Heart of Holland

Each boat has a slightly different itinerary and also vary in what is included and not included. All distances are approximate. The planned 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.

Flora, Lena Maria, & Gandalf

Day 1: Arrival and embarkation in Amsterdam
Day 2: Amsterdam – Zaandam | Zaandam - Zaanse Schans – Haarlem, 24 or 34 mi. (40 or 55 km)
Day 3: Haarlem – North Sea coast – Leiden, 25 or 34 mi. (42 or 50 km)
Day 4: Leiden – Delft, 22 or 34 mi. (35 or 41 km)
Day 5: Delft – Rotterdam – Kinderdijk | Kinderdijk (Schoonhoven) – Gouda, several options from 15 to 41 mi. (23 to 66 km)
Day 6: Gouda - Kudelstaart, 28 or 34 mi. (45 or 55 km)
Day 7: Kudelstaart – Aalsmeer – Amsterdam or Kudelstaart to Amsterdam, 19 or 23 mi. (approx. 30 or 37 km)
Day 8: End of the tour; disembarkation in Amsterdam

Parts in italics undertaken on board. Shorter routes may not feature all highlights in the itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival and embarkation in Amsterdam
Lena Maria and Gandalf: Embarkation/check-in begins at 2 pm. You can leave your luggage on board from 11 am and can then set out to explore the city center, located within walking distance. A tour introduction takes place at 3 pm, followed by the distribution of bicycles, and a short test ride with your tour leader. Dinner is served on board this evening.
Flora: Embarkation and check-in begin at 2 pm. You can bring your luggage on board at 11 am but cabins will not be ready for check-in. After unpacking your luggage in your cabin, you will still have plenty of time to explore this famous city. Treat yourself to a canal tour, visit one or more museums, or simply do some shopping. An introduction to the tour will take place at 5:30 pm during which the crew will be introduced and your first dinner on board will be served, your rental bicycle will also be distributed at this time.

Day 2: Amsterdam – Zaandam | Zaanse Schans – Haarlem, 24 - 34 mi. (40 - 55 km)
You visit the lovely open-air museum ‘Zaanse Schans’ after a short cruise to Zaandam. An old 18th and 19th-century Dutch village was reconstructed in the museum, where you can visit windmills, a cheese-maker, and a clog maker. You then cycle to Haarlem, where you are able to stroll through the lovely city center and the Grote Markt (market square) in the evening. If preferred, today’s bike tour can also be extended with a visit of the sea locks of IJmuiden and the Kennemer Dunes.

Day 3: Haarlem – North Sea coast – Leiden, 25 or 34 mi. (42 or 55 km)
You cycle along the North Sea Coast and through the dunes, via the seaside resorts Noordwijk and Katwijk aan Zee. The day ends in Leiden, one of the oldest university cities. Here you can follow in the footsteps of the famous painter, Rembrandt, through the beautiful old city center.

Day 4: Leiden – Delft, Several options for mileage from 15 (23 km) to 41 mi. (66 km)
From Leiden, you cycle to Delft where a Delft Blue porcelain studio can be viewed and visited. The royal crypts of the House of Orange are also located in the beautiful center of Delft. From Delft, you can also visit The Hague. If you prefer not to cycle here, you can also take the or per train or tram. Highlights of today's route include the Binnenhof, the Peace Palace (Vredespaleis), and the Scheveningen seaside resort. 

Day 5: Delft – Rotterdam – Kinderdijk | Kinderdijk (Schoonhoven) – Gouda, several options from 15 to 41 mi. (23 to 66 km)
You travel by boat through the remarkable international port of Rotterdam, from Delft to Kinderdijk. The Kinderdijk offers an impressive view of 19 windmills in a row. From here, you cycle a shorter distance directly to Gouda, famously known for its cheese. You can also choose to take the longer route via Schoonhoven, also known as the silver city.

Day 6: Gouda - Kudelstaart, 28 or 34 mi. (45 or 55 km)
You cycle to the small town of Kudelstaart, straight through the idyllic South Holland landscape with numerous little canals. At the mooring place on the banks of the Westeinder Plassen (“West End” Lakes), you can enjoy the beautiful view.

Day 7: Kudelstaart – Aalsmeer - Amsterdam, 19 or 23 mi. (approx. 30 or 37 km)| or Kudelstaart - Amsterdam
Early in the morning, you can visit the large flower auction at Aalsmeer (entrance fee not included). After breakfast, you can choose to cruise through the City of Amsterdam to the mooring place or cycle into the city through the city park Amsterdamse Bos or along the Amstel river. Take some time to enjoy the attractions in the city center during the afternoon and evening.

Day 8: End of the tour; disembarkation in Amsterdam
Bid the crew farewell and disembark after breakfast by 9:30 am. Please check your cabin for personal items. Before you leave, do not forget to hand over your cabin key to the crew. If you wish you can leave your luggage on board until noon, you may do so but please confirm with the crew.

*Please note that if you choose the shorter route, you may miss some of the mentioned highlights.

You can view all of our bike and barge tours in Europe or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news. 

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