Bikes over the canal bridge in Amsterdam, North Holland, the Netherlands. Photo via Flickr:vgm8383

Pink tulips! Photo via Wikimedia Commons:John O'Neill
4.9/5 (8 ratings)

Tulip Tour - 7 day

Netherlands Bike + Barge Tours

Tulips and more!

The tulip has come to be a respected and treasured symbol in Holland and this seven-day tour lets you experience them in all of their glory! The flower exhibition in Keukenhof will bring you up close and personal with these majestic flowers (and others!), and in Baskoop, you will cycle passed hundreds of horticulture nurseries. The tulips are only a fraction of what can be seen on this tour, though. The windmills of Kinderdijk, the largest concentration of old windmills in the Netherlands, will be visited along with Gouda, city of cheese and candles. Cyclists will also experience Haarlem, the oldest town in Holland, home to the famous St. Bavo Cathedral, and the lively university town of Leiden.

Be sure to check out all of our Bike and Barge tours in Holland.

Where You’ll Stay

Aboard the Comfort Plus class boat, the Merlijn

What’s Included

  • Accommodations for 6 nights on board in a double room with a private bathroom, climate control, safe, and hairdryer
  • 6 x breakfast buffet, 5 x packed lunch, and 5 x dinner (4 x dinner on April 1 departure)
  • 24-speed hybrid bike with water bottle, bike bag, towel, and use of universal helmet
  • Entrance fee to the Keukenhof
  • Tour guide
  • Daily cleaning of the rooms
  • Coffee, tea, water, and hot chocolate
  • Welcome drink
  • Harbor fees
  • WiFi on board

What’s Not Included

  • Drinks other than mentioned
  • Entrance fees other than Keukenhof
  • Organized city tours
  • 1 x dinner (2 x dinner on April 1 departure)
  • Transfers
  • Gratuities
  • Bicycle protection
  • Travel insurance

Tulip Tour - 7 day Map

TourBike+Boat
TypeGuided
SkillEasy
Length7 days
From€1235 Rates
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Tour Dates

2017 Dates
April 1 and April 8, 2017

Skill Level

This tour is an easy, guided tour in Dutch cycling paradise!

Tour Boats

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Tulip Tour - 7 day Map

APRIL 1, 2017 ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Rotterdam
Day 2: Rotterdam - Delft - Rotterdam, (40 km)
Day 3: Rotterdam - Gouda, (35 km)
Day 4: Gouda - Leiden, (35 km)
Day 5: Leiden - Keukenhof - Haarlem, (35 km)
Day 6: Haarlem - Zaansche Schans - Amsterdam, (40 km)
Day 7: Amsterdam

APRIL 8, 2017 ITINERARY

Day 1: Amsterdam - Utrecht
Day 2: Utrecht - Vianen - Schoonhoven 15 or 30 mi. (25 or 48 km, depending on weather conditions)
Day 3: Schoonhoven - Kinderdijk - Gouda, 17 or 33 mi. (28 or 53 km)
Day 4: Gouda - Leiden, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Leiden - Keukenhof - Haarlem, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Haarlem - Amsterdam, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 7: Amsterdam (departure)

Day 1: Amsterdam - Utrecht
The Merlijn will be docked in Amsterdam, behind the Central Station. Please check in by 4 PM. After a welcome drink, there will be an informational presentation of the ship and a short tour. By 4:30pm, the ship will begin its journey to Utrecht; dinner will be enjoyed along the way. Utrecht features many ancient buildings and structures dating back to the early Middle Ages. It has been the religious center of the Netherlands since the 8th century and is home to the tallest church tower in the Netherlands: The Dom Tower. In the evening, you will be able to explore this breathtaking city.

Day 2: Utrecht - Vianen - Schoonhoven, 15 or 30 mi. (25 or 48 km, depending on weather conditions)
Today you cycle Holland through the prettiest part, by far. Breakfast will be served while cruising to Vianen, where the bike tour will start to the charming city of Schoonhoven. Schoonhoven is renowned for its silver, hence its nickname Zilverstad ("Silver City"). Silversmiths have been present here since the 17th century and the trade is still thriving today!

Day 3: Schoonhoven - Kinderdijk - Gouda, 17 or 33 mi. (28 or 53 km)
You will get to enjoy the gorgeous Dutch scenery while sailing on the river Lek and biking from Schoonhoven to Kinderdijk. Kinderdijk is home to an impressive 19 windmills, built around 1740, to drain the polder Alblasserwaard. They are a well-known tourist destination and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The Merlijn awaits here to sail on to Gouda.

Day 4: Gouda - Leiden, 25 mi. (40 km)
Today's bike tour takes you through the Green Heart of Holland. Leaving Gouda, you will pass Baskoop, famous for its horticulture nurseries, particularly woody plant and perennial nurseries, of which some 774 are situated on long stretches of land divided by narrow canals. Passing small towns and villages such as Alphen on the Rhine, you will finally reach Leiden. Leiden is a lively city where history comes alive. Birthplace of painting legend Rembrandt, it is where he developed his skills and his workshop can still be visited today.  The University of Leiden contributes to the vibrant and convivial atmosphere and is quickly developing into a world-famous center of science. You will get a chance to stroll through this magnificent city after dinner.

Day 5: Leiden - Keukenhof - Haarlem, 25 mi. (40 km)
While you enjoy breakfast, the Merlijn will cruise into Lisse, near Keukenhof. It is estimated that nearly 7 million flower bulbs are planted here annually to cover an area of roughly 80 acres. This makes Keukenhof, easily, the largest flower garden in the world. At this stop, you will get to admire all these beautiful tulips and other flowers. On the ride to Haarlem, you will witness even more of Holland's beautiful countryside and of course, more flowers! While in Haarlem, it is a must to take a stroll through this historical city and maybe try the famous local beer: "Jopen". Dinner tonight is on your own in one of the many restaurants in Haarlem.

Day 6: Haarlem - Amsterdam, 26 mi. (42 km)
There are many things to see in Haarlem, one of the oldest cities in Holland dating back to the 10th century. You can visit the Frans Hals Museum or the St. Bavo Church, where Mozart once played the organ. The tour ends in Amsterdam, where you can visit the Van Gogh Museum or the Rijksmuseum. After dinner, there will be time to walk through Amsterdam's stunning illuminated center, don't forget to take a ride through the beautiful canals!

Day 7: Amsterdam
Farewell breakfast, check-out, and departure. 

*The above-planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.

Looking for more?  View all of our featured bike and barge tours, or view our full list of bike trips.

Email or Call 800-951-4384 +1 570-965-2064

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Customer Feedback

  • N. Tucker 4 months ago

    We had a blast on this trip! My first Bike and Barge through Tripsite. Our captains, Hank and Yantine, made us feel like part of the family. The boat was very clean and we loved the table designs at each sitting! Our guide, Francine, made us feel very welcome and really went out of her way to provide us friendly travel tips as we continued on our journey! Thanks for such an awesome time!

    Boat: Merlijn

     Reply

  • J. Geall 5 months ago

    We had a super time. My only suggestion is have a snack for post bike ride and pre dinner. We arrived starving so that would be great. Otherwise this was just an amazing way to see Europe.

    Boat: Merlijn

     Reply

  • T. & C. Tucker 5 months ago

    We had a total of six people who we traveled with. All had a positive option of he barge and the bikes. The owners, Hank and his wife gone over the top to make sure everyone had a good time and responded to any issues or problems. Our bike tour guide was outstanding and explained many of the sites. Great value.

    Boat: Merlijn

     Reply

  • J. Ruetz 5 months ago

    The only comment I have is "I want to do another bike and barge trip."

    Boat: Merlijn

     Reply

  • C. Wells 5 months ago

    I had a wonderful time and will recommending the trip to others!

    Boat: Merlijn

     Reply

  • Marilyn Mendelson 9 months ago

    Ode From An Enthusiastic Tripsite User

    I had never worked with Tripsite before.
    Their competent planning received a high score.
    All details were covered, everything was first rate.
    They delivered what they promised, now isn't THAT great?!!
    I'll remember this fab trip my whole life through.
    Listen up, fellow travelers, Tripsite's for you.

    Boat: Merlijn

     Reply

  • Melinda Johnson 10 months ago

    I have booked a couple trips through tripsite.com and frequently recommend them to my friends. What separates Tripsite from the pack is their service, value and expertise. I am looking forward to working with them on my next adventure!

    Boat: Merlijn

     Reply

  • Debby Repensky 10 months ago

    Loved the trip!!

    Boat: Merlijn

     Reply

  • Liz and Bill Chudoba 2 years ago

    Highly recommend Trip Site for our bicycling vacations. We, family and friends booked the Tulip Tour - Amsterdam to Amsterdam. Had a fantastic time again on the MERLIJN. Knew one week was not enough, after our 1st tour in 2011 in Germany, we had to book the following week also - Amsterdam to Brugge. The highlight of course were all the flowers in the Keukenhof. This is a must see for all flower lovers. Trip Site employees in PA were very easy to work with and will book all our tours for us. In fact we will return to the MERLIJN on September 27 to October 4th 2014 for wine country.

    Boat: Merlijn

     Reply

  • Susan Cumming 3 years ago

    This is a great way to travel in Europe. The flowers were beautiful at Keukenhof and the Merlijn provides wonderful accommodations! This was our second trip through Tripsite and we are going again.

    Boat: Merlijn

     Reply

  • CONSUELO PAGANI VIEIRA MACHADO 3 years ago

    Amei o passeio!! Tudo foi maravilhoso, desde a recepção calorosa na chegada, o barco todo decorado de flores e tulipas, aconchegante, a turma que fez o passeio conosco, os jantares maravilhosos feitos pela chef de cozinha simpatissíssima (que é dona do barco), o guia Sietsen que é super 10, as paisagens maravilhosas que apreciávamos nas pedaladas - plantações de tulipas de todas as cores, cisnes nadando próximos de nós, patinhos e aves coloridas, almoço em frente aos moinhos, as lindas vilazinhas e as cidades bucólicas do interior da Holanda, tudo muito lindo, e mto bem organizado. À noite, ainda tinha a roda de viola que o colega Eric tocava divinamente! E todos nós cantando juntos! A turma toda calorosa, que parecia que nos conhecíamos há anos... só deu vontade de voltar. Ano que vem, quero fazer outro roteiro e já estou convidando as pessoas no Brasil. VALE A PENA, MARAVILHA, Parabéns pessoal da Tripsite, Daniella Pontes, muito atenciosa, que nos atende muito bem! Grande abraço a todos vocês! CONSUELO e JANUZA - BRASIL 2013. (Vitória - ES).

    Boat: Merlijn

     Reply

  • Sharon Brunhuber 4 years ago

    A group of us will be doing the Tulip Tour on the Merlijn. A couple of years ago we toured Germany on Merlijn. It was a top notch experience and we are looking forward to this years trip.

    Boat: Merlijn

     Reply

  • Rick Teitell 4 years ago

    This was a fabulous tour (April 2012). The boat was spacious and clean, with very good food & amenities. The bikes provided were in excellent condition. The hosts & staff were friendly & accommodating. The daily bike trips were interesting & well organized- too many highlights to describe. A great way to see many parts of Holland, especially if you combine the bike tour with several days before and/or after in Amsterdam. The staff at Tripsite provided all necessary information.

    Boat: Merlijn

     Reply

  • Jon Lafleur 5 years ago

    The tour was one of my best travel experiences. The meals were so good that people asked for recipes. The days were varied, interesting and rewarding; the pacing comfortable. Highlights were seeing "The girl with the pearl earing" and visiting the Keukenhof gardens. We happened to hit a rainy week but still had fun.

    Boat: Merlijn

     Reply

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Tulip Tour - 7 day Boats + Barges

Merlijn Photo

Merlijn Germany, Netherlands Comfort Plus Class Boat The Merlijn has 12 luxurious cabins with two comfortable airbeds that can be pushed together or separated, a desk, a wardrobe closet, a hairdryer, and a safe. The lounge is comfortably furnished in a modern style with a restaurant area and lounge near the bar. You can enjoy fresh air, water, and nature in all weather on the sun deck. The entire ship is climate controlled and you can adjust the temperature in your own cabin.

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