Program photograph
Upcoming Programs:

Bicycling in Holland During Tulip Season

April 17-25, 2009
Faculty: Keith Williams, U.Va. Assistant Professor of Physics and accomplished amateur photographer
Price: $ 3,695

Please call us at 866-765-2646.
registration

Registration is Open

 view more photos view more photos

Overview

Explore the historic heartland of The Netherlands by the best means possible: bicycle. Cycle through the beautiful provinces of North and South Holland and experience its picturesque towns, windmills and many historic monuments, all during the height of the flower-growing season! A special visit to a flower auction and the Keukenhof Flower Gardens are highlights of the itinerary.

This trip can easily be extended with a few days in Amsterdam, for those who want to see more of this charming country.

^ back to top

Program Highlights

^ back to top

Accommodations

Hampshire Hotel - Waterland in Purmerend is located in the midst of the North Holland landscape, famous for its waterways. Picturesque villages such as Edam, Volendam, Monnickendam and Hoorn are all close by. This setting makes the hotel a unique starting point for our cycling expeditions.

Located amidst beautiful surroundings on the 'Loosdrecht Lakes' and the river ‘de Vecht, the Golden Tulip Hotel Loosdrecht is a four-star property with 66 rooms. The hotel's facilities include a bar, restaurant, veranda and waterside terrace, perfect for relaxing after a day of biking in the countryside.

Hotel De Plataan in Delft is a friendly and stylish hotel, with a unique character. The 30-room hotel is situated on a quiet square in the historic center of Delft, with the marketplace, museums and other visitor highlights all within walking distance.

^ back to top

Meals

Breakfast daily and three dinners

^ back to top

Faculty

Keith Williams is an Assistant Professor in the University of Virginia Department of Physics.  He received his PhD in Physics from Penn State and then did postdoctoral work in the Molecular Biophysics Group at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.  Williams has taught courses at U.Va. since 2004, on subjects including the physics of the human body, nanophysics, and the physics of power production and energy storage.  For his research, Williams received a Faculty Excellence in Science and Technology (FEST) award at U.Va. in 2005.  Before settling in Virginia, Williams lived for extended periods in Jordan, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Germany, and the Netherlands.  He enjoys linguistics and will contribute considerable personal expertise in Dutch language, culture and engineering to our April 2009 program. Williams' wide range of interests extends well beyond his professional research:  he is a photographer working with large and medium format film and small format digital cameras, has given several lectures on the subject of infrared photography, and taught a course on traditional black & white photography in 2008. Williams has very fond memories of his years in the Netherlands, where he was trained in sculling on the canals between Delft and the Hague.  In the summers, he now coaches this sport on the Rivanna River in Charlottesville.

^ back to top

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart U.S.

Day 2 - Amsterdam / Edam/ Purmerend

Arrival in Amsterdam at Schiphol airport. Transfer by private motorcoach to the town of Purmerend and check in to our comfortable hotel. The bicycles will be at the hotel so you will be able to get fitted for these and have a ride around the town and visit nearby Edam. Together with Amsterdam, Hoorn and Enkhuizen, Edam was one of the most important commercial towns in Holland. Shipbuilding played an important role in this growth. Today Edam is a town with authentic 17th-century architecture, and the old streets and quiet canals, well preserved gables, squares, bridges and monuments capture the attention of the visitor. Tonight, enjoy a trip briefing and welcome dinner in our hotel. Hampshire Hotel Waterland (D)

Day 3 - The "Polders" of North Holland / De Rijp

After breakfast, we head out for a full day of cycling into the beautiful countryside of North Holland. We travel through various areas that were reclaimed from the lakes of the region during the 17th century, called "polders" in Dutch. We visit a working windmill and ride through picturesque villages such as De Rijp with its splendidly restored 17th-century houses, magnificent Town Hall and impressive Gothic church. At the end of the day, we return to Purmerend.
Hampshire Hotel Waterland(B)

Day 4 - "Waterland" & Marken

Today we visit the small villages and towns that make up the area of "Waterland." Among them are the towns of Monnickendam and Broek-in-Waterland, used as the setting for the story of Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge. Afterwards, we cycle to Marken, a traditional fishing village known for its characteristic wooden houses. We pay a visit to the Marker Museum, showing us how a traditional Marken fisherman's family lived, particularly highlighting the traditional dress still worn by some of the inhabitants of Marken. In the afternoon we return to Purmerend. Hampshire Hotel Waterland (B)

Day 5 - Vecht River & Lakes

Today we travel by private motorcoach to the area of the Vecht River and our hotel situated on the beautiful Loosdrecht Lake. This afternoon, we explore the area of The Vecht and the lakes near Vinkeveen and Loosdrecht by bike. The elegant country estates and tea gazebos constructed by wealthy Amsterdam merchants during the 17th and 18th centuries are the most characteristic features of this area. Late afternoon we return to the hotel. Tonight, we'll enjoy dinner together.
Golden Tulip Hotel Loosdrecht (B, D)

Day 6 - Vecht River & Loenen

We have a morning departure for a full-day biking excursion in the area of the Vecht River. The villages have retained their own distinctive character, enclosed by the expansive peat meadows and lakes. Loenen is rich in cultural and historical monuments, such as churches, mills and farms. The local shops, restaurants and tearooms, most of them magnificently situated on the banks of the rivers or lakes, make a visit to Loenen a memorable experience. Late afternoon we return to the hotel.   Golden Tulip Hotel Loosdrecht (B)

Day 7 - Delft

We check out of the hotel Loosdrecht and transfer by private motorcoach to Delft, which is more than 750 years old. After hotel check-in, we'll enjoy a walking tour through the city and a visit to a Delft's Blauw factory. In the afternoon, we enjoy some free time to explore the weekly market.
Plataan Hotel Delft (B)

Day 8 - Westland Flower Auction / Keukenhof

After morning departure from the hotel we travel to the Westland Flower Auction—one of the largest flower auctions in the world. Afterwards, we continue through the beautiful bulb fields to the Keukenhof flower gardens. We'll see millions of bulbs in flower, fantastic flower shows and the largest sculpture park in the Netherlands. Afterwards, we return to Delft and tonight enjoy a festive farewell dinner. Plataan Hotel Delft (B, D)

Day 9 - Delft / Amsterdam

We check out of the hotel and transfer to Schiphol airport for flight back to the U.S., or continue on individual travel, such as a few days in Amsterdam.
(B)

^ back to top

Program Fees

$3,695 per person, double occupancy, land only. A limited number of single rooms are available for a supplement of $695 per person to the double occupancy rate.

Price includes:

Price does not include: International airfare, airport and departure taxes; airport/hotel transfers for those not traveling with the group; meals not listed as included; charges for items of a personal nature including laundry, beverages and excess baggage charges; independent travel arrangements; travel and accident insurance; and passport fees.

^ back to top

How To Register

Ready to register? The best way to do this is by phone so that we can ensure we are meeting all of your needs. Please call us at 866-765-2646. Or e-mail cavaliertravels@virginia.edu with your contact information and the best time to reach you.

A deposit of $500 per person is required to reserve your spot. Final invoicing will be done approximately three months prior to departure. Final payment is due 60 days (February 17) prior to departure.

Deposits can be made via check or credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover). Final payment is by check only.

Early registration is encouraged as space is limited.

^ back to top

General Terms & Conditions

Health: All participants must be in good health. This program is active and involves bicycling, walking over uneven surfaces and climbing stairs. All locations may not be handicapped accessible. Any condition that may require special medical attention or other accommodation must be reported at the time of your reservation.

Deposits and Final Payment: Reservations will be accepted in order of receipt if accompanied by a completed reservation form and a deposit of $500 per person. Final payment is due by February 17, 2009, and must be paid by check. A significant change in fuel costs, the value of the dollar or group size could result in a slightly higher trip price.

Tour Size: The program cost is based on a minimum of 15 participants. For a group size of 10-14, a small group surcharge not to exceed $450 per person may be assessed.

Cancellations and Refunds: Refunds, less a cancellation fee of $300 per person, will be made if Siemer & Hand is notified on or before February 17, 2009. No refunds will be granted after that date. All cancellations must be in writing.

Responsibility: A detailed statement of limitations and exclusions of liability of Siemer & Hand Travel, Inc., and the University of Virginia for loss of property, injury, illness or death will be provided to passengers upon enrollment and is available to prospective travelers upon request.

SIEMER & HAND TRAVEL, INC.: Seller of fine travel programs since 1959.
www.siemerhand.com CST 1004239-10

^ back to top