Discover South Holland by Bike + Boat NORMANDIE

from/to Rotterdam

map Southern Holland by bike and boat

Route

Tour profile / Level 1

Flat, asphalted bike paths and side roads. Also ideal for children.

Day 1: Rotterdam

Individual arrival to Rotterdam. Embarkation at  4 pm. Rotterdam is a city with many faces: important port city, classy shopping city and hip artists’ city, but most importantly a city of architecture, and one of the most interesting cities in Europe.

Day 2: Rotterdam – Dordrecht, approx. 40 km

Keep cycling alongside the waterfront via Krimpen aan den IJssel to Kinderdijk, where you will find the most famous group of windmills of the Netherlands. Dating back to the 18th century, the 19 wellpreserved mills were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Continue through the polder area of the Albwasserwaard to reach Dordrecht. Dordrecht is considered to be Holland`s oldest city. With about 1000 historic buildings that are housing restaurants, museums or theatres, the city`s rich history and the marvellous historic port area will enchant you.

Day 3: Dordrecht – Gorinchem, approx. 46 - 53 km

After a short ferry ride, you reach the beautiful De Biesbosch National Park, where several rivers come together to form a fresh-water delta of no less than 8.000 hectares. You may enjoy a wonderful boat trip, offered here everywhere, before continuing your tour through the Rhine- Delta area and crossing over to Gorichem by water taxi. Do not miss out on the picturesque Old Town of this small but charming city.

Day 4: Gorinchem – Utrecht, approx. 47 km

Today an interesting and varied tour awaits you. From Gorinchem, cycle via Leerdam – famous for the Leerdammer cheese – into the fortified city of Vianen. Here you may stop for a short break in one of the numerous street cafes. Take the ferry boat to cross the Lek, and keep cycling to Vreeswijk with its narrow lanes. Continue to the little town of Nieuwegein – perhaps take a short side trip to Fort Jutphaas, hidden in a green oasis in Nieuwegein -before reaching Utrecht. Utrecht is considered the heart of Holland. The city was built around the cathedral. That is why it is almost impossible to lose your way in the car-free town with its picturesque canals.

Day 5: Utrecht – Schoonhoven, approx. 40 - 49 km

This morning, be sure to take some time to explore the beautiful town of Utrecht, before getting back on your bike. Cycle tour through the beautiful polder landscape via Oudewater, with its famous Witches` Weigh House, (none of the so-called witches ever weighed here was found to be too light of weight and thus none of them was sentenced) to Schoonhoven, the Silver City of the Netherlands, with its typical Dutch Old Town.

Day 6: Schoonhoven – Rotterdam, approx. 43 km

From Schoonhoven, cycle leisurely to the city of Gouda, which is famous for its cheese. When the weather is fine, you may take a detour for a refreshing bath in the lake Reeuwijkse Plassen. Your today’s destination is Rotterdam. Tip: you should experience the harbour of Rotterdam on an interesting harbour tour.

Day 7: Roundtour Rotterdam, approx. 40 - 70 km

Two options for today’s cycling tour: First one will lead you to Delft (Tip: visit of the porcelain manufacture), second directly to the governmental seat Den Haag and to the North Sea coastal town and health resort Scheveningen and back. Alternatively, you can also go back to Rotterdam by train (rail and bike is not included, approx. € 16.- p. p., not in rush hour between 16:30 h and 18:00 h). You do not fancy a bike ride? Rotterdam offers endless possibilities to design your day. Really one is spoilt for choice.

Day 8: Rotterdam

Individual departure. Disembarkation after breakfast until 9 am.

IMMPORTANT INFORMATION

Due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements we reserve the right to make changes of routing and program.

Depending on the official authorities responsible for the distribution of moorings, Vianen can also be called as an alternative for Schoonhoven. Then itinerary on 5th day Utrecht – Vianen, cycle tour approx. 45 – 55 km and on the 6th day: Vianen – Gouda – Rotterdam, cycle tour approx. 59 km. Final decision approx. spring 2023.
 

Services

  • 7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities 

  • Full board (7x breakfast, packed lunch, 7x 3-course dinner)

  • Coffee & tea on board

  • Welcome drink

  • Daily meeting for cycling tours

  • Tour guide on board

  • Room cleaning every day

  • Changing of towels and bed cloths as necessary

  • All charges for harbours, bridges and locks

  • GPS

  • Maps and information material per cabin

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type

    Extras

    Discounts for children
    on request
     
    Bicycle & Equipment
    7-speed-bike-UNISEX (back pedal brake) incl. insurance 89
    E-bike incl. insurance 199
    Bringing of own bikes/e-bikes 29
       
    Extras
    Special diet (payable on spot) 25-50
       
    Additional night Amsterdam 3-4*
    S1 (dbl/sgl) TBA
    S1 arrival Saturday (dbl/sgl) TBA
    S2 (dbl/sgl) TBA
    S2 arrival Saturday (dbl/sgl) TBA

    Best - Price - Guarantee

    If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!
    All prices per person in EUR

    Ship

    Welcome aboard the MV NORMANDIE!

    Facilities

    On joining this vessel you are immediately aware of the cosy and informal ambience on board. In winter 2019/2020 all cabins were completely renovated. On the upper deck you will find the comfy panorama salon with its bar, on the main deck the comfortable restaurant (no direct access from the cabin-zone). On deck there are both deck chairs and ordinary chairs and tables, which encourage conversation and communal activity in fresh air.


    Technical data

    Length 91,20m
    Width 10,50m
    Draft: 1,60m
    Capacity: 100 persons


    Catering

    The catering consists of 7 x full board. The cook on board is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and the 3-course dinner. The cyclists can prepare lunch packages for the cycle tours. For those who want to stay on board lunch snack will be served on board.


    Cabins

    There are in total 49x 2-bed-cabins and 2 single cabins (24x 2-bed main deck, 22x 2-bed upper deck, 3x 2-bed upper deck Eco and 2x 1-bed cabins upper deck)

    All 2-bed-cabins (about 10-11m²) on main and upper deck are equipped with two lower hotel beds, shower and WC, hairdryer, TV, safe (deposit), central air-conditioning and window. Only on the upper deck the windows may be opened. 1-bed cabins (about 7m²) have one lower hotel bed and are otherwise equipped with same features.


    Languages on board

    German, English

    Bicycle

    Bicycles inclusive panniers

    Touring bikes

    Our bikes are state-of-the-art quality bikes based on proven brand quality of the bicycle manufactory Velo de Ville. All Velo de Ville bikes use only braking systems from renowned manufacturers such as Magura or Shimano. Minimum body height for our rental bikes: 1.50 m

    The following rental bikes (including pannier) are available for you:

    • 7-speed UNISEX touring bikes
    • 8-speed E-bikes

    E-bikes | Electrical bikes | Pedeclecs

    We provide you with modern quality e-bikes (pedelecs) with Nexus 8-speed hub gears, gradually selectable aid of pedaling power, puncture-proof tires and deep UNISEX comfort entry. The electric bikes from Velo de Ville are equipped exclusively with Bosch mid-mounted motors and fully integrated 500 Wh Bosch batteries. The design of the batteries allows them to almost disappear into the frame. This gives you better weight distribution and a low center of gravity without missing the convenience of easy entry. You save your battery by starting with as low a support as possible and increasing as needed. Please note that with the newer models of our e-bikes it is not possible to attach handlebar bags due to the additional fixed speedometers and wider handlebars.

    IMPORTANT: Please reserve ebikes early, as they are only available in very limited numbers.

    Useful

    Arrival - Parking - Departure

    Arrival by plane

    Airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
    per train to Rotterdam


    Arrival by train

    Train station: Rotterdam
    You will receive detailled information with your travel documents.


    Arrival by car

    Car park near the docking location (about 10 minutes walking distance), approx. € 25.- every 24 hours or use the Valet Parking Service.

    Valet Parking Services
    costs about € 170,-/week (payable in advance, reservation necessary, latest by 2 weeks prior departure)
    Your car will be picked up on arrival day at the docking station and will be brought to the parking place.
    Please select "Valet Parking" in the booking form and be sure to enter the ship name of your booked voyage under "ship name" so that valet parking can be made possible.

    Deatils and reservation options here >>Online Parking reservation


    Embarkation

    Embarkation is at  pm.
    Due to organizational reasons it is not possible to go on board earlier.


    Participants

    Minimum: 60 persons
    Maximuml: 100 persons


    Additional Information

    Diet: (i.e.: lactosefree, glutenfree) possible on request, supplement approx. € 25-50,- payable locally; (except vegan diet) - Must be booked at least 14 days prior to departure.

    Bringing of own bikes/helmets
    Please bring your own helmets as there are no rental helmets availbale on board.
    The bringing of own bikes/e-bikes is only available on request, for a surcharge and in limited numbers.

    Videos

    Travel stories

    5,5 of 6 Stars | 4
    Fantastic customer service and a great trip (...) Lovely cabin (free upgrade), good food and interesting bike tours. Staff on board were all very friendly and efficient. Altogether a perfect holiday...H.R. 04/23
    5,6 24.04.2023 | Helen R. Discover South Holland by Bike + Boat NORMANDIE

    Fantastic customer service and a great trip

    We had booked the Hanseatic Cities bike and boat tour. However, when we arrived in Amsterdam the day before the tour started we got a message to say the holiday was cancelled due to a fire on the ship. Marcel Aksan at Rad and Reisen was brilliant. Within ...
    • Overall satisfaction 6
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Per-Tour information 6
    • Accomodation 5
    • Board 6
    • Route description 6
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 4
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 5
    more
    4,9 09.10.2019 | Doris V. Southern Holland by Bike + Boat SIR WINSTON

    South Holland Cycle Tour in Sept. very nice, beautiful country

    We have had several cycling tours in Europe for comparison. This tour was different in some ways, both favorable and not. We were the only English speaking (first language) couple which was unusual. Although others understood English, the native languages ...
    • Overall satisfaction 5
    • Booking handling 5
    • Travel documents 5
    • Per-Tour information 5
    • Accomodation 5
    • Board 4
    • Route description 5
    • On-site assistance 5
    • Route-character 4
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 5
    more
    5,8 20.08.2018 | Joel H. Southern Holland by Bike + Boat SIR WINSTON

    Very good trip

    The only complaint I have is that the air conditioning in the cabin did not operate properly. Everything else was excellent, both on the boat and the crew.
    • Overall satisfaction 6
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Per-Tour information 6
    • Accomodation 5
    • Board 5
    • Route description 6
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 6
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 6
    more
    6,0 07.05.2018 | CHRISTINE H. Southern Holland by Bike + Boat SIR WINSTON
    We were very pleased with every aspect of this trip (South Holland Tour with SA Tours). The ship accomodations, the meals, the ship staff were all top notch and very accomodating. The cycling routes were well planned and very well organized. We had ...
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Per-Tour information 6
    • Accomodation 6
    • Board 6
    • Route description 6
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 6
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 6
    more
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