HOLLAND - Randonnee Tours€¦ · E [email protected] W randonneetours.com T 604.730.1247 | 1.800.242.1825 >>>RESERVE YOUR TRIP

HOLLANDCYCLING ∙ 8 DAYS

E [email protected] W randonneetours.com T 604.730.1247 | 1.800.242.1825

>>>RESERVE YOUR TRIP<<<

In a country where everyone (even the queen) rides a bicycle, it is no wonder the cycling paths and signage are the envy of cyclists the world over. Our 7 day trip starts just west of Amsterdam in the charming village of Haarlem which borders the National Park Zuid-Kennemarland and the Atlantic. From here, cycle south along the coast, through the famous gardens at Keukenhof to Leiden with its ancient university and numerous museums and art galleries. Continuing south, reach Delft, where Johannes Vermeer lived and worked his entire life and the famous Delft pottery is still made by hand. From Delft continue to Gouda, the cheese capital of Holland with its lovely architecture and thriving markets. Along the way, enjoy cycling along canals and dedicated cycling paths - our route has been designed to provide an easy-going tour to allow time to take in the rich culture and art that the Netherlands has on offer.

HOLLAND Cycling ∙ Tour 8 Days DATES

You can start any day between April 1 and October 25.

LEVELEasy GoingThis is one of our easiest tours. 40 to 70 km daily (25 to 44 miles) on flat terrain.

COST Classic Accommodation USD$1650 Single supplement USD$450

Luxe Accomodation USD$2150Single supplementUSD$550

WHAT’S INCLUDED? ∙ Seven nights lodging ∙ Use of a top quality 21-speed hybrid bike complete with handlebar bag, pump, and all the necessary accessories for changing flats. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons

∙ All breakfasts, one dinner∙ Detailed map and route

instructions ∙ GPS data of the route (on request)

∙ All baggage transportation ∙ Area Manager services for the duration of the tour

WEATHER (AMSTERDAM)Average Daily High °C °FApril 8 46May 14 57 June 17 62July 18 64August 18 64 September 18 64October 10 50

RANDONNÉE TOURS | 2

Day 1 Arrive to HaarlemLocated just 10 minute train ride west of the centre of Amsterdam, you can also reach direct from the airport. Haarlem’s historic center is beautiful, dotted with charming hofjes (courtyards), and has a young, lively population. Museums are plentiful, including the beloved and world famous Teylers Museum, the best sort of small museum, based on the taste of an eccentric private collector. The town center is adorned with the imposing Grote Kerk, often painted by the masters of the Golden Age.

Day 2LeidenRide south from Haarlem to the Keukenhof gardens which in season (April & May) boast more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths filling 32 hectares with color and fragrance. If out of tulip season, it still makes a beautiful ride. In the quintessential Dutch town of Leiden, admire lovely canals overhung with




lime trees, cobbled streets, traditional brick and gabbled homes from the 16th and 17th centuries. Cycling Distance: 40 km or 80 km*

Day 3LeidenRide a route around the lakes in the Kaag en Braassem region, which are all connected by rivers and canals with many windmills. Birthplace of Rembrandt, there are many museums and galleries to visit. Leiden is also home to the nation’s oldest and most prestigious university, but it is said that Leiden couldn’t be pompous if it tried. Cycling Distance: 36 km, 50 km, or 61 km*

Day 4DelftIt is a short ride to Delft to allow those who want to sightsee plenty of time but we have an extra loop ride if you wish to spend more time cycling. Delft is arguably one of the most charming towns in all of the Netherlands and possesses a peaceful calm that recalls the quieter pace of the Golden age of the 17th century. Back then the town counted among its citizens

ITINERARY CONT’D

Straight Talk:Holland probably has more bike

paths and routes in cities and

countryside than any country in the

world. And lots of locals ride their

bikes (60% of all trips in Amsterdam

are by bike!). This means that as you

depart cities (of any size) you will

see bike paths heading off in many

directions. Rather than provide route

instructions, we have found it more

useful to provide very detailed maps

(1:50,000 scale) and gps of the route.

Be prepared to stop more frequently

than you might in countries with

more open road and thrill in the fact

that Holland has created these bike

paths and signed routes to make it a

pleasure to cycle.

the artist Johannes Vermeer, who decided one spring day to paint the city gates and landscape across the Kolk harbor from a house’s window on the Schieweg (now the Hooikade). The result was the 1660 View of Delft, famously called by Marcel Proust “the most beautiful painting in the world.” (you can see it in The Hague). Read the NY Times article about Vermeer’s hometown. In addition to art, Delft has been producing white and blue earthenware potter since the 16th century and you can still visit the workshops to see these artisans hand-painting pottery. Cycling Distance: 25 km or 65 km*

Day 5GoudaFrom Delft, ride east to Gouda is known for its cheese (made here since the middle ages) and architecture - the 15th century Stadhuis is the oldest town hall in the Netherlands and the impressive Church of St. John has 16th century stain glass that is truly magnificent. If on a Thursday, the lively cheese market brings visitors to town. Enjoy some Gouda stroopwafel at one of the many cafes for lunch. The Classic tour stays in Gouda at the BW Gouda and the luxe tour continues to the village of Woerden and the luxurious hotel Stadshotel. Cycling Distance: 35 km or 60 km*

Day 6GoudaCycle a loop towards Utrecht, founded as a Roman fortress almost 2000 years ago. Today, it is another charming city with lovely canals and interesting sites including Catherine’s Convent, with an impressive collection of historic manuscripts and medieval artwork. Those interested in architecture will want to visit the

Leiden

Gouda

Rotterdam

Woerden

Amsterdam

Delft

Haarlem




OUR BICYCLESOur bikes on this trip are Giant brand. You can choose between racing or hybrid bikes:

• Frame: aluminum; carbon fork • Transmission: Shimano 105 • Gearing: 2x10 • Crank: 26/36/48

• Cassette: 11-34 • Tire: 700x32 • Saddle: Ritchey New Comp (Road) or Selle Royale Freccia (Hybrid)

All bikes come with pump, tire levers, spare tube, water bottle carrier etc. We tune each bike prior to your arrival so that it is ready to ride for you.

Rietveld Schroder House, built in 1924 and now an official World Heritage Site. On the return trip to Worden, visit to an extraordinary castle, Kasteel De Haar. Enjoy a fine meal at your hotel restaurant and toast an incredible week of touring the Netherlands. Ride Distance: 30 km or 41 km*

Day 7Cycle a loop towards Utrecht, founded as a Roman fortress almost 2000 years ago. Today, it is another charming city with lovely canals and interesting sites including Catherine’s Convent, with an impressive collection of historic manuscripts and medieval artwork. Those interested in architecture will want to visit the Rietveld Schroder House, built in 1924 and now an official World Heritage Site. On the return trip to Worden, visit to an extraordinary castle, Kasteel De Haar. Enjoy a fine meal at your hotel restaurant and toast an incredible week of touring the Netherlands. Ride Distance: 30 km or 41 km*

Day 8Depart at your leisure. Trains from Gouda and Worden to Amsterdam are frequent.

Stempels

Hotel de Emauspoort

Boutique Hotel Huys van Leyden

Best Western Gouda




CLASSIC ACCOMMODATIONS

StempelsHaarlemOnce a printing foundry, this historic brick hotel exudes an atmosphere from the past but in a modern, stylish and comfortable setting. The restaurant occupies the courtyard and adjoining rooms, with an open kitchen where you can witness the passion in the food prepared here.

Hotel de EmauspoortDelftIn the middle of historic Delft, behind the impressive new Church and directly on a narrow canal, this property combines hotel rooms, a historic house, and the Vermeer room and 2 Gypsy Caravans - it’s quirky and unique! This is the #1 rated hotel in Delft and has a great location and warm welcome.

Boutique Hotel Huys van Leyden LeidenThis 4-star hotel, built in 1611 overlooks one of the city’s most beautiful canals, as well as the city theatre. There are just 5 guest rooms, pretty breakfast room and a spa & wellness area to enjoy as well as a roof terrace.

Best Western Gouda GoudaSet in a former redbrick factory building, this hotel overlooks the canal with modern interior and large airy rooms, chic bar and restaurant.

Amrath Grand Hotel Frans Hals

Hotel Pincoffs

Boutique Hotel Huys van Leyden

Stadshotel

LUXE ACCOMMODATIONS

Amrâth Grand Hotel Frans HalsAmsterdamThis 4-star hotel is located in the historic center, a stroll from Teyers Museum and St. Bove Cathedral. This is the top luxury hotel in Haarlem.

Hotel PincoffsRotterdamConsistently rated the #1 hotel in Rotterdam, this 4-star luxurious hotel was formerly the Customs House and is located at the trendy left bank with views of the Erasmus Bridge, and near Luxor Theatre, National Photo museum and Museum Quarter as well as the top restaurants in the city. Straight Talk: Rotterdam is a fabulous city, but has some traffic of course, alleviated by the well-planned bike lanes.

Boutique Hotel Huys van Leyden (Classic) LeidenThis 4-star hotel, built in 1611 overlooks one of the city’s most beautiful canals, as well as the city theatre. There are just 5 guest rooms, pretty breakfast room and a spa & wellness area to enjoy as well as a roof terrace.

Stadshotel WoerdenThis boutique 4-star hotel combines a historic building (once the armory building) with thoughtful renovation into a lovely hotel and gathering place - the restaurant and bar are lively spots and add to the conviviality.




The itinerary information may vary for your specific departure as we continuously research and develop each trip. Hotel availabilities may also necessitate

alterations. ©Randonnee Tours Inc. Revised January, 2013.




HOW TO GET THERE?Your tour begins in Haarlem and ends in Gouda or Woerden. We suggest you fly into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and catch a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Haarlem which only takes 10 minutes. After your trip you can return to Amsterdam Centraal or Schipol Airport from the Gouda Train Station. Trains depart from this location every 30 minutes.

BON APPETIT The traditional cuisine of Holland is straight forward and hearty. Favorite dishes include erwtensoep (pea soup) and stamppot (mashed potatoes and sauerkraut), which can be eaten with rookworst (smoked sausage). Popular bar snacks include bitterballen (fried meatballs) and patat (fries) can be bought from street vendors, dipped in mayonnaise and eaten straight from the wrapper.

The North Sea provides a plentiful supply of mackerel, cod, oysters, mussels, eel and prawns, while herring is another wildly popular street food, served ‘green’ or pickled from fish stalls with a side helping of raw chopped onion. The Dutch also have a taste for spicy smoked sausage, a slow-cooked draadjesvlees (tender beef stew) and delicious gehaktballen meatballs served with mashed potato or in a burger bun.

South Holland has a sweet tooth, adoring pannenkoek (pancakes); thick, sweet poffertjes served with extra butter and sprinkled with sugar; stroopwafels (wafers oozing with syrup); and the special winter treat oliebollen (raisin donuts eaten warm). Chocolate sprinkles are often added to all types of broodjes (sandwiches).

Dutch cheese is famous the world over and is a vital ingredient in contemporary cooking. Cheese is eaten at breakfast, lunch and dinner; it flavors bread, fills sandwiches and covers burgers. The best-known Dutch cheeses are Edam and Gouda, sold in great yellow rounds wrapped in red wax and flavored with cumin or cloves. Nutty Maasdammer, smoked cheeses and goats’ cheese also go down well.

DID YOU KNOW?Holland as it is today has its origins in the period of French rule from 1795 to 1813. This was a time of bewildering changes to the Dutch system of provinces. In 1795 the old order was swept away and the Batavian Republic was established. In the Constitution enacted on 23 April 1798, the old borders were radically changed. The republic was reorganised into eight departments (département) with roughly equal populations. Holland was split up into five departments named “Texel”, “Amstel”, “Delf”, “Schelde en Maas”, and “Rijn”. The first three of these lay within the borders of the old Holland; the latter two were made up of parts of different provinces. In 1801 the old borders were restored when the department of Holland was created. This reorganisation had been short-lived, but it gave birth to the concept of breaking up Holland and making it a less powerful province.

In 1807, Holland was reorganised again. This time the two departments were called “Maasland” (corresponding to the modern province of South Holland) and “Amstelland” (corresponding to the modern province of North Holland). This also did not last long. In 1810, all the Dutch provinces were integrated into the French Empire. Maasland was renamed “Monden van de Maas” (Bouches-de-la-Meuse in French). Amstelland and Utrecht were amalgamated as the department of “Zuiderzee” (Zuyderzée in French).After the defeat of the French in 1813, this organisation remained unchanged for a year or so. When the 1814 Constitution was introduced, the country was reorganised as provinces and regions (landschappen). Monden van de Maas and Zuiderzee were reunited as the province of “Holland”.

However, the division was not totally reversed. When the province of Holland was re-established in 1814, it was given two governors, one for the former department of Maasland (i.e. the area that is now South Holland) and one for the former department of Amstelland (i.e. the area that is now North Holland). Even though the province had been reunited, the two areas were still being treated differently in some ways and the idea of dividing Holland remained alive.

When the constitutional amendments were introduced in 1840, it was decided to split Holland once again, this time into two provinces called “South Holland” and “North Holland”. The impetus came largely from Amsterdam in North Holland, which still resented the 1838 relocation of the court of appeal to the Hague in South Holland.






Randonnee Tours Since 1989

Randonnee Tours offers exceptional self-guided active vacations in Canada, the United States, Europe and throughout the world. Our tours are meticulously designed and operated by us; this ensures a consistency in everything we offer, from route planning and bicycles to the services provided by our on-the-ground personnel. Each trip is customized to provide you with exactly what you need to ensure a memorable active vacation.

For regions where self-guided tours may not be possible, we also offer guided trips under Great Explorations to places such as Turkey, Morocco, Vietnam, and many other countries. Robbin McKinney, founder and owner of Great Explorations and Randonnee Tours has been designing and guiding cycling and walking trips for over 25 years.

ACCOLADES

“Many thanks for setting up a great trip, and for being incredibly helpful with all my questions and backup information. Your personal help was invaluable. It was a good trip and I am glad I went. The route descriptions were accurate, and the restaurant superb. Again thank you for your help throughout this trip.” - A. Rosen

“We had the best holiday ever- loved every minute..”– Pam and Peter R., Vancouver, BC

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HOLLAND - Randonnee Tours€¦ · E [email protected] W randonneetours.com T 604.730.1247 | 1.800.242.1825 >>>RESERVE YOUR TRIP