Cycle and sail the provinces of South and North Holland at the best time of year: when spring flowers are in bloom. This is when the tulip fields glow in a multitude of colors, thousands of daffodils compete with the sun, and hyacinth fields spread their sweet scent for all to enjoy. But that’s just the beginning, because there’s a whole lot more to this region. You’ll be astounded by the enormous variety of different scenery you’ll see within such a small area. From your bike, you’ll see beautiful medieval cities and small fishing villages, centuries-old windmills and locks still in use, wide green fields and wetlands teeming with bird life. Get out of the wind and relax in the dunes by the North Sea, or feel the breeze in your hair as you stroll along the beach. You may even want to dip a toe in the sea, but beware! It’s cold!
This tour also takes you to the historical cities of Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Haarlem. Park your bike and explore them on foot. It’s the most relaxed way to enjoy their beauty (and to find the cutest little cafés). There are plenty of museums where you can delve into the history of the region. Learn about tulip growing in the area by visiting both the famous Keukenhof Gardens and the lesser-known Hortus Bulborum garden museum. Zaanse Schans open-air museum shows you what villages and village life looked like in the old days. And in Amsterdam, of course, there’s a museum for every interest, be it old Dutch masters or contemporary art, history or seafaring.
This wonderful bike and barge trip starts and ends in Amsterdam. A well-trained, multilingual tour leader gives you a daily briefing, a map and route descriptions, and then you´re off on your own to discover the treasures of this intensely Dutch area. Each evening, you’ll return to your floating hotel barge, docked in a harbor along the route.
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 can make 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.
