Green landscapes of Holland: Amsterdam and Maastricht

    (0)
    7 nights | 25 miles/day
    Guided from EUR € 1119
    Countries: Holland
    Rider Level: Recreational Bike and boat tours
    (0)

    Rider Level: Recreational Bike and boat tours

    7 nights | 25 miles/day
    Guided from EUR € 1119
    Bike and Boat Tour aboard Sarah, Flora or Gandalf
    Countries: Holland

    Tap above to jump to different sections of this tour

    • Navigate the Netherlands on an awe-inspiring bike tour between Amsterdam and Maastricht

      See Holland like never before on this guided bike and boat tour from arresting Amsterdam to mesmerizing Maastricht, passing through iconic Dutch destinations such as Utrecht, Limburg, Arcen, and Thorn. This active tour is designed to cover the best of this country, so you can have it all in Holland! From the country’s captivating capital, laced with iconic canals, to the magnificent medieval architecture of Maastricht, you’ll see a catalog of splendid sights as you cycle, enjoying a journey of true Dutch discovery.

      • Maastricht, Limburg, the Netherlands. Guillaume Henrotte@Unsplash
      • Stadhuis in Maastricht, Limburg, the Netherlands. Melvin Bertelkamp@Unsplash
      • Vineyards en route in Limburg, the Netherlands. Rudolf Peter Bakker@Unsplash
      • Tulips for sale in Amsterdam! Ioann-mark Kuznietsov@Unsplash
      • Countryside of Holland! ©Hollandfotograaf
      • Venlo, Limburg, the Netherlands. CC:Giggel
      • Weesp, North Holland, the Netherlands. CC:Marcel Plaatsman
      • Drawbridge painting, Amsterdam. CC:Hubertine Heijermans

      View more photos

      Highlights

      • Amsterdam, Holland’s captivating capital
      • Maastricht with its medieval architecture
      • The city of churches: Utrecht
      • Picturesque Limburg
      • The gorgeous castle gardens of Arcen
      • Thorn, the White Village

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      Learn more about guided tours.


    • Green landscapes of Holland: Amsterdam and Maastricht

       Tour Description Daily Program 

    • Daily program

      • Day 1: Amsterdam - Weesp
        Arrive in alluring Amsterdam where your boat will be ready to begin boarding between 1–2 pm. We fully recommend arriving a day early in Amsterdam to make the most of this iconic city of canals, bridges, and bicycles! You can find a selection of single-day bike tours around the city’s highlights, hidden gems, and encircling countryside here.

        Once on board, your boat will wind its way to Weesp, the perfect first stop following the nation’s capital. Historical Weesp will welcome you into its center, where you’ll behold beautiful surviving bastions, fascinating fortresses, and majestic moats. If you’re wondering why Weesp has so much protective infrastructure, this city formed part of the defensive line for the County of Holland until the Second World War, the inundation zones flooding in wartime to create the Hollandic Water Line. Here, you’ll also find three full-size watermills - true icons of the Netherlands that make memorable photo opportunities!

        Day 2: Cycle Weesp - Utrecht | cruise Utrecht - Vianen (28 miles/47 km)
        Ride and shine as you pedal your bicycle from Weesp to Utrecht along the verdant banks of the Vecht River. En route, you’ll cycle past the highly desirable mansions that line this waterway, and, at least for today, you’ll share their enviable views! Following your guide to a typical Dutch farm, you’ll gain insight into traditional cheese-making processes.

        Upon arrival in Utrecht, the charming ‘City of Churches’, you’ll park your bikes ready to reboard the barge and sail on towards Vianen via the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal. Vianen, as you’ll find, is a lovely little city on the River Lek, with remnants of its old city wall still visible.

        Day 3: Cycle Vianen - Gorinchem | cruise Gorinchem - Heusden (25 miles/41 km)
        Today you’ll meander along the Merwedekanaal, riding the route that takes you through typical Dutch countryside towards the little city of Leerdam, nestled on the banks of the Linge River. This charming city boasts beautiful water meadows around its edge, the historic Great Church, and restored city walls.

        Your guide will then lead you along the Linge to gorgeous Gorinchem, named in 2021 by the Royal Dutch Touring Club ANWB as the most beautiful star fort in the Netherlands! This is a resplendent river city where windmills, churches, and bridges provide charming backdrops for your tour photos. Back aboard your barge, you’ll cruise from Gorinchem to Heusden.

        Day 4: Cruise Heusden - Oss | cycle Oss - Cuijk (24 miles/40 km)
        Feast as you float as your boat sails to Oss during breakfast. Disembarking in this stunning city on the Maas, you’ll set off from Oss to Cuijk via Ravenstein and Grave, two impressive medieval cities. En route through Ravenstein, you’ll take a look at the Tanner’s Cottages, then glide by the Napoleonic-era cannons in Grave, a city that played a crucial part in WWII's ‘Operation Market Garden’.

        Your brilliant bike tour continues on to Cuijk, where your barge will be waiting for you. Cuijk, a town that rose from a Roman settlement with a name meaning ‘bend’ (after the curve in the Meuse River), is home to St. Martin’s Church, a grand feat of neo-gothic splendor. Within its stunning walls sits one of the oldest organs in the Netherlands, built between 1639–1650 - a fascinating attraction. Following dinner, you’ll discover the breathtaking views from atop the Ceuclum Museum tower.

        Day 5: Cuijk - Arcen (32 miles/53 km)
        Today you’ll enjoy a truly magnificent bike tour through the Maas Valley, arriving in the alluring villages of Afferden and Heyen before pedaling through the superb National Park De Maasduinen, home to Holland’s longest belt of river dunes. You’ll wind your way through the gorgeous park to Well, where you’ll rest in the shadow of the commanding Well Castle, dating back to the 1300s.

        Today’s destination, Arcen, is a sublime village on the Maas River, home to the rapturous Castle Gardens boasting the Rosarium (with 10 different rose gardens), the water and sculpture garden, the luscious Lommerijk (with waterfalls and rushing streams), the Valley (with its 6 international gardens), the tropical and Mediterranean gardens of Casa Verde, and the gorgeous Golf Garden (with a perfect view of the largest waterfall in the Netherlands).

        Day 6: Arcen - Venlo - Roermond (30 miles/50 km)
        This morning you’ll make your way further along the romantic River Maas, crossing over the waterway either by ferry or bridge to discover the vibrant city of Venlo, known for its artistic edge, and quaint Kessel, one of the oldest villages along the river. Biking over to the opposite bank, your cycle tour will take you on to beautiful Beesel, where you’ll see the charming ‘Grey Bear’ standing proudly outside the grain mill.

        Day 7: Roermond - Born (25 miles/42 km) | Born - Maastricht
        Let Limburg inspire you on the final touring day of your terrific trip! You’ll pedal through abundant charming villages and lush Dutch countryside as you make your way to Thorn, the ‘White Village’. Sitting serenely on the Dutch/Belgian border, Thorn is a quaint village of cobblestone streets and white-washed houses that gleam gorgeously in the sunlight. The only colorful building in the entire village is the church, dating back to the 14th century!

        Biking over the Dutch/Belgian border, you’ll make your way into Maaseik, known for its famous painters Hubert and Jan van Eyck. You'll continue pedalling to the fascinating Market Square where Renaissance-style facades provide a grand backdrop as you savor a beautifully brewed Belgian beer! Refreshed, you’ll ride on to Born, where your boat awaits, ready to take you to Maastricht.

        Maastricht - the capital of the Limburg province - is a sublime city with reams of Roman and medieval history waiting to be uncovered in its architecture and museums. In fact, Maastricht has 1677 national heritage buildings (‘rijksmonumenten’), a total topped only by Amsterdam!

        Behold the breathtakingly beautiful Basilica of Saint Servatius and its perfect ‘Bergportaal’, and catch a good look at the Kazematten, underground fortress works dating back to the 18th century. You’ll be intrigued by the architecture of the Bonnefantenmuseum, with its unusual spaceship shape, and it’s worth making your way to the Marl Caves, where Rembrandt van Rijn’s ‘The Night Watch’ was stashed for safety during WWII. Wind down at Maastricht’s main urban square, the wonderful Vrijthof, in the evening.

        Day 8: Departure from Maastricht
        Disembarkation will conclude following breakfast, by 9:30 am.

        Unforeseen itinerary changes are possible due to weather or other factors! The captain reserves the right to make changes as necessary.

      • Day 1: Maastricht
        Check-in from 1 pm, then make yourself at home in Maastricht! The capital of the Limburg province is a sublime city with reams of Roman and medieval history waiting to be uncovered in its architecture and museums. In fact, Maastricht has 1677 national heritage buildings (‘rijksmonumenten’), a total topped only by Amsterdam!

        Behold the breathtakingly beautiful Basilica of Saint Servatius and its perfect ‘Bergportaal’, and catch a good look at the Kazematten, underground fortress works dating back to the 18th century. You’ll be intrigued by the architecture of the Bonnefantenmuseum, with its unusual spaceship shape, and it’s worth making your way to the Marl Caves, where Rembrandt van Rijn’s ‘The Night Watch’ was stashed for safety during WWII. Wind down at Maastricht’s main urban square, the wonderful Vrijthof, in the evening. Following dinner, you’ll be able to test your bike.

        Day 2: Cruise Maastricht - Born | cycle Born - Roermond (24 miles/40 km)
        Feast whilst you float as your boat sails the Juliana Canal during breakfast. Disembarking at Born, you’ll begin your brilliant bike tour with a ride over the Dutch/Belgian border into Maaseik, known for its famous painters Hubert and Jan van Eyck. Follow your guide into the fascinating Market Square where Renaissance-style facades provide a grand backdrop as you savor a beautifully brewed Belgian beer!

        Refreshed, ride on to the charming ‘White Village’ of Thorn. Sitting serenely on the Dutch/Belgian border, Thorn is a quaint village of cobblestone streets and white-washed houses that gleam gorgeously in the sunlight. The only colorful building in the entire village is the church, dating back to the 14th century!

        The destination of today’s ride is the historically significant city of Roermond, rising from the spot where the Roer and Maas rivers come together. A designated ‘Bishop City’ since 1559, Roermond is home to several historical buildings of interest, including St. Christopher’s Cathedral and the Munsterkerk. The city was the home of Pierre Cuypers, one of the most influential Dutch architects of the 19th century, whose most famous works include the Rijksmuseum and Central Station in Amsterdam.

        Day 3: Roermond - Venlo - Arcen (30 miles/50 km)
        Ride and shine as you follow the east bank of the river to the beautiful village of Beesel, where you’ll see the charming ‘Grey Bear’ standing proudly outside the grain mill. Crossing over to Kessel on the opposite bank, discover one of the oldest villages on the Meuse before your guide leads you on to Venlo by lunchtime, a city known for its artistic edge.

        Your afternoon in Arcen is a sheer delight. Immerse yourself in the rapturous Castle Gardens, boasting the Rosarium (with 10 different rose gardens), the water and sculpture garden, the luscious Lommerijk (with waterfalls and rushing streams), the Valley (with its 6 international gardens), the tropical and Mediterranean gardens of Casa Verde, and the gorgeous Golf Garden (with a perfect view of the largest waterfall in the Netherlands).

        Day 4: Arcen - Cuijk (32 miles/53 km)
        Wind your way to Well, where you’ll park your bike in the shadow of the commanding Well Castle, dating back to the 1300s. Pedal onwards through the superb National Park De Maasduinen, home to Holland’s longest belt of river dunes, before arriving in the alluring village of Afferden around lunchtime.

        Your brilliant bike tour continues on to Cuijk, where your barge will be waiting for you. Cuijk, a town which rose from a Roman settlement with a name meaning ‘bend’ (after the curve in the Meuse River), is home to St. Martin’s Church, a grand feat of neo-gothic splendor. Within its stunning walls sits one of the oldest organs in the Netherlands, built between 1639–1650 - a fascinating attraction.

        Day 5: Cycle Cuijk - Oss (24 miles/40 km) | cruise Oss - Heusden
        Today you’ll bike from Cuijk to Oss via Ravenstein and Grave, two impressive medieval cities. Grave played a crucial part in WWII’s ‘Operation Market Garden’ and is home to fascinating Napoleonic-era cannons, whilst Ravenstein derives much of its charm from the quaint Tanner’s Cottages.

        Once you reach Oss, you’ll be greeted by the familiar sight of your barge, ready to float you along to Heusden, where you’ll be given recommendations for excellent local eateries since dinner is not served onboard tonight.

        Day 6: Cruise Heusden - Gorinchem | cycle Gorinchem - Vianen (25 miles/41 km)
        Glide through the morning light to gorgeous Gorinchem, named in 2021 by the Royal Dutch Touring Club ANWB as the most beautiful star fort in the Netherlands! This is a resplendent river city where windmills, churches, and bridges provide charming backdrops for your tour photos!

        From here, you’ll ride the route that takes you through typical Dutch countryside towards the little city of Leerdam, nestled on the banks of the Linge River. This charming city boasts beautiful water meadows around its edge, the historic Great Church, and restored city walls. Vianen, you’ll also find, has remnants of its old city wall still visible - a key attraction in this lovely city on the River Lek.

        Day 7: Cruise Vianen - Breukelen | Cycle Breukelen - Amsterdam (26 miles/42 km)
        Your boat sails to Breukelen during breakfast where you’ll disembark and ride along the winding River Vecht towards Amsterdam, stopping to visit the charming mill at Loenen along the way.

        Arriving in the iconic capital of the Netherlands - Amsterdam - you’ll be spellbound by this city of canals, bridges, and bicycles! Here, you’ll have the choice of taking a tour of the grand canals, visiting the Rijksmuseum, or visiting the Van Gogh Museum. As there’s so much to see in alluring Amsterdam, we recommend staying an extra day following the end of your tour to truly maximize your visit. You can find a selection of single-day bike tours around the city’s highlights, hidden gems, and encircling countryside here.

        Day 8: Departure from Amsterdam
        Disembarkation will conclude following breakfast, by 9:30 am.

        Unforeseen itinerary changes are possible due to weather or other factors! The captain reserves the right to make changes as necessary.

      Surface and terrain

      The terrain is flat and the cycle paths are mostly concrete or paved roads. Some days will include riding on hard-packed trails. If a guest does not wish to cycle, he/she can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next harbor.


      Boats


      How to get there

      Tour start

      Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
      Nearest train station: Amsterdam Centraal Station

      Tour end

      Nearest airport: Maastricht-Aachen, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
      Nearest train station: Maastricht


      Green landscapes of Holland: Amsterdam and Maastricht

       Tour Photos Dates & Prices 

    • Dates

      • Sarah

        Amsterdam to Maastricht
        May 6; Jul 15; Aug 12, 26, 2023
        Maastricht to Amsterdam
        May 13; Jul 22; Aug 19; Sept 2, 2023

        Flora

        Amsterdam to Maastricht
        May 20; Jun 3, 2023
        Maastricht to Amsterdam
        May 27; Jun 10, 2023

        Gandalf

        Amsterdam to Maastricht
        Jul 1, 29, 2023

        Maastricht to Amsterdam
        Jul 8; Aug 5, 2023

      • Sarah

        Amsterdam to Maastricht
        May 4; Jul 13; Aug 24, 2024
        Maastricht to Amsterdam
        May 11; Jul 20; Aug 31, 2024

        Flora

        Amsterdam to Maastricht
        May 25, 2024
        Maastricht to Amsterdam
        Jun 1, 2024

        Gandalf

        Amsterdam to Maastricht
        Jun 15, 29, 2024
        Maastricht to Amsterdam
        Jun 22; Jul 6, 2024

      Prices

      • Tour Package

        May 6 May 13 - Sep 10
        Twin, per person, double occupancy €1119 €1219
        Single-use cabin (1 person/1 cabin) €1643.50 €1793.50
        Triple cabin* €1019 €1119

        *Price for third person only, third bed is only suitable for a child.

        Bike Rentals

        Hybrid touring bike €90
        Electrically assisted bike €195
        Helmet €10
        Parking for your own bicycle (limited number permitted) €10
        Parking and charge station for your own Electric Bike (limited number permitted)

        €25

      • Tour Package

        May 4 May 11 - Aug
        Twin, per person, double occupancy €1199 €1299
        Single-use cabin (1 person/1 cabin) €1798.50 €1948.50

        *triple cabin available for two adults and one child, please contact us for pricing.

        Bike Rentals

        Hybrid touring bike €90
        Electrically assisted bike €225
        Helmet €10
        Parking for your own bicycle (limited number permitted) €10
        Parking and charge station for your own Electric Bike (limited number permitted)

        €25

      Included services

      • 7 nights of accommodation in the selected boat/cabin
      • 7 x breakfast, packed lunches, 6 x three-course dinner
      • Coffee and tea on board
      • Welcome drink
      • Ferry fees
      • Use of bed linen and towels
      • Daily cabin cleaning
      • Fully guided cycling tours
      • Daily briefings on the route
      • Some short walking tours
      • Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
      • GPS tracks
      • Use of a waterproof pannier bag
      • Biodegradable water bottle
      • Wi-Fi (note: the signal may not be fast)
      • Entrance museum Ceuclum in Cuijk
      • Carbon offset payment to the non-profit organization Justdiggit

      Bike rentals

      Bikes available to rent on this tour (reserved at time of booking):

      Sarah

      • Hybrid touring bike by Velo de Ville with 7-speeds and handbrakes, a lock, and pannier bag.
      • Electric bikes by Velo de Ville CEB 200 with Nexus 7 gears, 4 support levels, and hand breaks only (or a comparable brand/model). E-Bikes are only on request, limited number available.

      Gandalf

      • Hybrid touring bike by Gazelle Chamonix or Velo de Ville C100, both with lightweight frames and step-through frame, with Shimano 7-gears, hand brakes, gel-saddle, and a lock on the frame and pannier bag. 
      • Electric bikes by Velo de Ville CEB 200 with Nexus 7 gears, 4 support levels, and hand breaks only (or a comparable brand/model). E-Bikes are only on request, limited number available.

      Flora

      • Hybrid touring bike by Trek X300 with easy-to-handle Shimano 24-speed gears, handbrakes, gel-saddle (height adjustable), a lock on the frame, and a pannier bag.
      • Electric bikes by Trek TM2+ with 9 gears, 3 support levels, and hand breaks only (or a comparable brand/model).

      Tour Company


      Green landscapes of Holland: Amsterdam and Maastricht

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      Green landscapes of Holland: Amsterdam and Maastricht

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