Holland's Tulip Fields and Historic Towns
Guided from EUR € 2345
Bike and Boat Tour aboard Merlijn
Countries: Holland
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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.
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.
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Daily program
Day 1: Amsterdam - Weesp
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 Weesp.Day 2: Weesp - Vreeswijk - Schoonhoven (longer option: 28 or 31 mi/45 or 50 km, shorter option: 19 or 22 mi/30 or 35 km)
Get ready to cycle in the prettiest part of Holland! You'll have a cruising breakfast on your way to Vreeswijk. 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 (longer option: 31 or 34 mi/50 or 55, or shorter option: 18 or 22 mi/30 or 35 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! -
Accommodation
Boats
- Sundeck (40 m²)
- Bar, lounge and dining area; Lounge covering (90 m²)
- Climate control throughout entire ship (including individual cc in cabins)
- Free Hot drinks machine (Unlimited coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and water during the cruise)
- Water on board is drinkable. Unlimited cooled tap water provided. Bottled water available to purchase at the bar.
- Special Diet Requests: The boat is able to accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free at no extra charge. Vegan diets can also be accommodated, a €50 per person per week surcharge will be applied. Diets need to be requested with your booking.
- Daily cabin cleaning
- Laundry service available. Price on board.
Merlijn
Originally constructed in 1930 and then lovingly converted to a passenger vessel with many renovations throughout the years, this beautiful boat boasts 12 luxurious cabins with two comfortable beds that can be pushed together or separated. Read more
Overview
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Bikes
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Standard Touring Bike - Jan Jansen Zero CO2
- Step-through frame
- 11-speeds
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Super light available in different sizes
- Shimano Alfine gear hub
- Max S5 Superflow saddle
Included with the bike rental:
- Pannier bag
- Helmet
- Lock
- Water bottle
- Towel
Standard touring bikes are included in the cost of all Merlijn tours.
Electrically Assisted Bike - ISY or Gudereit (limited number, upon request)
- Bosch engine
- 7-gears
- Continuously variable ENVIOLO 3.8 hub gear
- Disk breaks
Included with the bike rental:
- Pannier bag
- Helmet
- Lock
- Water bottle
- Towel
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
Bike Protection
Can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.Dates
Apr 05, 26; May 03, 2025
Prices
Tour Package
Apr 05 Apr 26 + May 03 Per person, double occupancy €2345 €2595 Single-use cabin (1 person/1 cabin) on request Bike Rentals
Touring bike rental Included Electrically assisted bike (payable onboard) € 150 Included services
- 7 nights accommodation in a climate-controlled cabin
- 7 x breakfasts, 5 x packed lunches and 5 x three-course dinners
- 1 traditional Dutch lunch along the route
- Complimentary welcome beverage
- Variety of complimentary beer, wine, and sodas (during open bar hours)
- Complimentary toiletries, bathrobe, and slippers
- 11-speed bicycle, which includes a waterproof pannier, towel, and helmet
- Coffee, tea and water
- Daily cabin cleaning
- Fees for harbors, bridges and locks
- Ferries along bike route
- Tour guide
- Tourist information
- Visit to cheese farm
- Entrance to St. Jan’s Cathedral
- Entrance to Keukenhof
*Due to the steel construction of the ship, locations, & other factors, the Wifi signal speed may not be what you are used to.
Map
Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.
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.
How to get there
Tour start and end: Amsterdam
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Nearest train station: Amsterdam Centraal StationFrom 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.
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