Tulip Tour - Bruges to Amsterdam

Netherlands, Belgium Bike + Boat Tour

Come see the beautiful spring flowers of this famous route!

This cycling vacation takes you through the Belgian pearls of Antwerp, Ghent and on top of that, Bruges! 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 delicious cheese! 

Tour Dates

• On the Standard Plus class boats:
• The Holland: April 13, 2013
• The Tijdgeest: April 27, 2013
• On the Comfort boat, the Fiep (formerly the Anna Cornelia): April 20 and May 4, 2013
• On the Comfort plus class boat, the Merlijn: May 11, 2013, two cabins left, one full cabin and one cabin on a willing to share basis (male).

Skill Level

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

On the standard plus boats the Holland or the Tijdgeest, the comfort class boat the Fiep, or the comfort plus class ship, the Merlijn.

Click barge information for further details about the classes of boats.

What’s Included

• On the Merlijn
• Accommodations for 8 days/7 nights on board
• Breakfasts, lunches, & dinners (except dinner in Antwerp)
• 7 speed hybrid bike (Giant) with water bottle, bike bag and use of universal helmet
• Daily cleaning of the rooms
• All bedding, towels, facial tissues, soap, etc.
• Unlimited coffee, tea, and hot chocolate during the cruise and ice water through out the meals
• Tour guide
• Entrance fee to the Keukenhof
• City tours in Ghent, Antwerp, Dordrecht, Leiden, Haarlem, and Amsterdam
• Harbor fees
• On the Tijdgeest, Holland, or Fiep
• Accommodations for 8 days/7 nights on board
• All meals (breakfasts, packed lunches, and 3 course dinners)
• Tour guide
• Bicycle with gears and pannier
• Several city walks
• Information booklet and map
• Entrance fee to the Keukenhof
• Entrance fee to the Kinderdijk
• Horse and carriage ride in Bruges
• Train ride to and from Bruges
• Bus transfer from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Ghent

What’s Not Included

• On the Merlijn
• One Dinner
• Drinks on board
• Entrance fees other than mentioned in the tour description
• Trip Insurance
• On the Tijdgeest, Holland, or Fiep
• Drinks on board
• Entrance fees other than those mentioned in tour description
• Trip insurance

Tour Boats

• Fiep
• Holland
• Merlijn
• Tijdgeest

Day-To-Day Itinerary

On the Merlijn:

1. Arrival, Bruges - Ghent
2. Ghent - Baasrode, 25 miles (40 km)
3. Baasrode - Antwerp, 15 - 35 miles (25 - 55 km)
4. Antwerp - Tholen - Willemstad - Dordrecht, 16 miles (25 km)
5. Dordrecht - Gouda - Leiden, 22 miles (35 km)
6. Leiden - Keukenhof - Haarlem, 18 miles(30 km)
7. Haarlem - Amsterdam, 18 miles (30 km)
8. Departure

*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: Bruges - Ghent
The Merlijn,  your sailing hotel, will be moored  in the historical center of Bruges. Bruges, also called the Venice of the North, is probably the most beautiful of all Flemish cities. Its old center, dating back to the Middle Ages, is almost completely intact. At one point, Bruges was a buzzing metropolis; a center for trade and art, which can still be enjoyed today. It is a perfect place to go browse and shop.  Please be sure your arrival time in Bruges allows you enough time to explore this charming city! The Merlijn will be ready to sett off in the early evening. Luggage can be stored on board beforehand.

Embarkation will begin at 4pm. Passengers will enjoy a welcome drink as the crew presents information about the ship, the tours and the bicycles. The Merlijn will set sail at 5pm to Ghent. During the cruise, a delicious dinner will be served.  Arrival time in Ghent is approx. 10pm.

SUNDAY: Ghent - Baasrode, 25 miles (40 km)
In the morning, you will have time to visit Ghent. It is a lively university city with a rich past, as it has origins in Roman Times. It is  located where the rivers Leie and Schelde converge. This position on the rivers brought Ghent great prosperity in the past, which peaked in the late 13th, early 14th century. The textile industry also brought wealth to this city. In the center, there are many old preserved patrician houses along with the Clothmakers' Hall (1425) where textile merchants used to meet. The major church, St. Baafs' Cathedral, is built in various styles and ages; here you can admire a number of medieval painting masterpieces, the most famous being the 'Adoration of the Lamb' by Jan van Eyck. After enjoying lunch in Ghent, the bike tour to Baasrode will start.

The tour follows the Zeeschelde River downstream to the destination Baasrode, a small village on the Schelde River.

MONDAY: Baasrode - Antwerp, 15/35 miles (25/55 km)
Today, the bike tour follows the river Schelde further downstream via Temse to Rupelmonde. There is a beautiful bike path along the river and the landscape around the Schelde is magnificent. From Rupelmonde cyclists will motor on board to Antwerp. Antwerp is not only known as the diamond city, but also the birthplace of the famous painter Peter Paul Rubens. In Rubens House, once his workshop and home, you can admire his beautiful work. In the center of the city there is the magnificent Cathedral of Our Lady as well as beautiful town houses situated all around the Market Square. The Merlijn will be moored in the Willemdok, not far from the city. Tonight you will enjoy your dinner in one of the many local restaurants of Antwerp.

 TUESDAY: Antwerp - Tholen - Willemstad - Dordrecht, 15 miles (25 km)
Today, you will have more time to explore Antwerp. You can visit Ruben's House, the diamond factory, or go shopping in the lively center. The bike tour starts in Tholen, across the river Oosterschelde. The dam Oesterdam connects Tholen with Zeeland waterways. Tholan was once an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams where many people fished for a living. Nowadays, Tholan is connected to the mainland in various ways, but it is still a picturesque village with many relics of its rich history. From Willemstad, the Merlijn will cruise to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns of Holland. After dinner, there will be time to explore  this historic city.

WEDNESDAY: Dordrecht - Gouda - Leiden, 22 miles (35 km)
In the morning, there will be a walking tour through the charming old city of Dordrecht. Later, you will arrive in Kinderdijk where there is an impressive row of large windmills built to drain the Alblasserwaard.  The bike tour to Gouda starts here as well. Gouda, known as the city of cheese and candles, is an interesting place and home to the oldest Gothic city hall in the Netherlands. Before the start of the trip to Leiden, there will be time to travel throughout this historic city.

The cruise goes right through the Green Heart of Holland. Leaving Gouda, you will pass Boskoop, famous for its horticulture nurseries, particularly the woody plant and perennial nurseries, of which approximately 774 are situated along stretches of land divided by narrow canals. Passing small cities and villages such as Alphen aan den Rijn, your destination is Leiden. Leiden’s rich history is still very much alive. It is the birthplace of the famous painter Rembrant and it is where he developed his painting skills. Leiden owes its lively atmosphere to the first Univeristy in Holland (1575), which has developed into a world-famous center of science. The students contribute a lot to this thriving city.

After dinner, there will be time to explore this city.

THURSDAY: Leiden - Keukenhof - Haarlem, 18 miles (30 km)
After breakfast, the Merlijn will sail to Lisse, which is near the Flower Exhibition in Keukenhof. Here you can admire all the beautiful tulips and other flowers that are cultivated in Holland. On the way to the city of Haarlem, you will pass flower fields and awe-inspiring Dutch scenery. After dinner, take a stroll through the historic city of Haarlem and end your trip drinking the famous local "Jopen" beer in one of the many bars.

FRIDAY: Haarlem - Amsterdam, 18 miles (30 km)
In the morning, a little before the bike tour starts, there will be time to explore the charming city of Haarlem. You may want to visit the Frans Hals Museum or the St. Bavo Church where Mozart once played the organ. There are many things to see in Haarlem, as it is one of the oldest cities in Holland dating back to the 10th century. The tour ends in the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam. Here you will have time to explore the city. You might want to ride through the canals and later visit the Rijks Museum or the Van Gogh Museum. 
After a farewell dinner, enjoy a stroll through the beautifully illuminated and lively city of Amsterdam.

SATURDAY: Amsterdam
Breakfast, check out, and departure.

*On the Holland, Tijdgeest, or the Fiep: 

1. Arrival 
2. Ghent - Bruges - Dendermonde
3. Dendermond - Antwerp, 30 mi. (50 km)
4. Antwerp - Willemstad
5. Willemstad - Gouda, 24 mi. (40 km)
6. Gouda - Oude Wetering, 15 mi. (25 km)
7. Oude Wetering - Amsterdam, 18 mi. (30 km)  
8. Departure

Saturday: Arrival 
After your arrival to the Amsterdam airport, a bus will be waiting to transport you to Ghent where you will meet  the barge and begin your cycling vacation. In the evening, a short guided walk or bicycle tour in the beautiful center of Ghent is on the agenda.

Sunday: Ghent - Bruges - Dendermonde
In the morning, you will travel by train to Bruges. Upon your arrival, a horse carriage ride and a short guided walk past the many historic monuments in the center of Bruges is planned. The rest of the afternoon is yours to further explore the city and visit the many highlights. You return by train to Dendermonde and in the evening, your tour guide will takes you for a walk across the town center.

Monday: Dendermond - Antwerp, 30 mi. (50 km)
This morning, the barge departs for Antwerp. Cyclists will hit the road and enjoy the flat Flemish countryside. In Antwerp, the tour guide will invite you on a short walk through the town. For the rest of the afternoon and the evening, you are free to explore Antwerp's lively town center.

Tuesday: Antwerp - Willemstad
In the morning, is a little more time to explore Antwerp before setting sail across the impressive waterways of Zeeland to the town of Willemstad, a beautiful walled town.

Wednesday: Willemstad - Gouda, 24 mi. (40 km)
In the morning, the barge will set off for Moerdijk, where your cycling tour begins. The trip leads to the world famous windmills of Kinderdijk where you can explore the insde of one of these impressive windmills. After the visit, you cycle to the cheese town Gouda. In the late afternoon and after dinner you have free time to explore this town.

Thursday: Gouda - Oude Wetering, 15 mi. (25 km)
In the morning, you will depart for Oude Wetering. From here, you pedal through the reclaimed land of the Haarlemmer Meer to world famous flower park, the Keukenhof, to view the beautiful, blooming tulips and daffodils.

Friday: Oude Wetering - Amsterdam, 18 mi. (30 km)
This morning, you cycle to Amsterdam following the Amstel river all the way to the port. After arrival, you will have free time to explore Amsterdam.
In the evening there is a guided city walk and you may wish to take a boat ride on the famous Amsterdam canals.

Saturday: Departure
Check out and departure after breakfast.

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