This fantastic five day bike and barge excursion, offered for a limited time only during the Spring months, is the ideal excuse for flower lovers to visit Holland. The spring tulips in Holland really are a sight to behold.
You will have the chance to experience tulip season in full bloom, with visits to Keukenhof's immense flower park and the world-famous flower market in Aalsmeer. There's also Holland's rich cultural heritage to explore, with many unique museums, boutique shops and of the course the charming canal network in the heart of Amsterdam, which was recently added to the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage list. You'll be staying on board a traditional Dutch barge, selected for its exceptional service, delicious meals and comfortable accommodation, as it makes its way from Amsterdam to Zaandam, Haarlem, Kudelstaart and more, docking for guided bike rides to various sites of interest and city tours. Any day you can opt to stay on board and relax rather than climbing onto your bike, so there's plenty of flexibility, making this an ideal choice for families with varying energy levels!
Please note: during Easter weekend the flower auction in Aalsmeer is closed. A boat tour of the canals in Amsterdam will be on offer instead.
Holiday details
Price
- Luxury
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from £850 per person
Upgrade to Premium cabins or Upper Deck Suites available on certain barges - please enquire
Based on two people sharing a room
What’s included?
Breakfast each day, 3 picnic lunches and 4 three course dinners. Tea and coffee are also available until 4pm daily. See what’s included as standard
Duration
4 nights
Start & Finish
Circular from Amsterdam with 2022 departures between 27th March and 24th April. Please enquire for exact sailing dates
Hotels
- Luxury
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Enjoy the comfort of custom-built barges each with a range of cabins from Premium to Upper Deck Suites (available at a supplement)
Holiday type
Guided
This tour is priced with a knowledgeable, local guide
Activity level
Gentle cycling (1) More info...
Electric bikes
Upgrade fee £65.00
Mileage
3 days of optional cycling 6 - 25 miles (9 - 40 km) per day. Bike hire is included. Helmets are also available
Terrain
Flat.
Traffic-free
95%
Options
- Additional nights in Amsterdam.
Itinerary day-by-day
Luxury
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1. Day one
Amsterdam to Zaandam
Arrive in Amsterdam and at 2pm board your barge which is moored in the heart of the city. (Luggage can be taken aboard from 11am). Once everyone is on board a short cruise will bring you to Zaandam - a spot famous for its windmills. From your berth in the heart of the city, you can take your bike for a brief test ride and after dinner on board, join a short walk through the picturesque centre of Zaandam in the evening.
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2. Day two
Zaandam-Haarlem
After breakfast, begin the day with a short 5km cycle ride to "Zaanse Schans", an open-air museum which features beautiful windmills, an authentic traditional Dutch village, a clog maker and a cheese factory. Return by bike to the barge. In the afternoon, choose between a boat ride (lasting 2.5 hours) or a cycle trip (14 miles/24km) to Haarlem. Spend the rest of the day exploring Haarlem, including its historic center with the Grote Markt and the St.-Bravo church, the Teylers museum and the Frans Hals Museum. Enjoy a short city walk in the evening.
Optional 6 miles (10 km) with a further optional 14 or 21 miles (24 or 34 km)
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3. Day three
Haarlem to Keukenhof to Oude Wetering
After breakfast, hop on your bike to visit the 'Keukenhof', arguably the most famous flower park in the world where you can admire blooming tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other floral specimens in their thousands. After an extensive visit you will head to Oude Wetering, a small village, and rejoin your barge.
Optional 24 miles (40 km)
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4. Day four
Oude Wetering to Amsterdam
This morning you have a real treat - an early visit by bus (6.30am) to the biggest flower market in the world at Aalsmeeer to watch the early morning auctions, where literally millions of flowers are sold and delivered to destinations all around the world each day*. Return to the barge for 9 am, where a late breakfast awaits you. Upon arrival in Amsterdam the rest of the day is free to take a last beautiful cycling tour through the wetlands of Waterland; visit the inner city flower market; enjoy a trip floating down the city's network of canals or visit one of Amsterdam's many fantastic museums and boutiques. *This is an optional visit and the Aalsmeer flower auction is not open on all departure dates.
Optional 18 miles (28 km)
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5. Day five
Depart Amsterdam
Enjoy one final breakfast on board before packing up your bags and waving goodbye to the crew. Head back home or on to your next destination at your leisure. Check out is at 9.30am.