (approx. 28 miles)

Today you continue your tour around the Haarlemmermeer, with a lunch stop at the other side of the bridge in Leimuiden. Imagine that this polder once was the biggest lake in Holland and nicknamed ’the waterwolf’. The cycle route leads you through the green heart of Holland, an area characterized by small cycle paths, typical black and white cows and despite the work of Mr. Leeghwater, a lot of water. Your destination for today is Kudelstaart: a small town bordered by the Westeinderplassen. 

Tue May 7: Amsterdam - Wormerveer, approx. 45 km (approx. 28 miles)

Every morning "Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer‟ sets the world price for flowers and plants. As a visitor you can walk over a specially designed gallery to experience the hustle and bustle of demand and supply experience the hustle and bustle lead by the auction clock but also enjoy the gorgeous flowers that are showed in. While flowers and plants start their world tour you will have breakfast while sailing towards Amsterdam. Between the airport Schiphol and the city you disembark to continue your tour by bike along the river Amstel and right into the city. A ferry (don’t forget to take a look to the left where you see whale tail shaped building of the eye filmmuseum) brings you to the other side of the river ’IJ’. Here you leave the city behind and continue your tour through lush green polders towards the world famous hamlet of Zaanse Schans. A unique place where people live and work, with original houses and windmills from the river Zaan area. 

Wed May 8: Wormerveer - Alkmaar, approx. 45 km (approx. 28 miles)

From Wormerveer you will cycle through the most beautiful dunes of the Netherlands and if weather permits, you may like to swim in the North Sea during your lunch break at the beach. Todays’ overnight stay is in cheese town Alkmaar. An historic lively city with many small and bigger shops. A little less than 400 heritage sites, canals and harbour dominate the townscape.

Thur May 9: Alkmaar - Purmerend, approx. 35 km (approx. 22 miles)

Today time to cycle into the polder landscape of the Beemster and Purmer, part of a big green polder area.The Beemster Polder, dating from the early 17th century, is an exceptional example of reclaimed land in the Netherlands. It has preserved intact its well-ordered landscape of fields, roads, canals, dykes and settlements, laid out in accordance with classical and Renaissance planning principles. Also time to visit one of the big water mills at the Rijp. 

Fri May 10: Purmerend - Amsterdam, approx. 20 - 35 km (approx. 22 miles)

Purmerend lies at the edge of an area called ‘ Waterland’ where roads and water are nearby on the same level. We visit the nice village of Zunderdorp and Ransdorp. The better cyclists can cycle the long route to Edam and Volendam and if time permits you can cross the lake Gouwzee to admire the traditional fisherman’s village Marken with its typical wooden houses. 
In Amsterdam you can look back at cycling seven days in great variation of typical Dutch landscapes, towns and many highlights.

Sat May 11: Amsterdam to Miami

Disembarkation after breakfast. Private bus transfer to Schiphol Airport for return flight to Miami.

Included Features:

• Air transportation between Miami and Amsterdam, via Delta Airlines.
  
• Transfer between Amsterdam Airport and Hotel via private coach.
  
• 2 nights accommodations at the 4 Star Hotel Die Port Van Cleve (Or similar)
  
• Breakfast buffet daily in Amsterdam
  
• Transfer between Amsterdam hotel and Sea port via private coach.
  
• 7 nights on the MV Sailing Home including all of the following:
  
• • Bed linens and towels
  • Breakfast daily
  • 3-course dinner daily
  • Packed lunch daily
  • Coffee and tea on board
  • Weekly program
  • English speaking biking guide
  • 24-Speed bicycle (with handbrakes, Bike helmet pannier bags, lock, water bottle)
• Transfer between Ship and Amsterdam Airport via private coach.
  
• Return flight to MIA via Delta Airlines.
  
• All air taxes
  
• All fuel surcharges 

About the ship:

The Sailing Home is a Comfort Plus class ship. Built in 2001, this barge was designed with an emphasis on comfort.

• 13 cabins total, maximum of 26 passengers (1 cabin may be used for guide)
  
• Ship size: length of 45 meters, width of 6.53 meters
  
• Cabin size: 3.95 x 2.75 meters, height of 2.25 meters
  
• Cabins contain twin beds (no bunk beds) that can be pushed together to form a double bed
  
• Air-conditioning in all cabins
  
• All cabins have windows
  
• A separate bar/saloon
  
• Daily maid service for cabin cleaning
  
• Safe for valuables available in each cabin
  
• Fully equipped private bathrooms
  
• Hairdryers
  
• Well-equipped private shower/toilet in each cabin
  
• A large sundeck separate  from the bicycle deck with deck chairs and an awning
  
• Helmets available on board
  
• A large and comfortable dining room on upper deck
  
• Knowledgeable tour guide and crew members on board
  
• WiFi available on board (limited amount of free data per guest with the ability to purchase additional data

FLIGHT SCHEDULE: (Subject to schedule changes)

01 MAY. DL 2333 FLL / ATL 2:00PM – 3:59PM

01 MAY. DL 0072 ATL / AMS 5:26PM – 8:05AM

11 MAY. DL 0071 AMS / ATL 8:35AM – 12:14PM

11 MAY. DL 1117 ATL / FLL 2:05PM – 3:59PM

Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

Trip cancellation insurance is available for $172 per person and is highly recommended. Insurance will cover all non-refundable amounts in the event of a covered cancellation or trip interruption up to the amount of coverage selected, plus the following additional coverage:

• $ 750. for Travel Delay ($150. maximum per day)
  
• $ 1,500. for Baggage and Travel Documents.
  
• $ 400. for Baggage Delay.
  
• $ 50,000. for Medical Expense.
  
• $250,000. for Emergency Medical Transportation.