Six Lesser-Known Boat & Bike Tours

These six lesser-known Boat & Bike tours are for the intrepid cyclist looking for the ultimate bragging rights of trying something different before everyone else.

Lesser-known is by no means lesser-quality and we expect these tours to only grow in popularity as more people discover them and spread the word.

To make sure you try them first, book or enquire online or call our team on +44 (0)1273 224066, we’re always on hand for tips and recommendations.

When most people think of Boat & Bike holidays in the Netherlands, they think about cruising along canals on a barge. Rightly so, Amsterdam to Bruges is the most popular tour in our whole programme! But it’s not all about barges, canals and cities…

Head to Holland's Northern Coast and enjoy the gentle pace of coastal life as you sail and cycle around the Frisian Sea and the Ijsselmeer - the Netherlands’ largest lake. You’ll swap your typical Dutch barge for one of three traditional schooners, each of which has been beautifully renovated and modernised for cycle touring.

They’re surprisingly spacious and well-equipped - as well as a restaurant and bar, each also has a jacuzzi out on the deck for soothing tired legs after a day on the bike. You’ll also have the chance to help with the sailing and feel like part of the crew.

Wildlife is a highlight on this tour, with pristine nature reserves home to black-winged stilts, spoonbills and black-backed gulls and even a seal sanctuary.

View tour: Holland’s Northern Coast Boat & Bike Tour

Most visitors to the Czech Republic opt to base themselves in the capital city of Prague and rarely venture further afield. It's one of our favourite European cities, but there's so much more to the country and our Prague & Beyond tour allows you to experience the best of both worlds.

You'll start and finish in the wonderful city of Prague with plenty of time to explore its many attractions, but in between you'll cruise along the Vltava and Elbe rivers, cycling along their banks and stopping off at captivating castles and medieval towns.

You'll stay aboard the superior MS Florentina, enjoying the excellent facilities and delicious food including Czech national dishes. The large sundeck, which covers most of the top deck, is ideal for watching the scenery pass by on sunnier days.

View tour: Prague & Beyond Boat & Bike Tour

For a distinctly Scottish experience, head to the western islands of the Inner Hebrides for our Scotland Boat & E-Bike Tour. This is another tour for wildlife lovers with the chance to spot dolphins, seals, red deer, eagles and otters as you navigate rugged coastlines and wild landscapes.

Although the distances aren't too long on this tour, the coastal aspect makes for hilly cycling. The use of e-bikes comes as a welcome addition, giving weary legs a break. Visit local tearooms and Scottish pubs to try fresh fish and chips and of course a traditional haggis. The Hebrides islands are famous for their whisky and this tour includes a night on the Isle of Jura, home to one of Scotland's best-known distilleries.

You'll sail on board the Flying Dutchman, a beautiful and traditional schooner perfectly suited to the islands of Western Scotland. As well as having the option to help hoist the sails, you'll also be able to sit with the captain and steer the boat. There's a real sense of camaraderie on board thanks to the warm and welcoming crew.

View tour: Scotland Boat & E-Bike Tour

If Scotland's hilly rides aren't for you, how about relaxed, easy cycling in northeast Germany? Follow gentle towpaths and flat waterside routes as you make your way from the fascinating city of Berlin to the Hanseatic city of Stalsund on the Baltic coast.

You'll nip into Poland for a night in the historic city of Szczecin before a rest day sailing across the Bay of Szczecin - ideal for recovering your legs before the final stretch to Stalsund. Full of historic and natural landmarks, you’ll cycle past everything from Baroque castles to Germany’s oldest working boatlift, the Niederfinow, as well as leafy forests and wildlife-rich wetlands.

The comfortable and spacious river cruiser MS Princess is your home for the week. We particularly like the light and bright restaurant and bar areas with large, panoramic windows for watching the scenery go by.

View tour: Berlin to the Baltic Sea Boat & Bike Tour

Uncover the alluring islands and breathtaking natural landscapes of Kvarner Bay while cruising along the crystal clear waters of the Northern Adriatic on our Kvarner Bay Deluxe Boat & E-Bike Tour. Each island you visit is unique, and you’ll ride past incredible coastal scenery and verdant green meadows, smelling fragrant pines, discovering hidden coves and witnessing memorable sunsets.

The terrain is undulating on this tour and is recommended for confident cyclists with it's moderate to challenging grade. There is the added pedal power of an e-bike to give your legs a rest though, and the sights you'll see make each and every climb incredibly rewarding.

It's also worth noting, however, that if you're confident enough to tackle this tour without an e-bike, there's the option to cycle the non-deluxe version, our Kvarner Bay Boat & Bike Tour.

Senior Operations Coordinator Darryl cycled the deluxe version of this tour in October 2023 and gave a rave review - read his Kvarner Bay trip report to find out all about how he got on.

Your floating home for the week is the elegant Andela Lora. This stylish steel motor yacht has a spacious sundeck and top-quality interior furnishing to ensure an unforgettable trip in every aspect. Plus, enjoy refreshing dips in the pristine Adriatic waters from the swimming platform.

View tour: Kvarner Bay Deluxe Boat & E-Bike Tour

If you like the look of any of these tours, visit the tour pages for dates, prices and to book. Or for more information or inspiration from our team, enquire online or call +44 (0)1273 224066.

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