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Netherlands

Netherlands: Southern Tour of Holland

Cities and countryside
Amsterdam Round tour.
From €799 p.p.
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Netherlands: Southern Tour of Holland

Highlights of this tour

It doesn’t get any better than the Southern Tour of Holland on board your home away from home, ships De Amsterdam or De Holland. Not only will you get the chance to visit a number of famous Dutch cities, but you will also uncover another side of Holland as you cycle through the countryside – the country’s “Green Heart”. It is here that you will see a landscape of water, meadows, grazing cows, windmills and picturesque farms… it is a landscape that is impossible to feel or look any more Dutch. […]

Bike through the Green Heart of Holland

Historical cities Amsterdam & Rotterdam

Kinderdijk’s windmills & Zaanse Schans

Ships with max. 112 passengers

Guidance
  • Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
  • Independent cycling: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
guidance Independent cycling
Difficulty
  • Level 1: easy tours, very flat terrain
  • Level 2: quite easy tours, mostly flat terrain
  • Level 3: requires a higher level of exertion, medium hilly terrain
  • Level 4: for experienced cyclists, hilly terrain with climbs
Difficulty level 1 Difficulty level 1
Duration of the tour.
tijd2 Created with Sketch.
8 days

About this tour

It doesn’t get any better than the Southern Tour of Holland on board your home away from home, ships De Amsterdam or De Holland. Not only will you get the chance to visit a number of famous Dutch cities, but you will also uncover another side of Holland as you cycle through the countryside – the country’s “Green Heart”.

It is here that you will see a landscape of water, meadows, grazing cows, windmills and picturesque farms… it is a landscape that is impossible to feel or look any more Dutch. In short the Southern Tour is the perfect tour for anyone wanting to see as much of “typical” central Holland as is possible in one week. What you will come away with at the end of the tour is a greater appreciation of why this part of the Netherlands attracts so many visitors from all corners of the globe every year. As well as being able to discover the natural beauty of Holland’s Green Heart you will visit:

  • The world famous city of Amsterdam
  • Utrecht, the geographical center of The Netherlands
  • Rotterdam, the busiest port in Europe
  • Delft, a city with close ties to the Dutch Royal family and the world renowned painter Johannes Vermeer
  • Haarlem, a sightseeing paradise

Other attractions over the course of the tour include the cheese city of Gouda, the windmills at Kinderdijk (Unesco World Heritage Site), the silver city of Schoonhoven, the dunes and beaches of the North Sea coastline and the open air museum “Zaanse Schans”.

The ship – Your sailing hotel
In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. You’ll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. It’s also possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are rental bikes on board, but you can also bring your own if you mention it when booking.

You cycle independently 
During this trip there is an expert and experienced tour leader on board. He or she will discuss the next day’s cycling routes on a daily basis and provide you with tips and information about the route. You will cycle the tours independently and at your own pace using a detailed cycling map, GPS directions via the free Ride With GPS app and printed route descriptions (available on board). The tour leader will also cycle the routes, so they will be riding nearby and can be reached by phone in case of emergencies, problems or questions.

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Day to day program

Parts that are printed in italics parts will be covered by the ship.

All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours.
The tour details are barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons.

Day 1: Amsterdam

Embarkation and check-in between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in Amsterdam. Take the opportunity to go shopping, to explore downtown Amsterdam, to make a canal cruise or to visit a museum. At 5 p.m. welcome drink and safety instructions. Dinner and first briefing on board. First night on board in Amsterdam.

Day 2: Amsterdam – Breukelen | Breukelen – Utrecht (20 km/12 mi. or 39 km/23.4 mi.) | Utrecht – Rotterdam

Your first cycling tour starts in Breukelen. You’ll tour along the beautiful and winding river Vecht with its enchanting background of imposing castles, country houses and quaint tearooms. You will follow the Vecht into the center of Utrecht where you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful historical city center: the Dom Cathedral with its tower, the canals, special shops and nice cafes. In the afternoon you will continue by ship from Utrecht to Rotterdam.

Day 3: Rotterdam – Schiedam – Delft – Rotterdam (48 km/28.8 mi.) 

Today you will cycle via the “jenever city” of Schiedam and through the Delfland area to Delft, famous, of course, for its blue pottery. Visit the beautiful city centre with its small canals, picturesque streets, bridges and alleys. For many of our guests a visit to the Delftware factory is one of the highlights of their tour. Afterwards, you will cycle back to Rotterdam, where you can enjoy a short city walk in the evening.

Day 4: Rotterdam – Alblasserdam with the “waterbus” | Kinderdijk – (Gouda) – Schoonhoven* (30 km/19 mi. or 58 km/36 mi.)

Today you can cycle the first part or the “waterbus” will take you and your bicycle to Alblasserdam. After just a few minutes of cycling you will reach Kinderdijk (UNESCO cultural heritage, with its impressive row of 19 large windmills). You then have the choice between a longer cycling tour with a visit to the beautiful cheese city of Gouda and a short cycling tour through the Alblasserwaard. Both tours end in the “silver city” of Schoonhoven, where you can visit a silversmith.
*On some departures, the night in Schoonhoven on day 4 is not possible. The ship will dock in the cheese city of Gouda instead. All cycling highlights will remain in the program.

Day 5: Schoonhoven – Oudewater – Utrecht (36 km/21.6 mi. or 44 km/26.4 mi.) | Utrecht – Haarlem

Today you will cycle from Schoonhoven through the beautiful “Green Heart” of Holland along small villages and quiet roads to Utrecht. On your way you can visit a traditional cheese farm and in Oudewater you can visit the Witches Weigh House. In the late afternoon the ship will sail from Utrecht to Haarlem.

Day 6: Haarlem – North Sea coast – Haarlem (40 km/25 mi. or 50 km/31 mi.)  | Haarlem – Zaandam 

Today you can choose from 2 cycling tours. Both tours takes you through the beautiful Kennemer dunes, a national park where you can spot several bird species, Scottish Highland cows and Shetland ponies. After a visit to the seaside resorts Bloemendaal and Zandvoort you cycle through the forests and the center of Haarlem back to the ship. The longer cycling tour leads to the largest steam engine of the world, the Cruquius pumping station and back to Haarlem. During dinner your ship will cruise to Zaandam.

* Departures dates between March 27 and incl. May 1:
From Haarlem you have the opportunity to visit the world famous Tulip exhibition park “Keukenhof” in Lisse (by bicycle or public transport; transfers/tickets/entrance fee not included).

Day 7: Zaandam – Amsterdam (32 km/19.2 mi. or 53 km/31.8 mi.)

From Zaandam your final day of cycling will take you to the open air museum the Zaanse Schans (free entry), with its beautiful windmills, an Old Dutch village with traditional wooden houses, a cheese farm and a traditional wooden clog maker. After exploring the museum you cycle through the recreational area “Twiske” back to Amsterdam. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy everything Amsterdam has to offer. If you didn’t go for a canal tour on the first day, you will have the opportunity to do so today.

Day 8: Amsterdam

End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.

Good to know
  • Cycling route distances in the travel program are approximate.
  • On some days you can choose between a longer and a shorter cycling route. Please note that on the shorter routes you may not be able to visit all the highlights mentioned.
  • If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, you’re welcome to stay on board and relax while the ship cruises to the next landing place.
  • The tour itinerary and route are subject to possible changes due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons, or other unforeseen events.
  • On the arrival day, you can leave your luggage on board the ship from 11.00 am.
  • A detailed cycling map, route tips and a GPS app are available to cycle individually and at their own pace. The tour guide is always available via cell phone in case of questions, breakdowns or emergencies.

The bicycles of Boat Bike Tours

Always the best rental bikes

The rental bikes on our ships are unisex bicycles with a low bar and a comfortable upright sitting position. These are stable and dependable bikes, good for miles in the saddle. Decide which kind of bike you want to rent and simply fill in your preference with your reservation. We’ll make sure you get the right bike for you. On most of our tours, the bike rental cost is not included in the tour’s price.

Every Boat Bike Tour rental bike is well equipped. The bikes consist of a lightweight aluminum frame and have highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds, an adjustable gel seat, normal flat pedals (no clips), an easy-to-use lock attached to the frame, and special puncture-resistant tires. All told, this is a light, stable and reliable bike, very suitable for touring long distances pleasantly.

Our e-bikes also have at least seven speeds and handbrakes. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame, and sport anti-puncture tires. Note that some of the ships have their own bikes on board. They may look a bit different, but qualitatively they are equal to Boat Bike Tours’s e-bikes.

Bicycle helmets
The use of bicycle helmets is not required in the Netherlands, but for safety’s sake they are suggested. If you wish to rent one, you can do so during the booking process. If you book a premium tour and rent a bike or e-bike, then the helmet and a “limit of liability for damage or loss” for your bike or e-bike is included in the rental price.

Other rental items
Other items such as children’s bikes, tandems, family tandems (child & adult), tag-along, trailers to carry toddlers and child seats are available on request.

Taking your own bike or e-bike?
The fee for parking your own bicycle is €10 per week. For an e-bike the fee is €25 to cover parking and charging the battery. For safety reasons it is not always possible to charge your e-bike batteries in your cabin. The crew will tell you where you can charge the battery on board the ship. Neither the crew nor Boat Bike tours is responsible in any way for any damage, loss or theft of a guest’s own bike or e-bike or its accessories. Note: not all the ships are suitable or have enough room for extra bikes, so make sure you check with us well ahead of travel.

Cyclists in a green landscape

Touring bikes

Our bicycles have a lightweight aluminum frame and are furnished with highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds and a gel seat whose height can be adjusted. Attached to the frame is an easy-to-use lock and the wheels carry puncture-resistant tires.

E-bikes

Our e-bikes also have highly-responsive handbrakes and a minimum of seven speeds. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame and special anti-puncture tires.

Taking your own bicycle

It is possible to take your own bike or e-bike with you, as long as it doesn’t have mirrors or other elements that stick out. There’s only limited space available on board for guests’ bikes. You can reserve a place for your bike for a small fee. Boat Bike tours is not responsible for damage to your bike or for theft.


Prices & availability

To view the availability of this tour and/or book online please click on the button below. A new screen will open.


Prices & information

On selected departures you will receive a 200 euro discount per person. Simply enter the discount code SPROLY (Spring offer) or RMSCC (Summer offer) when booking or give it to us when booking by phone. The discount is only valid for new bookings and cannot be combined with other discounts.

Pricing overview - 2024
Cabin type For Season A Season B Season C Season D
DAM: Twin cabin lower deck 2 pers. € 799 € 999 € 1099 € 1199 DAM: Twin low for single use (max. 5) 1 pers. € 1198.50 € 1498.50 € 1648.50 € 1798.50 DAM: Twin cabin upper deck 2 pers. € 1049 € 1249 € 1349 € 1449 DAM: Twin upper for single use (max. 1) 1 pers. € 1573.50 € 1873.50 € 2023.50 € 2173.50 DAM: Suite upper deck 2 pers. € 1349 € 1549 € 1649 € 1749 DHO: Twin cabin lower deck 2 pers. € 759 € 959 € 1069 € 1169 DHO: Twin low for single use (max. 3) 1 pers. € 1138.50 € 1438.50 € 1603.50 € 1753.50 DHO: Twin cabin upper deck 2 pers. € 1009 € 1209 € 1319 € 1469 DHO: Twin upper for single use (max. 1) 1 pers. € 1513.50 € 1813.50 € 1978.50 € 2203.50 DHO: Suite upper deck 2 pers. € 1259 € 1459 € 1569 € 1719
Included in this tour
  • 8 days/7 nights
  • 7 x breakfast
  • Packed lunches
  • 7 x 3-course dinner
  • Coffee and tea on board till 4 PM
  • Welcome drink
  • Use of bed linen and towels
  • Daily cleaning of the cabin
  • Climate-controlled cabin
  • Daily briefings
  • Semi guided cycling tours (guest cycle independently, tour leader also cycles the tour);
  • Some short walking tours
  • Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
  • GPS tracks
  • Use of a waterproof pannier bag
  • Biodegradable water bottle
  • Wi-Fi is available in restaurant – data use is not included
  • Live music on board
  • Carbon offset payment to the non-profit organization Justdiggit
Excluded in this tour
  • Coffee and tea on board after 4 PM
  • Drinks
  • Bicycle rental or E-bike rental
  • Helmet rental
  • Personal insurances
  • Gratuities (at your discretion)
  • Entrance fees and excursions
  • Fees for ferries/waterbus
  • Transfers to/from the docking place
  • Parking fees
  • SGR Insolvency protection
SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person - will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)
Bicycles/E-Bikes
  • The bicycles on board are unisex city bikes of the brand Velo de Ville C100, with lightweight frames and normal mount (ladies model), with easy-to-handle Shimano 7 gears, hand brakes, gel-saddle (height adjustable), a lock on the frame and pannier bag. All bikes have 28 inch wheels.  Some smaller frames are available on board for smaller persons. For large gentlemen (from 1.90m and above) we have a few traditional men’s models (with a horizontal bar) available.
  • The e-bike is a Velo de Ville CEB 200 with Nexus 7 gears, 4 support levels and hand breaks only (or a comparable brand/model). E-bikes available (on request, limited stock, pending availability).
  • Bicycle rent is optional. Guests are also allowed to bring their own bicycles/e-bikes (limited number of parking places available). Guests can book a parking place for a normal bicycle or a parking and charge station for an e-bike for a small additional fee. For safety reasons it is no longer possible to charge the batteries of your own e-bikes in the cabin. The crew will inform you where on deck/ on board you can recharge your battery. However, the crew or tour operators are in no way responsible for any damage, loss or theft of guests own bicycles or e-bikes.
  • Prices of other bikes (e.g. children’s bikes, “slip streamers”/tag-a-long, tandem bicycles etc. and child’s saddles (rear) are on request.
Additional options & information - 2024

2024:

  • Rental bicycle: € 96 per week
  • Rental E-Bike: € 232 per week (only on request, limited number available)
  • Limitation of liability (damage) rental bicycle €10/week
  • Limitation of liability (damage) rental e-bike €25/week
  • Parking own bicycle: € 10 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
  • Parking own E-Bike: € 25.20 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
  • Please click on this link for more information about the rental and own bicycles/E-bikes
  • Helmets: A helmet can be rented for € 10 per week, only on prior reservation and payment.
  • Canal cruise Amsterdam: Ticket for a 1-hour canal cruise through Amsterdam – special price for our guests: € 16 (at the ticket desk approx.: € 19). Please book your ticket in advance and you can collect it on board of your ship on the first day of the tour.
  • Parking in Amsterdam (valet parking): prices and pre-booking on request.

 

Optional visits (entrance fees not included, but for our guests with discount/several with discount or free of charge):
* Delftware factory
* Visitors center windmills Kinderdijk
* St. Jan’s church Gouda
* Cheese farm Oudewater
* Silversmith Schoonhoven
* City hall Zaandam and more…..



Reviews

based on 88 reviews on
12 Oct 2023

Lynn A., USA

Staff is wonderful, tour guides are knowledgeable and considerate, accommodations are great. It’s a wonderful way to see authentic countryside and culture. I look forward to doing several more such tours!!

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 13 Oct 2023

Thank you really much for this wonderful review! We are really happy that you enjoyed our tour so much and already plan to do another one! We are looking forward to welcoming you on board again soon! Best wishes, Boat Bike Tours

2 Oct 2023

Brian Deutscher

All was good. Great staff on the boat. Would be a five out of five except they didn’t have our names on the passenger list at check in. They let us on anyway, with our paperwork. Also the lounge and the dining room got very warm when full.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 4 Oct 2023

Thank you really much for this review! We are really happy that you enjoyed our tour. However, we apologize that not everything met your expectations. We are continuously trying to improve our services and will take your feedback into consideration! Hopefully, we can welcome you on board again soon. Best wishes, Boat Bike Tours

28 Sep 2023

Brenda Curran

Very organized! Accommodations on boat, even though small quarters worked well.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 4 Oct 2023

Thank you for your kind review! We are delighted that you enjoyed our tour. Hopefully, we can welcome you on board again soon. Best wishes, Boat Bike Tours.

28 Sep 2023

Ed

When we first boarded and met in the main room, it was way too hot to sit in there. I asked about turning on the AC, said it was because it was so hot outside. Hmmm, ok, next day it’s actually cold out, same thing. On our 4th day someone realized that there was a big door in front that could be open to cool it off!! Problem solved!

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 29 Sep 2023

Hi Ed, Thank you for your feedback! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We apologize for the inconvenience you faced with the temperature in the main room during your stay. Ensuring our guests' comfort is important to us, and we understand how an uncomfortable temperature can negatively impact your experience. We're sorry for the confusion, and we're glad that the issue was eventually resolved when someone discovered that the large door could be opened for cooling. We will ensure that our staff is better informed about the available amenities and how to enhance our guests' comfort. Once again, thank you for your feedback, and we hope you were able to enjoy the rest of your stay with us. If you have any further comments or suggestions, please don't hesitate to share them with us so that we can continue to improve our services. We appreciate your choice to stay with us and hope to welcome you again in the future under improved conditions. Regards, Romy


Available ships for this tour

The ship The Amsterdam in Zaandam waiting at the port
Cycling cruise ship De Amsterdam Netherlands

Restaurant and separate lounge

Dance floor

Piano

Individually controlled air conditioning

max. 112 passengers
56 cabins
1 tours available with this ship
Cycling cruise ship De Holland Netherlands

Panoramic windows

TV in the cabins

Bar and lounge areas

Individually controlled air conditioning

max. 66 passengers
32 cabins
3 tours available with this ship

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Netherlands: Southern Tour of Holland

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