Amsterdam – Utrecht – Vianen
(Sunday
– 30 km)
Arrival on board the Elodie
in Amsterdam. Introduction to the crew, explanation of the rules on board,
information on the programme. Sail along the Amsterdam-Rijn canal to
Nigtevecht. The cycles go on the quayside here and are adjusted as far as
possible to your wishes. Then you cycle along one of our country’s most
beautiful rivers, with its many mansions and splendid gardens, to Utrecht.
Then the bicycles come on board again because we have another voyage before
us to Vianen. In the evening we pay a visit to this town.
Vianen – Gorinchem – Heusden
(Monday
– 40 km)
From Vianen we cycle through Vijfherenlanden to Leerdam, famous for its
glasswork. We will take a look at the glass blowing. The town too is well
worth a visit. The river Vecht has the most beautiful houses, but the river
Linge along which we cycle certainly has the most beautiful nature. We
arrive in Gorinchem, a charming town on the river Waal. After a visit, you
embark again for a boat trip to Heusden. If you haven’t yet cycled
enough, you can make a splendid cycle trip along this last part as well. We
organise a tour round Heusden, and this is where we spend the night too.
Heusden – Cuijck
(Tuesday–
40 km)
Today we cover some 85 kilometres by cycle and by boat. We begin with a
voyage along the rivers Bergse Maas and the Maas to Marcharen where the
cycles are put on the quayside again. From here you cycle past Maasbommel
and Batenburgh. This town is more than a thousand years old and has in its
entirety been declared a protected town area. We will also visit Grave,
established by Mr van Cuyk around a castle, and Ravensteyn. Now we arrive in
Limburg, and the first town where we spend the night is Cuijck on the banks
of the river Maas.
Cuijck – Broekhuizen
(Wednesday–
50 km)
This day offers a magnificent river Maas cycle route. You cycle along the
Maas valley to Afferden and Heyen. The trip continues past the
recreational area Leuken-Bergerheide to Well where we find Well castle with
its heavy round brick tower dating from the 14th century. From
Well, we cycle several kilometres further through the Maas valley to Arcen.
The famous castle gardens of Arcen here reveal their beauty in scents and
colours. Broekhuizen is the rose cultivation centre of the Netherlands, and
we spend the night in the middle of this haven of rest and beauty.
Broekhuizen – Venlo – Roermond
(Thursday
– 60 km)
Via the Broekhuizen ferry we cycle to Meldersloo and then arrive in
Grubbenvorst. Here one finds the ruins of the broken castle where the “Witte
Joffer” is doomed to howl about her infidelity in love. Hopefully we will
not meet her as her appearance prophesises calamity. On the Nunhemmerheide
we visit the St. Ursula windmill dating from 1600. It is the only mill in
Western Europe where oil is still obtained from rapeseed.
Arrival in Roermond where we spend the night within walking distance of the
town centre.
Roermond – Born – Maastricht
(Friday
– 45 km)
We arrive in Thorn via Heel and Wessem. Thorn is called “the white town” and
you will immediately realise why. This town from the year 922 AD has an
exceptional reason to be white….. We now cycle further through Belgium to
Maaseik. This town is famous for the painters Hubert and Jan van Eyck. On
the market square we see typical renaissance houses with their
impressive facades. For he/she who dares, the opportunity to try a Belgian
“pint” on this beautiful square.
Via the Driebeukenbos and Stokkum, we arrive back at the river Maas. A
little further along the Juliana canal, the Elodie is waiting for you in
front of the Born lock. We pass through the lock with its fall of more than
11 metres and follow our way by ship to Maastricht.
Maastricht (Saturday)
We take our time over the most southerly city in our country. Here on the
banks of the river Maas lies an extraordinarily beautiful and above all
enjoyable town. In this town you find the treasure house of the St. Servaas
Church, the Bonnefanten museum for art and antiquity, and the Kazematten, a
system of underground fortress works from the 18th century. In
addition to these places of interest, it is also worthwhile visiting the
marl caves, or just to thoroughly enjoy yourself on the Vrijthof. You will
not get bored very quickly!
In the
evening you can choose a restaurant to you liking out of the many good
restaurant you can find in
Maastricht.
Maastricht
(Sunday)
We take leave of you after breakfast.
