Holland’s Super Tulip Tour

Day 1: Arrival and embarkation in Amsterdam – cruise to Spaarndam – cycle to Haarlem
9 miles/15 km

Embarkation is between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM. The barge is moored at the Oosterdok in central Amsterdam, near the train station. Upon arrival on board, you can settle in and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. This is also a perfect opportunity to meet the tour leader, skipper, crew, and your fellow passengers.

The barge first cruises through Amsterdam and along the North Sea Canal before reaching the village of Spaarndam. Here, you can see the statue of Hansje Brinker on the IJdijk—a character from an American novel who famously “saved” the country from flooding by putting his finger in the dike. From Spaarndam, you enjoy an easy ride into the beautiful city of Haarlem, where you will see the first of many windmills.

Haarlem, which lent its name to Harlem, New York, is a lively city. The barge is berthed in the city center, offering views of St. Bavo’s Church and easy access to the Grote Markt, with its many outdoor cafés.

During dinner aboard the ship, the program for the following day and the overall itinerary for the week will be discussed. Instructions on cycling and safety procedures will also be provided. As on most evenings, the tour guide will accompany you on a walk through the city after dinner.

Day 2: Haarlem – Keukenhof – Leiden
25 miles/40 km

Today’s trip takes you through the oldest tulip fields of Holland and along the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens. Of course, you will have time to explore Keukenhof, the ultimate springtime destination (tickets are included in the tour price). Here, seven million tulips burst into color across 80 acres, set against a backdrop of traditional and modern garden architecture. You can also admire hyacinths, daffodils, and many other vibrant flowers. Before and after your visit to Keukenhof, you will cycle through endless colorful fields—truly a spectacular sight.

In the afternoon, you arrive in the historic university town of Leiden. This city is filled with charming courtyards, ornate façades, and historic buildings dating from the 15th to 18th centuries. Leiden is also the birthplace of the painter Rembrandt van Rijn and home to the oldest and most prestigious university in the Netherlands, where members of the royal family have studied in recent years. The city was granted the right to found a university after successfully resisting the Spanish siege in 1574, an event still celebrated annually on October 3rd. The barge is moored near the Zijlpoort, a gate that once formed part of the city walls.

Day 3: Leiden – Kudelstaart
28 miles/45 km

As you cycle out of Leiden, you continue your tour around the Haarlemmermeer. Soon, you will find yourself in a flat, green landscape with windmills dotting the horizon. If you stop for lunch on the far side of the bridge in Leimuiden, imagine that this Haarlemmermeer polder was once the largest lake in Holland, nicknamed “the Waterwolf.”

The cycling route takes you through the Green Heart of Holland, an area characterized by narrow country paths, typical black-and-white cows, and, despite the efforts of Mr. Leeghwater, still a lot of water. Today’s destination is Kudelstaart, a small town bordered by the Westeinderplassen.

Day 4: Kudelstaart – Wormerveer
28 miles/45 km

You will have breakfast on board while sailing towards Amsterdam. Between Schiphol Airport and the city, you disembark to continue your tour by bike along the river Amstel and straight into the city. A ferry (don’t forget to glance to your left to see the whale-tail-shaped Eye Filmmuseum) takes you to the other side of the river IJ.

Leaving the city behind, you cycle through lush green polders toward the world-famous hamlet of Zaanse Schans. This unique place is still a living community, with original houses and windmills from the Zaan River area where people live and work. The barge is moored in Wormerveer.

Day 5: Wormerveer – Alkmaar
28 miles/45 km

From Wormerveer, you will cycle through some of the most beautiful dunes in the Netherlands. If the weather permits, you may even enjoy a swim in the North Sea during your lunch break at the beach. On the edge between the dunes and the green meadows, you will find many more flower fields—perhaps even more spectacular than those around Keukenhof. The bonus is that this area is far less crowded.

Today’s overnight stay is in the historic cheese town of Alkmaar, a lively city with numerous small and larger shops. The townscape is dominated by canals, a harbor, and nearly 400 heritage sites. It is the perfect place for the tour guide to take you on an evening walk, perhaps ending with a drink at one of the many outdoor terraces.

Day 6: Alkmaar – Purmerend
28 miles/45 km

Today you can explore the origins of Beemster cheese and the birthplace of the man who conquered “the Waterwolf.” The Beemster Polder, dating from the early 17th century, is an exceptional example of reclaimed land in the Netherlands. Its well-ordered landscape of fields, roads, canals, dykes, and settlements, laid out according to classical and Renaissance planning principles, has remained largely intact—earning Beemster a UNESCO World Heritage designation.

Around the Schermer and Beemster polders, many of the original windmills used to pump out the water are still preserved. You will have time to visit the windmills and museum at Schermerhorn and stroll through the iconic village of De Rijp to see the house where Mr. Leeghwater was born. The day concludes in the historic market town of Purmerend.

Day 7: Purmerend – Amsterdam
12 or 22 miles/20 or 35 km

Purmerend lies at the edge of an area called “Waterland,” where roads and waterways run close together at the same level. The longer and more interesting route takes you to Edam, Volendam, and Monnickendam. If time permits, you can cross the lake Gouwzee to visit the traditional fishermen’s village of Marken, famous for its characteristic wooden houses. The shorter route passes through Ilpendam and Watergang.

The extensive network of bicycle paths ensures a relatively easy ride back into Amsterdam, allowing you to see some remarkable sites in the city center. Once back, it’s time to say goodbye to your bike. Before the farewell dinner, you may want to take a walk through town. In the evening, you might also enjoy a canal cruise or a stroll through the heart of the city.

By the end of your journey in Amsterdam, you can look back on seven days of cycling through a wonderful variety of typical Dutch landscapes, charming towns, and many highlights.

Day 8: Departure from Amsterdam

After breakfast, the tour ends (disembarkation by 10:00am).