Super Tulip Tour
Netherlands Bike + Barge Tours
The ultimate Dutch tulip bike & boat tour!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1060 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Tulips by bike and boat! This Super Tulip Tour is totally dedicated to the beautiful tulip. You will bike Holland through acres of spring flowers and tulips, learn all about growing tulips in a tulip park and of course you will visit the Keukenhof, the garden of the world.
Highlights
- Cycling through the bulb fields
- Keukenhof, the best day out among the flowers!
- Flower auction at Aalsmeer
- Windmills Zaanse Schans
Be sure to check out all of our Bike and Barge tours in Holland. Also, If you are looking for a more opulent Tulip experience, check out the Luxury Tulip Bike Tour on the Aurora.
Itinerary
Zwaan, Liza Marleen, Clair de Lune, Anna Antal, & Wending
Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam. Embarkation between 1 and 2 pm near Central Station. Cruising to Spaarndam and cycling to Haarlem, 9 mi. (15 km)
Day 2: Harlem - Keukenhof - Leiden, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Leiden - Kudelstaart, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Visit to flower auction. Cruising to Amsterdam. Cycling to Wormerveer via Zaanse Schans, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 5: Wormerveer - Alkmaar, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 6: Alkmaar - Purmerend, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 7: Purmerend - Amsterdam, 13 or 22 mi. (20 or 35 km)
Day 8: Departure from Amsterdam*All distances are approximate. The above-planned itinerary is subject to change, even at very short notice, due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.
Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam. Embarkation between 1 and 2 PM near Central Station. Cruising to Spaarndam and cycling to Haarlem, 9 mi. (15 km)
After arrival on board the barge, you can put your luggage away in your cabin and then enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the guide, skipper and crew, and of course your fellow passengers. You are asked to be on board no later than 2 pm. At 2:15 pm the barge sets off for Spaarndam, also known as the village of Hansje Brinker. From here, take an easy ride into the city of Haarlem. This city, which rendered its name to Harlem, New York, is a lively city with good shopping possibilities. At the same time, there are many interesting 17th-century sights here. Back on board, after the bike ride, the program for the next day and the rest of the week will be explained to you at dinner time.Day 2: Haarlem - Keukenhof - Leiden, 25 mi. (40 km)
Today's route leads you through the oldest tulip fields of Holland, including a visit of the Keukenhof gardens, the most beautiful spring park in the world. The Keukenhof is an overwhelming blaze of colors, seven million flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acres' background of traditional and modern gardening architecture. (Tickets are included in the tour price.) You also can admire the various hyacinths and many other colorful flowers. You spend the night in Leiden, which is a historic city with many little courtyards, façades, and historical buildings built between the 15th and 18th centuries. Leiden, meaning ‘built on waters’, came into existence around 800 AD as a market place at the confluence of the rivers Old and New Rhine, the Vliet and the Mare. It was a center for the medieval linen industry. For a long time, it was second only to Amsterdam in importance. Leiden is also the city where Rembrandt van Rijn was born.Day 3: Leiden - Kudelstaart, 28 mi. (45 km)
Today you bike from Leiden to Kudelstaart, a small town bordered by the Westeinderplassen, around the Haarlemmermeer. You will go right through the green heart of Holland, an area with small cycle paths, lakes, small rivers, and cows.Day 4: Visit to flower auction. Cruising to Amsterdam. Cycling to Zaanse Schans - Wormerveer, 28 mi. (45 km)
In the early morning, you can visit one of the many flower auctions in Aalsmeer. Everyday ‘Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer’ sets the world price for flowers and plants. This happens by bringing supply and demand together by means of the auction clock- a fascinating process during which large and small batches of flowers are sold within fractions of seconds. As a visitor to Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer, you will walk over a specially designed gallery, enjoy the gorgeous flowers, and experience the hustle and bustle of the auction. The flowers and plants that are sold at the auctions are exported all over the world, a wonder of logistics. Later you will have breakfast while sailing in the direction of Amsterdam.Between the Schiphol and the city, you disembark to continue your tour by bike along the river Amstel and right into the city. A ferry will transport you to the other side of the river ‘IJ’. Here you leave the city behind and continue your tour through lush green polders towards the world-famous hamlet of Zaanse Schans. A unique place where people live and work, with original houses and windmills from the river Zaan area.
Day 5: Wormerveer - Alkmaar, 28 mi. (45 km)
From Wormerveer you will cycle to and through the most beautiful dunes of the Netherlands and if weather permits, you may like to swim in the North Sea during your lunch break at the beach. Today's overnight stay is in cheese town Alkmaar, a historic, lively city with many quaint shops. A little less than 400 heritage sites, canals, and harbor dominate the townscape.Day 6: Alkmaar - Purmerend, 22 mi. (35 km)
Today you'll cycle into the polder landscape of the Beemster and Purmer, part of a big green polder area. The Beemster Polder, dating from the early 17th century, is an exceptional example of reclaimed land in the Netherlands. Its well-ordered landscape of fields, roads, canals, dikes, and settlements are all laid out in accordance with classical and Renaissance planning principles. Also on the agenda is a visit to one of the big water mills at the Rijp. Graft and De Rijp are two proud, typical 17th-century villages that enjoyed great prosperity at the height of the fishing and whaling industries. You spend the night in Purmerend.Day 7: Purmerend - Amsterdam, 22 mi. (35 km)
Purmerend lies at the edge of an area called ‘Waterland’ where roads and water are nearly on the same level. Visit the nice village of Zunderdorp and Ransdorp. Those that wish to lengthen today's route can cycle the long route to Edam and Volendam and if time permits, you can cross the lake Gouwzee to admire the traditional fisherman’s village, Marken, with its typical wooden houses.The day ends in Amsterdam.
Day 8: Departure from Amsterdam
Disembarkation by 10 am.Day 1: Embarkation in Amsterdam
Day 2: Haarlem - Keukenhof - Leiden (incl. visit to Keukenhof)
Day 3: Leiden - Kudelstaart
Day 4: Visit to flower auction, sailing to Amsterdam and cycling to Wormerveer via Zaanse Schans
Day 5: Wormerveer - Alkmaar
Day 6: Alkmaar - Purmerend
Day 7: Purmerend - Amsterdam, via Monnickendam
Day 8: Amsterdam*All distances are approximate. The above-planned itinerary is subject to change, even at very short notice, due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.
Average daily distances of 40 to 50 km.
Day 1: Embarkation in Amsterdam
Board the Feniks by 2 pm. Once all guests are on board, the boat cruises to Haarlem and enjoy a short bike ride to test your rental bike.Day 2: Haarlem - Keukenhof - Leiden (incl. visit to Keukenhof)
Today's trip leads you through the oldest bulb fields of Holland and along the Keukenhof. An overwhelming blaze of colors; millions of flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acres’ background of gardening architecture. You also can admire the various hyacinths, narcissus, and many other colorful flowers. You spend the night in the oldest university town of Holland: Leiden.Day 3: Leiden - Kudelstaart
Cycle around the Haarlemmermeer. This polder once was the biggest lake in Holland. The cycle route leads through the green heart of Holland on small cycle paths. You'll pass a lot of cows, farmland, and water. Your destination for today is Kudelstaart.Day 4: Visit to flower auction, sailing to Amsterdam and cycling to Wormerveer via Zaanse Schans
Early in the morning, visit the Aalsmeer, the biggest flower auction in the world. Disembark on a canal in Amsterdam to bike to the ferry which brings you across the "IJ". You continue your tour through the green polders to the famous Zaanse Schans. A unique place of wooden houses and mills. Mooring in Wormerveer.Day 5: Wormerveer - Alkmaar
From Wormerveer, you will cycle through the most beautiful dunes of the Netherlands and if weather permits, you may have your lunch break at the beach. Today's overnight stay is in cheese town Alkmaar, a historical and lively city.Day 6: Alkmaar - Purmerend
Today you can discover the descent of Beemster cheese. The Beemster Polder, dating from the early 17th century, is an example of reclaimed land in the Netherlands. It has preserved intact its well-ordered landscape of fields, roads, canals, dikes, and settlements, laid out in accordance with classical and Renaissance planning principles. There will be time to visit the windmills at the Rijp.Day 7: Purmerend - Amsterdam, via Monnickendam
Purmerend lies at the edge of an area called ‘Waterland’ where roads and water are almost on the same level. Visit the villages Zunderdorp and Ransdorp. The better cyclists can cycle the long route to Edam and Volendam. In Amsterdam, you can look back at cycling seven days in great variation of typical Dutch landscapes, towns and many highlights.Day 8: Amsterdam
End of the tour after breakfast.You can view all of our bike and boat tours or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.
Boats
Aboard the Standard class ships, Anna Antal or Clair de Lune, or the Comfort class ships, Zwaan, Feniks, or Liza Marleen.
- 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
- Clair de Lune
Standard Class Boat
In May 2014, Marco Pouw and his wife Astrid assumed ownership of the ship Clair de Lune. Originally built in 1936 as a freight ship in Belgium, like many of the vessels now used for biking and boating, this vessel was renovated and equipped for a new bike and boat adventure in and around Paris, launching in the spring of 2015. Marco has years of experience as a skipper on freighters in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany and approaches his new venture with great enthusiasm. 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
- Zwaan
Comfort Class Barge
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. Read More
Inclusions
What’s Included
Zwaan, Liza Marleen, Clair de Lune, Anna Antal - 7 nights accommodation on board
- Breakfasts, packed lunches, and 3-course dinners
- Coffee and tea on board
- Fully guided cycling itinerary
- Minimum 3 city walks with the tour guide
- Route information
- Roadbook (1 per cabin)
- Entrance fee for the Keukenhof
- Ferry fares on the route
- Free WiFi available (up to 100 MB) in lounge and on deck. (Surcharge for more MB)
- GPS tracks on request
- 24-speed city touring bicycle with higher handlebars and more upright riding position with pannier bags, lock, water bottle, and helmet
Feniks - Accommodations for 7 nights
- Breakfast, packed lunches & 6, three-course dinners
- 24-speed hybrid bicycle with pannier bag, frame lock, and water bottle cage and water bottle
- Multilingual tour guide
- Route program with city maps
- Coffee, tea, and biscuits
- Afternoon snacks
- Daily cabin cleaning
- Laundry service (clothes are returned clean but not dry. Clothes can be hung midship)
- Tour guide
- 24-speed hybrid bicycle with pannier bag, frame lock, and water bottle cage and water bottle
- Helmets available
- Ferry fares
What’s Not Included
Zwaan, Liza Marleen, Clair de Lune, Anna Antal, & Wending - Beverages (incl. alcohol), available on board
- Surcharge for gluten-free, celiac, and vegan diets (see pricing)
- Museum entrance fees (approx. €15)
- Entrance to flower auction (approx. €8)
- Maps for self-guided option (please see pricing)
- Gratuities
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
Feniks - Beverages (incl. alcohol), available onboard
- 1 dinner
- Museum entrance fees other than those indicated as included
- Gratuities
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2021
All tours run Saturday to Saturday
Comfort Class
Zwaan
Standard season: March 27, April 3, & May 1, 2021
High season: April 24, 2021Liza Marleen
High season: April 10, 2021Feniks
April 3, 2021Standard Class
Clair de Lune
Standard season: April 3, 2021
High season: April 10, 2021Anna Antal
Standard season: April 3, 2021
High season: April 17, 2021Wending
High season: April 10, 2021
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2021
Zwaan
Standard season: March 27, April 3, & May 1, 2021
High season: April 24, 2021All seasons Luxury double cabin $ 2683 £ 1519 $ 2,633 € 1675 NZ$ 2896 kr 17333 $ 2,062 Twin cabin $ 2427 £ 1374 $ 2,381 € 1515 NZ$ 2620 kr 15678 $ 1,865 Small double cabin/front of the boat $ 2082 £ 1179 $ 2,043 € 1300 NZ$ 2248 kr 13453 $ 1,600 Small double cabin/single us/front of the boat $ 3043 £ 1723 $ 2,987 € 1900 NZ$ 3285 kr 19662 $ 2,338 Liza Marleen
High season: April 10, 2021
High Twin cabin $ 2298 £ 1301 $ 2,256 € 1435 NZ$ 2481 kr 14850 $ 1,766 Twin cabin/single-use $ 3228 £ 1827 $ 3,167 € 2015 NZ$ 3484 kr 20852 $ 2,480 Superior cabin (15 m2 ) $ 2651 £ 1501 $ 2,601 € 1655 NZ$ 2862 kr 17126 $ 2,037 Superior cabin/triple use $ 2122 £ 1202 $ 2,083 € 1325 NZ$ 2291 kr 13711 $ 1,631 Anna Antal
Standard season: April 3, 2021
High season: April 17, 2021Standard season High season Twin cabin (comfort) $ 1970 £ 1116 $ 1,933 € 1230 NZ$ 2127 kr 12728 $ 1,514 $ 2138 £ 1211 $ 2,098 € 1335 NZ$ 2308 kr 13815 $ 1,643 Bunk bed cabin (standard plus) for twin use $ 1698 £ 961 $ 1,666 € 1060 NZ$ 1833 kr 10969 $ 1,305 $ 1840 £ 1042 $ 1,806 € 1149 NZ$ 1987 kr 11890 $ 1,414 Bunk bed cabin for single-use $ 2106 £ 1193 $ 2,067 € 1315 NZ$ 2274 kr 13608 $ 1,618 $ 2290 £ 1297 $ 2,248 € 1430 NZ$ 2473 kr 14798 $ 1,760 Clair de Lune
Standard season: April 3, 2021
High season: April 10, 2021Standard season High Season Double bed cabin $ 1898 £ 1075 $ 1,863 € 1185 NZ$ 2049 kr 12263 $ 1,458 $ 2058 £ 1165 $ 2,020 € 1285 NZ$ 2222 kr 13298 $ 1,582 Split level bed cabin $ 1898 £ 1075 $ 1,863 € 1185 NZ$ 2049 kr 12263 $ 1,458 $ 2058 £ 1165 $ 2,020 € 1285 NZ$ 2222 kr 13298 $ 1,582 Single cabin $ 2074 £ 1174 $ 2,036 € 1295 NZ$ 2239 kr 13401 $ 1,594 $ 2323 £ 1315 $ 2,279 € 1450 NZ$ 2507 kr 15005 $ 1,785 Wending
High season: April 10, 2021
Twin bed cabin $ 2138 £ 1211 $ 2,098 € 1335 NZ$ 2308 kr 13815 $ 1,643 Triple cabin $ 1994 £ 1129 $ 1,957 € 1245 NZ$ 2153 kr 12884 $ 1,532 Single cabin $ 2481 £ 1405 $ 2,435 € 1549 NZ$ 2679 kr 16029 $ 1,906 Feniks
Luxury cabin $ 2347 £ 1329 $ 2,303 € 1465 NZ$ 2533 kr 15160 $ 1,803 Low beds $ 2002 £ 1134 $ 1,965 € 1250 NZ$ 2161 kr 12935 $ 1,538 Single cabin $ 2507 £ 1419 $ 2,460 € 1565 NZ$ 2706 kr 16195 $ 1,926 Bunk bed cabin/double use $ 1706 £ 966 $ 1,674 € 1065 NZ$ 1842 kr 11021 $ 1,311 Extra Options
2021
Zwaan, Liza Marleen, Anna Antal, Clair de Lune, & Wending
Electric bicycle rental (including helmet): $ 136 £ 77 $ 134 € 85 NZ$ 147 kr 880 $ 105 Hybrid bike protection: $ 16 £ 9 $ 16 € 10 NZ$ 17 kr 103 $ 12 Electric bike protection: $ 32 £ 18 $ 31 € 20 NZ$ 35 kr 207 $ 25 Set of bike maps (advanced reservation required, cannot be purchased on board: $ 34 £ 19 $ 33 € 21 NZ$ 36 kr 217 $ 26 Gluten-free, celiac, or vegan diet: $ 80 £ 45 $ 79 € 50 NZ$ 86 kr 517 $ 62 Children's bike, trailers, bike seats, and discounts available for this tour
Discounts available for children. Ask us for detailsFeniks
Electric bicycle rental: $ 77 £ 44 $ 75 € 48 NZ$ 83 kr 497 $ 59
Pricing is based on fuel costs as of April 2020. If the fuel cost increase 5%, additional fees may apply (even for reservations already booked).
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This is an average daily distances range from 9 to 28 miles (15 or 45 km).
Airport Info
Fly to Amsterdam International 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. 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
Please note: 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
Any day can be designated as a day of rest by remaining on board and taking in the scenery from the deck of the boat.
Recommended
Amsterdam City Card Amsterdam Museum Card
Remarks
Please note: tulip season in Holland extends from the end of March to the middle of May but is dependent on temperatures and the weather.
Important to know
Travel documents
Before you travel, please check your passport expiration 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: 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.
Extra Stay
Extra nights in Amsterdam.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Cycletours, Feniks Charter.
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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