Authentic Holland

Day 1: Amsterdam | Amsterdam – Wijk bij Duurstede
Day 2: Wijk bij Duurstede – Wageningen | Wageningen – Arnhem – Doesburg, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 3: Doesburg – Bronkhorst – Zutphen – Deventer, 27 or 35 mi. (45 or 55 km)
Day 4: Deventer – Wijhe | Wijhe – Hattem – Zwolle – Kampen, 25 or 35 mi. (40 or 56 km)
Day 5: Kampen – Elburg – Harderwijk, 29 or 35 mi. (48 or 56 km)
Day 6: Harderwijk – Spakenburg – Huizen, 28 or 35 mi. (45 or 56 km)
Day 7: Huizen – Naarden – Muiden – Amsterdam, 21 mi. (35 km)
Day 8: Amsterdam

Day 1: Amsterdam | Amsterdam – Wijk bij Duurstede
Embarkation and check-in take place in Amsterdam between 1 pm and 2 pm, where the crew welcomes you aboard. Around 2 pm, the ship departs along the Amsterdam–Rhine Canal toward Wijk bij Duurstede, a charming riverside town where you’ll spend your first night.

Day 2: Wijk bij Duurstede – Wageningen | Wageningen – Arnhem – Doesburg, 31 mi. (50 km)
Enjoy breakfast as the ship sails to Wageningen, the starting point of your first cycling route. Ride through the peaceful Lower Rhine valley toward Arnhem, once a Hanseatic city and later the center of Operation Market Garden during WWII. After some free time in Arnhem, continue your ride along the river to the small Hanseatic town of Doesburg, perfect for an evening stroll.

Day 3: Doesburg – Bronkhorst – Zutphen – Deventer, 27 or 35 mi. (45 or 55 km)
Cycle first to Bronkhorst, proudly known as the smallest town in the Netherlands. Then choose between a shorter route that crosses the IJssel by ferry or a longer one that stays on the eastern bank. Both routes lead to Zutphen and continue to Deventer, known for its traditional spiced gingerbread. In the evening, join your tour leader for a guided city walk.

Day 4: Deventer – Wijhe | Wijhe – Hattem – Zwolle – Kampen, 25 or 35 mi. (40 or 56 km)
During breakfast, the ship brings you to Wijhe. From here, cycle either a shorter riverside route or a longer loop across the Veluwe to Hattem, a beautifully preserved Hanseatic town. Continue past Zwolle to Kampen, the largest Hanseatic city in the Netherlands. After dinner, explore its historic center.

Day 5: Kampen – Elburg – Harderwijk, 29 or 35 mi. (48 or 56 km)
From Kampen, ride along the Border Lakes to Elburg, a charming fishing harbor. Continue through Veluwe forests and heathlands to Harderwijk. Once the largest fish market on the Zuiderzee, today it’s a vibrant historic town well worth wandering.

Day 6: Harderwijk – Spakenburg – Huizen, 28 or 35 mi. (45 or 56 km)
Choose between a shorter lakeside route or a longer blend of woodland and shoreline. In the afternoon, pass through Spakenburg, where traditional Dutch dress is still worn. Docking destination tonight is Huizen.

Day 7: Huizen – Naarden – Muiden – Amsterdam, 21 mi. (35 km)
Ride from Huizen to Naarden, one of Europe’s best-preserved fortress towns, then onward to Muiden with its iconic waterside castle. Follow quiet paths back into Amsterdam for your final evening. Enjoy free time to explore—canals, cafés, museums, or simply watching the city in motion.

Day 8: Amsterdam
Your tour ends after breakfast. Disembarkation is until 9:30 am.

Day 1: Embarkation in Amsterdam, sailing to Wijk bij Duurstede, 9 mi. (15 km)
Day 2: Wijk bij Duurstede - Wageningen | Wageningen – Arnhem, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Arnhem - Doesburg | Doesburg – Vorden – Zutphen. During dinner, sailing from Zutphen to Deventer, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Deventer - Hattem - Zwolle |  Zwolle - Kampen, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 5: Kampen - Harderwijk, 27 mi. (45 km)
Day 6: Harderwijk - Spakenburg, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Spakenburg - Amsterdam
Day 8: Departure

Parts in italic are covered by the boat.

Day 1: Embarkation in Amsterdam, sailing to Wijk bij Duurstede, 9 mi. (15 km)
Embarkation and check-in between 1 and  2 pm. The mooring place of the barge in Amsterdam is Oosterdok (near the Science Center: ‘Nemo’, Oosterdok 2). If you arrive a bit early, you can leave your luggage on board beginning at noon. Please be on time as the barge will leave Amsterdam at 2:15 pm to sail over the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal to Wijk bij Duurstede on the Rhine.  This is one of the busiest waterways in Europe. It was dug to connect Amsterdam Seaport with the European hinterland. You spend the night in old Wijk bij Duurstede on the river Rhine. During the early Middle Ages, this town was a prestigious trading center. The marauding expeditions of the Vikings put an end to the flourishing period. The old city center is picturesque with its marketplace surrounded by trees. During dinner aboard the ship, the program for the next day and the overall planning of the week are discussed. Instructions on cycling and safety procedures will also be given. Time permitting, the guide will take you on a short bike ride around the town.

Day 2: Wijk bij Duursteed - Wageningen | Wageningen - Arnhem, 25 mi. (40 km)
While you are enjoying breakfast, the barge will sail to Wageningen, where, following the distribution of bicycles, you are finally off and cycling through the picturesque river valley of the Rhine. In Oosterbeek,  you can visit the Airborne Museum. You ride through the suburbs through lovely parks such as Sonsbeek and Zijpendaal to Arnhem, where you spend the night close to the center
Arnhem is the capital of the province of Gelderland. In September of 1944, the center of the town was heavily damaged by the efforts of the Allies to conquer the bridge over the Rhine(Operation “Market Garden”). The plan failed. (The battle of Arnhem has been filmed in "A Bridge Too Far"). Following the war, the city center was reconstructed to reflect its past patterns and design as closely as possible. Arnhem is generally known as the “Park City of the Netherlands” in large part due to its centuries-old city parks, which extend well into the town. Sonsbeek Park is the most important park of the city. It is located against the city’s dam walls and offers a multitude of breathtaking views with far-reaching vistas of the Rhine river on the one hand and hidden, intimate corners on the other. It contains waterfalls, a deer camp, a belvedere, and the watermill, “Arnhem”

Day 3: Arnhem - Doesburg | Doesburg - Vorden – Zutphen | Zutphen - Deventer, 28 mi. (45 km)
Today’s cycle tour takes you along the Hanseatic Town Route to the small village of Doesburg and along the IJssel to Bronkhorst, which has the distinction of being recognized as the smallest town in Holland. Guests will have two choices today – a shorter tour along the riverbank to Zutphen, or a longer bicycle trip via Vorden passing country houses, castles, and rural estates. During dinner, the ship sails to Deventer. This city is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. It is therefore not surprising that the oldest stone house can be found in Deventer (in the Sandrasteeg). Deventer is a prominent ‘Hanseatic Town'. In the Middle Ages, merchants from all over Europe came here to participate in the annual fairs.

Day 4: Deventer – Hattem – Zwolle | Zwolle -  Kampen, 22 mi. (35 km)
This morning, you will enjoy a short bicycle ride along the IJssel riverbank before boarding a ferry at Wijhe to cross the river to Hattem. The 800-year-old town of Hattem has a rich history that is still clearly visible today. Guests have the opportunity if they want, to stretch their legs with a longer bicycle trip through East Veluwe. During dinner, the ship will sail to Kampen, where you have the opportunity to go on an optional guided walking tour in the largest Hanseatic town in the Netherlands has been declared a protected townscape. Kampen retained three of its original city gates from the Middle Ages: the Broederpoort, Cellebroederspoort, and the Koornmarktpoort.

Day 5: Kampen - Harderwijk, 27 mi. (45 km)
In the morning, the barge will sail to the IJssel estuary and across the so-called border lakes of the IJssel to the fishing harbor of Harderwijk. In the 1500s, Harderwijk boasted the largest fish market in the Zuiderzee region, and it is still a fascinating old city to explore. From Harderwijk, you will cycle along Veluwe Lake, where swimming, boating, surfing, and fishing are favorite summertime activities. The longest cycle trip on the tour also takes in the woods and moorland at Elspeet. The night will be spent in Harderwijk’s lovely old fishing harbor.

Day 6: Harderwijk - Spakenburg, 28 mi. (45 km)
Today, guests have two cycling choices: a short pedal along the coast (30 km/19 miles) or a combination of the coast route and a longer alternative that also takes in adjacent woodlands. The night will be spent in Spakenburg, a village well-known for its traditional costumes.

Day 7: Spakenburg - Huizen | Huizen - Amsterdam, 22 mi. (35 km)
Once again, guests have a choice this morning. After breakfast, you can cycle to Huizen or, if you prefer to take things easier (45 km/ 28 miles), you can enjoy the scenery from the comfort of the barge. From Huizen, you will cycle to the beautiful fortress towns of Naarden and Muiden, famous for their historic castle. From Muiden, you will cycle along quiet roads to your final destination, the world-famous city of Amsterdam. The afternoon and evening are spent in Amsterdam. While you are there, take the opportunity to visit Anne Frank’s home, the Rembrandt House Museum, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, Dam Square, the very center and heart of the city or maybe you could go on a canal tour (not included).

Day 8: Departure
End of tour.

Day 1: Amsterdam | Amsterdam – Wijk bij Duurstede
Day 2: Wijk bij Duurstede – Wageningen | Wageningen – Arnhem – Doesburg (50 km/31 mi.)
Day 3: Doesburg – Zutphen (27 km/16 mi. or 44 km/27 mi.) | Zutphen – Deventer
Day 4: Deventer – Wijhe | Wijhe – Kampen (40 km/25 mi. or 56 km/35 mi.)
Day 5: Kampen – Elburg – Harderwijk (48 km/29 mi. or 56 km/33.6 mi.)
Day 6: Harderwijk – Bunschoten – Spakenburg (35 km/21 mi. or 59 km/36 mi.)
Day 7: Spakenburg – Huizen | Huizen – Naarden – Muiden – Amsterdam (35 km/21 mi. or 49 km/30 mi.)
Day 8: Amsterdam

Day 1: Amsterdam | Amsterdam – Wijk bij Duurstede
Embarkation and check-in take place between 1 and 2 pm in Amsterdam, where the crew welcomes you aboard. Around 2 pm, the barge departs along the Amsterdam–Rhine Canal toward Wijk bij Duurstede on the Rhine, your first overnight mooring.

Day 2: Wijk bij Duurstede – Wageningen | Wageningen – Arnhem – Doesburg (50 km/31 mi.)
Enjoy breakfast while the barge sails to Wageningen. From here, begin your first cycling stage through the peaceful Rhine River valley toward Arnhem, a former Hanseatic city. Spend time exploring its center or visit a museum. Arnhem was the setting of Operation Market Garden during World War II, the largest airborne operation in history, which ultimately failed due to the inability to capture the bridge over the Rhine. Continue cycling along the river until you reach the small Hanseatic city of Doesburg. After dinner, take a leisurely stroll through town.

Day 3: Doesburg – Zutphen (27 km/16 mi. or 44 km/27 mi.) | Zutphen – Deventer
From Doesburg, cycle along the IJssel River to Bronkhorst, known as the smallest town in Holland. Today offers two route options: a shorter ride along the riverbank to Zutphen, or a longer loop via Vorden featuring country houses, castles, and rural estates. During dinner, the barge sails to Deventer, where you may join an optional guided evening walk.

Day 4: Deventer – Wijhe | Wijhe – Kampen (40 km/25 mi. or 56 km/35 mi.)
During breakfast, the ship brings you to Wijhe, where your ride begins. Enjoy a beautiful morning cycle to Hattem, choosing between a shorter riverside option or a longer route across the eastern Veluwe. Hattem’s rich history remains visible in its charming streets. From here, it’s a short ride to Zwolle, one of the Netherlands’ most beautiful Hanseatic cities. Continue cycling to Kampen. In the evening, an optional guided walking tour introduces you to the highlights of this historic town.

Day 5: Kampen – Elburg – Harderwijk (48 km/29 mi. or 56 km/33.6 mi.)
From Kampen, cycle along the Border Lakes to Elburg, a picturesque former fishing harbor known for summer activities such as boating and swimming. Continue through the Veluwe’s forests and heaths toward Harderwijk, where you spend the night in the old fishing harbor. In the 1500s, Harderwijk had the largest fish market in the Zuiderzee region. Today it remains a charming and lively town. Dinner is not included this evening so you can enjoy one of Harderwijk’s local restaurants.

Day 6: Harderwijk – Bunschoten – Spakenburg (35 km/21 mi. or 59 km/36 mi.)
Today offers two cycling options: a short route along the coast or a longer ride combining coastal stretches with adjacent woodlands. Overnight is in Spakenburg, known for its traditional costumes and strong fishing heritage.

Day 7: Spakenburg – Huizen | Huizen – Naarden – Muiden – Amsterdam (35 km/21 mi. or 49 km/30 mi.)
Enjoy breakfast while the barge sails. From Huizen, cycle to the fortified towns of Naarden and Muiden, the latter home to its famous medieval castle. Continue along quiet paths to Amsterdam, your final destination. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring the city—consider visiting the Anne Frank House, the Rembrandt House Museum, Dam Square, or enjoying a canal cruise.

Day 8: Amsterdam
End of your tour. Disembarkation takes place after breakfast until 9:30 am.

During days when several bicycle options are possible, not all the mentioned highlights can be visited during the shorter cycling options.