Springtime Splendor in Holland
Netherlands Bike + Boat Tours
Bike Through Tulip Fields, Glide Along Canals, and Explore Dutch Towns on a Charming Boat
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Tour Type
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Skill Level
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Length8 days
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Prices from€1015 Rates
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Overview
Set sail and pedal through the heart of Holland’s iconic landscapes on a bike and boat tour that brings the best of spring to life. Cycle through colorful tulip fields, sunlit daffodils, and the fragrant scent of blooming hyacinths. From quaint fishing villages to towering windmills, every turn of the wheel reveals a new scene.
This tour also takes you beyond the blooms into the lively cities of Amsterdam, Alkmaar, and Haarlem. Visit the famous Keukenhof Gardens, the lesser-known Hortus Bulborum, and the Zaanse Schans open-air museum for a glimpse into traditional Dutch life. Whether you’re strolling through museums or relaxing in a local café, these cities are full of history and culture.
Beginning and ending in Amsterdam, the tour offers flexibility with daily routes and guidance from a knowledgeable leader. Explore at your own pace using maps, GPS, and route descriptions. After a day of cycling, return to your comfortable barge for dinner and rest. With options for longer or shorter rides, and the freedom to stay on board, this tour lets you enjoy Holland your way.
Highlights
- Tulip Fields -Vibrant fields in full bloom.
- Keukenhof Gardens - Stunning tulip displays
- Zaanse Schans - Open-air museum featuring traditional windmills and Dutch crafts.
- Egmond aan Zee - Beach resort near North Holland Dune Reserve
- Hortus Bulborum - Garden museum preserving rare bulbs
- Haarlem - Historic city known for the Grote Markt square
- Volendam - Picturesque fishing village famous for traditional wooden houses and local cheese.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Amsterdam - Hoorn
Day 2: Hoorn - Enkhuizen, 25 - 31 mi. (40 - 50 km)
Day 3: Enkhuizen - Volendam - Zaanse Schans - Alkmaar, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 4: Alkmaar, 21 - 31 mi. (33 - 50 km)
Day 5: Alkmaar - Zaandam - Haarlem, 24 - 29 mi. (38 - 47 km)
Day 6: Haarlem - Keukenhof - Haarlem, 30 mi. (49 km)
Day 7: Haarlem - Amsterdam, 19 - 22 mi. (31 - 36 km)
Day 8: AmsterdamThe tour itinerary and route may be subject to changes due to nautical, technical, weather-related, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam & cruise to Hoorn
Board the ship at 1:30 PM, where the crew will check you in and give a safety briefing. As the vessel sets sail towards the IJsselmeer, your journey begins with a serene cruise to the historic town of Hoorn, known for its maritime heritage and charming streets.Day 2: Hoorn - Enkhuizen, 25 - 31 mi. (40 - 50 km)
Explore the “West-Frisian” region, renowned for its expansive tulip fields, which are among the largest in the Netherlands. Choose between two cycling routes through these vibrant floral displays. With the semi-guided approach, cycle at your own pace and pause for photos as you wish.Day 3: Enkhuizen - Volendam - Zaanse Schans - Alkmaar, 31 mi. (50 km)
In the morning, the ship will transport you to Volendam, where your bike tour through “Waterland” begins. Navigate a network of canals and picturesque villages, ending at Zaanse Schans. This open-air museum features traditional windmills and wooden houses, and you can watch local artisans like cheesemakers and clog makers at work. By evening, the ship will head to Alkmaar.Day 4: Alkmaar, 21 - 31 mi. (33 - 50 km)
Cycle north from Alkmaar to explore tulip fields and visit Egmond aan Zee, a seaside resort with stunning sandy beaches. The nearby artists' village of Bergen and the North Holland Dune Reserve offer unique landscapes and are ideal for a relaxing walk. Return to the ship in Alkmaar for dinner.Day 5: Alkmaar - Zaandam - Haarlem, 24 - 29 mi. (38 - 47 km)
Today's ride takes you through Egmond-Binnen and Limmen, where you'll visit the Hortus Bulborum Garden Museum. This unique museum preserves rare and historic bulbs, including nearly extinct varieties. Cycle through vibrant tulip fields to Zaandam, where the ship will then cruise to Haarlem. Spend the evening exploring Haarlem’s historical inner city, including the Grote Markt and St. Bavo church.Day 6: Haarlem - Keukenhof - Haarlem, 30 mi. (49 km)
Cycle through Holland’s oldest tulip fields to the Keukenhof Gardens, a stunning 80-acre park boasting seven million tulips in a spectacular display. The garden also features a variety of hyacinths, daffodils, and other flowers. In the afternoon, return to the ship in Haarlem.Day 7: Haarlem - Amsterdam, 19 - 22 mi. (31 - 36 km)
Cycle back to Amsterdam, entering from the west through lush green areas. Spend the afternoon exploring Amsterdam’s vibrant offerings, from the flower market to Vondelpark, or immerse yourself in its world-class museums. Optional discounted canal tour tickets are available for those interested.Day 8: Departure from Amsterdam
Enjoy a final breakfast on board before disembarkation by 9:30 AM
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Map
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Boats & Bikes
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De Holland
Deluxe Class Boat
Touring BicyclesElectric Bicycle (E-Bike)![]()
Hybrid Velo de Ville C100 (or similar brand/model) • Aluminum step-through frame … • Adjustable gel saddle … • Shimano Nexus gearing … • 7 speeds … • V-Brakes … • Impac Streetpac 47-622 tires … • VDV… Read More![]()
Velo de Ville CEB 200 (or similar brand/model) • Limited number available, request at the time of booking … • Wh 400 battery … • Bosch Intuvia, Bosch Purion display … • Max. 25 km/h motor speed … •… Read MoreThe former Angela Esmee, renamed now to De Holland, was completely renovated in winter 2017/2018. The De Holland has 34 well equipped staterooms for a maximum of 71 passengers. Read More
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Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Breakfasts, packed lunches, & 7 three-course dinners
- Complimentary welcome drink
- Coffee & tea are available until 4 pm
- Climate-controlled cabin with daily cleaning
- 7-speed city touring bike with pannier & water bottle
- Semi-guided cycling tours (independent cycling with tour leader available for questions/emergencies)
- Short walking tours
- Route information
- GPS tracks
- WiFi available in restaurant
- Carbon offset contribution to Justdiggit
What’s Not Included
- Coffee and tea on board after 4 p.m.
- Drinks
- Helmet rental
- Gratuities
- Entrance fees and excursions
- Fees for ferries
- Transfers to/from the docking place
- €5 per person SGR Insolvency protection
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
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Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
Questions about dates or pricing? We’re here to help! Call 800-951-4384 to talk to a Tour Specialist now.
April 4:
Apr 4April 20:
Apr 20April 27:
Apr 27- April 4 2025 Apr 4 from € 10152025 departures: Apr 4
2025 April Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tour package Lower Deck - Twin € 1015 Lower Deck - Twin for single-use € 1465 Upper Deck - Suite € 1565 Upper Deck - Twin € 1265 Upper Deck - Twin for single-use € 1840 Bike rental Price Touring bike Included E-bike € 154 Helmet € 10 *Discount available for children in upper deck triple cabin - April 20 2025 Apr 20 from € 11152025 departures: Apr 20
2025 April Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tour package Lower Deck - Twin € 1115 Lower Deck - Twin for single-use € 1615 Upper Deck - Suite € 1665 Upper Deck - Twin € 1365 Upper Deck - Twin for single-use € 1990 Bike rental Price Touring bike Included E-bike € 154 Helmet € 10 *Discount available for children in upper deck triple cabin - April 27 2025 Apr 27 from € 13652025 departures: Apr 27
2025 April Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tour package Lower Deck - Twin € 1365 Lower Deck - Twin for single-use € 1990 Upper Deck - Suite € 1915 Upper Deck - Twin € 1615 Upper Deck - Twin for single-use € 2365 Bike rental Price Touring bike Included E-bike € 154 Helmet € 10 *Discount available for children in upper deck triple cabin
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
- April 4 2025 Apr 4 from € 1015
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Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
An easy bike and boat tour featuring daily distances of 19 to 31 miles along flat, well-surfaced trails with smooth, paved or gravel paths.
Airport Info
The closest international airport to your tour start is Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).
Local Travel
From Amsterdam Airport (AMS), a quick train ride will take you to Amsterdam Central Station, which is near the city center where the ships are moored. The mooring location might be within walking distance or a short taxi ride away. Final travel information will include details on public transportation if needed.
Climate
Tulip season in Holland runs from late March to early May, but the exact timing can vary depending on weather conditions. Since we can’t predict the weather, we also can’t predict the peak bloom period! Please check local conditions before your arrival. Holland, situated near or below sea level, enjoys a Maritime climate influenced by the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean, providing ideal conditions for tulips. Pack accordingly for your cycling holiday: while April can be cooler, it averages 177 hours of sunshine. Be sure to bring layers and rain gear!
Day of Rest
On certain days, you will have the option to choose between a longer and a shorter cycling route. Keep in mind that the shorter routes may not include all the highlights mentioned. If you prefer not to cycle on any given day, you are welcome to stay on board and relax as the ship cruises to the next destination.
Remarks
On this trip, an expert and experienced tour leader will be on board. Each day, they will go over the next day’s cycling routes, offering tips and important information. You’ll cycle independently at your own pace, using a detailed map, GPS directions through the free Ride With GPS app, and printed route descriptions, all provided on board. The tour leader will also ride the routes, staying nearby and available by phone for emergencies, issues, or questions.
On the day of arrival, you can drop off your luggage on board starting at 11:00 AM.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Tour Operator
This tour is run by Boat Bike.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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Photos
![Spring in Holland! Flickr:Elise]()
![Tha marina in Hoorn. Unsplash:Wouter Kloos]()
![The Netherlands is one of the largest producers of cheese in the world! flickr:Jason Raia]()
![Alkmaar. tobbt]()
![Tulip fields in Hortus Bulborum. tobbt]()
![The windmills of Zaanse Schans. tobbt]()
![Dutch cheese in Volendam. Unsplash:AswathyN]()
![Alkmaar city at night. unsplash:Job vermeulen]()
![Pickled herring with onions, a traditional Dutch delicacy. Flickr:BryceEdwards]()
![The harbor of Hoorn. Unsplash:Wouter Kloos]()
![Cycling along fields of fragrant hyacinth. tobbt]()
![Wooden clogs, or Klompen, are an iconic symbol of Dutch culture. Unsplash:Peyman Shojaei]()
![Enkhuizen. tobbt]()
![Picturesque canals of Amsterdam. tobbt]()
![Cheese is an important part of Dutch culture. flickr:Coralie Ferreira]()
![The streets of Volendam. unsplash:Aig Jawdarahb]()
![Canal views and cold drinks on a warm summer day. Unsplash:MarttiSalmi]()
![Hoorn. tobbt]()
![Canals in Haarlem. tobbt]()
![Stroopwafel, a classic Dutch treat. Flickr:Jason Raia]()
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