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The green heart of Holland by Bike + Boat

Historic towns and cultural Treasures

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Please note: You can only take part in this trip if you are vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19!
As of Oct 2022, subject to change.

Feel save, book flexible: FREE rebooking up to 6 weeks prior arrival to any alternative date in 2021 - applies to bookings between May 01 and June 15 2021 , the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

Rebooking FREE OF CHARGE until 28 days prior tour start; valid for all new bookings between May 01 and ***September 15 2021***. Valid for all tour-dates 2021 – the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

We offer a discount of 25% on the cabin price and free rental bike. In case of an e-bike only the difference to a normal rental bike becomes due. Valid for new bookings.
During this eight day, seven night tour on board the charming barge you can cycle individually and at your own pace as you discover the ‘Green Heart’ of Holland, a region steeped in history, natural attractions, world famous cities and beautiful scenery. Along the way you will visit historical cities such as Amsterdam, Haarlem, Rotterdam, Leiden and Gouda. You will discover many culturally historic attractions and, more importantly, you will be able to immerse yourself in the very heart of this fascinating and very Dutch part of Holland.

Also, if you are an art lover, you will enjoy the visits in Leiden, Haarlem and Delft where painters such as Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Vermeer lived and worked. But far from just being about big cities and Dutch history, this tour is also about the picturesque
villages and beautiful scenery of the ‘green lung’ districts of central and South Holland.

One thing is certain: by the end of the tour you will not only come away with a new-found appreciation for bike and barge cruising, but for everything that is Dutch. A bonus during this tour is the fact that the boat docks in and around the city centre of the various cities and villages visited at the end of each day’s cycling, giving you the opportunity to visit and explore at your leisure at night.

Our Tip: Book early, those bike & boat trips fill up fast!

Route

Tour profile / Level 1

Flat, well-prepared bike paths and side roads - well suited for children!

Day 1: Amsterdam

Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board is from 2 p.m. in the center of Amsterdam. After unpacking your luggage in your cabin you will still have plenty of time to explore this famous city. Treat yourself to a canal tour, visit one or more museums or simply do some shopping. An introduction to the tour will take place at 5.30 p.m., during which the crew will be presented and your first dinner on board will be served; your rental bicycles will also be distributed at this time.

Day 2: Amsterdam - Zaanse Schans- Haarlem, approx.. 40-55 km

After a short cruise on board, you are finally off and cycling today after first visiting the lovely open-air museum ‘Zaanse Schans’ in Zaandam where an authentic 18th and 19th century Dutch village has been reconstructed. In the museum you will learn about iconic Dutch traditions such as windmills and cheese and clog making. You will then cycle to Haarlem where celebrated portraitist and genre painter Frans Hals lived and worked in the 16th century. In the evening you can stroll through the lovely city center and the Grote Markt (market square). If preferred, today’s cycling tour can also be extended with a visit to the sea locks of IJmuiden and the Kennemer Dunes. During this cycling tour you can visit some forts of the Defense Line of Amsterdam (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Day 3: Haarlem – Nordseeküste – Leiden, approx. 42-50 km

After enjoying breakfast with your newfound cycling friends, you will pedal today along the North Sea coast through seaside dunes via the resorts of Noordwijk and Katwijk aan Zee to the vibrant university city of Leiden, the birthplace of celebrated artist Rembrandt van Rijn. The city’s picturesque old city center is crisscrossed with canals lined by beautiful 17th-century buildings and is very definitely a must to see. The longer cycling tour leads you from Haarlem to Cruquius (steam engine museum) and Hillegom (several flower nurseries) to Leiden.

Day 4: Leiden - Delft, approx. 35-41 km

From Leiden you will cycle to Delft, famous for its Blue porcelain (Delftware), where you will have the opportunity to visit a porcelain studio. Another major attraction in the beautiful city center of Delft is the royal crypt of the House of Orange. The longer cycling tour brings you to seaside resort Scheveningen and to The Hague, where you can visit the Binnenhof (Parliament) and the Peace Palace (Vredespaleis) and then continues to end in Delft.

Day 5: Delft - Rotterdam - Gouda, approx. 23-66 km

This morning you will sail from Delft on the Jelmar through the remarkable international port of Rotterdam. From here you can start cycling or you can hop on the “Waterbus”, a fast ferry that will bring you and your bicycle over the river in 30-40 minutes to Alblasserdam. From there you cycle just a few miles to Kinderdijk, world famous for an impressive row of 19 large windmills. These 19 windmills have a UNESCO cultural heritage listing and are a definite highlight – you will have the opportunity to visit one so don’t forget to bring your camera! From Kinderdijk you will cycle directly to the cheese city of Gouda, or if you prefer, on a longer tour via the silver city of Schoonhoven to Gouda, your destination for the day.

Day 6: Gouda - Kudelstaart, approx. 45-55 km

The highlight of today’s cycling tour is the naturally idyllic beauty of the South Holland landscape. Your destination for the day is the village of Kudelstaart where the Jelmar will be waiting for you. Along the way you will cycle along numerous small canals and past picture-perfect farms and small villages. At the mooring place on the banks of the Westeinder Plassen (‘West End’ lakes) there is a beautiful view to savor while enjoying a wine during or after dinner.

Day 7: Kudelstaart - Amsterdam, approx. 30-37 km

If you are keen for an early start to the day you can visit the largest trade centre for plants and flowers in the world at Aalsmeer (optional extra, not included). The market is a hive of activity; it is guaranteed that you will never have seen so many flowers in the one place. After a late breakfast you can either stay on board of the boat as it cruises through the City of Amsterdam to its mooring place or you can cycle into the city through the city park ‘Amsterdamse Bos’ or along the Amstel river. Once you reach Amsterdam take the opportunity during the afternoon and evening to go for a canal cruise, discover Anne Frank’s House, the Rembrandt House Museum, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam and Dam Square, the very center and heart of the city.

Day 8: Amsterdam

End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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

Services

Included Services:

 MS Flora (individual Tour)

  • 8 days/7 nights in booked cabin incl. breakfast
     
  • Packed lunches
     
  • 7 x 3-course dinner
     
  • coffee and tea on board
     
  • Welcome drink
     
  • Use of bed linen and towels
     
  • 1 x cleaning of the cabin during the tour
     
  • Daily briefings by the crew
     
  • Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
     
  • GPS tracks
     
  • Use of a waterproof pannier bag
     
  • Wi-Fi

additonal on MS LENA MARIA (guided Tour)

  • daily guided cycle tours

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type

    Extras

    Bicycles & Equipment
     
    7-speed 80
    E-Bike 180
    Helmet 10
    Additional night Amsterdam 3-4*
    S1* (dbl/sgl) 89/154
    S1* arrival Saturday (dbl/sgl) 113/200
    S2* (dbl/sgl) 93/160
    S2* arrival Saturday (dbl/sgl) 117/209
       
    Extras  
    Ticket canal cruise Amsterdam, duration approx.. 60 min. 13

    *S1: March, April, May, June, September, October
    *S2: July, August

    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 on board the MV FLORA (formerly MV JELMAR)!

    ACCOMMODATION

    The Flora is a small, cozy and comfortable passenger barge, which has successfully been sailing the Green Heart of Holland tour for several years now.

    The lounge, nostalgically furnished, offers an intimate and relaxed atmosphere. In the lounge, you will find the bar and dining area. Wi-Fi is available. On nice evenings or while cruising, you can enjoy the scenery from the sundeck.

    Facts about the ship
    Length:           39,95 M
    Width:             6,03 M
    Crew:              2
    Cabins:          10

    CATERING

    Full board: breakfast, lunch package, 3-course dinner, coffee and tea

    CABINS

    The Flora has ten twin cabins (8 m² – 86 sq.ft.) with two separate single beds. In two of the cabins a bunk bed for children up to age 12 (weighing no more than 40 kg) is available upon request. Each cabin has a private shower, toilet and basin. The small windows in the cabins can be opened and the cabins have central heating. A hairdryer is available upon request.

    NON-SMOKER SHIP

    Smoking is forbidden in all inside parts of the ship. Smoking is only allowed on the sun deck.

    LANGUAGE ON BORD

    German, English

    WI-FI

    Available until 50 MB per day/person. In case you need more volume please contact the crew on board. Please be informed that connection can sometimes vary.

     

    Welcome on board the MV LENA MARIA!

    ACCOMMODATION

    The Lena Maria started her second life as a passenger barge in 2006. This ship was built by Hans de Lange who had previously built and operated similar vessels. The Lena Maria is a very comfortable ship, ideal for bike and barge tours in the Netherlands and very popular on the Hanseatic tour.

    On the upper deck of the Lena Maria you will find the cozy lounge with the bar and dining area. Wi-Fi is available. The barge also has a beautiful sundeck, where you can have a drink. On nice evenings, or while cruising, you can enjoy the scenery from here.

    Facts about the ship
    Length:           45 M
    Width:           6,6 M
    Crew:             3
    Cabins:         12
    Pass.:           24 (max.)

    CATERING

    Full board: breakfast, lunch package, 3-course dinner, coffee and tea

    CABINS

    The Lena Maria has twelve spacious twin cabins (10,5 m² – 113 sq.ft.) with two separate beds. Each cabin has a private shower, toilet and basin. Windows can be opened and the cabins have ventilation and central heating. Furthermore, you will find a hair dryer in each cabin.

    NON-SMOKER SHIP

    Smoking is forbidden in all inside parts of the ship. SMoking is only allowed on the sun deck.

    LANGUAGE ON BORD

    German, English

    WI-FI

    Available until 50 MB per day/person. In case you need more volume please contact the crew on board. Please be informed that connection can sometimes vary.

    Bicycle

    Rental-Bicycles & equipment

    The following bikes are available for rental:

    • UNISEX-touring/trekking bicycles with a comfortable, deep entrance and 7-or 8-speed-hub circuit with hand pedal brake, as well as paniers.
    • E-Bikes
    • Other bikes: children’s bike, tandem, children’s seat, bikes with back pedal... on request

    Electric bikes | E-Bikes | Pedelecs

    We provide you with modern quality e-bikes with 7- or 8-speed hub gears and step-by-step selectable assistance for pedalling power. The range of the battery depends on the support level, riding style, body weight and terrain.

    IMPORTANT: book early, because of limited capacity!

    Bicycle breakdowns

    Breakdowns can happen, also when bikes are well serviced and maintained. Flats can be fixed by yourself. If there’s a difficult repair you may call the local representative. Please don’t get any repairs done on the bike without informing the tour operator/local representative and their approval.

    Bringing of own bikes

    Bringing your own bicycles is ony available in a limited number and a fee needs to be paid as there is not much space. Due to safety reasons you must not charge your E-Bike batteries in your cabin!

    If you bring your own bicycle, please pay attention to the following aspects: You are personally responsible for your own bike on board and ashore. Protect your bike against theft on board, as well as on land with a lock. The bikes will be brought on board and from board by the crew. Due to the local conditions we cannot prevent scratches and damages on the bikes.

    Please understand that we cannot accept any liability. The bikes on board are exposed to weather conditions because the parking is not covered. Please bring along your own spare material and repair kit for your bike. The fees for parking of own bikes on board you can find under prices.

     

    Useful

    ARRIVAL-DEPARTURE-PARKING

    ARRIVAL BY PLANE

    Airport:
    Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)

    from airport per train to Amsterdam Centraal - duration approx. 20 min. - costs approx. € 10.

    ARRIVAL BY TRAIN

    Train station:
    Amsterdam Centraal (near the docking station)

    For details see your final travel documents.

    ARRIVAL BY CAR
    Parking:
    Parking Oosterdok: economy fare approx.€  100 /week
    or
    Centalparking.nl/ Valet Parking Services
    Pick up and bringing service of your car from and to the ship landing station in Amsterdam. 
    Price per week (8 days/7 nights) - CAR: € 150 (Payable locally)
    You can register for it under the following link: https://radundschiffsreisen.de/parkservice/

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

    Wi-Fi: available on board. (limited access)

     

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    Daniela Puhr-Pichler

    Happy to advise you:

     Daniela Puhr-Pichler

    Any questions left?

    +43 1 4053873 - 36
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