Tulip Tour - 7 day

Day 1: Amsterdam - Utrecht
Day 2: Utrecht - Vianen - Schoonhoven 15 or 30 mi. (25 or 48 km, depending on weather conditions)
Day 3: Schoonhoven - Kinderdijk - Gouda, 33 mi. (53 km)
Day 4: Gouda - Leiden, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Leiden - Lisse - Keukenhof - Haarlem, 14 mi. (23 km)
Day 6: Haarlem - Amsterdam, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 7: Amsterdam (departure)

All distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change sometimes without prior notice.  Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. The captain reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary.

Day 1: Amsterdam - Utrecht
The Merlijn will be docked in Amsterdam within walking distance of the Central Train Station. (15 minutes).  Check-in begins at 3:30 pm. Please be prompt as the Merlin sets sail at 4:30 pm. After a welcome drink, there will be an informational presentation. By 4:30 pm, the ship will begin its journey to Utrecht; dinner will be enjoyed along the way. Utrecht features many ancient buildings and structures dating back to the early Middle Ages. It has been the religious center of the Netherlands since the 8th century and is home to the tallest church tower in the Netherlands: The Dom Tower. In the evening, you will be able to explore this breathtaking city.

Day 2: Utrecht - Vianen - Schoonhoven, 15 or 30 mi. (25 or 48 km, depending on weather conditions)
Today you cycle Holland through the prettiest part, by far. Breakfast will be served while cruising to Vianen, where the bike tour will start to the charming city of Schoonhoven. Schoonhoven is renowned for its silver, hence its nickname Zilverstad ("Silver City"). Silversmiths have been present here since the 17th century and the trade is still thriving today!

Day 3: Schoonhoven - Kinderdijk - Gouda, 17 or 33 mi. (28 or 53 km)
You will get to enjoy the gorgeous Dutch scenery while sailing on the river Lek and biking from Schoonhoven to Kinderdijk, home to an impressive 19 windmills, built around 1740, to drain the polder Alblasserwaard. They are a well-known tourist destination and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. After your visit, you will cycle to the city of Gouda, through a real Dutch scenery of polders. Gouda is famous for its cheeses, candles, and "stroopwafels". Dinner on board and overnight stay in Gouda.

Day 4: Gouda - Leiden, 25 mi. (40 km)
Leaving Gouda, you will pass Boskoop, famous for its horticulture nurseries, particularly woody plant and perennial nurseries, of which some 774 are situated on long stretches of land divided by narrow canals. This is the "green heart" of Holland. Passing small towns and villages such as Alphen on the Rhine, you will finally reach Leiden. Leiden is a lively city where history comes alive. The birthplace of painting legend Rembrandt, this is where he developed his skills. His workshop can still be visited today.  The University of Leiden contributes to the vibrant and convivial atmosphere and is quickly developing into a world-famous center of science. You will get a chance to stroll through this magnificent city after dinner.

Day 5: Leiden - Lisse - Keukenhof - Haarlem, 14 mi. (23 km)
While you enjoy breakfast, the Merlijn will cruise into Lisse, and from here you will bike to the Keukenhof. It is estimated that nearly 7 million flower bulbs are planted here annually to cover an area of roughly 80 acres. This makes Keukenhof, easily, the largest flower garden in the world. At this stop, you will get to admire all these beautiful tulips and other flowers. On the ride to Haarlem, you will witness even more of Holland's beautiful countryside and of course, more flowers! While in Haarlem, it is a must to take a stroll through this historical city and maybe try the famous local beer: "Jopen". Dinner tonight is on your own in one of the many restaurants in Haarlem.

Day 6: Haarlem - Amsterdam, 26 mi. (42 km)
Today’s bike tour will be from Haarlem to Amsterdam, along the Zaanse Schans, famous for its windmills and green wooden houses typical for this area. The day ends in Amsterdam, one of the greatest small cities in the world! 

Day 7: Amsterdam
Farewell breakfast, check-out, and departure approximately 9am.  Think about extending your stay so that you can explore this amazing city. It has been said that whatever you are looking for, you can find it in Amsterdam. Art, culture, history, architecture....and more!

Day 1: Amsterdam - Weesp
Day 2: Weesp - Vreeswijk - Schoonhoven, 18 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km) | 28 to 31 mi. (45 to 50 km)
Day 3: Schoonhoven - Kinderdijk - Gouda, 30 to 34 mi. (50 to 55 km) | 19 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km)
Day 4: Gouda - Leiden, 22 to 25 mi. (35 to 40 km)
Day 5: Leiden - Keukenhof - Haarlem, 12 to 15 mi. (20 to 25 km)
Day 6: Haarlem - Zaanse Schans - Amsterdam, 25 to 28 mi. (40 to 45 km)
Day 7: Departure from Amsterdam

All distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change sometimes without prior notice.  Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. The captain reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary.

Day 1: Amsterdam - Weesp
Check-in on board between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm. Once you get settled into your cabin, enjoy a welcome drink during an introductory tour briefing. Dinner will be served as the boat cruises, and in the evening take an after dinner stroll through the town of Weesp    

Day 2: Weesp - Vreeswijk - Schoonhoven, 18 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km) | 28 to 31 mi. (45 to 50 km)
A sailing breakfast is served while the boat cruises to Vreeswijk. The first bike tour of the week starts here. your bike tour to the charming silver town of Schoonhoven will start. Today’s tour takes you through one of the most picturesque parts of Holland as you pedal to today’s destination of Schoonhoven. 

Day 3: Schoonhoven - Kinderdijk - Gouda, 30 to 34 mi. (50 to 55 km) | 19 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km)
You will get to enjoy the gorgeous Dutch scenery while sailing on the river Lek and biking from Schoonhoven to Kinderdijk, home to an impressive 19 windmills, built around 1740, to drain the polder Alblasserwaard. They are a well-known tourist destination and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. After your visit, you will cycle to the city of Gouda, through a real Dutch scenery of polders. Gouda is famous for its cheeses, candles, and "stroopwafels". Dinner on board and overnight stay in Gouda.

Day 4: Gouda - Leiden, 22 to 25 mi. (35 to 40 km)
Leaving Gouda, you will pass Boskoop, famous for its horticulture nurseries, particularly woody plant and perennial nurseries, of which some 774 are situated on long stretches of land divided by narrow canals. This is the "green heart" of Holland. Passing small towns and villages such as Alphen on the Rhine, you will finally reach Leiden. Leiden is a lively city where history comes alive. The birthplace of painting legend Rembrandt, this is where he developed his skills. His workshop can still be visited today.  The University of Leiden contributes to the vibrant and convivial atmosphere and is quickly developing into a world-famous center of science. You will get a chance to stroll through this magnificent city after dinner.

Day 5: Leiden - Keukenhof - Haarlem, 12 to 15 mi. (20 to 25 km)
While you enjoy breakfast, the Merlijn will sail the ‘Kager Plassen’, a beautiful series of lakes. Your bike tour begins at the next stop, which is near the infamous Keukenhof Flower Exhibition. It is estimated that nearly 7 million flower bulbs are planted here annually to cover an area of roughly 80 acres which makes it the largest flower garden in the world. Admire all these beautiful tulips and other flowers that are cultivated in Holland.

After your visit, you will bike to the city of Haarlem, taking in some breathtaking Dutch scenery and of course, more flowers! This evening, take a stroll through the historical city of Haarlem, and perhaps rounding off the day by drinking the famous local “Jopen” beer in one of the many bars or in the “Jopen Church”.

Day 6: Haarlem - Zaanse Schans - Amsterdam, 25 to 28 mi. (40 to 45 km)
Cycle along the Zaanse Schans, famous for its windmills and green wooden houses, typical for this area. The day ends back in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. One of the greatest small cities in the world! A farewell dinner is served on board. 

Day 7: Departure from Amsterdam
Farewell breakfast, check-out, and departure approximately 9am.  Think about extending your stay so that you can explore this amazing city. It has been said that whatever you are looking for, you can find it in Amsterdam. Art, culture, history, architecture....and more!