A voyage through the vibrant tulip fields of Holland

Explore the enchanting tulip fields of Holland - world-famous for their riotous spring colors. These flowers turn the Netherlands into a petal patchwork!

This 8-day bike and boat tour brings you right into the heart of the blossoms - immersing you in Keukenhof, Aalsmeer, and Haarlem, where stunning flowers are grown, marketed, and displayed. Your tour winds its way through a windmill-dotted landscape to the 'World's Flower Garden', the 'World's Flower Auction', the birthplace of Rembrandt, and the capital of cheese. What could be more Dutch?

Prepare for phenomenal flower displays in Keukenhof, charming Dutch architecture in Leiden and Haarlem, and iconic cheese in Gouda on a once-in-a-lifetime bike and boat tour!

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Highlights

• Amsterdam - Holland's vibrant capital
• Keukenhof - 'World's Flower Garden'
• Aalsmeer - 'World's Flower Auction'
• Leiden - Rembrandt's birthplace
• Haarlem - 'The Flower City'
• Gouda - Holland's cheese capital
• Zaanse Schans - Iconic Dutch windmills

Learn More

Interested in adding to your itinerary? Take a look at our cycling day tours in Amsterdam.

Daily program

Day 1: Amsterdam – Spaarndam | Spaarndam – Haarlem (3 mi. / 6 km or 8 mi / 14 km)
Your beautiful bike and boat tour will begin with check-in at 2:00 PM. You'll be greeted with coffee and tea by your welcoming crew as you settle into your floating hotel. At 2:30 PM, the boat will begin cruising toward Haarlem. During this first journey, your tour leader will introduce the itinerary, cycling plans, and safety information.

When you reach Spaarndam, you'll have the opportunity for a short test ride on your bike. You'll then enjoy dinner on board before your guide leads you on an interesting walk through Haarlem's charming historic center.

Day 2: Haarlem – Keukenhof – Leiden (23 mi. / 38 km)
Today’s guided bike tour will take you through the heart of Holland’s oldest tulip-growing region. A visit to the Keukenhof Gardens will be the highlight, where over seven million tulips and other flowers will be blooming in a stunning 80-acre park.

In the afternoon, cycle to the historic university city of Leiden. After dinner on board, you'll be invited to join an evening walk along the city’s beautiful canals and old streets.

Day 3: Leiden – Gouda (22 mi. / 37 km or 26 mi. / 43 km)
After breakfast, you'll cycle through the peaceful countryside of Holland’s “Green Heart.” Near Zoeterwoude, a visit to a traditional cheese farm will offer insight into the Dutch cheese-making process—and, of course, the chance to taste some delicious samples!

By the afternoon, you'll arrive in Gouda, known globally for its namesake cheese and beautiful city center. You'll have time to explore the historic market square, the Gothic town hall, and the stained-glass windows of St. John’s Church. An after-dinner walk will give you more time to appreciate Gouda’s charming character.

Day 4: Gouda – Alphen a/d Rijn | Alphen a/d Rijn – Kudelstaart (12 mi. / 20 km or 27 mi. / 44 km)
This morning, you'll have time to explore Gouda at your leisure. You might like to browse the local shops, visit the cheese weigh house, or admire the artistry of St. John’s Church. Around midday, the barge will depart, and you'll enjoy a light lunch onboard.

From Alphen aan den Rijn, your bicycle tour will continue through South Holland’s tranquil countryside, following rivers and canals toward the village of Kudelstaart.

Day 5: Kudelstaart – Flower auction (5.4 mi. / 9 km) | Aalsmeer – Amsterdam | Amsterdam – Zaanse Schans (13.8 mi. / 23 km)
At 6:30 AM, coffee will be served for those heading to the flower auction in Aalsmeer - the largest in Europe! Here, you'll have the unique opportunity to witness a trade where millions of flower blooms are auctioned for markets across the continent.

After returning to the barge, you'll enjoy a late breakfast while cruising toward Amsterdam. Today will offer a relaxing transition from countryside to city - a transformation you can watch peacefully from your hotel on the water! The bike tour will lead you to Zaanse Schans, a charming village where historic windmills and houses have been preserved over the decades. You'll explore working windmills, a clog-making workshop, an old grocery store, a cheese farm, and more. It will feel like cycling through a living museum!

Day 6: Zaanse Schans – Alkmaar (24 mi. / 40 km)
Today begins with a scenic ride to the Hortus Bulborum, a unique garden museum dedicated to rare, heritage flower bulbs. From there, you'll cycle toward the North Sea dunes and on to the town of Egmond, continuing through coastal landscapes until reaching Alkmaar.

Known as one of Holland’s famous cheese towns, Alkmaar will welcome you with its 17th-century buildings, narrow canals, and lively old town. Dinner will be on your own tonight, giving you the chance to dine at one of Alkmaar’s cozy local restaurants.

Day 7: Alkmaar – Amsterdam (22 mi. / 37 km or 33 mi. / 54 km)
Your final bicycle tour will take you to the Schermer Polder where you'll visit the Schermerhorn Windmill Museum. Afterward, you'll continue to the beautiful village of De Rijp, where wooden facades and historical buildings evoke centuries of maritime history.

From there, you'll ride back to Amsterdam, arriving in the late afternoon. There will be time to relax and perhaps take a canal cruise of Holland's capital to round off your bike and barge holiday in style.

Day 8: Departure from Amsterdam
After breakfast, your tour will officially end. Disembarkation will take place until 9:30 AM.

Photos

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Dates & Prices

Questions about pricing or options? Call +1-215-613-0874 to talk to a Tour Advisor now.

Included services

• 7 nights' accommodation
• Breakfasts, packed lunches & 6 three-course dinners
• Welcome drink
• Tea & coffee on board
• Bike with helmet, waterproof pannier & water bottle
• Bike protection
• Biking tour guide (two guides for groups of 18 or more)
• Short city walking tours
• Entrance to Keukenhof, North Holland Dune Reserve & Aalsmeer Flower Auction
• Visit to authentic Dutch cheese farm
• Route info
• GPS tracks via Ride With GPS app (sent approx. 1 month prior)
• WiFi (signal strength & speed may not be what you are used to due to the ship's steel construction)
• Ferry fees
• Carbon offset contribution to the non-profit organization Justdiggit

Tour Company

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 guided bike and boat tour is rated easy, with electric bikes also available. Daily distances range from 15-34 miles (25-55 km).

Guests can always choose to take a day off from the itinerary to relax on board the boat.

How to get there

Fly into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).

From the airport, take the train to Amsterdam Central Station in the city center. Your boat will be moored nearby, usually within walking distance or a short taxi journey away. You will receive precise details in your final travel information booklet with public transport recommendations if needed.