Fred van Leeuwen has been leading Boat Bike Tours for several years. A native of the province of North Holland, his favorite tours are tulip-centered ones, partly because they are the beginning of a new tour season, and partly because of the tulips! Here he describes the popular 5-day Tulip Tour:
“For me, as a tour guide, who has done most of the tours in the Boat Bike Tours program, the “ Tulip “ tour is a very special one. For many reasons: the Dutch landscape, the history, the many points of interest, and especially because they are the first trips of the season.
After our hibernation and the dark months of winter, everyone is eager to get back to work. Our guests are excited, and so are my colleagues and I. There is a great vibe in the air. A new season is here. Maybe best to compare it with the first downhill ski on a virgin slope or the first wine of the season “Beaujolais Nouveau“…..
After all of our preparations, we excitedly anticipate our first guests. As soon as they have boarded, we sail to Zaandam and have our first dinner while docking in the harbour.
After dinner you can choose to join the guided walking tour in this historic city, where Tsar Peter the Great resided in 1697 while studying Dutch shipbuilding skills.
The next morning after breakfast we adjust all the bikes and when everyone is satisfied with their bike, we leave for the open-air museum the “Zaanse Schans“. Zaanse Schans has many different varieties of windmills, marking their historical significance in this region. My personal favorite is the wood sawmill the “Jonge Schaap”, built from scratch based on the original design from 1680!
After a few hours, when everyone has been inspired by the wooden houses, windmills and demonstrations, we start our cycle trip to Haarlem, enjoying the typical Dutch “Polder landscapes“, which are meadows below sea level and the levees (or dikes) to keep them dry. Of course we have the opportunity to visit this ancient and beautiful city, situated on the banks of the Spaarne River.
After a well-deserved night of rest and a healthy breakfast, we start our tour on the bikes at around 9 am with high expectations of the “Keukenhof “ gardens, which are amazing! What will the tulip displays look like this year?
Keukenhof is one of world’s most famous flower gardens, of course, but it is actually a shared exhibition center for all the Dutch bulb growers. It was initially started after the Second World War to accommodate American buyers in a central place in the Netherlands. Now it is visited by hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world each year!
The next morning be warned: it’s an early morning as we visit the fascinating Flower auction in Aalsmeer. At the time normal earthlings start their day, the co-workers of the auction are preparing for the next day’s schedule. The good news, however, is that we are travelling by bus…what a luxury not having to cycle at that hour of the day!
After our arrival back at our barge, we find an extended breakfast served for us, and while enjoying some more coffee we sail over the lakes towards Amsterdam. On the journey through the canals in Amsterdam we pass many bridges that have been opened up for us to pass through.
Around 1 pm we arrive at our initial docking place, but our day has yet more to offer. In the afternoon we cross the IJ River by ferry and immediately we find ourself in a different landscape. We visit villages with lovely little gardens and pristine painted facades. We can finish the day off with a visit to a traditional local pub, or go back to our barge for a nap before our last dinner. Whatever you prefer.
After our last supper of the trip our program ends, the days well spent with this varied schedule. We met new friends, extended our knowledge about this amazing part of the world and maybe developed an appetite for future vacations on a bicycle. This trip is especially suited for family reunions, meet-ups with friends overseas, with room for a bit of activity and cultural experiences. Even those cyclists who are not in great shape will have a good time as the tour is short, stops are frequent: not just for coffee, lunch and tea breaks, but also to visit points of interest.
Want to know more?
Contact our friendly sales team for more information about our tulip tours, or any questions you may have about how to charter your own boat to explore the area.
Plan your trip