Day-To-Day Itinerary
*All distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstance, including but not limited to weather, last-minute mooring changes, and restructuring of locks or bridges.
Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam, cruising to Harlem
Day 2: Haarlem - Keukenhof - Leiden, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Leiden - Gouda - Dordrecht, 21 mi. (35 km)
Day 4: Dordrecht - Willemstad - Tholen - Antwerp, 27 mi. (45 km)
Day 5: Antwerp - Baasrode, 21 mi. (35 km)
Day 6: Baasrode - Merelbeke - Ghent, 27 mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Ghent - Bruges, 24 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: Departure from Bruges
Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam, cruising to Harlem
The Merlijn, your sailing hotel, awaits you in Amsterdam. Embarkation is between 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM. The barge departs at 2 PM to cruise to Haarlem. It is necessary to leave on time because of the operating hours of the bridges. The crew will welcome you aboard and while you enjoy a welcome drink, you will be informed about the barge and the daily tours. The barge stays overnight in Haarlem.
Day 2: Haarlem - Keukenhof - Leiden, 25 mi. (40 km)
During breakfast, the Merlin will take you a little further on to Cruquius, where your bike tour will start. Today you will visit the Keukenhof, the beautiful flower exhibition. After this visit, you will bike to Leiden, where the Merlijn awaits you. Dinner on board and overnight stay in Leiden.
Day 3: Leiden - Gouda - Dordrecht, 21 mi. (35 km)
You will enjoy a sailing breakfast while you cruise to the starting point of the bike tour at Boskoop. Your route leads through one of the most beautiful parts of Holland, the Green Heart of Holland. You will cycle through Gouda, with its candles and stroopwafels and to Kinderdijk, world-famous for its windmills. You will encounter an impressive row of large windmills, built to drain the Alblasserwaard. You can visit one of the mills. From Alblasserdam, you will embark the ferry and you will sail to Dordrecht, where the Merlijn will await you. Dordrecht is one of the oldest towns of Holland, where you will enjoy a walking tour through this charming old city before you will go out dining at your own expense in one of the many restaurants. The Merlijn will stay overnight in Dordrecht.
Day 4: Dordrecht - Willemstad - Tholen - Antwerp, 27 mi. (45 km)
During breakfast the boat cruises to Willemstad, where your bike tour to Tholen starts. Tholen was once an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams, where many people were fisherman by trade. Today, Tholen is connected to the mainland in various ways, but it is still a picturesque village with many relics of an eventful past. Today's bike tour ends here and the barge takes you into the Willemdok of Antwerp. Antwerp is not only known as the diamond city, but also as the native city of the painter Rubens. In the Rubens House, you can admire his work. In the heart of the city, you will see the Cathedral of Our Lady and beautiful townhouses from a rich past are situated around the Market Square.
Day 5: Antwerp - Baasrode, 21 mi. (35 km)
After breakfast, you will have more time to explore the city of Antwerp. At around 9 AM you will board a tram that brings you into the heart of Antwerp. You may want to visit the Rubens House if you did not get an opportunity earlier or a diamond factory. You can also go shopping in the lively center. After your visit, board the Merlijn and have lunch on board while cruising to Rupelmonde. Here, your bike tour for today begins. The tour follows the river Schelde further upstream via Temse to Baasrode.
Day 6: Baasrode - Merelbeke - Ghent, 27 mi. (45 km)
After breakfast, bike along the river Zeeschelde. Our first stop will be in Dendermonde, a nice country town on the Dender estuary. The route follows this beautiful but capricious tidal river, Schelde, upstream to Ghent, a lively university city. This city has a rich past with origins in Roman Times and is located at the place where the rivers, Leie and Schelde converge. This favorable situation brought a great deal of prosperity over the years, which had its peak late 13th, early 14th century. The textile industry brought great wealth. In the city center, many old patrician houses have been preserved. In the Clothmakers’ Hall (1425) textile merchants used to meet. The major church is St. Baafs’ Cathedral, built-in various ages and in various styles. In the cathedral, you can admire a number of medieval paintings, including, ‘Adoration of the Lamb’ by Jan van Eyck.
Day 7: Ghent - Bruges, 24 mi. (40 km)
During breakfast, the barge cruises to Aalter, where your last biking tour begins and leads through the pleasant countryside of Western Flanders to Bruges. Bruges, also called the Venice of the North, maybe is the most beautiful of all Flemish cities. Its old center, which dates from the Middle Ages, is almost completely intact. At the time, Bruges was a metropolis, the center of trade and art. Bruges is also great for shopping. In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of this city. You may even want to include a ride through the canals. Farewell dinner on the Merlijn and your last overnight stay on board.
Day 8: Departure from Bruges. Disembarkation after breakfast, approximately 9 AM.
Day 1: Amsterdam - Oude Wetering
Day 2: Oude Wetering - Gouda
Day 3: Gouda - Dordrecht
Day 4: Dordrecht - Zierikzee
Day 5: Zierikzee - Middelburg
Day 6: Middelburg - Gent
Day 7: Gent - Bruges
Day 8: Bruges
Daily distances average 45 km.
Day 1: Amsterdam
Individual arrival on board the Feniks. Cycling route leads to Oude Wetering.
Day 2: Oude Wetering - Gouda
Today you will bike through the bulb fields and visit the Keukenhof, with literally millions of flowering bulbs. You enjoy an easy bike ride right through some real Dutch meadowlands and end your trip in the cheese town, Gouda. Free time in Gouda after dinner.
Day 3: Gouda - Dordrecht
Today you will enjoy cycling in the green heart of Holland, following scenic country roads along a winding waterway.
Day 4: Dordrecht - Zierikzee
Zeeland is on the agenda today. This a province of the Netherlands characterized by light, wind, water, and space. Because it is made up of islands, bridges and ferries will be carrying you across the waters as you drift down towards Belgium. Picture-book towns with ancient houses and cobbled streets line the banks. You will traverse a patchwork landscape of vast polders, idyllic countryside, rolling dunes, and golden sand flats.
Day 5: Zierikzee - Middelburg
A stroll down the narrow streets of Zierikzee is an absolute delight. Quaint old houses take you back in time to the town's glory days when ships set sail to sell salt, wool, fish, grain, and red dye as far afield as the Baltic and the Mediterranean. Your route continues to the charming village of Veere. From 1541, everything that was exported to Holland from Scotland (mainly wool) came ashore in, and was distributed from, Veere. This contract brought the town not only prosperity but also a very lively Scottish expat community that stayed for 300 years. Walk in their footsteps as you take a tour of the sights. Cruising further south, you will discover the nostalgic splendor of the city of Middelburg, the capital of Zeeland. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it was one of the most important centers of trade in the Netherlands. With a strong headwind, this trip can be very strenuous. In that case, you may prefer to do the first part of today's route on board the Quo Vadis, and start cycling at Zandkreek. The Feniks will moor in Middelburg, founded in the 12th century as an abbey. The city was the second most important center for the Dutch East India Company, active in Africa colonizing the southern coasts and slave trading on the western coasts
Day 6: Middelburg - Gent
Today you cross the waterway Westerschelde, which is the main estuary connecting the port of Antwerp with the sea and moor in Gent, a thriving and quaint medieval town.
Day 7: Gent - Bruges
Cycling from one medieval city to another on quiet roads will be a highlight today as you enjoy the landscape of Flanders dotted with farmhouses and little villages. Docking in "Venice of the North", Bruges.
Day 8: Departure
Your tour officially ends after breakfast.
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Travel Details
This tour is run by Jantien Wondergem and Henk Karelse, and 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.
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Merlijn Germany, Netherlands Deluxe Class Boat "The Divine Miss M" as we lovingly call the Merlijn is a diva, for sure. What can we say? Is it the luxurious cabins with most comfortable beds you have ever slept in? Is it the lovely dining area with the large windows and skylight that let the air, light, and sun pour in? Or perhaps it is the sun deck, where you can relax with newfound friends, sharing good wine and good conversation. We think you will find it is the entire divine package! Step onboard and discover for yourself!
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Tour Reviews
Shirley C. 2 months ago Verified Reviewer
I loved the Kuekenhof gardens, I did not do the bike part as I was not able to but enjoyed my time on the barge and the food and service was great.
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
Molly R. 4 months ago Verified Reviewer
Our guide Cornel was great with fun stories and historic information provided throughout our trip. Loved the digestive walks after dinner of the various towns we were docked at. The staff of the Merlijn couldn't have been nicer or more professional and the boat was very clean and comfortable. Food was pretty basic and could be improved, but that was not a high priority to me. Overall great trip and have already recommended it to many people.
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
Jehiel from Tripsite 2 months ago Staff
Hi Molly,
Thanks for this feedback. Recently, the chef has made an effort to use more local fresh ingredients and make more in-house! The menu continues to change and improve each week.
Glad you had a great trip!
Reply
Rita R. 4 months ago Verified Reviewer
This was our first trip of this kind and also our first trip to Europe and the Crew of the Merlijn made it a wonderful experience we will never forget. Thank you Coen, Cristina, Klara, Luliana, Read more… Lili and our tour guide Cornel. Memories to last forever.
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
Rosemary SZ. 4 months ago Verified Reviewer
I highly recommend this trip. We were on the Merlijn. It was a charming barge with a very friendly and helpful staff. I was amazed just how comfortable the beds were and how roomy the bathrooms were.
Our guide was very informative and had a great sense of humor. The guests, even though all so different , became friends. Leaving the barge was bittersweet. I cannot wait to go on another. The only thing I wish was a bit better, was the food. But then I consider myself a bit of a foody and so my expectations might be too high.
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
Jane J. 4 months ago Verified Reviewer
The biking was wonderful, the digestive walks in the evening were great and the camaraderie of the group was fantastic.
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
Mark R. 4 months ago Verified Reviewer
A wonderful way to experience the Netherlands. Our guide Cornell was informed and professional. Captain, mates and staff provided all the conveniences of home.
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
Karina M. 9 months ago Verified Reviewer
Loved it all but the range of fellow travelers was perfect, fast, fit riders for my husband and some less fit, slower riders for me to ride with.
Boat: Quo Vadis
Reply
John S. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
This was our first bike and barge trip. It is a great way to travel. There is time to see the area and not have to worry about finding lodging. The crew of the Merlijn was first rate. I will sign up for another trip with them. Jantien was like your mom welcoming you on your trip home.
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
Frederick S. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
Our trip aboard Quo Vadis exceeded our expectations; the food and crew were great. We ended riding more than the itinerary suggested (averaging about 35 miles per day), but we lucked out and head great weather the entire trip.
Boat: Quo Vadis
Reply
Derek G. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
The most memorable was the food on the barge, it was very high end. It just added to the rest of the great experience we had.
Boat: Holland
Reply
Richard H. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
Most Memorable Part: Our fellow travelers and Jacko, the chef on the Quo Vadis.
Boat: Quo Vadis
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Julie Worger 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
Hi Richard-
We enjoy biking but have never considered a trip like this. You mentioned the things you enjoyed... what were the disappointments?
Thanks for your help.
Reply
Susan C. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
We have been on five trips through Tripsite and each one is better than the last. This authentic Holland trip through Central and Northern Holland was great cycling and of course the Merlijn was wonderful.
Reply
Marty W. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
Boat: Clair de Lune
Reply
Sandy B. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
It was the best trip. The food was spectacular, our guide was spectacular. I loved the whole trip.
Boat: Quo Vadis
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Rick H. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
The most memorable parts were Keukenhof gardens and fellow bikers. Disappointed that a week long "tulip tour" ended up being about 3 hours of tulip tour. Primarily focused on 1953 Delta Plan, interesting but spent too much time...days, on it. Enjoyed seeing Kinderdijk windmills. Would have been nice to see more small towns and tulip fields.
Boat: Quo Vadis
Reply
Patricia C. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
Three highlights of the trip: glorious sunshine on the palette of colour at the Keukenhof Gardens; exploring the fabulous 'secret' back alleys in the Kieuperspoort district of Middelburg; the helpful, friendly and confident nature of our Dutch hosts. Fantastic holiday!!!
Boat: Quo Vadis
Reply
Julie H. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
The most memorable part was riding through the beautiful countryside.
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
Betsy A. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
The trip was fun but I don't think the description of the trip was accurate. The trip was about 85% bike riding and 15% site seeing. I would have liked more time to explore the cities we were riding through but most of the time it was too late or placed were closed. Not sure if I would do another tour like this. The riding was beautiful but I really expected more site seeing according to the trip description.
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
A. Miller 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
We loved the trip. Hank, Jantien, & staff were super as usual. The electric bike was a bit heavy. My(Anita) electric bike at home feels much lighter--it's smaller. Look forward to another trip on Merlijn & with Jantien & Hank. --Anita & Duncan
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
L. Reisinger 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
The staff of the Merlijn were delightful and very personable. Enjoyed them thoroughly.
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
J. Klok 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
Travel aboard the Merlijn is always a wonderful experience. Our guide, Felix, was excellent. This was our fourth trip and we will return for more.
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
C. Martin 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
I really enjoyed this trip. The barge was very spacious and the food was excellent. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was very relaxing. The biking was just right and our bike guide was wonderful. Felix was knowledgeable and very helpful to all. I will certainly recommend this trip to others and can hardly wait to do another bike and barge trip.
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
S. Carlson 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
Some of the other people that came on the trip were not prepared to ride a bike 20-25 miles per day. They said that they had not ridden a bicycle since they were a youth. Consequently, this significantly held up the entire group. I would recommend emphasizing the importance of being in good riding condition for the bike/barge trips. Thank you.
The staff of the Merlijn absolutely made the entire trip a pure delight! We would definitely sail with them again in the future!
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
R. Modi 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
The entire trip for all 13 of us was superb !!! From the quality of the boat, the skipper, the chef, the cycle route, the guide, the food on board, all excellen !! A must do!! The quality of the cycles were excellent ! Which made the experience memorable! I did get a chance to compare it with other boat and bicycle tours, ours was far superior, practically new bicycles.
Boat: Quo Vadis
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J. Shah 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
Best time we ever had. It was like coming back to home after the day cycling. Staff was very friendly and felt at home. Food was good. Look forward to come again in future for sure. The E-bikes were too good and very good for us who are not regular cyclist.
Boat: Quo Vadis
Reply
L. Chandler 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
I loved this trip. The Merlijn was well-above my expectations. Very clean and well setup. Everything on the boat was perfect. Now if only we had had better weather. :)
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
Derek Gee 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
Both my wife and I were very happy with the overall experience. The crew, barge, daily itinerary and especially the food were all top notch. It was more then we could reasonably expect. We would and have recommended the experience to others. We hope to return soon on another bike and barge trip.
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Mary Barchiesi 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
We loved our trip so much that I just chartered another boat for 36 people in Croatia for September 2016 with another company. Better working deal than tripsite. The boat owners were rigid and probably not as congenial as they could have been. It was their boat, not our trip. I organized a group of 12 and were not demanding at all. The tour guide was over the top just amazing!!!! All in all a wonderful experience!
Boat: Merlijn
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Elizabeth Yates 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
Yes, I have recommended this trip to several people and will continue to do so. So many people have never heard of such a trip. One of my friends has already booked on our same barge (Merlijn) for next year! The staff, the rooms, the food and scenery were absolutely wonderful.
Boat: Merlijn
Reply
Linda Scotten 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
Though not a 'delux' trip the staff and other passengers made it such a memorable trip! It might not suit everyone but we loved it!
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James Dowie 5 years ago Verified Reviewer
Waldy the helper was always there with a smile and never did he let me carry a bag. The cabins were neat and clean. Alf the cook who did the food was sensational every day . Alf and I had a birthday on the same day (April 21st) and they had a party for us. It was my 82nd birthday one I will never forget. All the other guests were Read more… great and we mixed so well. We bonded the first day even though we were from many different backgrounds. The e-bike you arranged allowed me to keep up with everybody. It was always ready and charged up each morning. I had a minor tumble in Amsterdam landed on my head and the helmets provided did the job. Guess I have a hard head too. Only damage is a sore thumb. When it hurts from time to time it brings back fantastic memories of our wonderful trip a very positive feeling. My wife and I really hope life will let us take another bike and barge trip in Europe.
I really can not thank you all enough for the wonderful happiness you provide.
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Mary & Bill Perkins 6 years ago Verified Reviewer
The tour was packed with history, beauty & a real feel of how the people live there lives - thanks to Lia our guide. Food, decor & Jantien's hospitality aboard the Merlijn was second to none. The crew went out of there way to make this truly a memorable cycling vacation.
Thank you!
Boat: Merlijn
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