Amsterdam to Bremen
Netherlands, Germany Bike + Boat Tours
Discover the Hidden Gems on a Spectacular Bike & Boat Adventure from the Netherlands into Germany
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Overview
Offering a combination of beautiful landscape, charming Dutch villages in the provinces of Friesland and Groningen, and two countries, this tour aboard the beautiful Merlijn offers something for everyone!
First, experience the ‘northern’ atmosphere in the Netherlands and the lively cities there. Then, cross the IJsselmeer, the largest lake in Western Europe. Man-made, this body of water was an engineering feat and a testament once again to the Dutch battle against the sea. The bike tour will end in Germany, cycling through beautiful countryside and visiting ancient cities such as Leer and Oldenburg.
The final destination is the city of Bremen, a Hanseatic City, 1200 years young! You will enjoy the terraces on the ‘Schlachte’, the Promenade at the Weser river, the Bremer Stadtmusikanten, the Bremen Town Musicians, and the SchnoorvierteI - a district that was restored to its original 16th- and 17th-century appearance during the post-World War II reconstruction. Be sure to meander through the Market Place!
This tour showcases two neighboring countries, both with distinct histories and cultures.
Highlights
- Energetic Amsterdam
- Charming Enkhuizen
- Province of Friesland
- Frisian landscape
- Leer and Oldenburg - ancient German cities
- Shipyard Meyer
- Bremen, terraces on the ‘Schlachte’ the Promenade along the Weser river, the Bremer Stadtmusikanten, and the Bremen Town Musicians
- SchnoorvierteI
See our complete list of bike & boat tours in Germany or all our bike & boat tours in Holland.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Amsterdam - Hoorn
Day 2: Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Lemmer, 18 mi. (28 km)
Day 3: Lemmer - Sneek - Leeuwarden, 20 or 33 mi. (30 or 52 km)
Day 4: Leeuwarden - Stroobos - Groningen, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 5: Groningen - Delfzijl - Papenburg, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 6: Papenburg - Oldenburg, 17 or 26 mi. (27 or 42 km)
Day 7: Oldenburg - Vegesack - Bremen, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: BremenAll distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change, even on very short notice, due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, docking location changes, lock repairs, etc.
Day 1: Amsterdam - Hoorn
Check-in on board begins at 3:30 pm. At approximately 5 pm, the ship will set sail for Hoorn. On board, as you sip your complimentary beverage, enjoy a presentation regarding your tour, the ship, the cycling, and safety. A lovely dinner follows, topped off by a city walk through charming HoornDay 2: Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Lemmer, 18 mi. (28 km)
After your breakfast, you will start biking to Enkhuizen, another very charming city. In the historic center, there is still much to discover that brings back the memory of the Dutch V.O.C. (East India Company) period such as the 16th-century Drommedaris tower. Enkhuizen was also the home of the of the Merlijn's architect in 2001. In the afternoon you will board the boat once again to cross the IJsselmeer, the largest lake in the Netherlands. After dinner, you may want to stroll through the center of Lemmer, a very famous Dutch water sports town and the former home harbor of the Merlijn, when it was still a freight ship.Day 3: Lemmer - Sneek - Leeuwarden, 20 or 33 mi. (30 or 52 km)
While enjoying your breakfast, the boat cruises through the province of Friesland, where there is more water than land. You will see many lakes and canals, and because this part of the country is below sea level, you will see sailboats, but only the sails, since the actual boats are too low to see. The famous black and white Frisian cattle and the well known black Frisian horse originated here. Friesland is also the home of the famous Dutch skaters. After visiting Sneek, one of the eleven Frisian cities. with its medieval center and the famous Watergate, you’ll bike to the capital Leeuwarden. After dinner, there is plenty of time for a stroll through this city with its monuments, marketplace, canals, and medieval houses. Leeuwarden is starting and finishing point of the Elfstedentocht (Eleven cities tour), a 200 km-long speed skating race over the Frisian waterways that is held when winter conditions in the province allow.Day 4: Leeuwarden - Stroobos - Groningen, 29 mi. (47 km)
Today, your bike tour takes you again through the charming Frisian landscape (pure nature). At the border with the province of Groningen, you will board the Merlijn in Stroobos to finish the last leg of today's route with a cruise to city of Groningen. This is the capital of the province Groningen, the most northeast province of the Netherlands. It is a lively university city with perhaps even more bikes than you’ve seen in Amsterdam! Enjoy your dinner tonight at your own expense in one of the many restaurants in this city. Following dinner, visit one of the 160 pubs!Day 5: Groningen - Delfzijl - Papenburg, 22 mi. (35 km)
You will bike your last part in the Netherlands through the landscape of Groningen, along the Dampsterdiep, passing Appingedam. Many original medieval residences can be found in the center. The most famous sight is the hanging kitchens above the Damsterdiep. In Delfzijl, you will board the Merlijn and from here, sail an impressive part of the tour: first the Dollard, part of the Waddenzee and then into the estuary of the river Ems. Following this river until Leer, and then further along the Ems, you will bike through the floodplains of the river - a nature reserve - to the city of Papenburg. After dinner, you can walk through this charming city, still close to the Dutch border. Papenburg is also known for its large shipyard, the Meyer-Werft, which specializes in building giant cruise liners. However, the history of Papenburg goes back much further in time, about 350 years ago, poor peat-farmers started with the foundation of the oldest and largest fen community of Germany.Day 6: Papenburg - Oldenburg, 17 or 26 mi. (27 or 42 km)
You can visit the Meyer-Shipyard in the morning and then bike to Dörpen at the Küstekanal, where the Merlijn awaits you. The city of Dörpen is characterized by canals. Here, draw-and-bascule bridges span the riverbanks, and houses adorned with flowers line the banks. Tonight you will overnight in Oldenburg.Day 7: Oldenburg - Vegesack - Bremen, 25 mi. (40 km)
You'll start your biking journey in Oldenburg and follow the Küstekanal, Hunte, and Weser waterways to Vegesack, a northern district of Bremen. At night, you'll dock at Schlachte after cruising the Weser by boat. Bremen, a Hanseatic city that's over 1,200 years old, is home to some of its most famous landmarks - the Weser-Renaissance town hall and the grand statue of Roland, both designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The oldest district in Bremen, Schnoor Viertel, is also a must-visit, with its unique buildings and delightful little Böttcherstrasse that transports you back to a bygone era. And, no sightseeing tour of Bremen is complete without seeing the Town Musicians statue, which features the donkey, dog, cat, and rooster from the Brothers Grimm fairytale Bremer Stadtmusikanten.Day 8: Bremen
Disembarkation at 9 am. -
Map
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Boats & Bikes
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Merlijn
Deluxe Class Barge
"The Divine Miss M" as we lovingly call the Merlijn is a diva, for sure. What can we say? Is it the luxurious cabins with the most comfortable beds you have ever slept in? Is it the lovely dining area with the large windows and skylight that let the air, light, and sun pour in? Or perhaps it is the sun deck, where you can relax with newfound friends, sharing good wine and good conversation. We think you will find it is the entire divine package! Step on board and discover for yourself! Read More
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Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights in a climate-controlled cabin
- 7 breakfasts, 6 packed lunches, & 6 three-course dinners
- Complimentary welcome beverage
- Complimentary toiletries, bathrobe, & slippers
- Standard rental bike with waterproof pannier, water bottle, towel, & universal helmet
- Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, & water
- Daily cabin cleaning
- Fees for harbors, bridges, & locks
- Tour guide
- Tourist information
- Entrance & tour of the Meyer shipyard
- Wifi (signal speed & strength varies)
What’s Not Included
- 1 Dinner
- All beverages other than those mentioned
- Excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
- City maps
- Bike maps
- Gratuities
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
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Dates & Pricing
Dates
Saturday Departure
June 22, 2024Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2024
Twin/double $ 3563 £ 1817 $ 3,261 € 2145 Ft 890516 kr 325379 ₪ 8786 ¥ 357682 Mex$ 47330 NZ$ 3931 kr 25829 zł 9468 S$ 3112 kr 25410 CHF 2053 $ 2,343 Single On request Extra Options
Electric bike rental $ 299 £ 152 $ 274 € 180 Ft 74729 kr 27305 ₪ 737 ¥ 30015 Mex$ 3972 NZ$ 330 kr 2167 zł 795 S$ 261 kr 2132 CHF 172 $ 197 -
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This is an easy, guided boat and bike tour with daily distances ranging from 15 to 30 miles ( 25 to 50 km) on a mainly flat route.
Airport Info
The nearest airport to the embarkation point of the barge in Amsterdam is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). The closest international airport to Bremen is Hamburg International Airport (HAM).
Local Travel
There is a direct train that leaves 6 times per hour from the airport to Amsterdam Central Station. It takes about 16 minutes. The price for a train ticket Schiphol-Amsterdam Central is € 4,20 per person for a single journey. A taxi from the airport to the barge in Amsterdam takes about 30 minutes. It costs about € 45.
There are a couple of options for traveling from Bremen to Hamburg International Airport.
You can take a train from Bremen to Hamburg Airport. The journey takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes, and there are direct trains available. Trains run frequently, and you can buy tickets online or at the station. There is also the possibility of traveling by bus and finally, taxis are readily available.Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival. The Netherlands has a temperate maritime climate influenced by the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean and Bremen, as well has a warm and temperate climate. The greater part of Germany lies in the cool/temperate climatic zone in which humid westerly winds predominate.
Day of Rest
Any day can be designated a day of rest by remaining on board and enjoying the passing sights from on deck.
Recommended
Due to variations in wifi signal strength and speed, If you are dependent on a constant, strong, fast, and reliable signal at all times, please consider a a personal hot spot.
Remarks
The cycling itinerary offered on the Merlijn has been designed and is guided by an expert guide. During the trip, the guide will adjust the plans when necessary based on the ability of the group. You are given an overview of the itinerary each day.
If you would like to cycle on your own, this may be possible. The guide and/or captain can inform you where to find the ship at the end of the day, or what time to be at a location to board. There are several maps available on board for you to use.
GPS tracks and written turn-by-turn route descriptions are not available.Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Extra Stay
If you would like to book extra days during your time in Amsterdam or Germany, we advise Booking.com for researching and reserving your extra nights. You can read a detailed description of the hotels offered including a clear listing of amenities, customer reviews, and ratings.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Coen van der Vlies.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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Photos
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