Holland's Tulip Fields and Historic Towns

Enjoy the Netherlands during Springtime by bike

There is nothing quite like Holland during Tulip Season, and this seven-day bike and boat tour allows you to experience it all!

You'll visit the Keukenhof, also known as the Garden of Europe and one of the world's largest flower gardens, in addition to hundreds of horticulture nurseries.

There is no shortage of delightful flowers, but this bike and barge tour is so much more! You'll be accommodated on the lovely Merlijn, with awesome food and even better cycling camaraderie.

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Highlights

• The Keukenhof
• Kinderdijk, the UNESCO World Heritage site of windmills
• Gouda, the city of cheese and candles
• The historic town of Haarlem
• Leiden, the birthplace of Rembrandt

Learn More

Learn more about guided tours.

Daily program

Day 1: Amsterdam - Utrecht
Your floating hotel, the Merlijn, will be docked in Amsterdam just a short walk from the Centraal Train Station. Official check-in takes place at 3:30 pm but you are able to bring your luggage on board starting at 10 am. Don't be late as the boat will leave at 4:30 pm. You'll enjoy a welcome drink and presentation by the crew, in addition to your first dinner on board, while heading to Utrecht. Utrecht is a delightful Dutch city, built around the largest church tower in the Netherlands, the Dom Tower. You will have time in the evening to stroll along its beautiful canals.

Day 2: Utrecht - Vianen - Schoonhoven (15 or 30 mi/25 or 48 km, depending on weather conditions)
Get ready to cycle in the prettiest part of Holland! You'll have a cruising breakfast on your way to Vianen. From here, you'll get on your bike to cycle to Schoonhoven. This town is well worth a visit because of the many well-preserved medieval buildings. Its unique nickname, the Zilverstad or Silver City, is an homage to the silversmiths who have been present here since the 17th century.

Day 3: Schoonhoven - Kinderdijk - Gouda (17 or 33 mi/28 or 53 km)
Today you are in for a treat: the Kinderdijk. This place is iconic for the row of 19 impressive windmills, built around 1740. This has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. After your visit, you'll bike to Gouda through the typical Dutch scenery of polders. While in Gouda, be sure to try some cheese and "stroopwafels".

Day 4: Gouda - Leiden (25 mi/40 km)
A full day of flowers awaits you. You will head to Boskoop and the "green heart" of Holland, where hundreds of perennial nurseries are neatly situated between narrow canals. After passing quaint Dutch villages, you'll eventually reach Leiden. This magnificent city is home to the University of Leiden, which contributes to the youthful and vibrant atmosphere. The legendary artist Rembrandt called Leiden home, and his workshop can still be visited today. You'll get a chance to walk around this city after dinner.

Day 5: Leiden - LIsse - Keukenhof - Haarlem (14 mi/23 km)
You'll enjoy a cruising breakfast while the Merlijn heads to Lisse, where you'll disembark and cycle to the Keukenhof. You'll certainly get your fill of tulips today, as there are some 800 different varieties of tulips in this garden! They plant over 7 million flower bulbs in total! It is a unique and unforgettable experience for everyone. More beautiful countryside awaits as you continue biking to Haarlem. When you arrive, be sure to have the famous local beer "Jopen". Dinner will be enjoyed on your own in one of the many restaurants in Haarlem.

Day 6: Haarlem - Amsterdam (26 mi/42 km)
For your last cycling day, you will bike from Haarlem to Amsterdam. You'll stop along the Zaanse Schans, famous for its windmills and green wooden houses typical for this area. Ending in Amsterdam, you'll find plenty to do and see.

Day 7: Amsterdam
The crew of the Merlijn will bid you farewell after breakfast, around 9 am. Why not extend your stay in this incredible city? It is a hub of art, culture, history, gastronomy, and more!

Surface and terrain

This tour is a leisurely guided tour in a Dutch cycling paradise! You will be on paved dedicated bike paths nearly the whole time. All distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change and sometimes without prior notice as some waterways are prone to flooding or drought. The captain reserves the right to make any changes.

Boats

• Merlijn

How to get there

Tour start and end: Amsterdam
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Nearest train station: Amsterdam Centraal Station

From AMS airport, it is just a short train ride to Amsterdam Central Train Station, close to the center where the ship is moored. There is a direct train that leaves 6 times per hour from the airport to Amsterdam Central Station. It takes about 16 minutes. The price for a train ticket Schiphol-Amsterdam Central is approximately €7 per person for a single journey. Sometimes the mooring location is within walking distance, or just a short taxi ride away. In your final travel information, we will provide the mooring location of the boat as well as public transportation details if preferred.

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 6 nights aboard the Merlijn
• Complimentary arrival drink
• Tour presentation
• 6 x breakfast buffets, 5 x packed lunches, 5 x three-course dinners
• Coffee, tea, water, unlimited water
• Tour guide
• 27-speed Sensa hybrid bike equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, waterproof pannier, water bottle, towel and universal helmet
• Entrance fee to the Keukenhof
• All excursion fees mentioned in the itinerary
• Harbor, lock and canal fees
• Ferry fees
• GPS tracks (on request)
• Wifi*

*Due to the steel construction of the ship, locations, & other factors, the Wifi signal speed may not be what you are used to.

Bike rentals

Touring bicycle - Sensa Superlite (or similar brand/model)

Unisex model with lightweight aluminum frame (4 different sizes).

All bikes have 27-speeds, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, and Sportourer FLX saddle.

The bikes come with a pannier bag, helmet, lock, water bottle, and towel.

Electric bicycle - Gudereit Brand (limited number)

The electric bikes feature 7-gears and a Bosch engine. The bikes come with a pannier bag, helmet, lock, water bottle, and towel. The cost is € 150 total, payable on board. Visa and MasterCard accepted for payment. Read more about electrically-assisted bikes >.

Bike Protection
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

Tour Company