View our latest offers and deals on our offers page! See all offers
Back to overview
Netherlands

5-day Tulip Tour

Lots of flowers and historic highlights
Amsterdam Round tour.
From €789 p.p.
Cyclists in front of windmill Town of Haarlem with a canal, boats and houses in the picture
Quickly jump to
5-day Tulip Tour

Highlights of this tour

Experience Holland in the best possible way: a gorgeous spring short break dominated by flowers. This 5-day mini-cruise plows through the most beautiful season of the year and will take you to gorgeous areas such in “the Garden of Amsterdam”. Enjoy some unforgettable days on board of a passenger barge with excellent service and an alternating itinerary. Amsterdam is also called, by some, the smallest metropolis of Europe. There are many unique museums, enticing shopping and, recently added to the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage list, the canals in the heart […]

A spring break overflowing with flowers

Historical cities of Amsterdam & Haarlem

Flower market, Keukenhof, Zaanse Schans

Ship with max. 44 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 Guided 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.
5 days

About this tour

Experience Holland in the best possible way: a gorgeous spring short break dominated by flowers. This 5-day mini-cruise plows through the most beautiful season of the year and will take you to gorgeous areas such in “the Garden of Amsterdam”. Enjoy some unforgettable days on board of a passenger barge with excellent service and an alternating itinerary.

Amsterdam is also called, by some, the smallest metropolis of Europe. There are many unique museums, enticing shopping and, recently added to the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage list, the canals in the heart of Amsterdam certainly make a visit to Amsterdam a highlight. Visit the famous flower market in the center of the capital and discover the Zaanse Schans open air museum including windmills, a traditional cheese maker, a clog maker and an authentic traditional Dutch village. Other highlights of this trip are the historic city of Haarlem, the world famous flower park Keukenhof, near Lisse and the largest flower auction* in the world in Aalsmeer.

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.

Fully Guided
Accompanied by a competent, professional and multilingual tour leader, you and the group will visit interesting sights and places on the daily cycling tours. During the bike tour, they will explain the local history and culture behind the things you encounter along the way. You can also choose to ride individually with the help of the Ride with GPS app and our BBT cycling map (available on board).

Prepare yourself for this tour with our Travel Prep-tips

Preparation is half the fun, so why not start straight away?
See all tips

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 | Amsterdam – Zaandam 

Embarkation and check-in, where the crew will welcome you on board, takes place at 2 p.m. 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 new 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 (24 km/14 mi. or 34 km/21 mi.)

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 (38 km/23 mi. or 55 km/34 mi.)

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 and will head to Oude Wetering, a small village, where your floating hotel will be waiting for you.

Day 4: Oude Wetering –Nieuwe Meer (28 km/18 mi.) | Nieuwe Meer – Amsterdam

This morning you are in for a real treat – an early 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 a.m. you will return on the your barge  where a late breakfast will be waiting for you. After a short bike ride you will join the barge for an afternoon of sailing through Amsterdam. In Amsterdam you have the opportunity 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!

*: The Aalsmeer flower auction is closed during weekends and on public holidays. This is an optional visit.

Day 5: Amsterdam

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

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 and a GPS app are available for guests who wish 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 April
Small twin cabin below deck 2 pers. € 789 Twin twin below deck 2 pers. € 819 Twin cabin below deck for single use (Fluvius & Mecklenburg) 1 pers. € 1228.50 Twin cabin upper deck 2 pers. € 939 Double cabin upper deck 2 pers. € 1059
Included in this tour
  • 5 days/4 nights
  • 4 x breakfast
  • Packed lunches
  • 4 x 3-course dinner
  • Coffee and tea on board
  • Welcome drink
  • Use of bed linen and towels
  • Daily cleaning of the cabin
  • Climate-controlled cabin
  • Daily briefings
  • Fully guided cycling tours
  • Some short walking tours
  • Fees for ferries
  • BBT cycling map (1 set per cabin)
  • GPS tracks
  • Use of a waterproof pannier bag
  • Biodegradable water bottle
  • Wi-Fi
  • Carbon offset payment to the non-profit organization Justdiggit
Excluded in this tour
  • Drinks
  • Bicycle rental or E-bike rental
  • Helmet rental
  • Personal insurances
  • Gratuities (at your discretion)
  • Entrance fees and excursions
  • 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 is a unisex city bike with a low-entry and a riding position that is upright and comfortable. The bike is handmade in the Netherlands by Azor, specially designed by Boat Bike Tours. The bike consists of a lightweight aluminum frame and is equipped with responsive roller brakes (handbrake), a Shimano 7 speed nexus drive, Selle-Royal gel saddle (adjustable), an easy to use lock (fixed on frame) and the Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tyre. This all results in a lightweight, stable and reliable bike, good for many miles on the saddle.
  • The E-bike is an Azor Steps with Nexus 7 gears and hand brakes. The crank Shimano motor (400 WH) offers 4 support levels, The E-bikes have a comfortable gel saddle and a lock on the frame (or a comparable brand/model).
  • 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.
  • Other bikes (e.g. bikes with back pedal brake, children’s bikes, “slip streamers”, tandems, etc.) and child saddles (rear) on these tours are only available after prior request (by booking) and confirmation and in very limited numbers.
Additional options & information - 2024

2024:

  • Rental bicycle: € 60 per tour (optional)
  • Rental E-Bike: € 145 per tour (only a limited number of electrical bikes available: pref. reservation by booking)
  • Limitation of liability (damage) rental bicycle € 10/tour (only bookable in advance)
  • Limitation of liability (damage) rental e-bike € 25/tour (only bookable in advance)
  • Please click on this link for more information
  • Parking own bicycle: € 6.25 per tour (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
  • Parking + charge station own E-Bike: € 15.75 per tour (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: € 10 per tour (only on prior reservation and payment). In the Netherlands bikers are not obligated by law to wear a bike helmet.
  • Canal cruise AmsterdamTicket 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.


Reviews

based on 13 reviews on
20 Apr 2023

Steve B

The Fluvius was a good ship and the grand finale of our trip, which was sailing through the heart of Amsterdam on a 200+ foot boat was quite memorable! We rented the E bikes and they were great, but what really made our trip special was the tour guides Michel and Terese, they were great! Food was good and the daily cycle expeditions were well chosen and interesting.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 20 Apr 2023

Hi Steve, Thank you for taking the time to review your experience on the Fluvius! We're glad to hear that you enjoyed your time on the ship and that the grand finale of the trip, sailing through the heart of Amsterdam, was memorable. It's great to know that the E-bikes were a great addition to the trip and that you found the tour guides Michel and Terese to be excellent. We're happy to hear that the food was good and that the daily cycle expeditions were interesting and well-chosen. Thank you for choosing Boat Bike Tours for your trip and we hope to see you again soon! Warm regards, Romy

20 Apr 2023

Arve Strandheim

Nice plan, good guiding and a comfortable stay

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 20 Apr 2023

Thank you for taking the time to review your experience! We're glad to hear that you had a nice plan for your trip, enjoyed the guiding, and found your stay to be comfortable. We appreciate your feedback and hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future!

13 Apr 2023

K Beardow

We were aboard the Fluvius April 3 -7. It is a warm, comfortable, intimate environment compared to the other , bigger, newer boats. We were not a completely full house which made it better to speak to almost everyone. The bikes were in good working order and pleasant to ride. The guides were nice and told us some info along the routes. The food was a very nice three course dinner everyday. Breakfast buffet area is a bit cramped but has good food options and you make your lunch to take for biking. We had an upper double room (104) which is obviously small but very comfortable. Only slight negative would be that the person on the other side has to crawl over the other to-get up to go to the bathroom at night. Mattress was very comfortable and the bathroom was larger than I expected it would be. I wish our tour was longer, I didn’t want to leave!

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 18 Apr 2023

Hi Katrina, It sounds like you had a wonderful time on the Fluvius and enjoyed the intimate atmosphere of the boat. It's great to hear that the bikes were in good condition and that the guides were informative during the rides. The three-course dinners and breakfast buffet also seem to have been a hit with you. Your comments on the upper double room you stayed in are helpful for future travelers to know. Despite the small size, it's great to hear that it was comfortable and that the mattress was nice. It's always a great sign when a trip leaves you wanting more, and it seems like this was the case for you. Hopefully, you'll be able to plan another trip soon! Warm regards, Romy

8 May 2019

customer

We had a wonderful time on this trip. The staff is very friendly, helpful and courteous. The two tour guides are so nice, they made us feel like we have known them for a long time. The food was delicious and the boat was very comfortable.


Available ships for this tour

Cycling cruise ship Fluvius Belgium, Netherlands

Deck chairs

Panoramic windows

TV in cabins

Individually controlled air conditioning

max. 44 passengers
22 cabins
2 tours available with this ship

Related tours

Amsterdam Round tour.
Premium Experience the higher levels of comfort, smaller groups and extra’s.
discount
5-day Tulip Tour Premium Experience Dutch tulips in style

Including entrance Keukenhof

Vistit mill at Zaanse Schans

Entrance North-Holland Dune reserve

Ships with 30 to max. 40 passengers

Duration of the tour.
tijd2 Created with Sketch. 5 days
5 stars
62 Reviews
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 Guided 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
Amsterdam Round tour.
discount
8-day Tulip Tour Springtime, flowers and cheese

Tulips & the Green Heart of Holland

Historical cities of Amsterdam & Leiden

Flower market, Keukenhof, Zaanse Schans

Barges with max. 22 passengers

Duration of the tour.
tijd2 Created with Sketch. 8 days
5 stars
22 Reviews
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 Guided 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

Your selected tour:

5-day Tulip Tour

Request a quote

  • Please enter a number from 1 to 150.
  • Month (March until October) and year
  • Your data

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.