A Load Of Borkum
Holiday brief
For sheer variety and lots of fun, you will find it difficult to beat this trip
to Northern Holland. En route we stay in Utrecht
– surely a Dutch gem - and for this year only we feature a day out to Den helder
for the Tall Ships event. The fun continues as we head north, visiting steam
railways, museums and even a peaty bog! Cross dams and dykes and discover
another gem
– Borkum – complete with vintage buses, a steam train and the Kaiser Wagon - the holiday
highlight. So, as is famously quoted -
“and now for something completely different” – join us, for this surely is!
A not-so-tall ship!
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Wednesday - Meeting at St Pancras International about mid-day we travel by Eurostar to
Brussels, then on to Utrecht by local Belgian and Dutch services arriving about
19.30 hrs.
Thursday – So, it’s to the Tall Ships today, by train direct from Utrecht Central Station to Den
Helder. Here there will be 50/60 of the fabulous
Tall Ships moored around the historic quays, and a lively maritime atmosphere. The Dutch
are wonderful at this sort of thing, so be prepared for a lovely, fun filled
day, and expect Inside Track to have found something
“special” to do as well! We will keep up the “boating” theme en route back to Utrecht by stopping off in Amsterdam to enjoy an
exclusive cruise of the canals, complimented with an on-board evening meal. It
’s going to be a great day out!
Friday - We head north today, but not before showing you something of Utrecht,
including a canal trip and visiting the National Railway Museum. Out then, to
Beekbergen, home of Holland
’s largest fleet of working steam locomotives – a steam train trip with a light lunch on board follows – then by NS train to Emmen and on by coach to Veendam.
Saturday - This is our “local” day, and after three full days of travel will put a welcome “brake” in our travels. We are off in the morning to the local “open air” museum, so popular in Holland. Here are two narrow gauge railways, a
traditional Dutch barge, examples of Dutch buildings and trade through the
ages, and most importantly, an excellent pancake house for lunch. The afternoon
sees us relaxing in
“peat” country with an Inside Track special arrangement that includes trains,
tea/coffee, beers and traditional Dutch cake.
OUR HOTELS
In Utrecht we stay for 2 nights at the N.H. Hotel, which is a 4 star equivalent and conveniently situated right outside Utrecht
Station.
All the usual facilities, an excellent bar and only a 10/15 minute stroll from
the historic old town. Up north we stay for five nights at the
Parkzicht Hotel in Veendam. This unusual hotel offers pleasant rooms with T.V., telephone and
private facilities, and also benefits from a very good restaurant serving a
full a la carte menu at reasonable prices. A convivial and friendly, family run
place.
Sunday – Veendam, and nearby Stadskanaal are the main stations on the local restored
railway, aptly named the
“Star” railway. And it is, so we will have made some special arrangements to ensure
you enjoy the
“Star” experience to the full. A new “local” connecting train service operates between Veendam and Groningen, the regions
capital, and we will use this connection to introduce you to the city as well.
All in all, a
“Star” of a day awaits us.
Monday - Off to Borkum today, the German Friesland Island lying just 40 minutes north
of the Dutch coast. The cruise to/from Borkum is a delight (across the
sheltered, shallow waters of The Waddenzee), and on the island Inside Track
have set up a stunning programme. This includes a vintage bus tour, our own
steam train (hauled by
“Borkum”), and plenty of surprises – a truly memorable day out.
Tuesday - This is one of Inside Track’s very best days out. A grand circular tour by train and coach takes us west to
Harlingen, then over the amazing Afsluitdijk to Medemblik. Steam here on
Holland
’s most successful steam railway with a light lunch on board as we chug to
delightful Hoorn. This railway is superb, so we
’ll visit their depot then chug back to Medemblik. Our coach transfers us to
Enkhuizen where we board a delightful boat to cross the Ijsselmeer to Stavoran
and return to Veendam by coach and train. A classic day out.
Wednesday - Breakfast, then our return journey commences from Groningen by train to
Brussels and Eurostar to London, arriving at about 16.30hrs.
A S.T.A.R attraction
Date & Price
Tour Ref: LB8/1
Wednesday August 20th (8 days)
£829.00 based on €1.40 to the £
Price Variation
Single supplement £140.00
See booking conditions for currency
fluctuation clause
