Spring Flowers in Holland Short Break Boat & Bike Tour
Boat & Bike • 4 nights
VISITING: The Netherlands
Overview
Why we love this tour
Pink hyacinths, multi-coloured tulips and yellow daffodils
Holland’s famous flower garden and the world’s biggest flower auction
Gentle cycling along easy canal side paths
4 nights accommodation aboard a premium or comfort class barge
Guiding
Distance
Level
Standard
Departs
Runs
Code
Fly to
Good for
Return
Cruise your way through the country’s main bulb-growing region in springtime, stopping off at famous flower gardens and the world’s biggest flower auction. Stay aboard the luxurious Magnifique barges or the comfort class Fluvius barge. Prepare to be amazed by the perfume of millions of flowers as you cycle from the capital city of Amsterdam, an exciting place to start and finish this lovely tour, along gentle country lanes lined with yellow daffodils, pink hyacinths and purple tulips.
The endless flowers are not the only highlight; enjoy the cobblestone streets, cosy cafes and grand palaces of Haarlem, the open-air museum of Zaanse Schans with its reconstructed 17th-century village and, of course, Amsterdam itself.
This tour has limited departure dates to coincide with the tulip season. See more cycling tours of Holland's tulip region. If you'd like to take longer version of this tour, our Spring Flowers in Holland Boat & Bike Tour takes you on an seven-night journey through even more of the beautiful Dutch countryside.
The Trip
Route
Accommodation
MS Magnifique IV
View full details of the MS Magnifique IV.
This premium barge can accommodate up to 36 guests. The upper deck has 10 beautiful suites (approx. 16M²) with double beds, a small seating area and a large sliding window. The lower deck cabins (approx. 12M²) have twin beds and fixed portholes. All cabins have an en-suite shower and toilet, air conditioning, flat-screen satellite TV, small safe and hairdryer. If requested, an extra bed is available in some lower deck twin cabins above one of the other beds.
The saloon has an air-conditioned bar and lounge area with large windows to enjoy the view. Large doors open onto the partially covered sundeck and the top deck has a hot tub and deck chairs for you to relax. The dining room is on the lower deck and has a glass wall to the kitchen.
Magnifique IV
MS Magnifique III
View full details of the MS Magnifique III.
The Magnifique III is a premium barge that can accommodate up to 40 guests. The lower deck has 14 twin cabins (approx. 11M²) and 2 single cabins. The upper deck has 5 suites (approx.14M²) with a small seating area and a large window that opens partially. The cabins on the lower deck have fixed portholes with the upper deck suites having a large window which can be partially opened. All cabins have en-suite shower and toilet, air conditioning, flat screen satellite TV, small safe and hairdryer. If requested, an extra bed is available in some twin cabins above one of the other beds.
The saloon has a combined air conditioned restaurant, bar and lounge area with large windows to enjoy the view. Large doors open onto the partially covered sundeck and the top deck has a hot tub and deckchairs for you to relax.
Magnifique III
MS Magnifique II
View full details of the MS Magnifique II.
The Magnifique II was built in 2016 after the success of the Magnifique. She is a 63 meter long premium barge that can accommodate up to 34 guests and sails under Dutch flag and management. The lower deck has 13 cabins: 12 twin cabins (approx. 11 M²), 1 premium twin (approx. 13M²). The upper deck has four beautiful suites with a large panoramic window (14 M²). The cabins on the lower deck have fixed portholes with the upper deck suites having a 2 meter wide window (one window can be opened). All cabins have en-suite shower and toilet, individually regulated air conditioning, flat screen satellite TV, small safe and hairdryer. If requested, an extra bed is available in some twin cabins above one of the other beds.
On the upper deck there are a tastefully furnished air conditioned saloon with restaurant, bar, lounge with wide screen TV, large windows, Wi-Fi (limited use of data) and a partly covered teak wooden sun deck with chairs and tables and on the aft deck cycle storage. On the top deck there is a hot tub and some deck chairs that you can enjoy after your cycle.
Magnifique II
MS Fluvius
View full details of the MS Fluvius.
This comfortable 70-meter barge can accommodate up to 44 guests in 18 twin and 4 double cabins. There are 14 twin cabins and 1 smaller twin cabin on the lower deck and 3 twins and 4 doubles on the upper deck. The 4 above deck double cabins with a large panoramic window. All cabins have their own shower and toilet, a fixed window and individually regulated air conditioning and ventilation system.
The large communal salon with bar has a semi-separate restaurant area. On the large and partially roofed sun deck are seating areas with tables and chairs and storage room for the bikes.
MS Fluvius
What's included
Price includes
4 nights accommodation on a premium (Magnifique barges) or comfort class (Fluvius) barge
Board basis: Full board including breakfast, packed lunch and three-course dinner
English speaking tour guide on board and on bike - an extra English speaking guide is added once 22 guests are booked meaning cycling in smaller groups as guests can opt for longer or shorter or quicker or slower cycling tours
Maps and route information (1 set per cabin) - GPS tracks available
Welcome meeting and welcome drink
Daily cabin cleaning
Daily coffee (espresso, latte, cappuccino) tea and hot chocolate
Cycle helmets included for Magnifique barges
Fees for ferries
Entrance to Keukenhof, North Holland Dune Reserve & Zaanse Schans mill for guests on all Magnifique barges
Price excludes
Flights and transfers
Bike hire
Cycle helmets for Fluvius guests
Drinks on board
Tips
Special dietary requests - see below
Entrance fees for the Aalsmeer flower auction
Entrance fees for the Keukenhof and other excursions for Fluvius guests
Bike hire and extras
Bike hire
Bikes come with a built in lock, waterproof pannier and a small repair kit all included at no extra cost. Helmets, water bottles & gel-saddles are included with rental bikes for the Magnifique, Magnifique II & Magnifique III.
Hybrid bike (for Fluvius barge)
E-bike (for Fluvius barge)
On request - limited availabilty
Hybrid bike (for Magnifique barges)
E-bike (for Magnifique barges)
Bringing own bike (for Magnifique barges)
Bringing own E-bike for Magnifique barges (includes a charge station)
Bringing own bike (for Fluvius barge)
Bringing own E-bike for Fluvius barge (includes a charge station)
Other Extras
Helmet
Helmet hire (for Fluvius)
Board upgrade
Gluten or lactose free diet (40 Euros payable locally) - please select if applicable
:
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 fly from Amsterdam. Alternatively, take the Eurostar from Amsterdam or take the train to Hook of Holland and then a ferry 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 the 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.
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.