Holland Southern Tulip Tour
Netherlands Bike + Barge Tours
Cycle Holland’s most beautiful cities during the Tulip Season!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1240 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This bike and boat tulip tour leads through some of Southern Holland's most popular cities but also through fields of beautiful Tulips! One highlight, among many, will be the Keukenhof gardens, the most beautiful flower garden in the world!
Your bike and boat adventure begins and ends in Amsterdam and includes the prestigious towns of Gouda, Delft, Leiden, and Haarlem.
Highlights
- Keukenhof
- Tulips and other beautiful Spring blooms
- Historic town centers
- Biking on one of the world's greatest cycling networks
This tour truly allows you to sample the best of Holland: quaint villages, lively metropolises, tulips, canals, and biking!
To browse all of our bike boat tours in the Netherlands, follow the link! Also, If you are looking for a high-end tulip experience, check out the Luxury Tulip Bike Tour on the Aurora.
Itinerary
Day 1: Amsterdam, sailing to Oude Wetering, cycling around Oude Wetering, 9 mi. (15 km)
Day 2: Oude Wetering - Gouda, 28 miles (45 km)
Day 3: Gouda - Alblasserdam, ferry to Rotterdam - sailing to Delft, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Delft - via Katwijk - Leiden, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Leiden, visit to Keukenhof by public transportation
Day 6: Leiden - via flower bulb fields to Haarlem, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 7: Haarlem - Amsterdam, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: Amsterdam, disembark at 10 am*All distances are approximate. This 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, sailing to Oude Wetering, cycling around Oude Wetering, 9 mi. (15 km)
Embarkation on Saturday between 1 pm and 2 pm. The barge needs to leave the mooring place in Amsterdam at 2:15 PM. Please be on time. The barge can’t wait due to the opening hours of bridges and/or locks. You can begin to board at 1 pm but can bring your luggage on board at noon. Do note that the crew will be busy preparing for you so you will not be able to check in to your cabin until 1 pm. The barges will be moored at the Oosterdok near the Nemo Science Museum.During dinner on board, the weekly program is discussed. After dinner, you will have a short bike tour around Oude Wetering.
Day 2: Oude Wetering - Gouda, 28 mi. (45 km)
From Oude Wetering you will continue your tour over country roads, along river banks and channels through the Green Heart to the city known for its cheese: Gouda. Who thinks of Gouda, not only thinks of cheese, pipes, ‘stroopwafels’ (treacle-waffle) and pottery, but also of beautiful stained glass windows, a fairy-like town hall and atmospheric canals. Gouda is a beautiful Old Dutch city with a mostly intact city center. As on most days, after dinner, you can take a walk through the city.Day 3: Gouda - Alblassserdam, sailing to Delft, 25 mi. (40 km)
From Gouda, you cycle past scenic polders via Kinderdijk to Rotterdam. Kinderdijk has the largest group of windmills in the Netherlands. The windmills at Kinderdijk were still actively used until 1950. These days, a large pumping station is responsible for controlling the water level in the polder.From Kinderdijk you take the ferry to Rotterdam where the barge is waiting for you to take you to Delft, famous for its pottery, the ‘Delft blue’. The Prinsenhof Museum is housed in the former St. Agatha’s monastery. In 1572 William of Orange chose the convent as one of his residences. It was from here that he led the revolt against the Spanish tyranny of Holland. He was murdered on the steps of the Prinsenhof on July 10, 1584, by Balthazar Gerards, a Spanish sympathizer. Two bullet holes in the wall of the stairs bear witness to this event.
Day 4: Delft - via Katwijk - Leiden, 25 mi. (40 km)
From Delft, you will cycle Holland in the direction of The Hague, through the Haagse Bosch, a large park, and past the Royal Huis ten Bosch Palace. A tranquil cycle path through the dunes leads you to Wassenaarse Slag. Here, some remains of the Atlantikwall can still be seen. The Atlantic Wall was an extensive system of coastal fortifications built by the German Third Reich in 1942 until 1944 during World War II along the western coast of Europe. Now, this underground network serves as a bat reserve! It was nearly 1,700 miles long.
Continuing on through the dunes, to Katwijk aan Zee, an old fishing village (the inhabitants still speak their own dialect called Kattuks), you will follow the course of the Oude Rijn (Old Rhine) ending in Leiden. Leiden originated around 800 AD as a marketplace at the confluence of the Old and New Rhine rivers, the Vliet river, and the Mare (‘Leyten’ means ‘at the waters’). For a long time, it was the second city after Amsterdam. It boasts 14 museums. The Hortus Botanicus (Botanical Garden), a 400-year-old garden with innumerable exotic plants and trees, is certainly worth seeing. In the center of town, you can go shopping or enjoy sitting on an outdoor terrace on the water’s edge.Day 5: Leiden, visit to Keukenhof by public transportation
Today you visit the Keukenhof gardens, the most beautiful spring park in the world. The Keukenhof is the place where the spring breaks. In the Keukenhof various gardens and gardening styles can be found: the English Landscape Garden, the Historical Garden, the Natural Garden, the Japanese Natural Garden, the Formal Garden and three special colors gardens. Spread throughout the entire park there are approximately eighty sculptures from well-known Dutch artists as well as several other art objects, such as the collection 'Surprising Tulips'.Day 6: Leiden - via flower bulb fields to Haarlem, 25 miles (40 km)
From Leiden, you cycle through wonderful flower beds in the direction of Haarlem. In the period of March to May, the bulb fields are blooming, starting with daffodils and followed by hyacinths, tulips, and lilies. Once in the city of Haarlem, you make a short tour through the city to see some typical 'hofjes' (almshouses), old houses around a central courtyard, now usually housing elderly people. These 'hofjes ' are definitely worth a visit. Haarlem, which rendered its name to Harlem, New York, is a lively city with good shopping possibilities. The ship is berthed in the city center, with a view of St. Bavo's Church and with easy access to the Grote Markt with its many outdoor cafés.Day 7: Haarlem - Amsterdam, 25 mi. (40 km)
From Haarlem, you sail to Spaarndam, a picturesque village on the edge of Haarlem, in the direction of Amsterdam. Spaarndam’s name comes from the dam built in the Spaarne river to limit the danger of flooding from the sea. Here you can find the statue of Hansje Brinker on the IJdijk. Hansje is a character from an American novel, who saved the country from flooding by putting his finger in the dike. The Buitenhuizen ferry takes you across the North Sea Canal and from there you cycle to the Zaanse Schans. The Zaanse Schans, with its traditional weatherboard houses, warehouses and windmills may give you the feeling of stepping back into the 17th or 18th century. Yet this is no open-air museum, but a lively neighborhood where people live and work. Among other things, a cheese farm, a clog maker, and an old bakery can be visited here.Day 8: Individual departure from Amsterdam
Disembarkation by 10 am.If you’re looking for a different flavor, check out our full list of bike and boat tours or view all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news.
Boats
- Sailing Home
Premium Class Boat
Built in 2001, the Sailing Home was designed specifically to provide a more attractive hotel ship during your carefree vacation. It was built to meet the latest wishes and ideas with respect to comfort and service. The experience of a lifetime: cycling through the most beautiful spots within the Netherlands while residing on a very comfortable, newly built and well-furnished ship. Read More
- Feniks
Comfort Class Boat
This comfortable little vessel is the pride and joy of its captain/owner, Marius. As is true for many of our boats, the Feniks was originally built as a freighter, but then converted into a hotel passenger ship in 1992. Since then, she has undergone several renovations. Wearing her history well, you will find a welcoming atmosphere on board, a crew ready to serve, and great food showcasing local cuisine featuring fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the market to the table. Read More
- Liza Marleen
Comfort Class Barge
The Liza Marleen is a lovely motor passenger barge that was built in 1998 and the cabins were completely renovated in 2016. This "robust" lady is ideally suited for trips on the wider waterways. It has a beautiful salon area and a spacious deck. Read More
- Anna Antal
Standard Class Barge
The Anna Antal is a former shuttle barge converted into a motor passenger ship in the winter of 1994-95. In 2013, the salon and cabins were renovated. The sailing area of the Anna Antal includes all Dutch, German and Belgian waterways in so far as a ship of this size can sail. She also sails on the Waddenzee, IJsselmeer and Zeeland. The Anna Antal is built according to the rules of Maritime laws and holds a valid certificate for the Rhine. Read More
- Wending
Standard Class Barge
The Wending is a former freight barge that was converted into a passenger motor barge in the early nineties and faithfully maintained since. The barge has a spacious salon equipped with a television and music installation. It is a great place to relax after a fulfilling day of cycling. Read More
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights aboard the selected vessel
- Breakfast buffets, packed lunches, & 7 three-course dinners
- Coffee and tea on board
- Welcome meeting & tour presentation
- 24-speed city touring bike (high handlebars and upright riding position)
- Bike accessories: Pannier bag, helmet, lock, water bottle, & repair kit on request
- Multilingual tour guide (cycles with group)
- Minimum of 3 city walks with the tour guide
- Route information
- Ferry fares en route
- Roadbook (one per cabin)
- GPS tracks on request
- Entrance fee to the Keukenhof, including the fee for public transportation
- Free limited WiFi (up to 100 MB) in the lounge and on deck
What’s Not Included
- Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (available for purchase)
- Museum entrance fees, approximately €15 per tour
- Maps for self-guided option, must be ordered and paid in advance (see pricing)
- Surcharge for gluten-free, celiac, and vegan diets (see pricing)
- Gratuities
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
Premium Class Boat
Sailing Home
Saturday departures
Standard season: March 27 & April 3, 2021
High season: April 10, 2021Cabin type Standard High Twin cabin $ 2216 £ 1251 $ 2,181 € 1385 NZ$ 2374 kr 14261 $ 1,718 $ 2408 £ 1359 $ 2,370 € 1505 NZ$ 2580 kr 15497 $ 1,867 Twin cabin/single-use $ 3105 £ 1752 $ 3,055 € 1940 NZ$ 3325 kr 19976 $ 2,407 $ 3377 £ 1905 $ 3,323 € 2110 NZ$ 3617 kr 21727 $ 2,618 Comfort Class
Liza Marleen
Standard season: April 3, 2021
Cabin type Standard Twin cabin $ 2128 £ 1201 $ 2,095 € 1330 NZ$ 2280 kr 13695 $ 1,650 Twin cabin/single-use $ 2969 £ 1675 $ 2,921 € 1855 NZ$ 3180 kr 19101 $ 2,302 Superior cabin (15 m2 ) $ 2480 £ 1400 $ 2,441 € 1550 NZ$ 2657 kr 15960 $ 1,923 Superior cabin/triple use $ 1968 £ 1111 $ 1,937 € 1230 NZ$ 2108 kr 12665 $ 1,526 Zwaan
High season: April 10, 2021
Cabin type High Luxury double cabin $ 2697 £ 1522 $ 2,654 € 1685 NZ$ 2888 kr 17350 $ 2,091 Twin cabin $ 2440 £ 1377 $ 2,402 € 1525 NZ$ 2614 kr 15703 $ 1,892 Small double cabin (front) $ 2096 £ 1183 $ 2,063 € 1310 NZ$ 2245 kr 13489 $ 1,625 Small double cabin (front)/single-use $ 3057 £ 1725 $ 3,008 € 1910 NZ$ 3274 kr 19667 $ 2,370 Standard Class
Anna Antal
Standard season: May 1, 2021
High season: April 10 & April 24, 2021Cabin type Standard High Twin cabin $ 1984 £ 1120 $ 1,953 € 1240 NZ$ 2125 kr 12768 $ 1,538 $ 2152 £ 1215 $ 2,118 € 1345 NZ$ 2305 kr 13849 $ 1,669 Bunk bed cabin $ 1712 £ 966 $ 1,685 € 1070 NZ$ 1834 kr 11018 $ 1,328 $ 1855 £ 1047 $ 1,825 € 1159 NZ$ 1987 kr 11934 $ 1,438 Bunk bed cabin/single-use $ 2120 £ 1196 $ 2,087 € 1325 NZ$ 2271 kr 13643 $ 1,644 $ 2304 £ 1300 $ 2,268 € 1440 NZ$ 2468 kr 14828 $ 1,787 Wending
Standard season: April 3, 2021
High season: April 17, 2021Cabin type Standard High Twin cabin $ 1984 £ 1120 $ 1,953 € 1240 NZ$ 2125 kr 12768 $ 1,538 $ 2152 £ 1215 $ 2,118 € 1345 NZ$ 2305 kr 13849 $ 1,669 Twin cabin/single-use $ 2296 £ 1296 $ 2,260 € 1435 NZ$ 2460 kr 14776 $ 1,780 $ 2495 £ 1408 $ 2,455 € 1559 NZ$ 2672 kr 16053 $ 1,934 Triple cabin $ 1848 £ 1043 $ 1,819 € 1155 NZ$ 1980 kr 11893 $ 1,433 $ 2008 £ 1133 $ 1,976 € 1255 NZ$ 2151 kr 12923 $ 1,557 Extra Options
All Boats Electric bicycle rental $ 136 £ 77 $ 134 € 85 NZ$ 146 kr 875 $ 105 Gluten-free/celiac/vegan diet $ 80 £ 45 $ 79 € 50 NZ$ 86 kr 515 $ 62 Set of bike maps for self-guided option (advanced reservation required, cannot be purchased on board) $ 34 £ 19 $ 33 € 21 NZ$ 36 kr 216 $ 26 Tag-along bike with helmet (ages 5-9) $ 88 £ 50 $ 87 € 55 NZ$ 94 kr 566 $ 68 Bike seat with helmet (ages 11 mos - 5 years) $ 24 £ 14 $ 24 € 15 NZ$ 26 kr 154 $ 19 Bike trailer $ 144 £ 81 $ 142 € 90 NZ$ 154 kr 927 $ 112 Child's 21-speed bike with helmet (ages 9+). Please contact us. Children's discounts are offered:
0 - 2 years- free of charge
3 - 11: 30% of base tour pricePlease note: Pricing is based on fuel costs as of November 2019. If the fuel cost increases by 5%, additional fees may apply (even for reservations already booked).
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
Easy, guided tour with variable cycling distances per day in and around interesting cities and towns.
Airport Info
Fly to Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport (AMS)
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. The barge will be moored at the Oosterdock. Walking distance to the barge is about 10 to 15 minutes. A taxi from the airport to the barge in Amsterdam takes about 30 minutes and costs approximately € 45. If you wish to take a taxi from the central train station to the barge it will only take about 5 minutes and will cost approximately €10.
Climate
Tulip season in Holland extends from the end of March to the beginning of May but is dependent on temperatures and the weather. We cannot predict the weather (we wish we could) so we cannot predict when the peak season will be! Please check local conditions prior to arrival. Holland is near or below sea level and experiences a Maritime climate influenced by the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and has the perfect climate and soil for the Tulips. The Dutch have a saying "April doet wat hij wil". It means that April does whatever it wishes to do. Keep this in mind as you pack for your cycling holiday. Though cooler in April, the sun does shine on average 177 hours. Don’t forget your layers and your rain gear!
Day of Rest
You can always stay on board and sail to the next stop.
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.Tour Operator
This tour is run by Cycletours.
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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