2008 is our Fifteenth year -
Bill & Iris Snow and Saskia de Groot
23925 NE 115th Ln #203
Redmond, WA 98053-6211
tel: 800 437 4771 or 425 242 0966
[ bicycling | touring | barge | scheduling | costs | inclusions | deposits/payments | Availability
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2008 "Bike & Barge" schedules
13 nights/parts of 14 days Bike & Barge Tours
The perfect answer to cycling in Europe.
The barge is your hotel, restaurant, and baggage carrier. You are served breakfast and dinner on the barge, and you make sandwiches, etc. to carry with you for lunch. The barge supplies a bicycle for everyone (included). There are guided bike trips every day that meet the barge each night at its new destination.
BICYCLING:
Each day - two groups - three choices
You can bike with the short/slow group or the long/faster group. The short group rides about 25 - 30 miles per day and the long group may do around 40± miles. If you don't want to bike any day, you just ride the barge. The pace is really called a "social ride" adjusted to see the sights, take pictures and enjoy the coffee and bakery stops. Each group has a Dutch guide. It is recommended that you should be able to ride a bike for one hour and cover at least ten miles.
You leave the tour on the morning of the last day, a Friday. You spend 13 nights on the boat.
See our Quick List of availabilities scroll to the end of this page.
Tour #1 (April 12 to April 25) The North/South tour, including the Tulip tour is the North and South coastal routing along the North Sea and the IJsselmeer. Dunes, windmills, and traditional Holland. Amsterdam, Gouda, Delft, Leiden, Haarlem, Alkmaar to Texel island and return through Enkhuizen, Volendam and one full day in Amsterdam. You visit Keukenhof gardens and the tulips in bloom. The tour begins and ends in Amsterdam. Your last full day is spent in Amsterdam. Note: Airline fares are generally cheaper in April and May.
Tour #2 (April 26 to May 9) The North/South tour, including the Tulip tour is the North and South coastal routing along the North Sea and the IJsselmeer. Dunes, windmills, and traditional Holland. Amsterdam, Gouda, Delft, Leiden, Haarlem, Alkmaar to Texel island and return through Enkhuizen, Volendam and one full day in Amsterdam. You visit Keukenhof gardens and the tulips in bloom. The tour begins and ends in Amsterdam. Your last full day is spent in Amsterdam. Note: Airline fares are generally cheaper in April and May.
Tour #3 (May 10 to May 23) . The Friesland tour, a giant circle north of Amsterdam and then east, visiting two islands north of the IJsselmeer. Amsterdam to Volendam, Medemblik, Stavoren, Harlingen, Leeuwarden, Sneek, Lemmer, Urk, and Weesp. Friesland is an area famous for its Arts and Crafts. Also bike the beautiful islands of Vlieland (weather permitting) & Terschelling north of Friesland. The tour then returns for a day in Amsterdam. The best tour for both biking and barging.Note: Airline fares are generally cheaper in April and May.
Tour #4 (May 24 to June 6 The Amsterdam/Maastricht/Antwerp tour. Tour the Southeast Netherlands, with day loops into Germany and ending in Antwerp via Northeast Belgium. Visit Nijmegen, Roermond, Maastricht (with its caves), Hasselt and Lier enroute to Antwerp. The Maas river was a battleground in WWII and on further south to the Battle of the bulge. There are some rolling hills between Nijmegen, Hasselt and Maastricht. History in this area goes back to Charlemagne in the 790's. This tour ends in Antwerp a two hour train ride to Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. Trains run twice an hour - no need for a schedule.
Tour #5 (June 7 to June 20) The Heart of Belgium tour is a giant circle through the Flemish and French speaking part of Belgium. Starting in Antwerp and via Brussel, Charleroi, Namur, Dinant, Liége, Hasselt and many small picturesque towns back to Antwerp. We follow the beautiful valleys of the main rivers and every now and then cycle up some hills to see the old castles, gardens, fortresses and abbeys. You may decide to avoid the hills and cycle the more flat tow paths along the rivers and canals. Ride the boat on its mile long journey up the new ship elevator. We see the pilgrimage trail "Santiago the Compostella." View the historic battlefields. A new experience as this part of Belgium looks, feels and tastes like France. Do as the Belgium's do: enjoy life and drink a famous Belgium abbey beer and taste their bread and cheese. Tour starts and ends in Antwerp - trains from/to Amsterdam's airport run every hour. A free photo CD of this tour is available - send mailing address.
Tour #6 (June 21 to July 4) The Heart of Belgium tour is a giant circle through the Flemish and French speaking part of Belgium. Starting in Antwerp and via Brussel, Charleroi, Namur, Dinant, Liége, Hasselt and many small picturesque towns back to Antwerp. We follow the beautiful valleys of the main rivers and every now and then cycle up some hills to see the old castles, gardens, fortresses and abbeys. You may decide to avoid the hills and cycle the more flat tow paths along the rivers and canals. Ride the boat on its mile long journey up the new ship elevator. We see the pilgrimage trail "Santiago the Compostella.'' View the historic battlefields. A new experience as this part of Belgium looks, feels and tastes like France. Do as the Belgium's do: enjoy life and drink a famous Belgium abbey beer and taste their bread and cheese. Tour starts and ends in Antwerp - trains from/to Amsterdam's airport run every hour. A free photo CD of this tour is available - send mailing address.
Tour #7 (July 5 to July 18)
The Antwerp/Brugge/Amsterdam
tour begins in Antwerp and on to Gent, Brugge, Middelburg
(with the Storm Surge Delta Works), through Zeeland to Dordrecht
and back to Amsterdam. Medieval cities and fishing villages even
the Europeans come to see. Antwerp is a two hour train ride from
Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. Trains run twice an hour - no need
for a schedule
Tour #8 (July
19 to August 1) The
IJssel tour is eastern Holland up the IJssel river area
to Giethoorn and returning through the polders, castles, ancient
towns, national parks, lakes and canals; older Netherlands at
its best. We visit the Kroller-Muller Van Gogh museum in De Hoge
Veluwe National Park near Arnhem and an outdoor museum recreating
life in Holland over the past several centuries. The tour begins
and ends in Amsterdam.
Tour #9 (August 2 to August 15) The Friesland tour, a giant circle north of Amsterdam and then east, visiting two islands north of the IJsselmeer. Amsterdam to Volendam, Medemblik, Stavoren, Harlingen, Leeuwarden, Sneek, Lemmer, Urk, and Weesp. Friesland is an area famous for its Arts and Crafts. Also bike the beautiful islands of Vlieland (weather permitting) & Terschelling north of Friesland. The tour then returns for a day in Amsterdam. The best tour for both biking and barging.
Tour #10 (August 16 to August 29) The Friesland tour, a giant circle north of Amsterdam and then east, visiting two islands north of the IJsselmeer. Amsterdam to Volendam, Medemblik, Stavoren, Harlingen, Leeuwarden, Sneek, Lemmer, Urk, and Weesp. Friesland is an area famous for its Arts and Crafts. Also bike the beautiful islands of Vlieland (weather permitting) & Terschelling north of Friesland. The tour then returns for a day in Amsterdam. The best tour for both biking and barging.
Tour #11 (August 30 to September 12)
Tour #12 (September 13 to September 26) The IJssel tour is eastern Holland up the IJssel river area to Giethoorn and returning through the polders, castles, ancient towns, national parks, lakes and canals; older Netherlands at its best. We visit the Kroller-Muller Van Gogh museum in De Hoge Veluwe National Park near Arnhem and an outdoor museum recreating life in Holland over the past several centuries. The tour begins and ends in Amsterdam.
Tour in France
Tour #13 (June 21
to July 4 )
Tour in France
4 French rivers( (Seine, Oise, Alsne, Marne). This interesting roundtrip
starts and ends in Reims, where 25 French Kings have been crowned
in the cathedral.
A canal with lots of locks brings us from Reims to the river Aisne
that we follow downstream to Soissons with it's magnificent gothic
cathedral. The beautiful and peaceful valley has been witnessing
to many a battle in World War I. We end this section in the varied
scenery of Compiègne, where we visit the palace of the
French kings. From the Middle Ages on, this part of France used
to be the centre of the French kingdom. In the beautiful woods
you can find the castle of Pierrefonds. We leave the Aisne for
the valley of the l'Oise to Creil and Conflans, where we hit the
Seine. On this river the Fleur sails us into Paris, where we are
docked right in the center close to the Place de la Bastille.
We stay Friday and Saturday night in Paris.
In Paris you have a day on your own, including dinner.
From Paris we cycle on the quiet Sunday morning out of Paris to
Meaux, one of the centers of Protestantism in the 16th century.
After Châteaux-Thierry we arrive in the champagne region
and you bike straight through the vineyards on the rolling banks
of the Marne. On our way we visit one of the immense champagne
cellars in Epernay, the capital of the champagne region, as well
as small champagne growers, who will be proud to sell their best
champagne. For the good bikers there is an option to cycle up
to Hautvilliers where allegedly Dom Perignon started the process
of champagne making in the abbey. A canal brings our floating
hotel back to Reims.
On a scale 1 (easy cycling) to 7 (very challenging cycling) this
trip is between 2 and 3. Some itineraries are optional depending
on the biking skills. We will cycle in two level groups (short
30-50 km and long 40-70 km), each accompanied by a professional
guide. Of course you always have the option to sail along with
the Fleur. Biking paths and biking lanes are rare in France. Preferably
we will cycle on smaller roads with minimal car-traffic, but sections
on bigger roads are possible. In order to avoid hills or traffic
we sometimes choose for non blacktop roads. The itinerary and
program are subject to change due to weather conditions; sailing
challenges for the Fleur or changes in the opening times of the
places to visit.
This tour is on the Fleur an airconditioned 10 cabin boat.
Tour in Germany:
Tour #14 (August 23
to September 5) The German Tour The trip starts in Metz, France,
and follows the river Moselle until it runs into the Rhine at
Koblenz, Germany. The first part of the trip passes Lorraine,
the northeast corner of France that has been disputed by Germany
in three major wars. We visit the largest fort of the Maginot
Line, a witness of the belligerence. Interesting is the amazing
mix of French and German culture that developed here through the
centuries, especially where the Moselle is the border river. A
lot of people speak both languages fluently not to mention the
inimitable dialects. Beautiful cities like Metz; Luxemburg; Trier
and Koblenz are on our way as well as century old villages. Trier
is the oldest town of Germany, founded by the Romans whose traces
are still there. Before, but especially after Trier world famous
wineries wine-villages on our way are abundant and the scenery,
without exaggeration, can be described as breathtaking. The tour
ends in Koblenz, Germany.
. A new tour for 2008 sailing on the Allure a nine cabin boat.
Days for beginning tours are Saturdays in Europe, you must leave the USA on Friday to arrive on Saturday
The weather in Holland from April through September is rarely too hot or too cold to bike. Late April and May is the driest period of the year.
THE BARGE is the Angeline (the renamed Lena Maria) for 2008 tours
For pictures of the Angeline and its cabins, lounges and dinning room, send us a request via E-mail and we will E-mail you a set of pictures that also includes the bicycles. A free Photo CD of the tours is available for those who have the software to run a slideshow on their computer.
Or click on the following link to pictures of the boat
For 2008 we have the Angeline (the updated and renamed Lena Maria), with all fourteen cabins about the same size as the few largest cabins available on other boats in the past. The small windows open for ventilation and there are two beds, both on the floor, no upper and lower bunks. Each cabin has its own private bath. There is also 220 Volt electricity for hair dryers, etc.
The barge has a large dining area and separate lounge. The Captain and crew cook the meals and the guides serve.
for 2008 tours
We have discontinued our inclusive air fares because we are now getting bookings from almost all over the USA and it is impossible to continue booking group fares. We will give you advice on arrival times required to make the boat sailings and you may make your own air arrangements.
You must arrive in Holland on a Saturday, or before, and be on board the boat by noon, the boat sails about 1:00 pm. It is easy to catch a train at the Airport for the short ride to Amsterdam Central station. It is then a short walk to the barge. The boat maybe docked in the Oosterdok adjacent to the train station or at another location to be named. A map to the boat will be supplied.
In the Netherlands we start touring Saturday afternoon with a short ride, after a short boat ride, to get acquainted with the bikes and the bike paths. Sunday morning we start daily touring and continue until we arrive back into Amsterdam on the second Wednesday afternoon. We have a city walk tour that Wednesday night.
We have a free choice day in Amsterdam or Antwerp on the last Thursday. The evening meal on the last Thursday of the tour is not included giving you a chance to enjoy the local cuisine and the barge is docked right downtown.
Friday morning we breakfast on the barge and you debark by 9:00am.
for 2008 tours
$2,595per person is our Bike & Barge tour cost for the Netherland and Belgium tours
The German and French tours is $2,795 per person
On our Bike & Barge Tours we have a single supplement charge of $800 on our Holland tours if you request it. If you are willing to accept a roommate (same gender) that we might provide, we will make an effort to find one at no extra charge.
YOUR "Bike & Barge" TOUR COST INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
(A) - All scheduled ferry fees & entry fees to parks and museums
(B) - Your own museum pass on tours that end in Amsterdam, good for a year.
(C) - All meals* except the last Thursday evening meal. (packed lunches)
*Starting with Saturday evening on arrival
(D) - Tips to the crew are included in your costs (however, you may tip a crew member extra for any personal service)
(E) - Two trained Dutch guides...one for each group, slow/short group & fast/long group.
(F) - A fully equipped 21 speed hybrid-bike for touring. (includes lock and two panniers)
(G) - bicycle insurance
(H) - A booklet detailing the daily routing will be supplied before departure
(I) - A Bike & Barge Holland T-shirt and water bottle. A gift to take home.
(J) - Return to the Schiphol airport (if docked in Amsterdam) via Van or Bus on Friday morning. One scheduled Van or Bus departure only. In Belgium, France and Germany like transportation to the local train station at the conclusion of the tour. Transport is to the Airport in Amsterdam and to the train station away from Amsterdam. Any deviation from our scheduled transport is at your expense.
To see our Quick List of availabilities scroll to the end of this page.
for 2008 tours
Early deposits on 2008 tours of $500 per person are fully refundable until 1/1/08. The $500 per person is refundable less $200pp after 1/1/08 until 70 days before departure when the balance is due. No refunds after 70 day before departure.
The remaining balance of the tour cost is due 70 days before departure.
Payment is made to
Bike & Barge Holland tours
23925 NE 115th Ln #203, Redmond,WA 98053-6211
(this is a new address)
Trip cancellation and medical insurance
is recommended. Information will be mailed to you with your receipt.
or
You can click on
to review and purchase a policy.
Travel agents should only call us for details on GROUP bookings as we are not able to pay a satisfactory commission for individual bookings.
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION & BOOKING
Contact Bill or Iris Snow at: 800 437 4771 or 425 242 0966
We are a Registered seller of travel - Washington State ID#: 601 235 585
Hours to call are 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Pacific time (every day)
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
tours@bikebarge.com
We will have a booth at the following Travel Shows in 2008
Jan 26th & 27th - Chicago Travel show - Chicago, IL
Feb 2nd - Travel Expo - Spokane Convention Center - Spokane, WA
Feb 9th & 10th - L.A. Times Travel Show - Long Beach, CA
March 8th - 9th - Seattle International Bicycle Expo - Seattle, WA
March 29th - 30h - Washington DC Travel show - Washington DC
of availabilities on 2008 scheduled Tours
All are 13 night tours
Dates are Saturdays in Holland, you leave the USA on Friday to arrive on Saturday
This information was updated 4/8/08 10:26 PM
Tour #1 (April 12 to April 25) The North/South Old Holland tour, including the Tulip tour- 1/2 cabin for a female
Tour #2 (April 26 to May 9) The North/South Old Holland tour, including the Tulip tour - Tour is booked
Tour #3 (May 10 to May 23) . The Friesland tour, - Tour has half cabin for a male
Tour #4 (May 24 to June 6 The *Amsterdam/Maastricht/Antwerp tour.- cabins open
Tour #5 (June 7 to June 20) The *Heart of Belgium tour - cabins open
Tour #6 (June 21 to July 4) The Heart of Belgium tour - tour is booked
Tour #7 (July 5 to July 18) The Antwerp/Brugge/Amsterdam tour- Tour is booked
Tour #8 (July 19 to August 1) The IJssel tour- tour is booked
Tour #9 (August 2 to August 15) The Friesland tour, -one cabin open
Tour #10 (August 16 to August 29) *The Friesland tour - three cabins open
Tour #11 (August 30 to Sept 12) - tour booked
Tour #12 (Sept 13 to Sept 26) The IJssel - tour booked
Tour in France
Tour #13 (6/21 - 7/4 Tour in France 4 French rivers( (Seine, Oise, Alsne, Marne). - tour booked
Tour in Germany
Tour #14 (August 23 - Sept 5) The German tour, Metz, Saarburg, Trier, Koblenz - Tour has one cabin open
There are 14 cabins on the Angeline in Netherlands/Belgium and 9 cabins on the Allure in Germany. And 10 cabins on the Fleur in France
We do have standby lists for those tours that are full - let us know if interested.
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