Day-To-Day Itinerary
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 & Gandalf: Embarkation/check-in begins at 2 p.m. 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 onboard this evening.
Flora: Embarkation and check-in begin at 2 pm, however, you can bring your luggage on board at 11 am if necessary but cabins will not be ready for check-in. Once checked 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 p.m. during which the crew will be introduced and your first dinner on board will be served, your rental bicycles 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 per 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, known for its famous 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.
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Heart of Holland Boats + Barges
Flora Netherlands Standard Class Boat The Flora, renovated during the winter of 2006/2007, is a well upgraded ship that is ready to receive new guests while sailing in the Netherlands.
Lena Maria Belgium, Netherlands Standard Class Boat The barge Lena Maria is a former freight ship rebuilt in 2004 into a comfortable cruise barge. There is a lounge for relaxation with many windows to create an open atmosphere and allows for a nice view while motoring. There is an outside sundeck with chairs. Each cabin has two low single beds and can accommodates two people comfortably.
Gandalf Netherlands, Belgium Standard Class Boat The classic MS Gandalf is a comfort class passenger ship that can accommodate 20 guests. Almost everything on this barge is on one level, including the comfortable salon which has scenic panoramic windows.
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Tour Reviews
Lorraine B. 9 months ago Verified Reviewer
Most Memorable Part: Cycling the Dutch countryside
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
Elsie R. 10 months ago Verified Reviewer
Our guide, Francien, was excellent! She did an excellent job of leading the biking events...stopping for breaks when needed and keeping us moving at a comfortable pace. The evening “Next Day” sessions gave us a good idea of what to expect the next day. The stops at the 17 windmills, the cheese factory, and the flower auction site added to the day’s plan. The two evening guided city walks gave us time to explore onfoot, too. Lastly, Francien kept close watch on her biking group while leading us through city traffic and country roads. The biking trip was an excellent way to see the countryside.
The crew on the Lena Maria was excellent...the food was wonderful (great Chef!) and the hostess was very welcoming. The barge was a very Read more… welcome sight at the end of a day of biking:-)
I am pleased to say that this 72-year old lady biked every day of the trip without needing an electric bike! In fact, I just might take another bike and barge trip. Many of my friends have expressed interest in joining our next adventure!
Thanks again!
Boat: Lena Maria
Reply
Yun S. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
Best Parts: Easy booking process, online Q & A instant answers. Safe bike routes, great time on bikes!
Boat: Flora
Reply
Bruce N. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
Most Memorable Part: Biking the rural/countryside of Holland
Boat: Flora
Reply
Shirley 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
Negatives - no ice for our water bottles; no fans or air conditioning for the couple of days that were extremely hot; our rooms were Read more… never cleaned; the captain tended to be curt; the maps were not always accurate.
Reply
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