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€1145 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 extensive 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.
This tour truly allows you to sample the best of Holland: quaint villages, lively metropolises, tulips, canals, and biking!
Highlights
- Keukenhof
- Tulips and other beautiful Spring blooms
- Historic town centers
- Biking on one of the world's greatest cycling networks
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 / Oudekerk (Feniks), cycling around Oude Wetering, 6 to 9 mi. (10-15 km)
Day 2: Oude Wetering / Uithoorn (Feniks) - 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, 23 to 30 mi. (36 to 48 km)
Day 5: Leiden, visit to Keukenhof by public transportation
Day 6: Leiden - via flower bulb fields to Haarlem, 23 to 25 mi. (37-40 km)
Day 7: Haarlem - Amsterdam, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: Amsterdam, disembark at 10 amAll 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 / Oudekerk (Feniks), cycling around Oude Wetering, 6- 9 mi. (10-15 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/Oudekerk (Feniks).
Day 2: Oude Wetering / Uithoorn (Feniks) - Gouda, 28 mi. (45 km)
From Oude Wetering or Uithoorn (aboard Feniks) 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, 23 to 30 mi. (36 to 48 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. The ship is moored near the Zijlpoort, a gate that once formed part of the city walls. The shorter route leads you inland after ‘Huis den Bosch’ and brings you along ‘Vlietlanden’ a 130 ha big recreational lake to Leiden.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.
Map
Boats & Bikes
- Sailing Home
Premium Class Boat
Constructed in 2001, the Sailing Home was designed specifically for bike and boat vacations. 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
- 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
- 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
Sailing Home, Liza Marleen, and Wending
- Accommodation for 7 nights aboard the selected vessel
- Breakfast buffets, packed lunches, & 7 three-course dinners
- Coffee & 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
- 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 & on deck
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Breakfast, packed lunches, and 6 three-course dinners
- Coffee, tea, and biscuits
- Afternoon snacks
- All bed linens and towels
- Daily cleaning of the cabin
- Multi-lingual cycling tour guide
- 24-speed city touring bike with rear pannier, water cage and bottle, and frame lock
- Helmets available
- Laundry service (clothes are returned clean but not dry. Clothes can be hung midship)
- Wifi, signal strength and speed cannot be guaranteed and may not be what you are accustomed to
Feniks
What’s Not Included
Sailing Home, Liza Marleen, and Wending
- Soft drinks & alcoholic beverages (available for purchase)
- Museum entrance fees, approximately €25 per tour
- Maps for the self-guided option, must be ordered and paid in advance (see pricing)
- Surcharge for gluten-free, celiac, & vegan diets (see pricing)
- Gratuities
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
- Beverages other than those mentioned
- Entrance fees
- Gratuities
- Bicycle Protection
- Travel Insurance
Feniks
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
2023
Premium Class Boat
Saturday departures
Standard season: April 1, April 8 & May 6, 2023
High season: April 15, April 22 & April 29, 2023Standard High Twin $ 2394 £ 1373 $ 2,264 € 1535 ₪ 5853 NZ$ 2622 NOK 16806 kr 17539 $ 1,701 $ 2605 £ 1494 $ 2,463 € 1670 ₪ 6368 NZ$ 2852 NOK 18285 kr 19081 $ 1,851 Twin /single-use $ 3362 £ 1928 $ 3,178 € 2155 ₪ 8217 NZ$ 3681 NOK 23595 kr 24623 $ 2,389 $ 3650 £ 2093 $ 3,451 € 2340 ₪ 8923 NZ$ 3996 NOK 25620 kr 26737 $ 2,594 Comfort Class
Liza Marleen
Saturday departures
Standard season: April 8 & May 6, 2023
High season: April 15, April 22 & April 29, 2023Standard High Twin $ 2301 £ 1319 $ 2,175 € 1475 ₪ 5624 NZ$ 2519 NOK 16149 kr 16853 $ 1,635 $ 2496 £ 1431 $ 2,359 € 1600 ₪ 6101 NZ$ 2733 NOK 17518 kr 18282 $ 1,773 Superior twin $ 2675 £ 1534 $ 2,529 € 1715 ₪ 6540 NZ$ 2929 NOK 18777 kr 19596 $ 1,901 $ 2886 £ 1655 $ 2,728 € 1850 ₪ 7054 NZ$ 3160 NOK 20255 kr 21138 $ 2,051 Superior triple $ 2129 £ 1221 $ 2,013 € 1365 ₪ 5205 NZ$ 2331 NOK 14945 kr 15597 $ 1,513 $ 2309 £ 1324 $ 2,183 € 1480 ₪ 5644 NZ$ 2528 NOK 16204 kr 16911 $ 1,640 Single $ 3206 £ 1838 $ 3,030 € 2055 ₪ 7836 NZ$ 3510 NOK 22500 kr 23480 $ 2,278 $ 3510 £ 2013 $ 3,318 € 2250 ₪ 8580 NZ$ 3843 NOK 24635 kr 25709 $ 2,494 Saturday departures
April 1, April 8, April 15, April 22, & April 29, 2023Cabin type
Luxury twin cabin $ 2449 £ 1404 $ 2,315 € 1570 ₪ 5987 NZ$ 2681 NOK 17190 kr 17939 $ 1,740 Regular twin cabin $ 2098 £ 1203 $ 1,983 € 1345 ₪ 5129 NZ$ 2297 NOK 14726 kr 15368 $ 1,491 Single cabin $ 2511 £ 1440 $ 2,374 € 1610 ₪ 6139 NZ$ 2750 NOK 17628 kr 18396 $ 1,785 Bunk bed cabin for twin use $ 1786 £ 1024 $ 1,689 € 1145 ₪ 4366 NZ$ 1956 NOK 12536 kr 13083 $ 1,269 Standard Class
Saturday departures
Standard season: April 8, 2023
High season: April 15, 22, & 29, 2023Standard High Twin $ 2145 £ 1230 $ 2,028 € 1375 ₪ 5243 NZ$ 2348 NOK 15055 kr 15711 $ 1,524 $ 2324 £ 1333 $ 2,197 € 1490 ₪ 5682 NZ$ 2545 NOK 16314 kr 17025 $ 1,652 Twin /single-use $ 2488 £ 1427 $ 2,352 € 1595 ₪ 6082 NZ$ 2724 NOK 17463 kr 18224 $ 1,768 $ 2691 £ 1543 $ 2,544 € 1725 ₪ 6578 NZ$ 2946 NOK 18887 kr 19710 $ 1,912 Triple $ 1997 £ 1145 $ 1,888 € 1280 ₪ 4881 NZ$ 2186 NOK 14014 kr 14625 $ 1,419 $ 2168 £ 1243 $ 2,050 € 1390 ₪ 5300 NZ$ 2374 NOK 15219 kr 15882 $ 1,541 * Prices valid from July 4, 2023
Extra Options
2023
Electric bicycle rental (Sailing Home, Liza Marleen, Wending) $ 148 £ 85 $ 140 € 95 ₪ 362 NZ$ 162 NOK 1040 kr 1085 $ 105 Electric bicycle rental( Feniks) $ 125 £ 72 $ 118 € 80 ₪ 305 NZ$ 137 NOK 876 kr 914 $ 89 Gluten-free/lactose-free/vegan diet (advanced reservation required) $ 117 £ 67 $ 111 € 75 ₪ 286 NZ$ 128 NOK 821 kr 857 $ 83
Aboard Sailing Home, Liza Marleen, and Wending
Children's discounts are offered:
0 - 2 years- free of charge
3 - 11: 30% of base tour priceAs well as Tag-along bike with helmet (ages 5 -9), bike seat with helmet (ages 11 mos. - 5 years), bike trailer, and 21 speed child's bike with helmet (ages 9+)
Please note that the tour prices are based on the current fuel price. Should the fuel price increase more than 5% (reference date July 4, 2022), a supplement will be required (even for confirmed reservations).
Please Note
- Rates are 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
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.Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Cycletours and Feniks.
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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