This tour is a true gem! The bike routes ride along beautiful paths through some of Holland's most scenic countryside. Starting and ending in Amsterdam, this tour  visits the prestigious towns of Haarlem, Leiden, Scheveningen, The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam. Haarlem is one of your first stops. This small town has a beautiful square and the famous Gothic Basilica, St. Bavo Church which houses the magnificent Christian Muller organ with 5,000 pipes on which Mozart, Handel and Liszt have all practiced their music.   Cycling on to Rembrandt's city of birth, Leiden, will embrace you with its lively atmosphere and shop-filled narrow cobblestone streets.  From here, your journey continues via forested paths to Scheveningen, a popular coastal resort.  As the official home of the Royal Family, The Hague (Den Haag) also serves as the seat of government, and boasts many elaborate palaces and government buildings. Delft is famous for its Delftware (handsomely painted blue and white Delft earthenware) that was developed in the 1500's. This quaint little town was also the hometown of the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer and the place where he created most of his works, including Girl with a Pearl Earring and Milkmaid. Rotterdam famous for its harbor also contains interesting modern architecture, including skyscrapers and cubical houses.  Via quiet bicycle paths, the tour will run through Vianen and Breukelen (the namesake of Brooklyn in New York)  and back to Amsterdam with time to visit additional museums, the Anne Frank House, the Homomonument and other sites.  

TRIP INCLUDES:
Round trip airfare from New York (JFK)
Two nights/breakfast in Amsterdam with guided tour before boarding boat
7 nights accommodations on board ship
Breakfast buffets, packed lunches, 3-course dinners on ship
Coffee & tea on board (other beverages extra)
Tour guide, Route Information, Ferry fares en route
7 or 24-speed hybrid bicycle bike insurance

NOT INCLUDED:
Travel to New York City  for flights
Airport taxes & fees (about $280)

 Note:  If we have 12 women signed up by November 2008, we may be able to charter our own boat.

Note:   Except for medical emergencies, $350 of the airfare is non refundable after 90 days before the trip.

ORGANIZERS: Sandra Pollack of Journey Weavers: Educational Tours and Ana Zamora of Aventuras Yemaya are arranging this trip in conjunction with Hennie van den Hengel of The Netherlands and Pack & Pedal Europe, Inc.  With their connection to Icelandic Air and local barge companies in The Netherlands, we can offer this trip at a reasonable price.  

BOAT INFORMATION:
The Standard Plus class of ships come equipped with cabins with bunk or twin beds, private shower/toilet in all cabins, hot and cold drinkable water, central heating, bed sheets, pillow, towels. Each ship has a saloon/dining room and a sun deck/bicycle deck.  Generally ships hold between 15 to 30 participants.

BIKING INFORMATION:
Biking in the Netherlands is a way of life with extensive bike trails on level ground. This trip is considered an easy trip with average daily distances of ± 30 miles on flat terrain and good asphalt roads with little or no traffic. You also have the option of lengthening or shortening the day's distance. The guide helps you in choosing alternative routes.