South Holland Tour
Netherlands Bike + Barge Tours
Bike and boat through some of Holland’s best cities and countryside
This bike tour in Southern Holland takes you along beautiful paths through some of Holland's most scenic countryside and each day's destination seems better than the one before. Starting and ending in Amsterdam, this tour also visits the prestigious towns of Haarlem, Leiden, Scheveningen, The Hague, Delft, and Rotterdam. Not only will you get the chance to visit these famous Dutch cities, but you will also uncover another side of Holland as you cycle through the countryside, the country’s “Green Heart”. It is here that you will see a wonderful Dutch landscape of water, meadows, grazing cows, windmills and picturesque farms.
Highlights:
- Cities of Haarlem, Leiden, and Delft
- The Hague
- Windmills of Kinderdijk
- Gouda, city of cheese
- Dunes and beaches
- International port of Rotterdam
Be sure to check out all of our Bike and Boat tours in Holland.
2020 Dates & Pricing
Deluxe Class Boats
Tour dates
Saturday - Saturday
Early season: March 28, April 4, and October 10, 2020
Season A: April 11, 2020
Season B: April 18 and October 3, 2020
Season C: April 25 and September 26, 2020
Season D: May 2*, May 9, and September 19, 2020
Season E: May 16, May 23*, May 30, and September 12*, 2020
Season F: All other departure dates, weekly from June 6 up to and incl. September 5, 2020*Guided dates, only on De Amsterdam: May 2, May 23, June 13, August 29, and September 12, 2020
Cabin details and pictures can be found here: De Amsterdam Boat Page
Cabin Pricing
Lower Deck
Twin CabinUpper Deck
Twin CabinUpper Deck
SuiteEarly Season $ 1232 £ 651 $ 1,107 € 749 $ 1281 kr 8065 $ 847 $ 1479 £ 781 $ 1,329 € 899 $ 1537 kr 9680 $ 1,017 $ 1808 £ 955 $ 1,625 € 1099 $ 1879 kr 11833 $ 1,243 Season A $ 1397 £ 737 $ 1,255 € 849 $ 1452 kr 9141 $ 960 $ 1643 £ 868 $ 1,477 € 999 $ 1708 kr 10756 $ 1,130 $ 1972 £ 1041 $ 1,772 € 1199 $ 2050 kr 12910 $ 1,356 Season B $ 1479 £ 781 $ 1,329 € 899 $ 1537 kr 9680 $ 1,017 $ 1726 £ 911 $ 1,551 € 1049 $ 1794 kr 11295 $ 1,187 $ 2055 £ 1085 $ 1,846 € 1249 $ 2136 kr 13448 $ 1,413 Season C $ 1561 £ 824 $ 1,403 € 949 $ 1623 kr 10218 $ 1,074 $ 1808 £ 955 $ 1,625 € 1099 $ 1879 kr 11833 $ 1,243 $ 2137 £ 1128 $ 1,920 € 1299 $ 2221 kr 13986 $ 1,470 Season D $ 1643 £ 868 $ 1,477 € 999 $ 1708 kr 10756 $ 1,130 $ 1890 £ 998 $ 1,699 € 1149 $ 1965 kr 12371 $ 1,300 $ 2219 £ 1172 $ 1,994 € 1349 $ 2307 kr 14525 $ 1,526 Season E $ 1709 £ 903 $ 1,536 € 1039 $ 1777 kr 11187 $ 1,175 $ 1956 £ 1033 $ 1,758 € 1189 $ 2033 kr 12802 $ 1,345 $ 2285 £ 1207 $ 2,053 € 1389 $ 2375 kr 14955 $ 1,571 Season F $ 1775 £ 937 $ 1,595 € 1079 $ 1845 kr 11618 $ 1,221 $ 2022 £ 1068 $ 1,817 € 1229 $ 2102 kr 13233 $ 1,390 $ 2351 £ 1241 $ 2,112 € 1429 $ 2444 kr 15386 $ 1,617 Single Use Supplement for twin cabin on upper or lower deck: $ 576 £ 304 $ 517 € 350 $ 599 kr 3768 $ 396
Extra Options
Electric Bike (limited number): $ 165 £ 87 $ 148 € 100 $ 171 kr 1077 $ 113 Fully Guided Option: $ 206 £ 109 $ 185 € 125 $ 214 kr 1346 $ 141 1-hour Canal Cruise through Amsterdam, discounted price: $ 21 £ 11 $ 19 € 13 $ 22 kr 140 $ 15 Helmets, advanced reservation required: $ 16 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 $ 17 kr 108 $ 11 Gluten-free or dairy-free meals, payable on board: $ 82 £ 43 $ 74 € 50 $ 86 kr 538 $ 57
Tour dates
Saturday - Saturday
Early season: March 28, April 4, and October 10, 2020
Season A: April 11, 2020
Season B: October 3, 2020
Season C: April 25, 2020
Season D: May 2, 2020
Season E: September 12, 2020
Season F: June 6, June 20, and July 4, 2020Cabin details and pictures can be found here: De Nassau Boat Page
Cabin Pricing
Lower Deck
Twin CabinLower Deck
Superior TwinUpper Deck
Twin CabinEarly Season $ 1150 £ 607 $ 1,033 € 699 $ 1195 kr 7526 $ 791 $ 1232 £ 651 $ 1,107 € 749 $ 1281 kr 8065 $ 847 $ 1232 £ 651 $ 1,107 € 749 $ 1281 kr 8065 $ 847 Season A $ 1232 £ 651 $ 1,107 € 749 $ 1281 kr 8065 $ 847 $ 1397 £ 737 $ 1,255 € 849 $ 1452 kr 9141 $ 960 $ 1397 £ 737 $ 1,255 € 849 $ 1452 kr 9141 $ 960 Season B $ 1314 £ 694 $ 1,181 € 799 $ 1366 kr 8603 $ 904 $ 1479 £ 781 $ 1,329 € 899 $ 1537 kr 9680 $ 1,017 $ 1479 £ 781 $ 1,329 € 899 $ 1537 kr 9680 $ 1,017 Season C $ 1397 £ 737 $ 1,255 € 849 $ 1452 kr 9141 $ 960 $ 1561 £ 824 $ 1,403 € 949 $ 1623 kr 10218 $ 1,074 $ 1561 £ 824 $ 1,403 € 949 $ 1623 kr 10218 $ 1,074 Season D $ 1479 £ 781 $ 1,329 € 899 $ 1537 kr 9680 $ 1,017 $ 1643 £ 868 $ 1,477 € 999 $ 1708 kr 10756 $ 1,130 $ 1643 £ 868 $ 1,477 € 999 $ 1708 kr 10756 $ 1,130 Season E $ 1545 £ 816 $ 1,388 € 939 $ 1606 kr 10110 $ 1,062 $ 1709 £ 903 $ 1,536 € 1039 $ 1777 kr 11187 $ 1,175 $ 1709 £ 903 $ 1,536 € 1039 $ 1777 kr 11187 $ 1,175 Season F $ 1610 £ 850 $ 1,447 € 979 $ 1674 kr 10541 $ 1,108 $ 1775 £ 937 $ 1,595 € 1079 $ 1845 kr 11618 $ 1,221 $ 1775 £ 937 $ 1,595 € 1079 $ 1845 kr 11618 $ 1,221 Single Use Supplement for twin cabin on upper or lower deck: $ 576 £ 304 $ 517 € 350 $ 599 kr 3768 $ 396
Triple Cabin Discount per person (1 lower deck/4 upper deck): $ 33 £ 17 $ 30 € 20 $ 34 kr 215 $ 23
Extra Options
Electric Bike (limited number): $ 165 £ 87 $ 148 € 100 $ 171 kr 1077 $ 113 Fully Guided Option: $ 206 £ 109 $ 185 € 125 $ 214 kr 1346 $ 141 1-hour Canal Cruise through Amsterdam, discounted price: $ 21 £ 11 $ 19 € 13 $ 22 kr 140 $ 15 Helmets, advanced reservation required: $ 16 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 $ 17 kr 108 $ 11 Gluten-free or dairy-free meals, payable on board: $ 82 £ 43 $ 74 € 50 $ 86 kr 538 $ 57
Comfort Class Boats
Tour dates
Saturday - Saturday
Low season: July 4, July 18, August 1, 2020
Standard season: May 30, and August 15, 2020
High season: September 5, 2020Cabin details and pictures can be found here: Liza Marleen Boat Page
Cabin Pricing
Low Standard High Twin cabin $ 1828 £ 965 $ 1,643 € 1112 $ 1901 kr 11968 $ 1,257 $ 2036 £ 1075 $ 1,829 € 1238 $ 2116 kr 13324 $ 1,400 $ 2217 £ 1170 $ 1,992 € 1348 $ 2304 kr 14509 $ 1,524 Twin cabin/single-use $ 2587 £ 1366 $ 2,325 € 1573 $ 2689 kr 16931 $ 1,779 $ 2858 £ 1509 $ 2,568 € 1738 $ 2971 kr 18708 $ 1,966 $ 3121 £ 1648 $ 2,805 € 1898 $ 3245 kr 20431 $ 2,147 Superior cabin (15 m²) for twin use $ 2001 £ 1057 $ 1,798 € 1217 $ 2080 kr 13098 $ 1,376 $ 2208 £ 1166 $ 1,985 € 1343 $ 2296 kr 14455 $ 1,519 $ 2389 £ 1262 $ 2,147 € 1453 $ 2484 kr 15639 $ 1,643 Superior cabin (15 m²) for triple use $ 1664 £ 879 $ 1,495 € 1012 $ 1730 kr 10891 $ 1,144 $ 1847 £ 975 $ 1,659 € 1123 $ 1920 kr 12086 $ 1,270 $ 2011 £ 1062 $ 1,807 € 1223 $ 2091 kr 13163 $ 1,383 Low season: July 4, July 18, August 1, 2020
Standard season: May 30, August 15, and August, 29, 2020
High season: September 5, 2020Extra Options
Electric Bike: $ 136 £ 72 $ 122 € 83 $ 141 kr 888 $ 93 Bike maps for self-guided option (advanced reservation and payment required): $ 35 £ 18 $ 31 € 21 $ 36 kr 226 $ 24 Gluten-free/Celiac/Vegan diet: $ 82 £ 43 $ 74 € 50 $ 86 kr 538 $ 57 Child bike, tag-along, bike trailer, and child seat available on request
Tour dates
Saturday - Saturday
May 9, 2020Cabin details and pictures can be found here: Zwaan Boat Page
Cabin Pricing
Luxury cabin $ 2555 £ 1349 $ 2,296 € 1553 $ 2656 kr 16721 $ 1,757 Twin cabin $ 2292 £ 1210 $ 2,059 € 1393 $ 2382 kr 14999 $ 1,576 Triple cabin $ 2226 £ 1175 $ 2,000 € 1353 $ 2314 kr 14568 $ 1,531 Small double cabin/front of boat $ 1994 £ 1053 $ 1,792 € 1212 $ 2073 kr 13050 $ 1,371 Smaller front cabin for single-use $ 2892 £ 1527 $ 2,599 € 1758 $ 3006 kr 18929 $ 1,989 Extra Options
Electric Bike: $ 136 £ 72 $ 122 € 83 $ 141 kr 888 $ 93 Bike maps for self-guided option (advanced reservation and payment required): $ 35 £ 18 $ 31 € 21 $ 36 kr 226 $ 24 Gluten-free/Celiac/Vegan diet: $ 82 £ 43 $ 74 € 50 $ 86 kr 538 $ 57 Child bike, tag-along, bike trailer, and child seat available on request
Standard Class Boats
Tour dates
Saturday - Saturday
Low season: June 27, July 11, July 25, and August 8, 2020
Standard season: May 16, June 13, August 22, August 29, and September 26, 2020
High season: September 19, 2020Cabin details and pictures can be found here: Wending Boat Page
Cabin Pricing
Low Standard High Twin cabin $ 1731 £ 914 $ 1,556 € 1053 $ 1800 kr 11332 $ 1,191 $ 1904 £ 1005 $ 1,711 € 1158 $ 1979 kr 12463 $ 1,309 $ 2077 £ 1097 $ 1,866 € 1263 $ 2159 kr 13593 $ 1,428 Twin cabin/single-use $ 1993 £ 1052 $ 1,791 € 1212 $ 2072 kr 13044 $ 1,371 $ 2217 £ 1170 $ 1,992 € 1348 $ 2304 kr 14509 $ 1,524 $ 2414 £ 1275 $ 2,169 € 1468 $ 2510 kr 15801 $ 1,660 Triple cabin $ 1624 £ 858 $ 1,460 € 988 $ 1689 kr 10632 $ 1,117 $ 1789 £ 945 $ 1,608 € 1088 $ 1860 kr 11709 $ 1,230 $ 1953 £ 1031 $ 1,755 € 1188 $ 2031 kr 12786 $ 1,343
Extra Options
Electric Bike: $ 136 £ 72 $ 122 € 83 $ 141 kr 888 $ 93 Bike maps for self-guided option (advanced reservation and payment required): $ 35 £ 18 $ 31 € 21 $ 36 kr 226 $ 24 Gluten-free/Celiac/Vegan diet: $ 82 £ 43 $ 74 € 50 $ 86 kr 538 $ 57 Child bike, tag-along, bike trailer, and child seat available on request
Tour dates
Saturday - Saturday
July 25, 2020Cabin details and pictures can be found here: Anna Antal Boat Page
Cabin Pricing
Twin cabin $ 1731 £ 914 $ 1,556 € 1053 $ 1800 kr 11332 $ 1,191 Bunk bed cabin $ 1485 £ 784 $ 1,334 € 903 $ 1543 kr 9717 $ 1,021 Single cabin $ 1828 £ 965 $ 1,643 € 1112 $ 1901 kr 11968 $ 1,257 Extra Options
Electric Bike: $ 136 £ 72 $ 122 € 83 $ 141 kr 888 $ 93 Bike maps for self-guided option (advanced reservation and payment required): $ 35 £ 18 $ 31 € 21 $ 36 kr 226 $ 24 Gluten-free/Celiac/Vegan diet: $ 82 £ 43 $ 74 € 50 $ 86 kr 538 $ 57 Child bike, tag-along, bike trailer, and child seat available on request
extra options
Please see extra options under each boat's pricing above.
please note
*On the Liza Marleen, Wending, and Zwaan pricing is based on fuel costs as of February 2019. If the fuel cost increase 5%, additional fees may apply (even for reservations already booked).
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Information to read before you book.
Travel
Fly to Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport
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. We will inform you of the exact docking location of your barge with your final travel information. Some boats moor within walking distance and others will require a short taxi ride. If you prefer to travel by taxi from the airport to the barge, this takes about 30 minutes and costs about € 45.
Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival. The Netherlands has a temperate maritime climate influenced by the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean and Cologne, as well, has a mild continental climate. A good website to use to research regional weather including average high/low temperatures, average rainfall, and more is weatherbase.com. Don’t forget your rain gear! Average high/low temp in °F for the region is approximately April, 53/40°, May, 61/46°, June, 66/52°, July, 69/55°, August, 70/55°, September, 64/51°, and October, 57/46°.
Recommended
Amsterdam City Card
Museum CardRemarks
Please be aware that you will be part of an international group of people, but your tour guide and crew members will always speak English. The fully guided package is available on the De Amsterdam. Maximum group size is 20 people. See dates and pricing.
Documents
Before you travel, please check your country's passport and visa requirements and the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc.
*Important note: Beginning July 1, 2021, additional documentation from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) 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.
Excursions available on the De Amsterdam and De Nassau
Optional visits (several with discount or free of charge):
- Delftware factory
- Visitors center windmills Kinderdijk
- St. Jan’s church Gouda
- Cheese farm Oudewater
- Silversmith Schoonhoven
- City hall Zaandam and more
Canal cruise (one hour) Amsterdam: discounted price, € 12,50 (2019), €13 (2020). Please book your ticket in advance and you can collect it on board of your ship on the first day of the tour.
Tour Dates
2020
All departures run from Saturday to Saturday
De Amsterdam
Early season: March 28, April 4, and October 10, 2020
Season A: April 11, 2020
Season B: April 18 and October 3, 2020
Season C: April 25 and September 26, 2020
Season D: May 2*, May 9, and September 19, 2020
Season E: May 16, May 23*, May 30, and September 12*, 2020
Season F: All other departure dates, weekly from June 6 up to and incl. September 5, 2020
*Guided dates, only on De Amsterdam: May 2, May 23, June 13, August 29, and September 12, 2020
Early season: March 28, April 4, and October 10, 2020
Season A: April 11, 2020
Season B: October 3, 2020
Season C: April 25, 2020
Season D: May 2, 2020
Season E: September 12, 2020
Season F: June 6, June 20, and July 4, 2020
Zwaan
Standard season: May 9, 2020
Liza Marleen
Low season: July 4, July 18, August 1, 2020
Standard season: May 30, August 15, and August 29, 2020
High season: September 5, 2020
Wending
Low season: June 27, July 11, and August 8, 2020
Standard season: May 16, August 22, and September 26, 2020
High season: September 19, 2020
Anna Antal
Low season: July 25, 2020
Skill Level
Easy bike and boat tour with average daily distances of ± 26 miles on flat, bike paths and well-maintained asphalt roads with little traffic. On the De Amsterdam, an onboard tour guide will give extensive descriptions of the day’s cycling route. Guests will bike using provided route descriptions & maps. The guide will also cycle the route but does not actually guide a group. The main role of the tour guide is to provide assistance if needed during the cycling itinerary. On the De Amsterdam, on certain dates, it is possible to purchase a fully guided package. On all other boats, tours are fully guided with an option for self-guided.
Where You’ll Stay
There are several boats of different categories that do this tour, each with its own unique itinerary. Be sure to check out the boat page, what is included, and not included and pricing specific to your tour date.
What’s Included
De Amsterdam and De Nassau
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Complimentary drink on the first evening and tour presentation
- Breakfast buffets, packed lunches, 3-course dinners
- Complimentary coffee and tea on board until 4 pm
- Guide support (please see note below)
- Printed tour information and detailed maps for cycling (one set per cabin)
- Short city tours
- Discounts on entrance fees and excursions as mentioned in the program (Delftware factory, Kinderdijk, St. Jans Church, cheese farm in Oudewater, silversmith Schoonhoven, city hall Zaandam, and others
- Free wifi in the lounge of the ship
- 7-speed unisex hybrid touring bike (Velo de Ville C100 or Gazelle - Chamonix) with hand brakes, gel saddles, frame lock, pannier bag, and repair kit with pump
- Please note: The majority of the dates are not fully guided bike tours but rather supported by a guide who ensures the safety of riders and takes care of mechanical issues. The guide is cycling the route and can be reached by cell phone for quick assistance. Onboard the De Amsterdam, with more than 60 guests, a second tour assistant will be added. There are several dates in which a guide can be added for a supplement. See dates and pricing.
Liza Marleen, Wending, Zwaan, and Anna Antal
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Breakfast buffets, packed lunches, 3-course dinners
- Complimentary coffee and tea on board
- Cycling tour guide
- Printed tour information (one per cabin)
- Minimum of three guided city walks
- Ferry fares
- Free wifi (limited) in the lounge and on deck. Surcharge applies for more than 100 MB
- Route information
- A 24-speed hybrid touring bike equipped with pannier bag, water bottle cage, water bottle, and lock
- Helmet
- GPS tracks on request
What’s Not Included
De Amsterdam and De Nassau
- Ferry fares en routes
- Entrance fees for excursions
- Beverages (incl. alcohol), available on board
- Special diets (fee may apply)
- Helmets (available on request, reserve at time of booking)
- Bicycle Protection
- Travel Insurance
Liza Marleen and Wending
- Museum entrance fees (approximately €15 per tour)
- Electric bike. Available for supplement. See pricing.
- Beverages (incl. alcohol), available on board
- Maps for self guided option. See pricing.
- Bicycle Protection
- Travel Insurance
Day-To-Day Itinerary
All distances are approximate. Itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to weather, last-minute mooring changes, and restructuring of locks or bridges. Each boat has a slightly different itinerary as well as what is included and not included.
Liza Marleen, Wending, Zwaan, and Anna Antal
*Aboard these boats, it is possible to do the tour as self-guided with route descriptions. Please specify at the time of booking if you wish to do this. Maps are available for an additional fee. Ask us for details.
Day 1: Amsterdam, boarding begins at 1 pm and must be completed by 2:00 pm! Sailing to Spaarndam and cycling to Haarlem, 9 mi. (15 km)
Day 2: Haarlem – through the dune area – Leiden, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Leiden – Delft, 35 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Delft
Day 5: Delft – sailing to Rotterdam/ferry to Kinderdijk – cycling to Gouda, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Gouda – Uithoorn, 25 mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Uithoorn – Amsterdam, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: Amsterdam
Day 1: Amsterdam, boarding, complete by 2:00 pm; Sailing to Spaarndam and cycling to Haarlem, 9 mi. (15 km)
After arriving on board the ship, you can put your luggage away in your cabin and then enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is possible to bring your luggage on board at noon but the cabins will not be ready for check-in. Check-in begins at 1 pm. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the guide, skipper and crew, and of course your fellow passengers. The first part of the tour will take you by boat to Spaarndam, known as the village of Hansje Brinker, and from here take an easy bike ride into the beautiful city of Haarlem. You must be very prompt in boarding as the boat will depart the mooring shortly after 2 pm.
Back on board, the program for the next day and the rest of the week will be explained to you as you enjoy a lovely dinner.
Day 2: Haarlem – through the dune area – Leiden, 25 mi. (40 km)
Today starts with a short tour by bicycle to the center of Haarlem, where you can see some of the city's typical almshouses. Upon departure from Haarlem, you may cycle to the 'Cruquiusgemaal' (Cruquius Pumping Station), one of the three steam-powered pumping stations that drained the Haarlemmer Lake between 1849 and 1852. Now a museum, it gives you an excellent idea of the Dutch 'battle against the water'. During the summer months, cycle through the dunes to the beach.
Day 3: Leiden – Delft, 25 mi. (40 km)
You leave the city and cycle South along the Vliet canal. In Voorschoten you turn westwards towards the coastline. At 'Wassenaarse Slag' you can take a break on the beach.
The Wassenaarse Slag is an entrance to the beach near the Dutch town of Wassenaar. The coastline is over 8 km long.
The route to Delft takes you along the water once again. The old center is a well-preserved medieval city with canals, a magnificent town hall, and a royal tomb in the Nieuwe Kerk. It is well worth a visit.
Day 4: Delft
Today you can enjoy the day at your leisure. You can stay in Delft and discover the old center, visit The Hague by public transport, or go to Rotterdam by bike.
Delft
Delft is a beautiful town to wander through and learn more about the famous Dutch painter, Vermeer at the Vermeer Center or visit the Nieuwe Kerk. When the weather is clear the view from the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) is spectacular. A large part of the Southern Tour can be seen from here!
The Hague
The city of The Hague has wide avenues, parks, and stately mansions. Possible visits are Peace Palace (housing the International Court of Justice), the 'Binnenhof' with the 13th-century 'Ridderzaal' (Knights' Hall), seat of the Dutch Government and Parliament. Every third Tuesday of September the Queen's Speech is delivered in the Ridderzaal. The Mauritshuis, a former palace, is now a famous museum with paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Rubens. It also houses 'Panorama Mesdag', the largest panoramic, circular painting in the world, depicting 19th-century Scheveningen. Of the many royal palaces in The Hague, only a few are still operational. You may see the Noordeinde Palace and the Huis ten Bosch Palace.
Rotterdam
This bustling city has many architectural highlights, some interesting museums, and is the main port of Holland. Skyscrapers stand in the scaffolds and rise steadily towards the stars. On the Maas River, Erasmus Bridge is the gateway to the Kop van Zuid district. The modern architecture makes up what is known as ‘Manhattan on the Maas’. Here you can find the New Orleans and the Maastoren, the highest residential tower and the highest office building in the Netherlands. With so much of the city changing on a daily basis, it is internationally known as a city of architecture. The city also offers historical significance and some interesting museums such as the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, where you can find Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Dali, and Dutch Design.
Day 5: Delft – sailing to Rotterdam/ferry to Kinderdijk – cycling to Gouda, 32 mi. (40 km)
The first part of today's route will be sailing through the center of Rotterdam, thus giving you the best view of the modern architecture of this city. Your cycling day starts in Kinderdijk and will take you through the Alblasserwaard,
situated in between rivers and showcasing a variety of scenery, featuring water and meadows. The many inundations and the slowly sinking surface made water management essential in this fenland. Canals and ditches were dug and windmills were constructed; of the latter, nineteen remain today. After a visit to one of the mills, you will continue by bike, ending in Gouda. The city of ‘stroopwafels’ (treacle-waffle) and pottery, but also stained-glass windows, a fairy-like town hall, and atmospheric canals. Gouda is a real old Dutch town with a virtually intact town center
Day 6: Gouda – Oude Wetering*, 28 mi. (45 km)
From Gouda you will continue your tour over country roads, banks and channels through the Green Heart and polders to Oude Wetering, a sleepy village between the lakes of Braasemmermeer and Westeinderplannen. On the way you pass the wetlands of Reeuwijkse Plassen north of Gouda and will ride through typical Dutch countryside with many waterways, green pastures and of course some windmills.
*Please be aware that sometimes the boat will need to dock in Uithoorn due to docking availability. In this case, the itinerary will change slightly.
Day 7: Oude Wetering – Amsterdam, 28 mi. (45 km)
Today you will first ride to the village of Uithoorn The name De Uithoorn (or also De Uythoorn) was used at the end of the Middle Ages for the location of the lower courts of the deanery of Saint John. The village was formed around its courthouse. People depended on agriculture and animal husbandry. Agriculture became increasingly more difficult due to the steady soil subsidence. From circa 1600 on, peat extraction became important and resulted in the formation of large ponds, which in turn would be made into polders later on. Circa 1885, several fortifications were built around Oude Wetering and Uithoorn as part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a 135 km long ring of fortifications around Amsterdam. From Uithoorn you start your ride into Amsterdam. Amsterdam's name derives from Amstelredamme, indicative of the city's origin as a dam of the river Amstel.
Enter Amsterdam following the Amstel River. The extensive network of bicycle paths ensures a relatively easy way back into the city, showing you some remarkable sites in the center. Then it is time to say goodbye to your bike. Before the farewell dinner you may want to go for a walk in town. At night there you may want to take a canal trip or go on a city walk through the centre of the city.
Day 8: Departure from Amsterdam
End of the trip after breakfast.
Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam
Day 2: Amsterdam – Breukelen | Breukelen – Utrecht, 16 or 25 mi. (25 or 40 km) | Afternoon: Utrecht – Rotterdam
Day 3: Rotterdam – Schiedam – Delft – Rotterdam, 17 or 31 mi. (28 or 50 km)
Day 4: Rotterdam – Alblasserdam with the "waterbus" | Kinderdijk – (Gouda) – Schoonhoven, 19 or 36 mi. (30 or 58 km)
Day 5: Schoonhoven - Oudewater - Utrecht, 28 mi. (45 km)| Afternoon: Utrecht - Haarlem
Day 6: Haarlem– North Sea coast – Haarlem, 25 or 31 mi. (40 or 50 km) | Evening: Haarlem– Zaandam
Day 7: Zaandam - Amsterdam, 19 or 28 mi. (30 or 45 km)
Day 8: Departure
On days that two distances are provided, you can choose between the longer and shorter route.
Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam
Embarkation and check-in begin at 2 PM and completed by 5 PM. It is possible for you to bring your luggage on board at 9:30 however, cabins will not be ready for check-in at this time. While you are in Amsterdam make sure you take the opportunity to do some shopping, visit a museum, or enjoy a canal tour (reduced price tickets available on board, until 10 PM). A canal tour is a unique way to see the capital of Holland from a different perspective. Your first night on board will be spent in Amsterdam, so you will have plenty of time to explore the city.
Day 2: During breakfast: Amsterdam - Breukelen | Breukelen - Utrecht, 17 or 31 mi. (25 or 40 km) | Afternoon: Utrecht - Rotterdam
During breakfast, the boat will cruise to Breukelen. Following the distribution of bicycles, your first day of cycling is along the beautiful and winding river Vecht with its enchanting background of imposing castles, country houses, and quaint tearooms. There is simply no better way to start a bike tour. You will follow the Vecht into the center of Utrecht where you will have the opportunity to explore the Dom Cathedral tower and the beautiful center of the old village. In the afternoon you will continue by ship from Utrecht to Rotterdam, your destination for the day. In the evening enjoy a short city walking tour.
Day 3: Rotterdam – Schiedam – Delft – Rotterdam, 17 or 31 mi. (28 or 50 km)
You will cycle today via the "jenever" city of Schiedam (jenever is a traditional Dutch gin) and through the Delfland area to Delft which is famous, of course, for its blue earthenware. Visit the beautiful city center with its small canals, picturesque streets, bridges, and alleys. For many guests, a visit to the Delftware factories of “Royal Delft” is one of the highlights of the tour. Afterward, you will cycle back to Rotterdam. In the evening, enjoy a short walk around the city of Rotterdam.
Day 4: Rotterdam – Alblasserdam with the "waterbus" | Kinderdijk – (Gouda) – Schoonhoven, 19 or 36 mi. (30 or 58 km)
Today you can cycle the first part or the “waterbus” will take you and your bicycle to Alblasserdam. After just a few minutes of cycling, you will reach Kinderdijk (UNESCO cultural heritage, with its impressive row of 19 large windmills). You then have the choice between a longer bike tour with a visit to the beautiful cheese city of Gouda and a short bike tour through the Alblasserwaard. Both tours end in the “silver city” of Schoonhoven, where you can visit a silversmith.
Day 5: Schoonhoven - Oudewater - Utrecht, 28 mi. (45 km)| Afternoon: Utrecht - Haarlem
Today you will cycle from Schoonhoven through the beautiful “Green Heart” of Holland via Oudewater (visit the Witches Weigh House) to Utrecht. Near Oudewater you can visit a traditional cheese farm where you can also buy delicious farm-made Gouda cheese. In the late afternoon, the barge will cruise from Utrecht to Haarlem, your destination for the night.
Day 6: Haarlem– North Sea coast – Haarlem, 25 or 31 mi. (40 or 50 km) | Evening: Haarlem– Zaandam
Today you can choose from 2 bike tours. Both tours take you through the beautiful Kennemer dunes, a national park where you can spot several bird species, Scottish Highland cows and Shetland ponies. After a visit to the seaside resorts Bloemendaal and Zandvoort, you cycle through the forests and the center of Haarlem back to the ship. The longer cycling tour leads to the largest steam engine of the world, the Cruquius pumping station and back to Haarlem. During dinner, your ship will cruise to Zaandam.
*Departure dates between April 6 and May 11: On Thursday you have the opportunity to visit the world famous Tulip exhibition park “Keukenhof” in Lisse (by bicycle or public transport; transfers/tickets/entrance fee not included).
Day 7: Zaandam - Amsterdam, 19 or 28 mi. (30 or 45 km)
From Zaandam, your final day of cycling will take you to the open-air museum ‘Zaanse Schans’ with its beautiful windmills, traditional wooden houses, an old Dutch village, a cheese farm, and a traditional wooden clog maker. After exploring the museum continue to cycle through the recreational area of Twiske to Amsterdam. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy everything Amsterdam has to offer. If you didn’t go for a canal tour on the first day, you will have the opportunity to do so today.
Day 8: Disembarkation in Amsterdam
Disembarkation after breakfast: End of your trip.
Parts in italics above will be covered by the ship.
Day 1: Amsterdam to Haarlem
Day 2: Haarlem - North Sea Coast - Haarlem, 25 or 31 mi. (40 or 50 km) | Haarlem - Zaandam
Day 3: Zaandam - Amsterdam, 19 or 28 mi. (30 or 45 km)
Day 4: Amsterdam - Breukelen | Breukelen - Utrecht | Utrecht - Rotterdam, 16 or 25 mi. (25 or 40 km)
Day 5: Rotterdam - Schiedam - Delft - Rotterdam 17 or 31 mi. (28 or 50 km)
Day 6: Rotterdam - Alblasserdam with the 'waterbus' | Kinderdijk (Gouda) - Schoonhoven, 19 or 36 mi. (30 or 58 km)
Day 7: Schoonhoven - Oudewater - Utrecht | Utrecht - Amsterdam, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 8: Amsterdam
On days that two distances are provided, you can choose between the longer and shorter route.
Day 1: Amsterdam to Haarlem
Embarkation and check-in from 2 p.m and must be completed by 5 pm in Amsterdam. In late afternoon the ship will sail to Haarlem. You will be invited for a welcome drink and first briefing on board.
Day 2: Haarlem - North Sea Coast - Haarlem, 25 or 31 mi. (40 or 50 km) | Haarlem - Zaandam
Today you can choose from 2 cycling tours. Both tours take you through the beautiful Kennemer dunes, a national park where you can spot several bird species, Scottish Highland cows and Shetland ponies. After a visit to the seaside resorts Bloemendaal and Zandvoort, you cycle through the forests and the center of Haarlem back to the ship. The longer cycling tour leads to the largest steam engine of the world, the Cruquius pumping station and back to Haarlem. During dinner, your ship will cruise to Zaandam.
Day 3: Zaandam - Amsterdam, 19 or 28 mi. (30 or 45 km)
From Zaandam, your day of cycling will take you to the open air museum the Zaanse Schans (free entry), with its beautiful windmills, an Old Dutch village with traditional wooden houses, a cheese farm, and a traditional wooden clog maker. After exploring the museum you cycle through the recreational area “Twiske” back to Amsterdam. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy everything Amsterdam has to offer. Take the opportunity to go shopping, to explore downtown Amsterdam, to make a canal cruise or to visit a museum.
Day 4: Amsterdam - Breukelen | Breukelen - Utrecht | Utrecht - Rotterdam, 16 or 25 mi. (25 or 40 km)
Your cycling tour starts in Breukelen. Pedal along the beautiful and winding river Vecht with its enchanting background of imposing castles, country houses, and quaint tearooms. The route follows the Vecht into the center of Utrecht where you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful historical city center: the Dom Cathedral with its tower, the canals, special shops, and nice cafes. In the afternoon you will continue by ship from Utrecht to Rotterdam.
Day 5: Rotterdam - Schiedam - Delft - Rotterdam 17 or 31 mi. (28 or 50 km)
Today you will cycle via the “jenever city” of Schiedam and through the Delfland area to Delft, famous, of course, for its blue pottery. Visit the beautiful city center with its small canals, picturesque streets, bridges, and alleys. For many of our guests, a visit to the Delftware factory is one of the highlights of their tour. Afterward, you will cycle back to Rotterdam, where you can enjoy a short city walk in the evening.
Day 6: Rotterdam - Alblasserdam with the 'waterbus' | Kinderdijk (Gouda) - Schoonhoven, 19 or 36 mi. (30 or 58 km)
Today you can cycle the first part or take the “waterbus” will take you and your bicycle to Alblasserdam. After just a few minutes of cycling, you will reach Kinderdijk (UNESCO cultural heritage, with its impressive row of 19 large windmills). You then have the choice between a longer cycling tour with a visit to the beautiful cheese city of Gouda and a short cycling tour through the Alblasserwaard. Both tours end in the “silver city” of Schoonhoven, where you can visit a silversmith.
Day 7: Schoonhoven - Oudewater - Utrecht | Utrecht - Amsterdam, 28 mi. (45 km)
Today you will cycle from Schoonhoven through the beautiful “Green Heart” of Holland along small villages and quiet roads to Utrecht. On your way, you can visit a traditional cheese farm and in Oudewater you can visit the Witches Weighhouse. In the late afternoon, the ship will sail from Utrecht to Amsterdam.
Day 8: Amsterdam
Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.
Parts in italics above will be covered by the ship.
Be sure to check out all of our featured bike and boat tours, or our full list of bicycle tours.
Email or Call 800-951-4384 +1 570-965-2064
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Pricing Information
Travel Details
This tour is run by Cycletours and Boat Bike Tours.
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.
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South Holland Tour Boats + Barges
De Amsterdam Netherlands Deluxe Class Boat The De Amsterdam, the former Lale Andersen, was built in 1991 but recently refurbished in 2017 and boasts both style and comfort. All 56 cabins on board are comfortably furnished and equipped with en-suite shower facilities, satellite TV, a safe, hairdryers, in-house telephone, and individually controlled air conditioning.
De Nassau Netherlands Deluxe Class Boat Deluxe class boats are very nicely furnished 5-star ships featuring large cabins with low beds, private bathrooms, a large dining area, separate saloon, and more.
Liza Marleen Comfort Class Boat The Liza Marleen is a luxury motor passenger barge that was completely refurbished in 1998. This robust barge is ideally suited for trips on the wider waterways. It has a beautiful salon area and spacious deck.
Wending Netherlands Standard Class Boat The Wending is a former freight barge that was converted into a luxury passenger motor barge in the early nineties and completely redecorated in 2002. The barge has a spacious salon equipped with a television and music installation. It is a great place to relax after a strenuous day of cycling.
Zwaan Belgium, Netherlands Comfort Class Boat Once a cargo boat, the Zwaan (Swan) was completely renovated and converted into a comfortable passenger barge. On board you will find seven comfortable cabins allowing a total capacity of 16 passengers.
see also 1 to 7 of 7
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Tulip Tour - 4 Day Netherlands On the Comfort Class boats: Flora: April 6, April … When the sun rises during Spring in the Netherlands, millions of eager bulbs also rise for the occasion. Acres upon endless acres of the most brilliantly …
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North Holland Tour Netherlands 2020 Deluxe Class Boat De Holland: Early … During this bike and boat tour in Northern Holland, beginning and ending in Amsterdam, you will discover the best of what the beautiful provinces of North …
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| Type | Both |
| Skill | Easy |
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| From | €699 |
Holland in a Nutshell - a Tulip Tour Netherlands Daily from April 1 to September 30, 2019 This tour will show you everything Holland is famous for - in just one week. You will see wonderful windmills in the west and will smell the surprising scent …
| Tour | Bike |
|---|---|
| Type | Self Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €1036 |
Dutch Highlights Tulip Tour Netherlands Daily from April 1 to September 30, 2019 This bike tour in the Netherlands also focuses on the country’s world-famous tulip fields, which display all the colors of the rainbow. Cycling Holland …
| Tour | Bike |
|---|---|
| Type | Self Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
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| From | €822 |
Tulip Tour - Bruges to Amsterdam - 8 day Netherlands, Belgium 2020 Merlijn: May 2 and May 16, 2020 This cycling vacation takes you through the Belgian pearls of Antwerp, Ghent and on top of that, Bruges! In April and May, all of Holland is blooming. …
| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Both |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €1525 |
Around the IJsselmeer Netherlands 2020 Daily arrival May through September 30, 2020 … This bike tour in Holland begins and ends in Kampen and is a circular route that leads around the IJssel-Lake, called the Golden Circle by the Dutch. Of …
| Tour | Bike |
|---|---|
| Type | Self Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €1215 |
Tour Reviews
Judith R. 1 month ago Verified Reviewer
Very nice boat. We had a mildew smell problem with our room, and the boat crew acknowledged it and when they were unable to fix the problem they upgraded us to a nicer room. The crew was terrific, and the boat was very comfortable.
Boat: De Amsterdam
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Gilberto M. 1 month ago Verified Reviewer
Unforgetable trip becouse this country is amazing! The boat crew and bike guide were also very nice! Thank you!
Boat: Liza Marleen
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Pamela R. 1 month ago Verified Reviewer
Sailing on the barge through Rotterdam harbour. This bike and barge tour was amazing. The barge was so comfortable,the crew were wonderful,food was absolutely first class.Our guide did a fabulous job,and was so nice.We would urge anyone thinking about travelling in Holland to consider doing a bike and barge tour with this company.We are in the upper age group,and had no trouble keeping up.
Boat: Sailing Home
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Tracy v. 2 months ago Verified Reviewer
This was a retirement celebration for my husband. We were a total of 8 family members. The Liza Marleen was a great boat- food was marvelous and our tour guide superb. Out 16 mo old grandson was accommodated for and I must say our fellow passengers were the kindest bunch we could have hoped for. It’s hard traveling with babies-but we could not imagine the vacation without him
Boat: Liza Marleen
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Diane H. 3 months ago Verified Reviewer
Boat: De Amsterdam
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Jehiel from Tripsite 3 months ago Staff
Hi Diane,
I am sorry to hear that you were disappointed in the type of bike offered on this tour. We make it very clear that the bikes used on De Amsterdam are "7-speed unisex hybrid touring bike (Velo de Ville C100 or Gazelle - Chamonix)". We also include pictures of the bikes in your pre-trip travel information. It is unfortunate you missed this information. Regardless, I, glad you enjoyed seeing the scenery along the way!
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Abraham V. 4 months ago Verified Reviewer
An amazing physical experience with 68 fellow bikers from Germany and the US. Dutch hospitality warmly visible on multiple beautiful biking paths. Well organized tour. Tour leader Magreet Klijn deserves kudos for leadership role.
Boat: De Nassau
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James G. 4 months ago Verified Reviewer
Most excellent trip! Beautiful country, people, art, and delicious food and drink! I was most surprised by the amazing churches and the cycling culture! Our crew, captain, chef, staff and guide were very helpful and informative. Everything was on time! Even made time for swimming! The route map provided and GPS Tracks were great. I was the only person aware of the GPS tracks on the trip, not sure if others missed this or if their agents didn't provide -Thanks Tripsite. Also, Tripsite Support Agents via LiveChat were very helpful prior to the trip! The only thing I would do different is bring my own bike seat, just used to it I guess...
Boat: Wending
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Jackie L. 6 months ago Verified Reviewer
My wife and I had never done a bike trip before, let alone a boat and bike one. Our South Holland Tour turned out be fabulous that way exceeded expectations. The Dutch landscape was beautiful. Our boat, Sailing Home, was charming and immaculate. A daily highlight was getting to know our fellow shipmates over dinner. And what dinners! They were of varying cuisines lovingly prepared by Eline, our Cordon Bleu-trained chef. Some random thoughts: 1) we brought our own helmets, but it was unnecessary as the boat had helmets of varying sizes, 2) I was anxious about the quality of the bicycles on board which turned out to be needless worry; our 24-speed bikes were in great condition, 3) we had no idea who our fellow travelers might be, and strangers became friends who shared email addresses at trip’s end. We’ve had multiple vacations in Asia and Europe; our South Holland Tour was one of the memorable.
Boat: Sailing Home
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John S. 6 months ago Verified Reviewer
Great trip, beautiful scenery, terrific bike paths, good food, fine accommodations, no complaints! I would highly recommend this itinerary!
Boat: De Amsterdam
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Kathie W. 6 months ago Verified Reviewer
Southern Holland Tulip Tour on the Anna Antal- small group, smaller barge, excellent guide/cook/staff, relaxed setting, comfortable room, clean, clear directions and guidance. Very affordable plus arrival city for us was Amsterdam so accessible from the get go. Perfect weather which is out of anyone’s control but it made the biking extraordinary. Highly recommend this trip.
Boat: Anna Antal
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Cheryl M. 12 months ago Verified Reviewer
Loved the little towns, biking through them. Really nice trails. Sadly rain a couple of days but can't control the weather.
Boat: De Amsterdam
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Wilf C. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
In short, the South Holland boat-bike trip exceeded all my expectations. The routes, scenery and attractions were unbeatable. The boat cabins were small (akin to a university dorm room) but were extremely functional and comfortable. All of the staff did their utmost to satisfy our needs. We experienced windy days, a rainy day and lots of sun - the biking was always good. I'm typically a trip planner, so having all the logistics taken care of by the tour company made this an exceptional cycling vacation. I have already recommended the tour to many of my cycling friends.
Boat: De Amsterdam
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Colleen S. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
I very much enjoyed the beauty of the Netherlands countryside. Amazed by the extent to which the country is so bicycle friendly!
Boat: De Amsterdam
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Daniella from Tripsite 1 year ago Staff
Boat: Liza Marleen
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Ronerto R. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
Exciting bike and barge tour throughout Southern Holland. Definitely proclaiming a successful trip in a beautiful Holland. Safe and crew were very attentive and courteous.
Felt mislead by bike insurance offerer by Tripsite. Later found out bike staff on the barge that if the bike was damaged I would have to pay upfront the amount of damage that I caused to the bike staff and then I can put a claim to the insurance by Tripsite which I would be reimbursed at that time This was a minor snafu and I was very disappointed about the misrepresentation when I was told the insurance would cover everything upon needing the coverage for bike damages.
Boat: De Amsterdam
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Donald B. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
South Holland trip was beyond what we were expecting in terms of scenery, trails and dedication by the Holland tour operators.
Boat: De Amsterdam
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Rachel F. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
It was the trip of a lifetime!!! This was a trip on my bucket list and could not have asked for better!! Thank you!
Boat: De Amsterdam
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Katie H. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
This was a very positive experience. Bikers of all abilities can participate in this tour. The navigation can be a bit tricky. I would definitely recommend using the navigation app in addition to the maps & briefings. However, there was usually a friendly local or another member of the group not too far away to help get you back on the route. The barge was very nice. We had an upgraded room. Plenty of storage space. The guides were excellent. The staff on the barge couldn’t have been nicer. The food was very good. The tour itself exceeded my expectations. Holland is beautiful. The route took us through a variety of geography. Lots of quintessential Dutch experiences, windmills, cheese, delft, etc.. The de Amsterdam is a larger boat than most so you have a large group. Neither here nor there, just a note if you prefer a more intimate group.
Boat: De Holland
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Scott P. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
Our trip through south Holland was a history lesson with activity all in one. We had the day to enjoy countryside, beautiful gardens, canals and the old brick homes and cities along the way. Each morning we had fresh local baking to start our day and pack a lunch. We enjoyed a wonderful three course supper every evening experiencing different cuisines and fresh local produce. Many evenings a history walk was included after supper, finishing the day with some information on the city we were near. The week went by too quickly. ( I would recommend bringing earplugs to help sleep as some of the mooring places were noisier than where we live.) All in all a very wonderful holiday, we would do it again.
Boat: Wending
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Sarah D. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
Boat: De Holland
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Martha B. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
Scenery was excellent, dinners on the boat were superb, and the guide (Peter) was friendly, helpful, and competent. Suggestion--let there be hot water for tea or coffee available any time--not just till 6PM. Also, supply plastic bags for packing lunches--or advise people to bring their own.
Boat: De Amsterdam
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Pam W. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
This trip exceeded all my expectations. It is a wonderful way to see the country. The accommodations were very comfortable. We will be back. And recommend it to our friends.
Boat: De Amsterdam
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Dave C. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
The De Amsterdam is more like a cruise ship than a barge, very nice cabin, very nice dining room.
Boat: De Amsterdam
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Norma B. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
This trip has been on my bucket list for several years. I did it, just turned 70 years old. We had a lot of rain so felt we were constantly rushing or dodging the rain....no fault of yours of course. This was our first time using the bike trails so were somewhat confused but we did it. One suggestion would be to inform riders which direction to head, left or right, off the ramp. Loved it.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Adrianus S. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
My wife and I were part of a custom tour charter excursion as sibling/spouse reunion. The cycling portion of the trip was wonderful and accommodations on board were wonderfully. Great captain, hosts, and cooks did a wonderful job. We would love to do it again!
Boat: Zwaantje
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John B. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
Cycling gave us a good look at south Holland. Wonderful variety. Passed through peaceful farm land and enjoyed the many small towns we passed through. Getting lost from time to time forced us to interact with locals and many of those occasions turned into highlights. Found the Dutch people to be most helpful.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Gaye S. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
It was quite an adventure! Best way to see the real country and people of Holland.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Eileen C. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
The Southern Tour from Amsterdam in the Netherlands is a wonderful trip. It was my first time on a cycling tour and I felt that I received all the information that I needed in order to prepare and to make a wonderful experience. The route had nice a diversity between cycling and stopping in Dutch cities. The crew was very helpful and friendly, and the food was great. My bicycle couldn't have been more comfortable. I highly recommend this trip.
Boat: Liza Marleen
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Walter V. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
A wonderful way to see the Netherlands and experience different parts of the country. Food on the barge was excellent. I do recommend you practice a lot before the trip to prevent saddle sores. Proper biking pants helps a lot.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Doyle S. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
Most Memorable Part: The trip to kinderdijk was fantastic.
Boat: Wending
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Christa V. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
The combination of beautiful bike routes and coming back to amazing meals each evening made for a vacation I would consider doing again.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Pak Ching A. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
Most memorable part: Getting to know many friends from different countries.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Sian W. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
The biking was wonderful with a great variety of landscapes and villages to see.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Thelma K. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
I learned and saw things from the Netherlands that I had never seen before. I loved the cycling through the dunes.
Boat: Zwaan
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Daniel A. 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
This tour was the perfect way to see the Netherlands.The biking and scenery was wonderful. The staff was nice, the food was adequate, the boat could use a style update but it was clean with basic small cabins.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Azam E. 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
Boat and bike trip was our first experience. It was really amazing and well- organized one :)) we just wish to have more options for healthy food on board and choose our table at dinner time to socialize with more people than having assigned seats every night. -Thank you
Boat: De Holland
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Connie V. 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
Loved all the windmills, museum's, and bike routes. The food was delicious. Staff were excellent. I recommend to do the long routes as you get to see more.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Mike S. 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
The overall experience was excellent. We enjoyed the intimacy of a relatively small group on the boat. It allowed us to meet a number of people over the course of the week. We will definitely be returning in the future.
If I had one suggestion it would be to limit the number of days where there was a deadline to meet the boat in the late afternoon as these deadlines sometimes creates pressure to complete the route quicker than I would have otherwise chosen.
Boat: De Holland
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Jehiel 3 years ago Staff
Hi Mike! I agree with you. We will pass this along to our local partner to see if we can remedy this. Thank you for the suggestion!
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Lauren F. 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
The most memorable parts were the wonderful roads to ride on in The Netherlands, the food was delicious, the staff members were accommodating and friendly .
We loved this barge experience so much we signed up to do Northern Holland.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Kathleen L. 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
The most memorable part was riding through the windmill countryside.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Sya C. 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
The most memorable part was the wonderful hospitality we experienced on the Zwaantje. The captain and staff were great and I could recommend them to anyone. It was a fantastic way to enjoy a siblings reunion.
Boat: Zwaantje
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John O. 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
The crew on the barge were fantastic. The trip exceeded our already high expectations.
Boat: Zwaantje
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Cornelis S. 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
We were very pleased with the bike/barge tour on the Swaantje. Being a slightly smaller boat, it took us right into the heart of the towns. Boat staff most friendly and accommodating. Our bike guide Felix was a gem. Great sense of humour and understanding of everyone's concerns.
Boat: Zwaantje
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Helen M. 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
The scenery was beautiful and the barge was lovely. The most memorable part of the trip was the people - the Dutch are friendly and helpful, and the Angela Esmee crew was exceptional!
Boat: De Holland
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Maggie C. 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
Wonderful standard of accommodation - meals quality and cabin comfort were excellent. Cheese tasting on board every evening was an unexpected bonus. The bikes are operated by a pedal break which was a new experience for our group of 7 but we adapted over the course of the trip. The cycle routes were excellent, not too strenuous and were long enough so that you really felt that you had a good day's exercise and yet there was just enough time to stop off in some of the lovely towns and villages for museum and cafe visits.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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W. Flink 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
This is our third bike and barge trip and we would come back to do another. We had a great time! The boat, the Liza Marleen, was very nice, the crew very friendly, and our bike guide informative, interesting, and a lot of fun. It was very nice going on a small size boat and the crew created a family-like atmosphere which made the trip very enjoyable. One one particularly warm and longer day, the crew handed out delicious popsicles as we climbed back aboard at the end of the day. We appreciated the all the small details like this. We tell many friends that they should do one of these Bike and Barge trips. We'll be back.
Boat: Liza Marleen
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M. Gaherty 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
One suggestion: we were given no instruction as to what the street signs meant. I know a little bit of Dutch and even I had a problem with them. I would suggest that a handout be prepared for all English speaking, showing pictures of the signs and interpretations. Also, a short session on cars vs bikes; who has the right of way etiquette ...that would be very helpful. Several times, we stopped at intersections, only to have bikers pass us or swear at us for stopping. At times, the route numbers were confusing but that was not the fault of Nico. There were some route changes, construction, which deviated from the map.
Overall, we had a wonderful time!!!!!!!!!II have already had some friends who are interested in booking a trip to Holland through tripsite.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Jan 4 years ago Staff
Thanks for getting back to us, Maureen. Per our earlier conversation, we will be refunding you the difference. It is our policy to match the boats bike insurance price and we apologize for this inconvenience.
Regards,
Jan
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P. Watson 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
Due to the length of the cycling routes, there should have been better quality bikes. All gears should have been in working order.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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V. Silberstein 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
This was a fabulous trip! The best way to see the Netherlands is by boat and barge. This cruise far exceeded my expectations. The barge was homey and warm, the crew was so special. They took care of our every need, and did it in a friendly and caring manner. The chef was phenomenal! The value for your money was great. I would do this again in a heartbeat!
Boat: Liza Marleen
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N. Miles 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
There was initially a question with the insurance we had purchased from you. We had to purchase again on board. After it was reported to you, things were quickly resolved. We had another glorious trip with you and appreciate your help.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Lynda Vera 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
Excellent trip, guide & staff. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Only downside was the cabin or perhaps the pillow was a bit musty - had allergic symptoms/ loss of sleep during the night but was fine during the day.
Boat: Wending
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Jeffrey Douglas 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
The trip is excellent and we are now booked for our third time. However, and I know this is out of control of anyone, but our last trip was affected because of the crane accident near Gouda. This caused a rerouting of half the trip and because of that, we missed half of the sites that we wanted to see. On another note, the country should really make it illegal to dump raw sewage from the boats. This is disgusting and makes the waterways unclean. One would think that the government should do something about this and set up pumping stations. Otherwise, we really enjoy the bike/barge rides and will continue to go on them in the future.
Boat: Wending
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Doug Dowell 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
The food was spectacular on both tours. The crew and guides were excellent on both tours. In particular, having guides with expertise in the history and art of the area is much more important than expertise in cycling. We have been recommending these tours to friends and family all summer long. Thank you.
Boat: Sailing Home
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Bruce Carter 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
The route presentations by the guide were difficult to follow because they did not use a Powerpoint type presentation with a screen. This left the guest fumbling through paperwork which made the presentation difficult to understand and increased the risk of getting lost along the way.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Jean Louis Bergeron 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
On some days, we could have biked more. Very pleasant walks in the evenings.
Very small window in our room.
Boat: Anna Antal
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Ron Neesham 6 years ago Verified Reviewer
We have just returned from our holiday on the Anna Marie Agnes which we thoroughly enjoyed. The whole voyage and cycle riding was well planned and, Ida, the guide could not have been better.
We were allocated a dining table with a total of eight English speakers who all gelled from the first meal and we sometimes met at path side cafes.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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Alison Stilwell 8 years ago Verified Reviewer
It has been about 5 years since I did the Southern Tour. I have wonderful memories and have been thinking about booking another bike/barge tour for the past few years. Maybe 2012 will be the year! Never having completed a bike tour, I was happily surprised by the quality of the bikes and was always able to easily keep up with the group.
Boat: Anna Maria Agnes
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