Vantage World Travel

Around Ijssel Lake - 8D/7N

A really varied tour that roughly follows the coastline of the former Zuiderzee, the present Ijssel Lake and several border lakes. The route leads to fishing villages and ports, like Spakenburg and Elburg. You will be cycling through the beautiful landscape of North-Holland, the unique natural reserve the Weerribben and through the forests and heather in the Veluwe area. Some parts of the route will be done by barge. You will visit Kampen and Lemmer in Friesland. Visit Amsterdam, Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Lemmer, Blokzijl, Gierhoorn, Zwartsluis, Kampen, Elburg, Harderwijk, Spakenburg, Naarden and Weesp.

The Netherlands is often called Holland because of the role the two western provinces North and South holland played in its history. This region encompasses Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Hague, and other well known Dutch cities. During the Golden Age, Holland was the Capital of the World. It is a country of water; ever since the 16th century, many Dutch people have been living on the bottom of former lakes. Part of the country is covered by large rivers, whose estuaries form an immense delta. Ijssel Lake, a large freshwater lake, still covers 296,400 acres. Windmills are used to drain the land and keep it dry. They still form an important element of water management in these low lying lands.
Amsterdam, one of the great cities of Europe has many faces. You may know the romantic canals, the numerous bikes and the exciting night-life, however, Amsterdam offers so much more. It has a wide range of places of interest, historical monuments and more than 40 museums. Arts and antiques are for sale in quaint quarters, fashionable and upscale products in chic shopping streets.

Included: Accommodation, full board (breakfast, packed lunch and dinner), bicycle with gears and pannier, travel guidance, visit mill/cheese farm, city walks.

Accommodations: Double room cabin.

Departures: On Request.

Itinerary

• Day 1: Saturday: cycling ± 15 km. - After your embarkation in Amsterdam, your boatel sails the IJ and through the locks to the IJssel Lake. The sailing trip to Hoorn takes about 4 hours. In the evening we will make a test ride in and around Hoorn.
• Day 2: Sunday: cycling ± 30 km. - Today’s cycle trip leads through the Noordholland scenery and shows villages with names like Nibbixwoud and Hoogkarspel. In Enkhuizen we embark and make the crossing to Lemmer in the province of Friesland. In the evening your guide invites you for a walk through this characteristic port.
• Day 3: Monday: cycling ± 35 km. - The province of Friesland is well-known for its numerous lakes and other waterways. That’s why today you’ll be passing some canals and a lake called ‘Tjeukemeer’. Your cycle trip ends in the tiny village of Ossenzijl, on the edge of of National Park the Weerribben. We could certainly recommend to you to pay a visit to the visitor’s centre of this natural reserve which is unique for Europe. Following the Kalenberger canal, today’s cycle trip ends in Blokzijl/Vollenhove.
• Day 4: Tuesday: cycling ± 40 km - The barge stays in Blokzijl/Vollenhove and the cyclists paddle via Steenwijk to Giethoorn, also known as ‘the Venice of the North’. One of the possibilities here is renting a ‘punter’, the local boat, to make a trip. After leaving Giethoorn, we’ll pass the lake Beulaker Wijde and through Dwarsgracht we return in Blokzijl/Vollenhove.As an alternative you could spend the day on your own and make a trip by canoe or by bike in the natural reserve the Weerribben.
• Day 5: Wednesday: cycling ± 60 km - Today we’ll pass the lakes Belter Wijde and Schutsloter Wijde on our way to Zwartsluis. In this lively town, situated on a crossing of waterways, you’ll find it nice to sit down on one of the many terraces. We’ll reach Genemuiden by ferry and cycle on top of the Kamper Zeedijk, an old dike, to the hanseatic town of Kampen. The ship will be moored at the river IJssel.
• Day 6: Thursday: cycling ± 45 km - Our first stop, a ‘must’, is in the splendidly preserved fortified town Elburg. After having passed Nunspeet, we enter the moorlands of Elspeet and the forestries around country estate Huis te Leuvenum. Finally we reach Harderwijk, a cosy port that is known for its dolphinarium.
• Day 7: Friday: cycling ± 60 km - The barge takes you to Spakenburg. This former fishermens village has a traditional harbour and is known for its traditional clothing still worn by lots of locals. Next we’ll pass villadom Blaricum and cross the wood- and moorlands of the Tafelberg. After a short visit to 14th century Naarden-Vesting, a fortified town. Alongside the IJ-Lake and via Muiden you arrive back in Amsterdam. In the evening you may wish to join the guide for a walk though the centre or you may (on your own account) go for a round trip of the Amsterdam canals.
• Day 8: Saturday - After breakfast your guide and the crew will say good-bye and your stay aboard has come to an end.

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