Holland's Tulip Fields and Historic Towns

Day 1: Arrival in Schagen, Cruise to Den Helder

Your Netherlands bike and barge tour kicks off in the small Dutch town of Schagen, where you’ll board Merlijn in the afternoon. After meeting the crew and your fellow travelers over a welcome drink, you’ll get a quick overview of the week ahead before cruising along peaceful canals toward Den Helder. Located in Noord-Holland and known for its naval history, Den Helder is the perfect starting point for your tulip season adventure. Keep an eye out, you might spot your first colorful tulip fields right from the ship!

Day 2: Den Helder - Alkmaar,
19 - 22 miles / 30 - 35 km or optional 34 - 37 miles / 55 - 60 km

After breakfast and a bike fitting, it’s time to start cycling through Noord-Holland, one of the Netherlands’ top tulip-growing regions. Today’s ride takes you past classic Dutch landscapes in Springtime: bright flower fields, scenic canals, and open farmland. Tulips are grown for both blooms and bulbs, and their timing depends on the weather, so every spring tour feels a little different. By afternoon, you’ll roll into Alkmaar, famous for its traditional Dutch cheese market. Spend the evening wandering the historic streets before heading back to the ship.

Day 3: Alkmaar - Haarlem,
28 - 31 miles / 45 - 50 km

Today’s ride is pure Holland, think windmills, green wooden houses, and wide-open polder scenery. If possible, you may even step inside a working windmill to see how the Dutch have managed water for centuries. Continue south toward Haarlem, one of the prettiest cities in the Netherlands. Once docked, you’ll have time to explore the charming old town, grab dinner, or try a local Jopen craft beer at the former church-turned-brewery.

Day 4: Haarlem - Keukenhof - Leiden,
22 - 25 miles / 35 - 40 km

Today is a highlight of this Holland tulip cycling tour: the Keukenhof Gardens. Known as the largest flower garden in the world, Keukenhof features nearly seven million bulbs in bloom during spring and one of the most iconic experiences of tulip season in the Netherlands. After time to explore the gardens at your own pace, hop back on your bike and ride through more colorful countryside on the way to Leiden. This lively university city, birthplace of Rembrandt, is filled with canals, cozy cafés, and historic buildings. On one evening during the trip, you’ll also enjoy dinner ashore at a local Dutch restaurant.

Day 5: Leiden - Gouda,
22 - 31 miles / 35 - 50 km

Today’s route leads you through the Green Heart of Holland, a peaceful region of meadows, waterways, and nursery fields. You’ll pass through Boskoop, known for its horticulture, before stopping at a traditional Dutch cheese farm to see (and taste) how real Gouda cheese is made. Later, arrive in Gouda, a city famous not just for its cheese, but also for stroopwafels, historic canals, and the impressive St. Jan Cathedral with its stunning stained-glass windows. Dinner is served onboard as Merlijn stays docked here overnight.

Day 6: Gouda - Rotterdam - Kinderdijk - Dordrecht,
15 - 28 miles / 25 - 45 km

This morning, cruise along the Hollandse IJssel River toward Rotterdam, a modern city known for its bold architecture and skyline. After exploring Rotterdam by bike, cross by ferry to the Kinderdijk, home to 19 UNESCO-listed windmills and one of the most photographed spots in the Netherlands. Riding through this historic landscape is a true highlight of any Netherlands cycling tour. Continue on to Dordrecht, one of the country’s oldest cities, where you’ll celebrate the week with a farewell dinner aboard Merlijn.

Day 7: Departure from Dordrecht

After breakfast, your bike and barge tulip tour comes to an end. From here, you can head home, continue your travels in Europe, or spend a little extra time exploring Dordrecht’s canals, harbor, and historic streets before saying goodbye to Holland.