perfect trip!
Family budget tour: Beach, cities and castles
Bike Tour: Family budget tour: Beach, cities and castles - 8 days
Save money by staying at Stayokay hostels! This is one of those all-encompassing holidays that deliver excitement and relaxation at the same time. You will enjoy a memorable week in which the best of Holland will file past every day: dunes and beach; historical town centres; calming countryside; wooden shoes and windmills. We have planned your accommodation in pleasant Stayokay hostels where you will want for nothing.
The bus stops right in front of the hostel. The hostel is on the northern outskirts of the city next to a small park called Schoterbos, boasting beehives and community vegetable plots and flower gardens. Make your way down to the city centre to see historical Haarlem in its full glory. Museums such as the free archaeology museum for local finds and wonderful old Teijlers Museum for the sciences appeal to children. Alternatively, visit an enormous museum windmill called De Adriaan overlooking the river and the city.
Via Overveen > Zandvoort > Bloemendaal.
Today you can explore the lovely city of Haarlem before setting off for the coast. Everybody knows that this part of Holland is low-lying, even below sea level. So what stops the sea from flooding the land? Along most of the coastline it’s the dunes! Sandy dunes, preferably quite wide and hilly and covered in beach grass so the sand doesn’t blow away. So as soon as you spot the dunes, you know that the sea can’t be far off. Just wait till you see the big sandy beach! You can go hunting for pretty seashells, small crabs and tiny hermit crabs; jump waves; build sand castles etc. Or you choose a shorter loop and cycle around the elegant city of Haarlem in 18 kilometers.
Thirteenth century Assumburg Castle in the village of Heemskerk is where you will stay the night! This hostel is a dream come true. Surrounded by a moat and gardens it certainly looks the picture so your son will feel like a knight and your daughter will feel like a princess; a princess in a bunkbed…
Important! Please note the bedrooms of Stayokay Heemskerk are divided into two buildings, the Castle and the Orangery. If you make a reservation you will get a room in the Castle or in the Orangery.
Via Noorddorp > Castricum aan Zee (Castricum by the Sea) > Castricum. This will be another day well-spent, enjoying the coast. The route is a little shorter (33 km) to give you plenty of time to roam the windswept dunes and relax at the seaside. Then hop on your bikes to return to your castle. There is also a longer route (45km) you can go through the dunes to Egmond aan Zee. This route can also be shortened (34 km) by not visiting Egmond aan Zee.
Via Westzaan > Koog aan de Zaan > Het Twiske > Landsmeer > Amsterdam Central Station
The spotlights are on the Zaan Region today, named after the River Zaan. The region is famous for its traditional architecture: green-painted wooden houses, sheds, warehouses and even windmills. Prime examples have been grouped together at Zaanse Schans, very touristy but oh so pretty! Do stop off there for a good dose of nostalgic cultural history. Kids can find out about cheese making and wooden shoes; or climb up a creaking, shuddering windmill.
Het Twiske is a lovely, leafy recreational area offering sporting activities on and off the water.
The centre of Amsterdam is beautiful. But other districts also offer a variety of architecture, culture and lovely parks. Go to Vondel Park, for example, and continue to Museumplein or P.C. Hooftstraat for the biggest fashion and luxury brands. For waterside chilling, check out Oosterdok with a view of (replica) 17th century sailing ship “The Amsterdam”. If you want to board the ship, go to the National Maritime Museum and you’ll be in for a very interesting afternoon.
Leave the city and plunge into peaceful, wide-open countryside. The picturesque village of Spaarndam was built around a dam across the River Spaarne where the river emptied into a saltwater bay (this was very long ago – nowadays there is no sea to be found!). Kolksluis lock, an opening where boats can pass through the dam, is said to be the oldest working shipping lock in Europe (1280). You may be interested to see the monument to the “Little Hero of Haarlem”. On Youtube you can hear Sara Cone Bryant’s version of this folktale for children about a boy who plugged a hole in the dike with his fist and saved the town from flooding.
After filling up at the breakfast buffet, it’s time to pack your bags and make your way home.
Daily:
from April 1 till September 23
ATTENTION: Children from 3 to 12 years get a discount of -35€ on the base price and -70€ on the half board price.
| Price pp | € | |
| 6 person room, breakfast | 550.00 | |
| Twin room, breakfast | 660.00 | |
| Triple room, breakfast | 740.00 | |
| Quadruple room, breakfast | 575.00 | |
| 5 person room, breakfast | 640.00 | |
| 6 person room, breakfast | 550.00 | |
| Full board | 250.00 | |
| Half board | 140.00 | |
| Lunch | 110.00 | |
| Rental bike | € | |
| Child bike | 98.00 | |
| Standard bike | 140.00 | |
| E-bike | 210.00 | |
| Extra services | € | |
| Bike Breakdown pass | € 4.00 x 7 | 28.00 |
| Child seat | € 8.00 x 7 | 56.00 |
| Bike theft insurance | € 3.00 x 7 | 21.00 |
| E-bike theft insurance | € 6.00 x 7 | 42.00 |
| Extra luggage | € 5.00 x 7 | 35.00 |
| Child trailer | € 20.00 x 7 | 140.00 |
| Bike helmet | per piece | 20.00 |
| Towelservice | per piece | 14.00 |
| SGR | per piece | 5.00 |
Starting point:
Haarlem
The accommodation for this tour are hostels. Rooms are essential, simple and en-suite. Double beds are not available as these hostels only have rooms with bunk beds. All the rooms booked by us are private room, so you will not share your room or bathroom with other guests from the hostels.
When selecting the accomodation, we try to take into account as much as possible a safe and closed bicycle shed. However, we cannot do this with all of them guarantee and this partly depends on the number of bicycles of other guests.
If you don’t bring your own, you can rent a bicycle from us. Our standard bikes are 7-speed gear. You can find all the information regarding our rental bikes below.
You will find your rental bikes waiting for you at your first accommodation. The reception staff will give you the keys for your bikes and direct you to the bicycle shed. All bikes are provided with chain locks.
Our standard bikes have 7-gears with hand brakes.
The standard bikes are circa 20 kilo. Due to the size of our rental bikes, we recommend a minimum height of 160 cm for the adult bikes.
The e-bikes have a small electric engine and battery, which can be charged at the hotels. You still have to pedal: it just makes pedaling much easier. Some experience with e-bikes is recommended, as the bikes accelerate faster and are heavier than regular bikes because of the electric engine.The weight of the e-bike is ca. 27 kilo.
A child trailer cannot be attached on an e-bike.
Brand: Alba, 28 inch, frame size 50/54, 7 gears.
For children we offer several models child bikes from the brand Batavus.
The child bikes come with at least 3-gears and have hand brakes and pedal brakes.
The saddle is adjustable in height, the steering wheel is not.
The maximum body height for a child’s bike is 155 cm.
20 inch child bike: from 5 years/115 cm
24 inch child bike (3 gears): from 8 years/130 cm
26 inch child bike (3 gears): from 9 years/145 cm
All our rental bikes come with a bell.
Brakes
All our adult bikes come with hand brakes.
Childseat
For children older than 30 months (max. 22KG) it is possible to rent a rear child seat. Front child seats are not available.
Child seats are €8 per day
Helmet
Helmets are not mandatory in the Netherlands, but can be rented for €20,- per piece.
Available sizes: Adult and child (only available for children over 5 years).
Lights
All our bikes come with both front- and rear lights.
Locks
Our bikes come with a defender lock with plug in chain (cable lock that is attached to the regular lock, see picture).
You need to turn the key a bit, take out the pin from the cable lock and attach it to a pole/other bike/fence etc.
When you push the pin back into the regular lock, you need to lock the regular lock as you always do, and both locks will be secured.
Pannier
1 pannier is included at the 'standard' bikes and the e-bikes.
Height: 42 cm
Depth front to the side: 17 cm
Wide top: 32 cm
Wide down: 23 cm
Volume: 20 liters
It has an easy click-on/click-off system. The panniers are water resistant, so everything will stay dry.
Pedals
The rental bikes come with regular pedals, so no click-in/SPD pedals.
Quickrelease
All our bikes come with a quick release system, which makes it very easy to adjust the height of the saddle and the handle bars.
Repairkit
There is one small puncture kit and pump included, which can be found in the pannier. In case a rental bike has another problem, we always advise you to go to a bike repair shop or call the bike breakdown emergency number which is provided in the travel documents when you book this extra service.
Saddle
Saddles can be adjusted in height without using any tools, see ‘Quick Release’.
Our saddles don’t come with a gel cover.
Waterbottles
Dutch Biketours does not provide water bottles. We can also not guarantee that there are bottle holders on the bikes. You will always receive 1x pannier, so you can always store your own water bottle in your pannier.
We have limited family tandem bikes available on request.
The family tandems have 7-gears and can be used for one adult and one child between 4 and 8 years old (height between 105 and 130 cm).
Brand: Onderwater
Child trailers can be rented for children who are up to 100 cm (max. 35 KG in total).
Child trailers are not possible in combination with e-bikes.
Do you wish to insure your bike against theft? The cost is € 3,- per day per standard hybrid bicycle.
For an electric bicycle, premium bike or racing bike: € 6,00 per day per bicycle.
Please see the General Terms and Conditions for Bicycle Hire and Insurance.
If a rental bike gets stolen or damaged, we will hold the client responsible.
If your insurance does not cover this event, you will have to pay the costs yourself.
Article 1 Bike Rental Price
The bike rental price is determined by the rates mentioned on the Dutch Bike Tours website at the time of the booking; or as subsequently agreed.
Article 2 Payment
a. The rental price and any other due sums regarding the rental agreement must be paid before the bike is handed over to you.
b. If, for whatever reason, you cannot make use of the bike(s) you have rented, Dutch Bike Tours will not be held responsible for any resulting expenses or damage.
c. In the case of the article 2b, the client remains obliged to pay the full rental price and any other amounts mentioned in the invoice, in accordance with our General Terms and Conditions of Booking, unless the client can prove that his not being able to use the bike was the consequence of a defect that was already present at the beginning of the rental period.
Article 3 Rental Period
a. The rental period runs from the morning of the first cycling day (day 2) to the end of the holiday (the departure day), as stated in the booking confirmation.
b. Extension of the rental period is possible only after approval by us and according to the (extension) rates as mentioned in article 1.
c. No refunds are possible after the rental period begins. If you return the bike(s) to us before the end of your holiday, the rental agreement will automatically be terminated and you will not get any of your money back.
d. At the end of the last cycling day of your holiday, the bike(s) must be returned to the hotel from where it was/they were issued, no later than the time stated in the booking confirmation.
If you book a one way tour tour you can leave the bike at the last hotel of the trip.
e. If the bike(s) is /are not returned by the return time stated in the booking confirmation, we will continue to charge you rent until such time as the bike(s) is/are returned to us or is/are received by us. In the event of late return, the rates as mentioned in article 1 will continue to apply, plus a fine of €25 per day. We also reserve the right to demand payment for any costs and/or damages suffered by us due to late return of our rental bike(s).
f. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, in the event of late return of our rental bikes, we reserve the right to dissolve the rental agreement without judicial intervention and immediately claim back our bicycles where ever they may be and from whomever has them. Dutch Bike Tours also holds this right in the event that the client does not comply with any of the other conditions stated in this rental agreement.
Article 4 Improper Use
a. The bicycle(s) may only be used for its/their intended purpose and only by the cyclists listed in the rental agreement.
b. The bike(s) must be returned to us in the same (clean!) state in which you received it/them.
c. You must take excellent care of the bicycle(s), as if it/they were your own. You must take every precaution against damage, loss or theft.
d. The bicycle may not be used on the beach; or on sandy paths in the dunes unless a paved path is unavailable.
Article 5 Damage, Loss and Theft
The renter will be held responsible for damages to or loss of the bicycle(s) or parts of it, as well as bicycle keys and chains and locks, for such an amount as is determined by us according to standard market prices. You must understand that you are not insured for damage to the bicycle(s) or for any damages to third parties.
Article 6 Theft Insurance
It is possible to purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance. Covered are: damages arising out of the theft of the bicycle; and damages to the bicycle as a consequence of the theft. Not covered are: theft of bicycle parts; and damages arising out of attempted theft.
Article 7 Theft Insurance Premium
a. The premium for Bicycle Theft Insurance is € 3,00 per day per standard hybrid bicycle. For an electric bicycle € 6,00 per day as well for a Premium bike and racing bike.
The number of insurance days is the same as the number of cycling days as stated in our booking confirmation.
Article 8 Liability in the Event of Theft
a. If you did not purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance from us before the start of the holiday, you will be held fully accountable for the sum determined by us according to standard prices.
b. If you did purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance from us, but you failed to lock the wheel lock and failed to produce the original wheel lock key and failed to produce an official theft report drawn up by the police, you will still be held fully accountable for the sum determined by us according to standard prices.
Article 9 Costs During the Rental Period
Any charges and taxes regarding the rental bicycle(s), such as fines and ferry tickets, are to be paid by you. You will also be required to pay all costs ensuing from the use of the bicycle(s) such as parking fees, maintenance and repairs.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE STAYOKAY HOSTELS
Haarlem: Upon arrival you will receive bedlinen with which you will make the beds yourselves. Towels are not included, but can be rented through Dutch Bike Tours for €14,- for the entire trip or you can bring your own.
Heemskerk: Upon arrival you will receive bedlinen with which you will make the beds yourselves. Towels are not included, but can be rented through Dutch Bike Tours for €14,- for the entire trip or you can bring your own. The hostel is accessible until midnight when the doors close for the night.
Amsterdam Zeeburg: Upon arrival you will receive bedlinen with which you will make the beds yourselves. Towels are not included but can be rented through Dutch Bike Tours for €14,- for the entire trip or you can bring your own.
7 Nights included
StayOkay Hostels
Tourist tax included
Breakfast included, lunch package and Halfboard optional
Detailed roadbooks with maps and tourist information
The possibility of renting our bikes (7-gear bikes)
7-days a week service-hotline
Luggage transport to your next hotel
Haarlem
Parking possibilities at the hotel
GPS-tracks availible
Any ferry crossings are not included
Nearest Airport is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
The train from Schiphol to Bloemendaal departs 2 times per hour. Travel time is about 35 minutes. A single ticket costs approx €7- per person excl. bicycle. From Bloemendaal trainstation you need to take the bus to the Hostel.
For timetables and tickets, go to www.ns.nl/en. For bus details, how to reach the hotel, check: www.9292.nl/en.
13-08-2023
We booked the Beaches, Cities and Castles holiday, but had concerns about the 45km day going from Heemskerk to Amsterdam for our 10 year old. However it was not a problem for her at all as the stop at the beautiful Zaanse Schans and the journey into Amsterdam was lovely. Overall we all had a great week even though the weather was not ideal.
13-06-2019
...We are back home from our bike tour and I just wanted to share that it was a great experience! We thoroughly enjoyed the bike tour and also the StayOkay hostels...
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Family budget tour: Beach, cities and castles
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6662 PX Elst
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info@dutch-biketours.com
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