Best of Holland

Day 1: Amsterdam | Amsterdam – Zaandam, 3 mi. (1 - 5 km)
Day 2: Zaandam – Zaanse Schans museum – Waterland – Volendam, 21 or 26 mi. (33 or 43 km) 
Day 3: Volendam – Marken (ferry) | Marken – Waterland – Muiden | Muiden – Vianen, 24 or 28 mi. (39 or  46 km)
Day 4: Vianen – Schoonhoven | Schoonhoven - Alblasserdam | Alblasserdam – Dordrecht (waterbus ferry), 26 or 34 mi. (41 or 55 km)
Day 5: Dordrecht – Alblasserdam (waterbus ferry) | Alblasserdam –  Gouda, 22 or 33 mi. (37 or 52 km)
Day 6: Gouda – Leiden – Oude Wetering, 16 or 34 mi.  (25 or 54 km)
Day 7: Oude Wetering - Amsterdam | Around Amsterdam Waterland, 18 mi. (28 km)
Day 8: Amsterdam, end of the tour

*All distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to weather, last minute mooring changes, and restructuring of locks or bridges. On this tour with more than 22 guests, the daily cycling tours will be accompanied by 2 knowledgeable and multi-lingual tour leaders. On most days the tour leaders will offer a long and a short (or a quicker and a more relaxed) bike option. Those that choose the short option may not visit all the mentioned highlights. Parts in italics are covered on board.

Day 1: Amsterdam | Amsterdam – Zaandam, 3 mi. (1 - 5 km)
Embarkation and check-in in the center of Amsterdam.  (It is possible to bring your luggage on board as early as 9:30 am but the cabins will not be ready for check-in.) Just before dinner, the ship will leave Amsterdam to make a short dinner cruise to Zaandam. In Zaandam, the ship moors in the center of the city or near the open-air museum Zaanse Schans. Bikes will be handed out and you can take a short test ride to be sure the fit is correct.

Day 2: Zaandam – Zaanse Schans museum – Waterland – Volendam, 21 or 26 mi. (33 or 43 km) 
Your first cycling tour leads to the open-air museum Zaanse Schans for a short visit and continues cycling through small villages in the beautiful wetlands of Waterland to Volendam. There will be two cycling options offered, one slightly shorter. The ship sails via Amsterdam to Volendam. Late afternoon, dinner, evening, and night on board in Volendam, the small and picturesque fishing harbor on the shores of the Lake IJsselmeer.

Day 3: Volendam – Marken (ferry) | Marken – Waterland – Muiden | Muiden - Vianen, 24 or 28 mi. (39 or  46 km)
In the morning you will have a half hour ferry crossing from Volendam to the former island of Marken. After visiting an authentic Dutch village, you will continue cycling along the coastline towards IJburg, a new and modern part of Amsterdam that was recently built on reclaimed land from the sea. From there on you’ll cycle to the historical town of Muiden with its 14th Century castle on the waterfront. Your day ends in the nearby village of Weesp, where the ship is moored. Around 4  or 5 pm the ship departs for Vianen and you can enjoy a three-course dinner while cruising. Evening and night on board in Vianen, a small fortified town on the lower Rhine River.

Day 4: Vianen – Schoonhoven – Alblasserdam | Alblasserdam – Dordrecht (waterbus ferry),  26 or 34 mi. (41 or 55 km)
Today you have a few cycle options. The long option leads all the way from Vianen to Alblasserdam. If you prefer a shorter bike tour you can either bike in the morning or bike in the afternoon. The ship will make a stop halfway in Schoonhoven, also called the ‘Silver City’. In the afternoon the cycling tour takes you from Schoonhoven through the Alblasserwaard polder to Alblasserdam, This is where you pass the famous 19 windmills of Kinderdijk (UNESCO World Heritage site). It is known as one of the most photogenic sights of the Netherlands. You can have a look around in one of the windmills and the visitor center before you will take the Waterbus ferry to Dordrecht. Dordrecht, or Dordt as it is called by insiders, is one of the oldest Dutch cities, at the junction of three major rivers. In the evening, after dinner, you can join for a short city walk. You will spend the night in Dordrecht on board of the ship.

Day 5: Dordrecht – Alblasserdam (waterbus ferry) | Alblasserdam –  Gouda, 22 or 33 mi. (37 or 52 km)
When you’ve finished breakfast you will return by Waterbus to Alblasserdam to start your cycling tour. Close to Bergambacht you may visit a cheese farm where you will learn about the traditional cheese-making process and you will have the opportunity to taste the results. Continue cycling to Gouda, the cheese and candle capital of Holland. Enjoy this beautiful historical city, the old market square and the Cheese Weighing House during the afternoon and evening. This evening dinner is not included, so you will enjoy a wonderful meal in one of many restaurants in Gouda. We have various restaurant recommendations available on board.

Day 6: Gouda – Leiden – Oude Wetering, 16 or 34 mi.  (25 or 54 km)
Today’s cycling tour starts in Gouda and shows you the typical scenery of the Green Heart of Holland with green landscapes, wide views, small canals, and tiny lakes – all below sea level! The optional longer cycling tour leads via Leiden, the birthplace of renowned painter Rembrandt and residence of the oldest university of the Netherlands. Both cycling options end in Oude Wetering. Dinner, evening and night on board the ship in this small village.

Day 7: Oude Wetering - Amsterdam | Around Amsterdam Waterland, 18 mi. (28 km)
After breakfast, you’ll start your last cycling day from Oude Wetering along the canal and through the ‘Amsterdam forest’ into Amsterdam. During the afternoon you either have the opportunity to make a last beautiful cycling tour through the wetlands of Waterland or to discover this amazing city. Visit the inner city flower market, a museum, do some shopping... there is just so much to do! In the evening you can join a boat tour through the beautiful canals of old Amsterdam(UNESCO cultural heritage). A wonderful way to conclude of your trip!

Day 8: Amsterdam, end of the tour
Check-out and disembarkation right after breakfast by 9:30 am. Please check your cabin for personal items. Before you leave, do not forget to hand over your cabin key to the crew. If you wish you can leave your luggage on board until noon (please ask the crew).

You will be accommodated on one of the Deluxe vessels in the Magnifique family.

• Princesse Royal

  Deluxe

  ?

  4.4 out of 5 (10 Reviews)

  View Boat

  Deluxe Class Boat

  Touring Bicycle

  Batavus-Dinsdag City Touring Bike … • Unisex Frame (suitable for people taller than 150 cm (4'9") • Upright riding position … • Step-through mount … • Shimano gearing … • 7 speeds … • Comfort gel… Read More

  Electric Bicycle (E-Bike)

  Batavus-Dinsdag E-Go (or similar brand/model) • Limited number available, request at the time of booking … • Step-through frame … • Upright riding position … • Nexus 8-Gear … • 5 levels of assistance… Read More

  This beautiful vessel features a beautiful salon with a spacious bar, a sun deck equipped with comfortable chairs, and a small whirlpool to relax in at the end of a long day of cycling. Delicious meals are served daily in the restaurant area. Read More
• Magnifique II

  Deluxe

  ?

  4.9 out of 5 (10 Reviews)

  View Boat

  Deluxe Class Barge

  Unisex City Bike

  Hybrid Azor (or similar brand/model) • Low-entry (step-through frame) • Lightweight aluminum … • High handlebars and upright riding position … • Handbrakes … • Shimano 7-speed Nexus drive … • Chain… Read More

  Unisex City Electric Bike

  Azor (or similar brand/model) • Low-entry (step-through frame) • Lightweight aluminum … • High handlebars and upright riding position … • Nexus 7 gears … • Hand brakes … • Shimano motor (400 WH)… Read More

  In 2016, we saw the launch of a new premium barge, the Magnifique II, to wonderful reviews. The ship boasts a classical style with an emphasis on superior comfort. This ship has earned the deluxe designation! Read More
• Magnifique III

  Deluxe

  ?

  4.4 out of 5 (10 Reviews)

  View Boat

  Deluxe Class Barge

  Unisex City Bike

  Hybrid Azor (or similar brand/model) • Low-entry (step-through frame) • Lightweight aluminum … • High handlebars and upright riding position … • Handbrakes … • Shimano 7-speed nexus drive … •… Read More

  Unisex City Electric Bike

  Azor (or similar brand/model) • Limited number available, request at the time of booking … • Low-entry (step-through frame) • Lightweight aluminum … • High handlebars and upright riding position … •… Read More

  Following the success of her sister ships, Princesse Royal and the Magnifique II, Magnifique lll was launched in 2018, adding to her owner/captain's portfolio of designing and constructing deluxe ships. The partially covered sundeck with sun loungers and a hot tub provide is the perfect spot for relaxation. The tastefully decorated lounge with large panoramic windows, located on the upper deck is wonderfully inviting and the combined light-filled restaurant, bar, and lounge adds to the ambience. Read More
• Magnifique IV

  Deluxe

  ?

  4.9 out of 5 (10 Reviews)

  View Boat

  Deluxe Class Barge

  Unisex City Bike

  Hybrid Azor (or similar brand/model) • Low-entry (step-through frame) • Lightweight aluminum … • High handlebars and upright riding position … • Handbrakes … • Shimano 7-speed nexus drive … •… Read More

  Unisex City Electric Bike

  Azor (or similar brand/model) • Low-entry (step-through frame) • Lightweight aluminum … • High handlebars and upright riding position … • Nexus 7 gears … • Hand brakes … • Shimano motor (400 WH)… Read More

  Following the overwhelming success of the premium barges Princesse Royal, Magnifique II (2016), and Magnifique III (2018), we are proud to now offer a new addition, the Magnifique IV. Read More