Northern Holland Boat & Bike Tour
Boat & Bike • 7 nights
VISITING: The Netherlands
Overview
Why we love this tour
Peaceful islands and pretty harbour villages on the North Sea coast
Start and finish in the welcoming capital city of Amsterdam
Wooden clogs, Edam cheese and smoked eels
Easy cycling past flat polders and canals & windmills
Guiding
Distance
Level
Standard
Departs
Runs
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Fly to
Good for
Return
Tour across the flat polderlands of Northern Holland and ride to the North Sea coast, stopping off at romantic fishing villages and authentic waterside towns. The former marshlands and expansive pastures you'll ride past are scattered with windmills and were reclaimed from the sea in the 17th century - a historic process you can learn about en route at an open-air museum village.
Cycling along the most scenic coastal stretches, you can take a break whenever you please and spend your evenings exploring historic harbour towns. Taste smoked eel or salted herring, visit a wooden shoe factory, try fresh Edam and look forward to the beautiful beaches and birdlife of the extremely bike-friendly Texel Island. The capital city of Amsterdam is an exciting place to start and finish - arriving early or extending your stay to visit Anne Frank's House, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum is well worth it.
Read travel writer Adrian Lowery's report on his Northern Holland cycling holiday with Freedom Treks in The Daily Mail - April 2017.
The trip
Route
Itinerary
or click on individual days
Accommodation
De Willemstad
View full details of De Willemstad.
The superior river cruiser De Willemstad was refurbished in 2018 and has 48 cabins for up to a maximum of 96 passengers. The restaurant is on the lower deck and the saloon/bar with panoramic windows is on the upper deck. The large partly shaded sun deck is a great place to relax on a deck chair and enjoy the scenery.
The upper deck has 8 suites (15m2) with a twin bed and panoramic a floor-to-ceiling window. There are 16 upper deck twin cabins (10m2), six rear twin upper deck cabins (you will hear engine and generator noise when the boat is moving) and two upper deck single cabins (8m2) - both the twin and single cabins have windows that open. On the lower deck, there are 24 twin cabins with a ventilation window that partially opens. All the cabins are en-suite with a shower, hairdryer, TV, safe and air-conditioning.
De Willemstad
De Holland - 2024 departures
View full details of the De Holland.
Recently renovated in 2017/18, this deluxe river cruiser is 78 metres long, 7 metres wide and can accommodate up to 66 guests in 32 cabins. There is a large saloon with panoramic windows with a restaurant, bar and lounge. The sun deck is partially shaded and has chairs for you to relax and enjoy the scenery.
The lower deck has 22 twin cabins (10 m²) with windows that can not be opened. The upper deck has 9 twin cabins (10 m²) and 1 suite (13 m²) with full-length sliding doors with a French balcony. The cabins are equipped with a private bathroom with a shower, hairdryer, TV, mini-safe and individual air-conditioning.
De Holland
Arkona
The Arkona is a river cruise ship that can carry up to 92 passengers. On board, you’ll have access to Arkona’s restaurant and a separate spacious and modern lounge area with a bar on the upper deck, with large panoramic windows. The partially roofed sun deck, with its choice of chairs and sun loungers, is perfect for relaxing, having a drink and enjoying the scenery while sailing. Wi-Fi is available on board. Bicycles will be stored on a separate part of the sun deck.
The lower deck of the Arkona has 33 cabins with a locked window, on the upper deck there are 12 twin cabins with panoramic windows (the upper half can be opened) and two single cabins. The cabins offer approx. 11 sqm (118 sq ft) of floor space, with en-suite shower and WC, TV, mini-safe, hair dryer and air conditioning.
Arkona
What's included
Price includes
7 nights accommodation aboard a superior river barge
Board basis: Full board including breakfast, packed lunch on 6 cycling days and dinner
Services of an English speaking guide on-board with daily briefings of the bike tours
Maps and route information (1 set per cabin) - GPS tracks available
Welcome meeting and drink
Local contact number for assistance
Daily cabin cleaning
Daily coffee and tea until 4pm
Some walking tours with tour leader
Live music on the boat
Water bottle
Price excludes
Flights and transfers
Bike hire
Cycle helmets
Entrance fees & excursions
Ferry fees during cycle rides (ferry to Texel included)
Drinks & tips on board
Transfers to/from the docking in Amsterdam
Bike hire and extras
Bike hire
Bikes come with a pannier, a small repair kit, and lock all included at no extra cost.
Hybrid bike
Hybrid bike with 7 gears and gel saddle
E-bike
Bringing own bike
Bringing own E-bike (includes a charge station)
Other Extras
Board upgrade
Gluten or lactose free diet (65 Euros payable locally) - please select if applicable
Helmet
Helmet hire
:
Friendly service with expert knowledge
Easy to book and pay online
Full financial protection
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about this tour. Simply click on a question to reveal the answer.
Take the train (NS) from Amsterdam Central Station to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Fly from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Alternatively, take the Eurostar from Amsterdam or ferry from Hook of Holland to Harwich, UK.
Your days will involve gentle riding, mainly on flat terrain and with minimal effort required. Easy cycling holidays are suitable for most people whether you are a regular cyclist or not, however we recommend at least a few practice rides before your holiday!
We are always on hand to offer advice, so please give us a call if you wish to chat about the tour’s grading.
For Boat & Bike tours the boat will generally keep to the advertised itinerary, however the captain may have to adapt the itinerary due to the river or sea conditions.
There is limited space in the cabins, so pack light and take a soft suitcase.
| Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
| 10°C | 14°C | 17°C | 18°C | 20°C | 17°C | 13°C |
Yes, you can relax on the boat or explore when you arrive at each destination instead of cycling.
Please advise us of any special requirements at time of booking and we will notify the boat operator in advance. Understandably, kitchen galley space is limited and it may not be possible to provide specialist products (eg. Gluten free). We suggest you bring a few items with you and, in some cases, these can be provided at a supplement.
Although there is no organised group, self-guided guests regularly find they come across their fellow passengers along the route during the day and may even get together to form their own cycling groups.
Your on-board Tour Leader provides daily briefings ahead of the next day's ride. These are always beneficial, including information on the local area, main sights, and tips on good places to stop en route.
Absolutely! Boat & Bike tours are very sociable and a good choice for single travellers wishing to mix with other guests and share your common interest of cycling.