Tulip Tour - Amsterdam to Bruges

Belgium, Netherlands Bike + Boat Tour

Come see the beautiful spring flowers of this famous route!

In April and May all of Holland is blooming. Therefore this is the perfect time to see the famous bulb fields showing the colorful tulips and hyacinths. Furthermore this tour shows you some lovely old Dutch towns like Dordrecht and Gouda, famous for it's yummy cheese! Crossing the border to Belgium takes you to the Belgian pearls of Antwerp, Ghent and on top of that: Bruges!

Skill Level

Easy; guided bike & boat tour

Easy guided bike & boat tour. Bicycle routes follow mainly flat bike paths & country lanes with little traffic. Occasionally heavier traffic is encountered when entering the bigger cities. Daily cycling distances range from approximately 16 to 25 miles (25 to 40 km). Guide bikes with the group but it’s also possible to cycle on your own.

Where You’ll Stay

Amsterdam to Bruges: April 7, 2012 on the Standard Plus class boat the Tijdgeest
April 21, 2012 on the Standard Plus class boat the Holland
April 14 and 28, 2012 on the Comfort class boat the Anna Cornelia
On the Comfort plus class ship, the Merlijn: May 4, 2013
Bruges to Amsterdam:
April 14, 2012 on the Standard Plus class boat the Tijdgeest
April 28, 2012 on the Standard Plus class boat the Holland
May 5, 2012 on the Comfort class boat the Anna Cornelia
Click barge information for further details about the classes of boats.

What’s Included

7 nights boat accommodations
Breakfasts, lunches, & dinners
21-speed hybrid bicycle
Tour guide
Several guided city walks
Information booklet & map
Entrance to the Keukenhof flower garden
Entrance to the Windmills at Kinderdijk
Horse carriage ride in Bruges
Train ticket Ghent-Bruges-Ghent
Bus transfer from Bruges back to Amsterdam airport

Book This Trip

Tour	Bike + Boat
Type	Guided
Skill	Easy
Length	8 days
From	€739
	Print Tour

Tour Dates

Amsterdam to Bruges:
April 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2012.
Bruges to Amsterdam:
April 14, 28, and May 5, 2012.
2013 Dates
Amsterdam to Bruges
May 4, 2013

Tour Boats

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Embarkation in Amsterdam, sail to Oude Wetering.
Oude Wetering - visit to Keukenhof - Gouda, 16 mi. (25 km)
Gouda - visit to Kinderdijk - Willemstad, 25 mi. (40 km)
Sail to Antwerp, free time.
Antwerp - Dendermonde, 22 mi. (35 km)
Dendermonde - Ghent, 19 mi. (30 km)
Ghent - Bruges - Ghent, no cycling.
Individual departure from Ghent.

*All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.

SATURDAY: Embarkation in Amsterdam, sail to Oude Wetering.
Embarkation begins around 12:30. Later that afternoon the barge crosses Amsterdam and heads for the village of Oude Wetering.

SUNDAY: Oude Wetering - visit to Keukenhof - Gouda, 16 mi. (25 km)
Early in the morning you bike through the reclaimed land of the Haarlemmermeer (polder) to the grand Keukenhof flower park. After walking through the garden wonderland, everyone will return to the barge. At approximately 2 PM the barge will depart to Gouda, famous for it's delicious cheese and 15th century city hall. In the afternoon you can explore this old town. Dinner at night in the barge.

MONDAY: Gouda - visit to Kinderdijk - Willemstad, 25 mi. (40 km)
The barge brings the guests to the world famous windmills of Kinderdijk. One of the mills will be visited. After the visit you pedal on through Dordrecht and partially through the natural reserve Biesbosch to Moerdijk. The night will be spent in the walled town of Willemstad, a real Dutch beauty!

TUESDAY: Sail to Antwerp, free time.
Right across the impressive waterways of Zeeland the barge will take you to the lively town of Antwerp in Belgium. After arrival, free time to explore this port town. You may want to visit one of it's many fascinating museums or it's famous zoo, one of the oldest in the world.

WEDNESDAY: Antwerp - Dendermonde, 22 mi. (35 km)
The day starts with a sailing trip to the outskirts of Antwerp. You cycle cross the beautiful landscape of the Schelde River. In the charming provincial town of Dendermonde you'll spend the night aboard the barge.

THURSDAY: Dendermonde - Ghent, 19 mi. (30 km)
The barge sails further on the tidal river Schelde all the way to Ghent.
The cyclists continue their trip across the flat Flemish countryside. In the old city of Ghent we all join the tour leader for a walk across the wonderful town center.

FRIDAY: Ghent - Bruges - Ghent, no cycling.
By train we ride to Bruges. A horse carriage ride and a short guided walk past the many historic monuments in the centre of Bruges is planned for the morning. You have free time in Bruges until mid-afternoon, then we return by train to Ghent.

SATURDAY: Transfer by bus from Ghent back to Amsterdam airport.
Bus transfer back to Schiphol airport is included with this tour. Departure is after breakfast, about 9AM. The bus will arrive at Schiphol airport about 12:30 PM.

REVERSE ITINERARY: BRUGES TO AMSTERDAM

SATURDAY: Transfer from Amsterdam Schiphol airport to Ghent. Meeting at 12:30. Arrive in Ghent approximately 5PM.

SUNDAY: Train to Bruges. Free time to explore the city and then train back to Dendermonde.

MONDAY: Dendermonde - Antwerp, 32 mi. (50 km)

TUESDAY: Free time in Antwerp. Sail to Willemstad. Overnight in Willemstad.

WEDNESDAY: Willemstad - Gouda, 25 mi. (40 km)

THURSDAY: Gouda - Oude Wetering, 16 mi. (25 km)

FRIDAY: Oude Wetering - Amsterdam, 19 mi. (30 km)

SATURDAY: Departure after breakfast from Amsterdam.

Book This Trip

Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us

Tulip Tour - Amsterdam to Bruges Boats + Barges

Anna Cornelia Netherlands Comfort Class Boat Comfort class boats contain larger cabins with private bathrooms and low beds (no bunk beds).
Holland Belgium, Netherlands, Germany Standard Plus Class Boat Standard Plus class boats contain cabins are more spacious, have private bathrooms, and either flat/low beds or bunk beds.
Tijdgeest Belgium, Netherlands Standard Plus Class Boat Standard Plus class boats contain cabins are more spacious, have private bathrooms, and either flat/low beds or bunk beds.
Merlijn Germany, Netherlands Comfort Plus Class Boat Comfort Plus class boats are very nicely furnished 5-star ships containing cabins with low beds, private bathrooms, a large dining area, separate saloon, and more.

Pricing Information

Aboard the Holland or Tijdgeest: $ 933 £ 586 $ 933 € 739 kr 5056 kr 8006 CHF 873 $ 961

Aboard the Anna Cornelia: $ 1072 £ 673 $ 1,072 € 849 kr 5809 kr 9198 CHF 1003 $ 1,104

Single supplement: $ 183 £ 115 $ 183 € 145 kr 992 kr 1571 CHF 171 $ 189

Single supplement can be avoided if you are willing to share your cabin with another traveler of the same gender.

2013 Pricing
Aboard the Merlijn: $ 1345 £ 845 $ 1,345 € 1066 kr 7294 kr 11548 CHF 1260 $ 1,386

please note

Discounts for triple or quad cabins may be available.

Rates are based on double occupancy.

Information to read before you book.

We recommend purchasing bike trip insurance.

Please see our FAQ.

Travel Details

Travel

Fly to Amsterdam.

Local Travel

Take a short train ride from Amsterdam Schiphol airport to Amsterdam Central, then short walk or taxi ride to the boat.

Climate

Check local conditions prior to departure. Average high/low temperature in °F for Bruges is: 51/44 for April and 58/49 for May.

Remarks

Please be aware that you will be part of an international group on board the boat, but your tour guide and crew members will always speak English.

Tour Operator

This tour is operated by HAT tours.We do not run these tours ourselves, we never have. We work from the commission the European tour operators offer us plus a small administration fee of €20. We pride ourselves on the strong working relationship we have with all our tour operators and the services we provide.