Tulip Tour between Amsterdam and Bruges

Day 1: Bruges, sail to Ghent

Bruges offers plenty to see, so we recommend arriving a day early to fully explore this beautiful city. After a warm welcome aboard in Bruges, we'll set sail and stop halfway for a short test ride. Then, continue to Ghent, where the boat will dock for the night. Enjoy a brief evening stroll before an early night on board.

Day 2: Ghent - Dendermonde

Discover Ghent, famed for cultural gems like the "Adoration of the Lamb of God" by the Van Eyck brothers at St. Bavo’s Cathedral. In the afternoon, cycle along the Schelde River to Dendermonde, covering 25 miles. Enjoy a Belgian beer tasting on board that evening.

Day 2: Dendermonde - Antwerp

Choose to cycle either the full 32 miles or a shorter 20-mile route to Antwerp. This city, renowned for its diamond trade, rich Golden Age history, and as the home of artist Peter Paul Rubens, offers a guided walking tour of its city center. Afterward, enjoy dinner at one of Antwerp’s charming local restaurants.

Day 3: Antwerp - Tholen

Sail through Antwerp’s modern harbor before starting our cycling journey near the Kreekrak Locks in the Netherlands. The short ride brings us to Tholen, a village once an island now linked to the mainland. After an evening stroll along the windmills, you'll know you’ve officially arrived in the Netherlands!

Day 4: Tholen - Dordrecht

Cycle from Tholen across the bridge to the mainland, heading towards Willemstad, a historic fortification. After some exploration, continue to Dordrecht, a city with deep historical roots in the Protestant Reformation and picturesque historic harbors.

Day 5: Dordrecht - Kinderdijk and Oude Wetering

Today’s ride takes you to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its iconic windmills. After a visit, continue to Oude Wetering, stopping at a cheese farm near Leiden to sample traditional Dutch cheeses.

Day 6: Keukenhof - Haarlem

Visit Keukenhof, the world-famous flower garden filled with millions of blooming tulips. Afterward, cycle to Haarlem, a town rich in history and charm. Dinner will be served on board, followed by an optional drink at Joppen Church or a stroll through the city.

Day 7: Haarlem - Amsterdam; Option to Cycle to Zaanse Schans

On the final day, stay aboard to reach Amsterdam around 1 pm or opt to cycle to Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum featuring traditional windmills. Afterward, cycle into Amsterdam via safe bike paths, where a farewell dinner awaits on board.

Day 8: Amsterdam

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to fellow travelers and the crew. Luggage can be stored on board until 11:30 am, making for an easy departure.

Average daily distances between 20 and 35 miles (32 and 56 km).

Day 1: Amsterdam – Haarlem

The journey begins in Amsterdam, a city famously built on millions of wooden poles anchored deep into soft marshland. After sailing westward, guests disembark for their first cycling route through coastal dunes and forested areas shaped by centuries of Dutch water management, arriving in Haarlem, once a major center of textile production and home to artists who influenced Rembrandt.

Day 2: Haarlem – Keukenhof – Oude Wetering

The day’s highlight is a visit to Keukenhof Gardens, often called the Garden of Europe, where more than seven million tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils bloom each spring in both traditional and modern designs. After the visit, cycling continues through classic Dutch countryside - polders, canals, and farmland - before rejoining the Iris in Oude Wetering.

Day 3: Oude Wetering – Gouda – Kinderdijk – Dordrecht

Following an early sail, the route includes a stop at a traditional cheese farm to learn how Dutch cheeses are produced. The ride continues to Gouda, where world-famous cheese has been traded since the Middle Ages, and where the Gothic town hall still dominates the market square. Time permitting, St. John’s Church can be visited to admire its world-famous stained-glass windows. The route then continues by bike past the windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that highlights Dutch 18th-century water-management engineering. The day concludes with a peaceful sail to Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands.

Day 4: Dordrecht – Tholen – Antwerp

During breakfast, the barge cruises to the fortified town of Willemstad. From here you'll cycle the impressive Volkerak lock system, part of the vast Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta, to Tholen. In the afternoon, the journey continues by ship to Antwerp, arriving in one of Europe’s largest ports.

Day 5: Antwerp

A full day is spent in Antwerp, known as the Diamond City and as the home of Flemish Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens. During the 16th century, Antwerp was one of the richest cities in Europe, dominating the spice and sugar trade, and this legacy is still visible in its grand architecture. Highlights include the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, which houses several of Rubens’ masterpieces, with the remainder of the day free for independent exploration.

Day 6: Antwerp – Dendermonde

After leaving Antwerp’s harbor, the Iris follows the tidal Scheldt River upstream. A scenic cycling route runs alongside the river, with the option to rejoin the barge in Temse or continue riding to Dendermonde, a compact town once known for its medieval wool trade. Here, a visit is made to the 14th-century Clothmakers’ Hall, followed by a tasting of locally brewed Belgian beers on board.

Day 7: Dendermonde – Ghent

Cycling continues to Ghent, a lively university city located at the meeting point of the Scheldt and Leie rivers. In the Middle Ages, Ghent was among the largest and wealthiest cities north of the Alps, driven by a thriving textile industry. Its historic center remains remarkably intact, including medieval guild houses and St. Bavo’s Cathedral, home to Jan van Eyck’s famous altarpiece The Adoration of the Lamb.

Day 8: Ghent – Bruges

The final cycling day leads to Bruges, often referred to as the Venice of the North due to its canals. Bruges flourished as a major trading hub in the Middle Ages, and its historic center is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Time is available to enjoy the city’s medieval streets, market square cafés, traditional Belgian cuisine, chocolate craftsmanship, and centuries-old lace-making tradition.

Day 9: Bruges – Paris

After breakfast, the cycling tour concludes, with free time in Bruges until early afternoon. Around midday, the transfer to Paris begins, a journey of approximately four and a half hours. In the evening, a dinner cruise on the Seine offers views of the city’s most iconic landmarks, many of which date back to medieval and Haussmann-era Paris.

Day 10: Paris

The program officially ends after breakfast. Additional hotel nights may be arranged, and private airport transfers are available for departures at any preferred time.

Average daily distances between 20 and 35 miles (32 and 56 km).