Amsterdam – Maastricht, MS Sarah

After you check-in at about 2 pm, the barge sails to Weesp. This small city on the banks of the river Vecht has a historical center with many canals and buildings dating from the 17th and 18th Century. It also has a few beautiful windmills. The scenic river Vecht and the small roads along the river attracts yachters and cyclists. As soon as you arrive the guide will organize a test ride. After dinner you will have time to stroll through this charming city.

Your bike tour starts in Weesp and you will cycle along the beautiful meandering river Vecht with impressive mansions on its banks. Along the way you will visit a real Dutch cheese farm where cheese is still produced in line with traditional methods. You will meet the barge in the city of Utrecht and from there you will sail the Amsterdam-Rhine canal to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek.

From Vianen you cycle through typical Dutch scenery to Leerdam a little town on the banks of the river Linge. Leerdam is famous for its glasswork. A visit to the centuries-old crystal factory of Royal Leerdam is on the program. You can see a team of master glass blowers at work. Later you continue cycling along the beautiful roads along the Linge to Gorinchem, a charming town on the river Waal. After a short visit, you will join the barge to Heusden.

Whilst you are having breakfast, the ship sails from Heusden to Maasbommel, whcih is a village on the Maas river. Here your bike tour will start leading you along the Maas river to cities such as Ravenstein and Grave. Both are medieval cities. In Ravenstein you can visit the Tanner’s Cottages and in Grave you will see canons from the time of Napoleon. Grave has also played an important role in Operation Market Garden during World War Two because it was situated near an important bridge. This bridge is now called John S. Thompson Bridge. Following the Maas river you will meet the barge in Cuijk where you will spend the night. The St. Martins Church is neo-gothic in style and houses a very well kept baroque organ, which was built between 1639 and 1650. This organ is one of the oldest in the Netherlands.

Today there is a magnificent bike tour scheduled. You cycle along the Maas valley to Afferden and Heyen.  The route continues through National Park Maasduinen to Well where you will find the Well castle with its heavy round brick tower dating from the 14th Century. Today's destination is Arcen. Here you may visit the famous castle gardens with a great variety:. There is the Rosarium with ten different rose gardens, the water and sculpture garden, the Lommerijk with shades, waterfalls and streamlets, the Valley offering six ‘international’ gardens, Casa Verde offering Mediterranean and tropical gardens and the Golf garden with a view of the largest waterfall in the Netherlands.

Today the bike route follows the Maas river once again. Here and there you will cross by ferry or bridge in order to follow the most interesting paths. The first stop is Venlo where there are many historical monuments and a lively inner city. At lunchtime you arrive in Kessel, which is one of the oldest villages along the Meuse. There you cross over to the other bank and continue the bike ride to the beautiful village of Beesel where the grain mill 'grey bear' stands proudly along the river. Today’s tour ends in the city of Roermond where the river Roer and Maas come together. Roermond is known by it’s rich cultural heritage. Since 1559 it has been a bishop city. In the center you will find many historical buildings. Roermond is also the city of Pierre Cuypers, according to many the most important Dutch architect of the 19th Century. He designed the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam's central station. Dinner (not included) will be in town at a restaurant of your choice (recommendations available on board).

Today, the bike tour continues through charming villages and the beautiful scenery of the province of Limburg. First stop is Thorn, the ‘white village’ on the Dutch/Belgian border known for its cobblestone streets and white painted houses. The only non-white building is the 14th Century church. From Thorn you cycle across the Dutch / Belgian border to the Belgian city Maaseik. This city is famous for its painters Hubert and Jan van Eyck. On the market square you will see typical Renaissance-style houses with their impressive facades. You can also take the opportunity to have a nice Belgian "pint" on this beautiful square. You will find the ship in Born, from where you sail to Maastricht.
Maastricht, the capital of the province is a beautifully preserved city with Roman roots. In this town you find the treasure house of 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 here!