8 Days Tulip Blossom by Bike + Boat / Guided

from/to Amsterdam

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Itinerary

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.

This beautiful cycle and boat tour through the west of the Netherlands starts in Amsterdam and takes you through North and South Holland during the tulip blossom season. Enjoy cycling tours through historic cities such as Haarlem, Leiden, Gouda and Alkmaar. Experience the tulip blossom at the famous Keukenhof and immerse yourself in the scent of thousands of blooming flowers. Visit the spectacular flower auction in Aalsmeer and the Zaanse Schans open-air museum with its windmills and cheese dairies. This cycle tour to Holland’s tulip blossom is ideal for getting to know the breathtaking landscape and the most beautiful cycle routes in Holland.

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

Route

Tour profile / Level 1

You will ride on flat and well-maintained bike paths throughout your trip.

Day 1: Amsterdam – Spaarndam – Haarlem, approx. 6-14 km

Individual arrival. Embarkation at 2 pm in the centre of Amsterdam. The crew will welcome you with coffee and tea. At 2.30 pm the barge leaves the harbor. At 4 pm there will be a first ride by bike from the lock at Spaarndam to Haarlem. After dinner you can join a walk through Haarlem.

Day 2: Haarlem – Keukenhof – Leiden, approx. 38 km

Today’s stage takes you past the oldest tulip fields in the Netherlands. Afterwards, a visit to Keukenhof, the most beautiful flower park in the world, is on the agenda. Here you will experience the spring awakening in all its glory: seven million blooming tulips in the middle of a 32-hectare garden with classical and modern arrangements and an overwhelming play of colors. Various types of hyacinths, daffodils and other flowers complete the colorful spectacle. In the afternoon, you will continue by bicycle to Leiden. After dinner you can join a walking tour through Leiden.

Day 3: Leiden – Gouda, approx. 37-43 km

After breakfast you will cycle out of Leiden. You will travel through the ‘green heart’ of Holland. Near Zoeterwoude, you will visit a cheese farm where you will learn about the cheese-making process and you will have the opportunity to taste the results. In the afternoon you reach Gouda, famous for the Gouda cheese. Gouda has an attractive compact center with her pretty market square and Gothic town hall. The main church of Gouda, devoted to Saint John, is world famous for its stained glass windows. After dinner you can join the walk through town.

Day 4: Gouda – Alphen a/d Rijn – Kudelstaart, approx. 20-44 km

We stay in Gouda this morning. You have the opportunity to do some shopping and to visit the market square with its cheese weigh house or you can visit the St. Johns church. We leave by barge around noon and have a light lunch on board. From Alphen aan den Rijn you cycle through the ‘green heart’ of South Holland via river Drecht and Amstel-Drecht channel to Kudelstaart.

Day 5: Kudelstaart – Aalsmeer – Zaanse Schans/Purmerend, approx. 9+23 or 38 km

Morning coffee is served as early as 06:30. Early in the morning you cycle to Europe’s largest flower auction in Aalsmeer, where huge quantities of flowers are sold and exported every day. At 09:00 you return to the ship for breakfast. Meanwhile, the ship sails to Amsterdam. The cycle tour takes you from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans, an old Dutch village with traditional wooden houses and working windmills.

Ships Flora and Sarah: In the afternoon you will cycle to Pumerend, where you will stay for the night.

Day 6: Purmerend/Zaanse Schans – Alkmaar, approx. 29-40 km

Today’s tour will take you to the special garden museum Hortus Bulborum. The museum specializes in the preservation of rare and historical flowers. More than 4,000 tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other flowers are planted here. The bike tour then continues to Egmond on the North Sea and then across the dunes to today’s stage destination, Alkmaar. The beauty of the old town, with its well-preserved 17th-century buildings and narrow, winding canals, is absolutely stunning. In the evening you will have dinner in the city (not included).

Day 7: Alkmaar – Amsterdam, approx. 37-55 km

After breakfast your cycling tour leads you to the former windmill complex of the Schermer Polder. Here we visit the Schermerhorn Windmill Museum. Your next stop is the beautiful town of De Rijp. Centuries of history are still evident here in De Rijp’s wooden facades, beautiful church, lock and town hall. From here, your ride continues back to Amsterdam. In the late afternoon or evening there is time for a canal tour through the famous canals of the city.

Day 8: Amsterdam

Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 am. Individual departure or extension in Amsterdam.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Due to varying wind and weather conditions, as well as organizational necessities, we reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary.

Please keep in mind that the ship is both your hotel and a machine that needs to be maintained and operated - both during the day and at night. Operational noise is therefore unavoidable.

Services

  • 7 nights in outside cabin with shower/toilet

  • Full board (7x breakfast, packed lunch, 6x 3-course dinner)

  • Coffee and tea

  • Welcome drink

  • Use of bed linen and towels

  • Daily cabin cleaning

  • Air-conditioned cabin (not on Allure and Sarah)

  • Daily program briefings

  • Fully guided bike tours (Premium ships: from 18 guests 2 guides, 2 groups)

  • Some short walking tours

  • GPS tracks

  • Rental pannier

  • Ferry fees

  • Entry Keukenhof

  • WI-FI

  • Rental helmet (on Ships Fleur, Clair d’Etoile, La Mar and Lena Maria)

  • For the environment’s benefit: use of a biodegradable water bottle and compensation of the CO2 emitted by the NGO Justdiggit.

  • Additionally included on Premium Ships

  • Entrance North Holland Dune Reserve

  • Admission to flower auction in Aalsmeer

  • Visit to a traditional Dutch cheese farm

  • Rental bike liability limitation

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type
    S1   30.03. - 06.04.25
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    MV FLEUR (Premium)
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    S2   06.04. - 13.04.25
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    MV FLEUR (Premium)
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    S2   13.04. - 20.04.25
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    MV FLEUR (Premium)
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    S2   20.04. - 27.04.25
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    MV FLEUR (Premium)
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    S2   27.04. - 04.05.25
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    MV FLEUR (Premium)
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    Extras

    Fahrräder & Zubehör
    7-speed (Sarah) / 24-speed (Flora) 91
    7-speed (La Mar, Lena Maria, Clair d’Etoile) 105
    11-speed (Fleur) / 21-speed (Clair d’Etoile) 105
    E-Bike (Sarah, Flora) 245
    E-Bike (Fleur, Clair d’Etoile, La Mar, Lena Maria) 266
    Rental helmet (Sarah, Flora) 10
    Spot for own bike (NOT possible on Fleur und Clair d’Etoile) 14
    Spot for on E-Bike (NOT possible on Fleur und Clair d’Etoile) 28
       
    Additional nights*
    Amsterdam (dbl/sgl) 122/213
    Amsterdam Arrival Saturday (dbl/sgl) 153/244
    *no addidtional nights possible on following dates: April 18-20, April 25-26, May 07-10, May 19-21, June 06-08, June 21-22, June 24-25, August 29-31 and September 27-30
       
    Other extras
    gluten free / lactose free, paybale on spot 70
    Liability limitation rental bike (Sarah, Flora) 14
    Liability limitation rental E-Bike (Sarah, Flora) 28

    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!

    On this tour you can choose between the comfortable ships Sarah and Flora or the premium ships Fleur, Clair d'Etoile, La Mar and Lena Maria.

    MV SARAH

    The Sarah  is a comfortable and cozy passenger barge. The boat is spaciously built for a small group of passengers and offers an attractive , "feels-like-to-be-at-home" atmosphere. The Sarah has ten comfortable cabins (10m²). On the upper deck you will find the cozy open lounge , a dining area and a bar and a beautiful sundeck, partially with awning. >>more

    MV FLORA

    The Flora is a small, cozy and comfortable passenger ship that has been successfully sailing the Green Heart of Holland Tour for several years.
    The nostalgically furnished salon with bar has a quaint atmosphere and serves as a dining and lounge area. WLAN (Wi-Fi) is available. The sun deck is a great place to enjoy the evenings on board and during the cruise you can let the landscape glide by. >>more

    MV FLEUR (Premium)

    The Fleur started cruising in  2002. This small, yet very tasteful passenger barge with its sleek lines has ten comfortable guest cabins with two seperate beds. Each cabin has a private shower, toilet and basin, central heating and air-conditioning; windows are fixed for safety reasons. On the upper deck , there is a lounge with large windows, a roomy sitting area, a cozy bar and a half-covered sun deck. >>more

    MV CLAIR D'ETOILE (Premium)

    Amsterdam-Bruegge MS Magnifique III

    The Clair d'Etoile (formerly named Zwaantje) is one of our premium passenger barges. The owners have restyled the interior in winter 2014-2015 and have created a warm and cozy atmosphere. On the lower deck, the Zwaantje has twelve comfortable guest cabins. Ten  twins (7m²)  and 2 doubles (6m²). All cabins have ventilation, air- conditioning  and a window. Only the windows in the double cabins can be opened. >>more

    MV LA MAR (Premium)

    Amsterdam-Bruegge MS Magnifique III

    The La Mar (formerly Fiep) is equipped with a restaurant, a spacious upper deck, a cozy bar area and an inviting sun deck. The cozy cabins have their own bathroom, heating/air conditioning and a window that can be opened. >>more

    MV LENA MARIA (Premium)

    The Lena Maria is a very comfortable ship, ideal for bike and barge tours in the Netherlands. The barge has twelve spacious twin cabins. On the upper deck of the Lena Maria you will find the cozy lounge with the bar and dining area. >>more

    Bicycle

    Rental-Bicycles & equipment

    The following bikes are available for rent:

    • 7-speed touring bikes (available on Sarah, La Mar, Lena Maria)
    • 11-speed touring bikes (Fleur)
    • 21-speed touring bikes (Zwaantje)
    • 24-speed touring bike (Flora)
    • E-Bikes (all ships)

    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

    IMPORTANT: On the ships FLEUR and ZWAANTJE the bringing of own bikes is not possible!

    Bringing your own bicycles on the other boats 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 - Parking - Departure

    Arrival by plane

    Airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
    continue by train directly to Amsterdam Centraal - duration approx. 20 min. - Price approx. € 6,-

    Arrival by train

    Train station: Amsterdam Centraal
    Docking place is only a free ferry trip from the central railway station. Departure is every 6 minutes.

    You will find detailed information in your travel documents.

    Arrival by car

    Almost everywhere in Amsterdam - within the Ringweg ring road - parking is only allowed in official car parks and multi-storey car parks. Parking in the city centre of Amsterdam is now charged at around €5,-/hour. There are several car parks in the city centre. Some are connected to the parking guidance system. The blue and white signs of this system point to the next car park where there are still free spaces. Parking on yellow kerbs is prohibited. Caution: Wheel clamps (Wielklemm) may be used. Fines for parking violations are high.

    Oosterdock car park
    A monitored multi-storey car park right next to the Central Station (exclusively for cars up to 2.10 m high). The economy rate is about € 275,- per week. No advance reservation possible. You can find more information >>here.

    Centralparking.nl/Valet Parking Services
    We are happy to reserve a parking space for you on request and subject to availability. On the day of arrival, your car will be picked up at the pier and returned to the ship on the day of departure. Cost per week (8 days/7 nights) - car: approx. € 185,- (payment in cash on site) >>booking-form

    For more information and other P+R parking spaces, please visit the Iamsterdam page under "Plan your trip" / "Transport" / "Parking in Amsterdam".

    Embarkation

    Please plan your journey accordingly to be on time for embarkation at 2 p.m..Thank you for your understanding, that it is not possible to go on board before embarkation started. 

    Videos

    Travel stories

    5,8 of 6 Stars | 1
    The Netherlands are beautiful, on the farm and canal paths we saw so many signs of spring - tulips, goslings, ducklings, lamb, nesting swans, etc. The small towns were so cute and everyone was friendly...C.Z. 04/24
    5,9 30.04.2024 | Connie Z. 8 Days Tulip Blossom by Bike + Boat / Guided

    Cycling through Tulips & Windmills

    Our guide, Marcel, did an excellent job guiding us through the Netherlands. He provided historical and cultural information along the route, and arranged great stopping spots for local brew. The Netherlands are beautiful, on the farm and canal paths ...
    fae_foto_83_2024_04_30_19_32_26_1755175293.jpg fae_foto_84_2024_04_30_19_32_26_82715786.jpg
    • Overall satisfaction 6
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Accomodation 5
    • Board 6
    • Route description 6
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 6
    • Price-performance ratio 6
    more
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    Doris Berkovics

    Happy to advise you:

     Doris Berkovics

    Any questions left?

    +43 1 4053873 - 12
    Contact form

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