Tulip Tour - 7 day

Day 1: Amsterdam - Weesp
Day 2: Weesp - Vreeswijk - Schoonhoven, 18 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km) | 28 to 31 mi. (45 to 50 km)
Day 3: Schoonhoven - Kinderdijk - Gouda, 30 to 34 mi. (50 to 55 km) | 19 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km)
Day 4: Gouda - Leiden, 22 to 25 mi. (35 to 40 km)
Day 5: Leiden - Keukenhof - Haarlem, 12 to 15 mi. (20 to 25 km)
Day 6: Haarlem - Zaanse Schans - Amsterdam, 25 to 28 mi. (40 to 45 km)
Day 7: Departure from Amsterdam

All distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change sometimes without prior notice.  Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. The captain reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary.

Day 1: Amsterdam - Weesp
Check-in on board between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm. Once you get settled into your cabin, enjoy a welcome drink during an introductory tour briefing. Dinner will be served as the boat cruises, and in the evening take an after dinner stroll through the town of Weesp    

Day 2: Weesp - Vreeswijk - Schoonhoven, 18 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km) | 28 to 31 mi. (45 to 50 km)
A sailing breakfast is served while the boat cruises to Vreeswijk. The first bike tour of the week starts here. your bike tour to the charming silver town of Schoonhoven will start. Today’s tour takes you through one of the most picturesque parts of Holland as you pedal to today’s destination of Schoonhoven. 

Day 3: Schoonhoven - Kinderdijk - Gouda, 30 to 34 mi. (50 to 55 km) | 19 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km)
You will get to enjoy the gorgeous Dutch scenery while sailing on the river Lek and biking from Schoonhoven to Kinderdijk, home to an impressive 19 windmills, built around 1740, to drain the polder Alblasserwaard. They are a well-known tourist destination and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. After your visit, you will cycle to the city of Gouda, through a real Dutch scenery of polders. Gouda is famous for its cheeses, candles, and "stroopwafels". Dinner on board and overnight stay in Gouda.

Day 4: Gouda - Leiden, 22 to 25 mi. (35 to 40 km)
Leaving Gouda, you will pass Boskoop, famous for its horticulture nurseries, particularly woody plant and perennial nurseries, of which some 774 are situated on long stretches of land divided by narrow canals. This is the "green heart" of Holland. Passing small towns and villages such as Alphen on the Rhine, you will finally reach Leiden. Leiden is a lively city where history comes alive. The birthplace of painting legend Rembrandt, this is where he developed his skills. His workshop can still be visited today.  The University of Leiden contributes to the vibrant and convivial atmosphere and is quickly developing into a world-famous center of science. You will get a chance to stroll through this magnificent city after dinner.

Day 5: Leiden - Keukenhof - Haarlem, 12 to 15 mi. (20 to 25 km)
While you enjoy breakfast, the Merlijn will sail the ‘Kager Plassen’, a beautiful series of lakes. Your bike tour begins at the next stop, which is near the infamous Keukenhof Flower Exhibition. It is estimated that nearly 7 million flower bulbs are planted here annually to cover an area of roughly 80 acres which makes it the largest flower garden in the world. Admire all these beautiful tulips and other flowers that are cultivated in Holland.

After your visit, you will bike to the city of Haarlem, taking in some breathtaking Dutch scenery and of course, more flowers! This evening, take a stroll through the historical city of Haarlem, and perhaps rounding off the day by drinking the famous local “Jopen” beer in one of the many bars or in the “Jopen Church”.

Day 6: Haarlem - Zaanse Schans - Amsterdam, 25 to 28 mi. (40 to 45 km)
Cycle along the Zaanse Schans, famous for its windmills and green wooden houses, typical for this area. The day ends back in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. One of the greatest small cities in the world! A farewell dinner is served on board. 

Day 7: Departure from Amsterdam
Farewell breakfast, check-out, and departure approximately 9am.  Think about extending your stay so that you can explore this amazing city. It has been said that whatever you are looking for, you can find it in Amsterdam. Art, culture, history, architecture....and more!

Day 1: Dordrecht - Rotterdam
Day 2: Rotterdam - Kinderdijk - Gouda, 22 to 25 mi. (35 to 40 km)
Day 3: Gouda - Leiden, 22 to 25 mi. (35 to 40 km) | 15 to 19 mi. (25 to 30 km)
Day 4: Leiden - Keukenhof  - Haarlem, 15 to 19 mi. (25 to 30 km)
Day 5: Haarlem - Zaanse Schans - Alkmaar, 28 to 31 mi. (45 to 50 km)
Day 6: Alkmaar - Schagen, 19 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km) | 34 to 37 mi. (55 to 60 km)
Day 7: Departure from Schagen

Day 1: Dordrecht - Rotterdam
In the afternoon, check-in and embark on Merlijn as it sets sail. Enjoy a welcome drink while meeting the crew and receiving an overview of the tour, ship, and safety briefing. Crossing Europe's busiest river intersection, you’ll soon see Rotterdam’s skyline emerge. Dinner will be served during the cruise, and later, you’ll have the opportunity for an evening stroll along some of Rotterdam’s highlights.

Day 2: Rotterdam - Kinderdijk - Gouda, 22-25 mi. (35-40 km)
Enjoy breakfast while cruising, followed by a bicycle introduction where your guide will explain traffic rules and group cycling etiquette. At the first docking point, your ride begins through the picturesque Dutch polder landscape. Visit Kinderdijk, famous for its 19 iconic windmills, originally built to drain the Alblasserwaard polder—an official UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continuing on, you’ll cycle to Gouda—known worldwide for its famous cheese, candles, and stroopwafels (syrup waffles). Depending on the schedule, you will have the opportunity to visit a traditional Dutch cheese farm, where hard-working farmers open their doors for you to see the cheese-making process. Dinner is served on board, and the night is spent docked in Gouda.

Day 3: Gouda - Leiden, 22-25 mi. (35-40 km) or short route 15-19 mi. (25-30 km)
Spend the morning exploring Gouda, including a guided tour of the St. Jan Cathedral, home to 72 world-famous stained glass windows known as the “Gouda Glasses.”

Your bike tour starts after the visit, taking you through the Green Heart of Holland. Leaving Gouda, you’ll pass through Boskoop, famous for its horticulture nurseries, particularly its 774 tree and plant farms spread across long, narrow strips of land divided by canals. The day ends in Leiden, where Merlijn awaits.

Leiden, the birthplace of Rembrandt, is home to Holland’s first university (1575) and remains a world-renowned center of science. Its large student population gives the city a lively and welcoming atmosphere. After dinner, you’ll have time to explore Leiden’s charming center.

Day 4: Leiden - Keukenhof - Haarlem, 15-19 mi. (25-30 km)
While you enjoy breakfast, Merlijn will sail through the Kager Plassen, a scenic network of Dutch lakes. Your bike ride starts near Keukenhof, home to nearly 7 million flower bulbs planted annually, making it the largest flower garden in the world.

After admiring the breathtaking tulips and other flowers, you’ll continue cycling to Haarlem, taking in the stunning Dutch landscape along the way. In the evening, explore Haarlem’s historic center and perhaps end the night with a glass of the famous “Jopen” beer, brewed locally in the Jopen Church.

Day 5: Haarlem - Zaanse Schans - Alkmaar, 28-31 mi. (45-50 km)
Start the morning cruising out of Haarlem, passing through scenic narrow waterways. Once docked, you’ll set off on another ride, stopping first at Zaanse Schans, where you’ll experience a living museum of historic Dutch life, complete with traditional green wooden houses and working windmills.

Continuing your tour, you’ll ride through classic Dutch countryside to Alkmaar, famous for its open-air cheese market (held on Fridays). Take a stroll through this charming town before returning to Merlijn for the evening.

Day 6: Alkmaar - Schagen, 19-22 mi. (30-35 km) or extended route 34-37 mi. (55-60 km)
Today’s route takes you through Noord-Holland, a province known for having the highest density of tulips per square meter. If you haven't seen enough tulips yet, this is your final chance to witness the colorful flower fields in full bloom. Your guide will lead you through some of the most stunning wildflower landscapes, though timing depends on nature—farmers cut tulips when ready, separating flowers from bulbs for sale.

Along the way, you’ll pass meadows, canals, farmhouses, and classic Dutch scenery before returning to Merlijn, waiting in the northernmost part of the province. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a leisurely cruise to Schagen, where you can relax on the outdoor terrace or in the lounge with a drink, soaking in the last sights of the Dutch countryside.

The evening features a farewell dinner, a chance to thank the crew and celebrate with your fellow travelers before your final night onboard.

Day 7: Departure from Schagen
Enjoy one last breakfast on board before checking out. Transportation to Amsterdam is available, or you can travel independently. Despite being a small town, Schagen offers good train connections for further travel.

Looking for more?  View all of our featured bike and barge tours, or view our full list of bike trips.