Reviews

A very nice tour at a very reasonable price. Extremely smoothly organized, like clockwork. A energetic, super-efficient, always available, tireless guide: Margriet. Excellent bike support from two onboard technicians. Excellent bikes (I used an electric one). Somewhat aged boat, very well maintained, without any technical hitch. Will plan next for a trip to Bordeaux with the same company. Full endorsement.

We had a great time on this tour and enjoyed it very much. We had previously done a tour on the Magnifique from Amsterdam to Bruges which we absolutely loved and therefore were a little concerned that this tour may not live up to that very high standard, and to a limited extent that was the case. However, although the boat is not as beautiful and the tour guide and crew not as excellent, it was still entirely satisfactory. The meals were very good and the crew efficient and friendly. Could ask for little more.

I thought this trip would have a guide riding with us each day. As it turned out, it wasn’t critical to have one since we just followed the Mossel River

Well run tour all the way around! Fun, active, and the most beautiful scenery. Our guide Alex, was very in tuned to our needs, knowledgeable of the route, flexible and fun. The boat crew was professional, provided friendly service and great food! We have already recommended it to our friends.

I hadn’t been expecting to enjoy this holiday as much as I did. The very fine weather that we experienced on all the cycling days made it a real pleasure to be out and about on a bike but that wasn’t all. The crew of the Gandalf and the cycle leader made the holiday by being really interested in what sort of time we were having. The food was beautifully prepared by the young Italian chef and extremely tasty – no chance of going home lighter than you began! The quality of the food was also really high, the owner of the boat aiming to give us healthy, as well as delicious food. I will certainly go on a similar holiday again, using this company. I would thoroughly recommend it.

We were accommodated on the Gandalf. The cabins are basic but comfortable and there was more than sufficient room to stow our gear. Meals were substantial and very well cooked and good provision was made for vegetarians. A wide range of bread, cheese and cooked meats was available at breakfast for making packed lunches. The cycling was easy. I cycled 30 to 70 km per day, which sometimes included additional routes not cycled by most members of the party. Typical distances a were 30 to 55 km per day over mainly flat terrain (but be aware that strong headwinds could be an issue). Electric bikes were available for those who wanted them during the week. There was a very friendly, communal atmosphere with guests from various nations, including a local couple, Germans, Canadians and several from the UK. Ages were typically 60-70+, but there were some younger people. The cycling was excellently led by a guide with good knowledge of the routes and features of interest. In addition, he took care to wait for any stragglers. However, it was also possible to cycle independently, with contact being maintained by mobile phone as necessary. The route of the Hanseatic Tour passes through a number of delightful small towns of historic interest. Coffee shops abound and we had plenty of time to make good use of them. Also, the Gandalf changes moorings through evening and morning sailings, so there is also the experience of travelling on the rivers and canals (and it is also possible to travel with the boat during the day rather than cycling). Overall, an excellent tour. Strongly recommended for the recreational cyclist, as there is no pressure to do more than you are comfortable with. The aim is clearly to provide a good holiday experience irrespective of cycling proficiency.

The whole ambience on board MPS Gandalf on our Hanseatic Tour was about providing something for everyone. Our food was beautifully cooked and in abundant supply to fuel hungry cyclists from morning to night, with freshly baked muffins, cakes or biscuits available with tea and coffee each afternoon. The crew on board The Gandalf could not have been more willing or able to ensure our holiday was enjoyable, even down to organising emergency dental appointments, checking bikes over each day and replacing ones that had a problem; accommodation too was compact but very comfortable. Our cycling guide was Fred, who, together with Hans, the Skipper organised the cycling options along with the places the boat would berth each evening. After dinner we were provided with a map of the routes with fresh notes for next day showing the cycle network numbered junctions. Each day there was a short and a long cycling route option so our group of eighteen usually split according to their ability or energy, always arriving back pleased with their choice, having spent time in museums or interesting towns for coffee and a chance to explore. Every day someone stayed on board for one reason or another so that was always available. Fred put absolutely everything into ensuring accuracy of the notes and routes, not just for our group but for those following, by checking on the location of rest stops or route signs. As for the cycling itself, I found myself gaining in confidence to take the longer route after day one. I’m 68, cycle short distances mostly around town, and walk a dog every day and was unsure about my fitness to keep up to the speed of the group, but found that my fellow boat-bikers had similar reservations, all of which were allayed by Fred’s genial attitude and well timed guiding each day. And then there was the weather – we were lucky enough to have chosen the week when Holland was the hottest place in Europe, with temperatures reaching 29C! There was welcome shade through forests and sometimes less welcome head winds to cycle against on the coast but the sunshine was a huge bonus. I can’t recommend this holiday enough and Gandalf in particular. Will certainly be planning a return visit next year.

we enjoyed our trip. the boat and staff were wonderful. The group was fairly large so we rode by ourselves and the directions were not always co pleSe or the signs missing so we were lost a lot. the itinerary was excellent as was the food. we would have liked a cabin with two beds together but were never offered this option.

This is a great trip for people who are in at least moderate shape. The boat is wonderful and the staff was super friendly. The food was exceptional. The cycling was moderate but at fairly high speed and not geared to slower cyclists, would definitely recommend reserving an e-bike for slower folks. The guide was not always able to keep people together especially in tricky city situations. Maps were easy to follow in the country but not in the cities. we saw a lot of beautiful countryside and sights. There was also time to relax. Fellow trip members were great!

The Northern Tour was an awesome barge/bike experience for my wife and I. The stateroom was adequate- some might say “Too small!”. Supplies for breakfast and lunch were great and the sit-down supper was exceptional. The lounge and dining area were very functional, attractive and clean. The kitchen staff was efficient, the crew was very helpful, especially with the bikes, and the tour leader was a gem as she guided the bike tours and evening walks in a friendly and professional manner. We felt that free coffee and tea should be available at all times and if flags were used to indicate nations represented by those on board that care should be taken to indicate all nationalities present.