Tulip Tour - 5 day
Netherlands Bike + Barge Tours
Mini barge/bike tour during Tulip Time!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length5 days
- Prices from€679 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This five day Holland bike and boat tour in peak Tulip season goes through some of the most beautiful areas of the "Garden of Amsterdam." The tulips blooming herald the awakening of Spring and this journey offers an excellent opportunity to visit the most beautiful highlights in and around the capital of the Netherlands.
There are many museums and shops to entice you in Amsterdam, the smallest metropolis of Europe, and the canals, which quite recently have been listed on the UNESCO world heritage list, are famous all over the world.
Highlights
- The historical city of Haarlem
- World-famous flower exhibition, the Keukenhof
- World's largest flower auction near Aalsmeer
- Mill visit at Zaanse Schans
- Entrance North Holland Dune reserve
- Tulips and more
(Highlights vary by boat.)
A comprehensive list of all of our bike and barge tours in Holland can be found here. Also, If you are looking for a more opulent Tulip experience, check out the Luxury Tulip Bike Tour on the Aurora.
Itinerary
Each boat has a slightly different itinerary. Please be sure to check your specific itinerary below. All distances are approximate. Any and all planned itineraries are subject to change, even on very short notice, due to changing wind and weather conditions, and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, docking location changes, lock repairs, etc.
Day 1: Boarding in Amsterdam, Amsterdam - Zaandam, boarding at 2pm (luggage can be brought on board at 11am)
Day 2: Zaandam - Zaanse Schans- Zaandam | Zaandam - Haarlem, 14 mi. (24 km) or 21 mi. (34 km)
Day 3: Haarlem - Keukenhof - Oude Wetering, 24 mi. (39 km) or 35 mi. (57 km)
Day 4: Oude Wetering - Amsterdam, 18 mi. (28 km)
Day 5: Departure from Amsterdam, disembarkation after breakfast by 9.30 a.m.Distances in italics covered by ship.
On this Tulip Tour with more than 22 guests, the daily cycling tours will be accompanied by 2 knowledgeable and multi-lingual tour leaders. On most days the tour leaders will offer a long and a short (or a quicker and more relaxed) bike option. Not all mentioned highlights will be visited during the short bike option.
You can also choose to ride individually with the help of a map and route notes (available on board). GPS tracks will be sent to you 4 weeks before the start date of the tour.Day 1: Boarding in Amsterdam, Amsterdam - Zaandam
Embarkation and check-in, where the crew will welcome you on board, takes place at 2 pm. It is possible to bring your luggage on board beginning at 11 am but cabins will not be ready for check-in. As soon as all guests have arrived a short cruise will bring you to Zaandam, a spot famous for its windmills. Here, your barge will berth in the center of the city for the night. Upon arrival, you can enjoy taking your rental bike for a brief test ride through the surrounding area. In the evening, enjoy a short walk through the picturesque center of Zaandam.Day 2: Zaandam - Zaanse Schans- Zaandam | Zaandam - Haarlem, 14 mi. (24 km) or 21 mi. (34 km)
After breakfast, you will enjoy a 5 km bicycle ride to the open-air museum “Zaanse Schans” with beautiful windmills, traditional wooden houses, an old Dutch village, a cheese farm, and a traditional wooden clog maker. In the afternoon you have a choice to make: you can either cycle (24 km/14 mi.) to Haarlem or take it easy and join the barge while enjoying the scenery. In Haarlem visit the historical inner city with the Grote Markt and St. Bavo church. Your barge will be berthed not far from the center of Haarlem for the night, so you will have time to enjoy a short city walk in the afternoon or in the evening.Day 3: Haarlem - Keukenhof - Oude Wetering, 24 mi. (39 km) or 35 mi. (57 km)
Today you will cycle to the Keukenhof, arguably the most famous flower park in the world where you can admire hundreds of thousands of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and many other flowers in full bloom. After an extensive visit, you will get back on your bicycle at noon and will head to Oude Wetering, a small village, where your floating hotel will be waiting for you.Day 4: Oude Wetering - Amsterdam, 18 mi. (28 km)
This morning you are in for a real treat – an early (optional) visit by bus (6.30 a.m.) to the biggest flower auction in the world at Aalsmeer. In the morning millions of flowers are auctioned off here and are instantly sent out to all parts of the world*. By 9 am you will return on to your barge where a late breakfast will be waiting for you before you make your way to Amsterdam by bicycle. Later in the afternoon, there is time to discover this amazing city. Visit the inner city flower market, go to a museum, do some shopping… there is just so much to do!Important:
*The Aalsmeer flower auction is closed during weekends and on public holidays. This is an optional visit. Please be aware that on the departure dates March 31, April 8 and 28, 2021, a visit to the flower auction is not possible.
Day 5: Departure from Amsterdam
End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast by 9.30 a.m.Day 1: Boarding in Amsterdam, Amsterdam - Zaandam
Day 2: Zaandam - Zaanse Schans- Zaandam | Zaandam - Haarlem, 14 mi. (24 km) or 21 mi. (34 km)
Day 3: Haarlem - Keukenhof - Oude Wetering, 24 mi. (39 km) or 35 mi. (57 km)
Day 4: Oude Wetering - Amsterdam | Amsterdam Waterland cycling tour, 16 mi. (25 km) and/or 18 mi. (28 km)
Day 5: Departure from AmsterdamDistances in italics covered by ship.
On this Tulip Tour with more than 22 guests, the daily cycling tours will be accompanied by 2 knowledgeable and multi-lingual tour leaders. On most days the tour leaders will offer a long and a short (or a quicker and more relaxed) bike option. Not all mentioned highlights will be visited during the short bike option.
You can also choose to ride individually with the help of a map and route notes (available on board). GPS tracks will be sent to you 4 weeks before the start date of the tour.Day 1: Boarding in Amsterdam, Amsterdam - Zaandam
Embarkation and check-in, where the crew will welcome you on board, takes place between at 2 pm. It is possible to bring your luggage on board beginning at 11 am but cabins will not be ready for check-in. As soon as all guests have arrived a short cruise will bring you to Zaandam, a spot famous for its windmills. Here, your barge will berth in the center of the city for the night. Upon arrival, you can enjoy taking your rental bike for a brief test ride through the surrounding area. In the evening, enjoy a short walk through the picturesque center of Zaandam.Day 2: Zaandam - Zaanse Schans- Zaandam | Zaandam - Haarlem, 14 mi. (24 km) or 21 mi. (34 km)
After breakfast, you will enjoy a 5 km bicycle ride to the open-air museum “Zaanse Schans” with beautiful windmills, traditional wooden houses, an old Dutch village, a cheese farm, and a traditional wooden clog maker. In the afternoon you have a choice to make: you can either cycle (24 km/14 mi.) to Haarlem or take it easy and join the barge while enjoying the scenery. In Haarlem visit the historical inner city with the Grote Markt and St. Bavo church. Your barge will be berthed not far from the center of Haarlem for the night, so you will have time to enjoy a short city walk in the afternoon or in the evening.Day 3: Haarlem - Keukenhof - Oude Wetering, 24 mi. (39 km) or 35 mi. (57 km)
Today you will cycle to the Keukenhof, arguably the most famous flower park in the world where you can admire hundreds of thousands of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and many other flowers in full bloom. After an extensive visit, you will get back on your bicycle at noon and will head to Oude Wetering, a small village, where your floating hotel will be waiting for you.Day 4: Oude Wetering - Amsterdam | Amsterdam Waterland cycling tour, 16 mi. (25 km) and/or 18 mi. (28 km)
This morning you are in for a real treat – an early (optional) visit by bus (6.30 a.m.) to the biggest flower auction in the world at Aalsmeer. In the morning millions of flowers are auctioned off here and are instantly sent out to all parts of the world*. By 9 am you will return on to your barge where a late breakfast will be waiting for you before you make your way to Amsterdam by bicycle (on the Magnifiques) or by barge (Fluvius).During the afternoon. on the Magnifiques you will join the barge sailing through Amsterdam. Later in the afternoon, there is time to discover this amazing city. Visit the inner city flower market, go to a museum, do some shopping… there is just so much to do!
On the Fluvius, you either have the opportunity to make a last beautiful cycling tour through the wetlands of Waterland or to discover this amazing city. Visit the inner city flower market, go to a museum, do some shopping… there is just so much to do! Optional: end-of-day canal tour in Amsterdam.
Day 5: Departure from Amsterdam
End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast by 9.30 a.m.You can view all of our bike and boat tours or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.
Boats & Bikes
There are several boats that navigate this 5 Day Tulip Tour.
- Princesse Royal
Deluxe Class Boat
This beautiful vessel features a beautiful salon with a spacious bar, a sun deck equipped with comfortable chairs, and a small whirlpool to relax in at the end of a long day of cycling. Delicious meals are served daily in the restaurant area. Read More
- Magnifique II
Deluxe Class Barge
In 2016, we saw the launch of a new premium barge, the Magnifique II, to wonderful reviews. The ship boasts a classical style with emphasis on superior comfort. Highlights of the barge include 4 upper deck suites, with cozy seating area, and lovely large panoramic windows. This ship has earned the premium designation! Read More
- Magnifique III
Deluxe Class Barge
Following the success of her sister ships, Princesse Royal and the Magnifique II, Magnifique lll was launched in 2018, adding to her owner/captain's portfolio of designing and constructing deluxe ships. The partially covered sundeck with sun loungers and a hot tub provide is the perfect spot for relaxation. The tastefully decorated lounge with large panoramic windows, located on the upper deck is wonderfully inviting and the combined light-filled restaurant, bar, and lounge adds to the ambience. Read More
- Magnifique IV
Deluxe Class Barge
Following the overwhelming success of the premium barges Princesse Royal, Magnifique II (2016), and Magnifique III (2018), we are proud to now offer a new addition, the Magnifique IV. Read More
- Fluvius
Premium Class Barge
The MS Fluvius accommodates 44 guests. It has a large salon with lounge, bar, and restaurant area. The 70-meter long ship has a partially covered sundeck with comfortable tables and chairs along with a storage room for the bikes. The ship sails under the Dutch flag and has been sailing in Holland and Germany for many years. Read More
- Lena Maria
Standard Class Barge
The barge Lena Maria is a former freight ship rebuilt in 2004 into a comfortable cruise barge. There is a lounge for relaxation with many windows to create an open atmosphere and allows for a nice view while motoring. There is an outside sundeck with chairs. Each cabin has two low single beds and can accommodates two people comfortably. Read More
Inclusions
What’s Included
Magnifiques & Princesse Royal
- Accommodations for 5 day/4 nights
- Climate-controlled cabins
- Daily cleaning of cabins
- 4 breakfasts, packed lunches, 4 three-course dinners
- Welcome presentation with a complimentary drink
- Coffee and tea
- 7-speed unisex touring bicycle (Batavus Dinsdag) with step-through frame, hand brakes, gel saddle, pannier, helmet, frame lock, & water bottle
- Bike protection
- Two cycling tour guides so guests can opt for longer/shorter or quicker/slower cycling tours (depending on the route)
- A few short walking tours
- Entrance to the Keukenhof
- Entrance North Holland Dune Reserve
- Mill visit at Zaanse Schans
- Fees for ferries
- WiFi, signal strength and speed may not be what you are accustomed to
- GPS tracks
- Tour maps & notes (one set per cabin)
- Accommodations for 5 day/4 nights
- Climate-controlled cabins
- 4 breakfasts, packed lunches, 4 three-course dinners
- Daily coffee and tea during breakfast and after biking
- Fluvius: 7 speed unisex hybrid touring bicycle (Bikkel) with handbrakes, equipped with pannier, repair kit, & pump. Helmet rental available for supplement.
- Lena Maria: 7 or 8-speed unisex city touring bicycle (step-through frame, more upright riding position) with hand and/or pedal brakes, pannier bag, and water bottle
- One cycling guide for the Lena Maria
- Two cycling tour guides for the Fluvius so guests can opt for longer/shorter or quicker/slower cycling tours (depending on the route)
- Fees for ferries
- Tour maps & notes (one set per cabin)
- WiFi is available however you may pay a fixed fee of approx. €10 to €15 per week
- GPS tracks
Fluvius & Lena Maria
What’s Not Included
- Transfers to and from the port in Amsterdam
- Drinks on board
- Gratuities
- Excursions not mentioned in itinerary
- Helmets on the Fluvius & Lena Maria, available for surcharge, see pricing and please reserve at time of booking
- Electric bicycle. Available for supplement. See pricing
- Bike protection (Fluvius & Lena Maria)
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
Princesse Royal (formerly the Magnifique): Wednesday, March 31; Sunday, April 4; Thursday, April 8; Monday, April 12; Friday, April 16; Tuesday, April 20; Saturday, April 24, Wednesday, April 28 & Sunday, May 2, 2021
Magnifique II: Tuesdays, March 30, April 3, April 21, April 25, and April 29, 2021
Magnifique IV: Monday, March 29; Friday, April 2; Tuesday, April 6; Sunday, April 11; Thursday, April 15; Monday, April 19, & Friday, April 23, 2021
Cabin type
March April and May Twin
$ 1304 £ 738 $ 1,280 € 814 NZ$ 1408 kr 8424 $ 1,002 $ 1448 £ 820 $ 1,421 € 904 NZ$ 1563 kr 9355 $ 1,113 Premium twin (Princesse Royal/Mag II) $ 1512 £ 856 $ 1,484 € 944 NZ$ 1632 kr 9769 $ 1,162 $ 1656 £ 938 $ 1,625 € 1034 NZ$ 1788 kr 10700 $ 1,273 Upper deck suite (Mag II/Mag IV) $ 1784 £ 1010 $ 1,751 € 1114 NZ$ 1926 kr 11528 $ 1,371 $ 1928 £ 1092 $ 1,893 € 1204 NZ$ 2082 kr 12459 $ 1,482 Twin/single-use $ 1888 £ 1069 $ 1,852 € 1179 NZ$ 2038 kr 12195 $ 1,450 $ 2104 £ 1191 $ 2,065 € 1314 NZ$ 2271 kr 13592 $ 1,617 Single cabin (Princesse Royal) $ 1656 £ 938 $ 1,625 € 1034 NZ$ 1788 kr 10700 $ 1,273 $ 1848 £ 1047 $ 1,814 € 1154 NZ$ 1995 kr 11942 $ 1,420 Triple cabin (Princesse Royal/Mag II)* $ 1240 £ 702 $ 1,217 € 774 NZ$ 1338 kr 8010 $ 953 $ 1384 £ 784 $ 1,358 € 864 NZ$ 1494 kr 8941 $ 1,063 Premium Triple (Princesse Royal)* $ 1432 £ 811 $ 1,405 € 894 NZ$ 1546 kr 9251 $ 1,100 $ 1576 £ 892 $ 1,547 € 984 NZ$ 1702 kr 10183 $ 1,211 Triple cabin suite (Mag II)* $ 1672 £ 947 $ 1,641 € 1044 NZ$ 1805 kr 10804 $ 1,285 $ 1816 £ 1028 $ 1,783 € 1134 NZ$ 1961 kr 11735 $ 1,396 *3rd bed only for children up to 16 years old
Fluvius: Monday departures, April 5; Friday, April 9 & Tuesday, April 16, 2021
Cabin type
Small twin/below deck $ 1136 £ 643 $ 1,114 € 709 NZ$ 1226 kr 7337 $ 873 Twin/below deck $ 1184 £ 670 $ 1,162 € 739 NZ$ 1278 kr 7647 $ 910 Twin/below deck for single-use $ 1711 £ 969 $ 1,680 € 1069 NZ$ 1848 kr 11057 $ 1,315 Twin/upper deck $ 1392 £ 788 $ 1,366 € 869 NZ$ 1503 kr 8993 $ 1,070 Double/upper deck $ 1632 £ 924 $ 1,602 € 1019 NZ$ 1762 kr 10545 $ 1,254 Lena Maria: Wednesday, April 14; Sunday, April 18; Thursday, April 22 & Monday, April 26, 2021
Cabin type
Twin/below deck $ 1184 £ 670 $ 1,162 € 739 NZ$ 1278 kr 7647 $ 910 Twin/below deck for single-use $ 1711 £ 969 $ 1,680 € 1069 NZ$ 1848 kr 11057 $ 1,315 Extra Options
Magnifiques
Electric bike: $ 104 £ 59 $ 102 € 65 NZ$ 112 kr 673 $ 80 (Limited number available. Please reserve at time of booking)
Lena Maria & Fluvius
Electric bike: $ 80 £ 45 $ 79 € 50 NZ$ 86 kr 517 $ 62 (Limited number available. Please reserve at time of booking)
Helmet: $ 16 £ 9 $ 16 € 10 NZ$ 17 kr 103 $ 12Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
Easy guided bike and boat tour with relatively low mileage. Terrain is very flat and consists mainly of well maintained cycling paths. Head winds can at times be bothersome.
Airport Info
Fly to Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport (AMS)
Local Travel
There is a direct train that leaves 6 times per hour from the airport to Amsterdam Central Station. It takes about 16 minutes. The price for a train ticket Schiphol-Amsterdam Central is € 4,20 per person for a single journey. The airport train station is located on the lower level of the airport. Depending on what boat you are on, mooring location could be within walking distance or otherwise, a short taxi ride away.
Climate
Please note: the tulip season in Holland extends from the end of March to approx. the first week in May but is completely dependent on temperatures and the weather. Going early or late in the season may affect what is in bloom. 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 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.
Day of Rest
Any day can be designated a day of rest by remaining on board and enjoying the scenery from the comfortable deck. Do keep in mind that you will then limit your sightseeing possibilities.
Recommended
Discounted ticket for one-hour canal cruise in Amsterdam for the Magnifiques, Fluvius, & Mecklenburg: € 14. Please book your ticket in advance and you can collect it on board of your ship on the first day of the tour.
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
Tour Documents
Your final travel information will be emailed approx. one month before your tour date. For tours on the Magnifiques, Fluvius or Mecklenburg, for those who want to cycle self-guided, or are interested in having the route on your personal smart device, Ride With GPS is an app that you can download for free on your mobile phone. Your phone then becomes your own cycling navigation device, a bike route mapping tool for cyclists. This option is in addition to traditional printed route notes and printed maps. Once the app is installed, you can then download tour maps and daily itineraries directly to your smartphone. You will be able to use voice navigation on all the routes and access your tour content anytime, all from your phone. In your final travel information, you will find the code you can use to access your specific tour. An account is not required.
Extra Stay
Extra nights in Amsterdam are always recommended.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by 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.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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