Cities & Countryside of Southern Holland Boat & Bike Tour
Boat & Bike • 7 nights
VISITING: The Netherlands
Overview
Why we love this tour
Famous cities of Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and Haarlem
Peaceful waterways, green meadows and UNESCO windmills
Gentle cycle paths and quiet roads, plus several sections by boat
Gouda cheese, Delft chinaware, Dutch gin and local silverwork
Save £50 per person in our January Sale
Guiding
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Watch southern Holland reveal itself as you cycle and cruise through its Green Heart to villages, farms and famous cities. Amsterdam is your start and end point, with its tilting buildings and incredible museums. The ride into medieval Utrecht is a highlight on day two, and you’ll love the cobbled streets and grand churches in Haarlem. Staying aboard your boat, you can choose between longer and shorter cycles, meeting the boat each day to sail onto the next city.
With lush landscapes of waterways, meadows and UNESCO-listed windmills, this is Holland at its best. Along the way, you can taste cheese in Gouda, try Dutch gin in Schiedam, and buy famous blue and white pottery in Delft. At Zaanse Schans Museum you’ll walk through history before riding back to Amsterdam past beaches, parks and grazing cows.
January Sale: Save £50 per person when you book between 01 and 31 January 2025, subject to availability. £50 discount applies to adults only (18 years and over) and is not combinable with any offer except Refer a Friend or Two Tour discount. £50pp discount is not included in website prices and will be deducted after booking. A minimum £100pp deposit is required at time of booking.
The Trip
Route
Itinerary
or click on individual days
Accommodation
De Amsterdam
View full details of De Amsterdam.
The superior and spacious river cruiser " De Amsterdam" is 95m long and 11m wide and offers 56 cabins for up to 112 passengers. All cabins come with air-conditioning, safe, hairdryer, private shower and WC and a large picture window that can be partially opened. The lower deck has 30 twin cabins whilst the upper deck has 18 twin cabins and 8 spacious French balcony suites with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors instead of a window. The suites have twin beds pushed together but can be set up as two single beds on request. The lounge and bar with large panoramic windows is located on the upper deck whilst the restaurant is on the lower deck. Wi-Fi is available with additional data packages available. The large, partially roofed sun deck offers plenty of space for chairs and sun loungers and a separate area for bike storage.
De Amsterdam
Arkona
The Arkona is a river cruise ship that can carry up to 96 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 34 cabins with locked windows, on the main deck there are two outer cabins with openable panoramic windows, and on the upper deck, there are 12 outer cabins with a French balcony. The cabins offer approx. 11 sqm (118 sq ft) of floor space, with en-suite shower and WC, TV, air conditioning and two level-access single beds.
Arkona
What's included
Price includes
7 nights accommodation aboard a superior barge
Board basis: Full board including breakfast, packed lunch on 6 cycling days and 3 course 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
Some short walking tours
Daily cabin cleaning
Daily coffee and tea until 4pm
Live music on the boat
Price excludes
Flights and transfers
Bike hire
Cycle helmets
Entrance fees & excursions
Ferry fees during cycle rides
Drinks & tips on board
Special dietary requests - see below
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.
Bike hire
E-bike hire
Bringing own bike
Bringing own E-bike (includes a charge station)
Other Extras
Helmet
Helmet hire
Board upgrade
Gluten or lactose free diet (65 Euros payable locally) - please select if applicable
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. 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!
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.
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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 (vegetarian, gluten-free or lactose free-diet) at time of booking. We will notify the boat operator in advance (supplement on board for a gluten-free or lactose free-diet). Understandably, kitchen galley space is limited and not large enough to guarantee that the food can be prepared completely separately to cater for coeliacs. Vegan diets can sadly not be catered for.
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 in cycling.