3 Star Netherlands Tour Reviews — 1 to 30 of 44
Marilyn K.
7 months ago
Verified Reviewer
Fluvius Amsterdam to Bruges
Netherlands, Belgium
Our tour guides, Jeroen, Hilco and Linda did an excellent job. I loved the countryside riding.
I did not enjoy riding through the large cities to get to our destination. It is important that when the paths are narrow walking is necessary for safety.
Kevin A.
9 months ago
Verified Reviewer
Fluvius Amsterdam to Bruges
Netherlands, Belgium
Time spent in Bruges. Bruges is a beautiful small city.
Suggestions: More information for unguided bikers, e.g. places to stop, places of interest
Miguel L.
11 months ago
Verified Reviewer
Along the North Sea - a Tulip Tour
Netherlands
The stops on Brugge, Ghent and Antwerp. Try to see as much as you can on those places, particularly The Cathedral I Antwerp. All along the Cycling Route the Countryside is superb
Donna W.
11 months ago
Verified Reviewer
Quo Vadis Tulip Tour - 8 day
Netherlands
Denise G.
11 months ago
Verified Reviewer
Quo Vadis Tulip Tour - 8 day
Netherlands
The tours were very educational & informative. We only had 1 guide and he was pretty cranky & could be insulting to several of the ladies. To be honest the women were not prepared either.
Bonnie P.
11 months ago
Verified Reviewer
Feniks Holland Southern Tulip Tour
Netherlands
Maryellen R.
11 months ago
Verified Reviewer
Fluvius Amsterdam to Bruges
Netherlands, Belgium
The barge route was very nice and the food was excellent.
The Fluvius is an old barge and had several maintenance issues including; no hot water for 3 days, electrical problems and other maintenance issues. In their defense, the captain did his best to make it up to us with reduced bar bills and a free canal ride.
Bettina was superb particularly since it was her first time on this tour. Tom seemed to want to be elsewhere. His communication issues were almost nonexistent and attitude gruff.
Ride with GPS was very good though those of us who chose self guided were pretty much on our own.
The patch kit provided did not include a wrench so fixing a flat would have been tough for a bike mechanic and impossible for any other.
We did have wonderful entertainment one evening. I would have loved more history as it is such an important part of these countries.
All in all, if the Fluvius had been in better shape and Tom not so gruff, it would have been a wonderful tour.
jennifer s.
11 months ago
Verified Reviewer
De Amsterdam South Holland Tour
Netherlands
Riding through the countrysides of the Netherlands was on my bucket list and it did not disappoint! The incredible beauty of the wetland areas and the diversity of bird life far exceeded my expectations!
I must sing praises for our tour leader Nico! He was always there when we needed him! Are there more than one of him?
Watching the De Amsterdam crew one day sail the boat through the canals is a must! It was a peak part of my trip watching them maneuver sideways and make the turns ! Such incredible scenery and seeing the huge variety of boats and vessels was outstanding!
Michelle M.
1 year ago
Verified Reviewer
Fluvius Bruges to Amsterdam
Belgium, Netherlands
Visiting the windmills
Harrison and Sharene K.
2 years ago
Verified Reviewer
De Holland Authentic Holland
Netherlands
Regarding the tour itself, biking from town to town was well designed and wonderful -- beautiful countryside, lovely towns. We used the Ride With GPS app, which had a few route errors but in general was an excellent, well-executed tool. (Without the app, there were a number of signage errors or absences along the routes that could have caused problems.) The evening tour of Deventer was very well done; the local tour guide was excellent and the evening was perfect for it. We rented e-bikes and they were in great condition. The staff on the boat were all kind and helpful and friendly and the boat was exceptionally clean.
We thought Frans, the bike tour guide, could have done a better job. He was nice, but despite having many years of experience doing this, his evening talks were not always very clear, and he did not mention a number of places along the bike routes that would have been nice for people to know about, most importantly the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek, which was on the map if you knew where to look but was not highlighted by Frans. We did enjoy the evening Frans played the keyboard in the dining room.
The biggest disappointment was that we had to sit with the same people at dinner every night. We understand there are logistics involved that make it much easier for the staff, but this requirement eliminated what could have been a prime opportunity to get to know others. We happened to be assigned the same table as our best friend, whom we obviously already know very well. We had little in common with the other three and were stuck with them (and they with us) for the whole week. There must be some way (perhaps a buffet a couple of times during the week, or a dinner in town one night) where we could have a chance to meet others, which would have made the trip much more rewarding.
Carla • 2 years ago Tripsite Staff
Hi Harrison,
I am so sorry the ship had to move at the last minute. Unfortunately I was not notified of this either, but sometimes these last minute changes can be made by docking authorities without much notice. Please note, all of our tours include emergency phone numbers, including directly to the ship and also my personal cell phone, in case there are ever any kind of problems we can help you with!
Carla • 2 years ago Tripsite Staff
Hi Harrison,
I am so sorry the ship had to move at the last minute. Unfortunately I was not notified of this either, but sometimes these last minute changes can be made by docking authorities without much notice. Please note, all of our tours include emergency phone numbers, including directly to the ship and also my personal cell phone, in case there are ever any kind of problems we can help you with!
Carla • 2 years ago Tripsite Staff
Hi Harrison,
I am so sorry the ship had to move at the last minute. Unfortunately I was not notified of this either, but sometimes these last minute changes can be made by docking authorities without much notice. Please note, all of our tours include emergency phone numbers, including directly to the ship and also my personal cell phone, in case there are ever any kind of problems we can help you with!
Carla • 2 years ago Tripsite Staff
Hi Harrison,
I am so sorry the ship had to move at the last minute. Unfortunately I was not notified of this either, but sometimes these last minute changes can be made by docking authorities without much notice. Please note, all of our tours include emergency phone numbers, including directly to the ship and also my personal cell phone, in case there are ever any kind of problems we can help you with!
Angela H.
2 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Fluvius Bruges to Amsterdam
Belgium, Netherlands
First of all, we worked with Anna Zdancewicz at Tripsite and she was an amazing communicator. She provided clear and detailed answers to any questions we had and was very timely in her response to us via email. We also spoke with her on the phone a few times and enjoyed the conversations as well as the information. We would definitely use Tripsite again for another booking and we often recommend Tripsite to others.
The upside of our trip was Jack, our bicycle tour guide each day. He was great and very knowledgeable of the sites we rode to and also he gave a few evening guided walking tours which were also excellent. We really enjoyed Jack and his helper Johan, who was the “Sweeper”…taking the rear positon of all bike riders keeping us all Read More together.
The downside of the cruise for us were issues concerning the boat, Fluvius. The Fluvius is a small and pretty old boat with up to 44 passengers. This boat is well-worn and old and definitely shows it. It is clearly in need of a facelift and major update throughout the entire boat. Even the bed linens and bed comforter was just a little too old and did not seem crisp and fresh. The dinners served on the boat were very good and well presented. We did not want to eat fish and they kindly gave us something else as a substitute. However, the breakfasts were really lacking and uninspired. But worst of all were the lunches that everyone had to put together themselves every day to take with them on their bikes. The bread for the sandwiches was always very dry. And overall, the items one could pack for lunch were very limited and not very tasty or appealing. If you wanted to just have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you had to open about 7 or 8 small packages of each to make one sandwich. The choice of fruit was just so very limited and the drinks offered were juices boxes that tasted not great. For water, you were given a reusable plastic bottle that you were expected to fill yourself each day in your bathroom. We never did that. Instead, we bought bottled water to take with us.
The cabin we were in (which was one of the two very best ones) did not seem very clean. The shower did not seem well scrubbed out after the previous guests. I understand that there is not much time between one set of guests disembarking from a cruise and the next group arriving. However, rooms need to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between groups and clearly this was not done. I also felt that the overall ship could have been cleaner.
Another aspect of this cruise I would like to comment on is the bikes. The majority of riders rode ebikes. The ebikes on the Fluvius were old and should be replaced. I noticed also that most of the bikes were dirty even on the first day of use which proved to be just a sign of their overall condition which was poor. My own ebike required maintenance twice during the week. There was only one guy who was in charge of maintaining all the bikes and he definitely seemed overwhelmed with the responsibility of this.
Our tour guide Jack mentioned that the boat had recently been purchased by a young entrepreneurial type of guy. Perhaps Tripsite might let the boat owner or local partner know about these short comings and needed changes. Also, it might be helpful if Tripsite conducted an annual review of the boats you represent to be sure things are up to par and meet your standards and the expectations of your clients.
On a final note, I would like to say that we enjoyed the daily rides and felt that Jack, the tour guide, did an excellent job. Without him, the overall experience would have been less enjoyable.
Johanna Maria V.
2 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Wending South Holland Tour
Netherlands
This was my third Tripsite Barge Biking Trip and as good as ever again.
Highly recommended.
Excellent guide who ensured that everybody was happy.
Despite the large age difference from10-92 years, the group of 18 pax jelled well together.
A trip that combines nature, culture,exercise, education and relaxation in a most balanced holiday that one could wish for.
Greg S.
2 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Fluvius Bruges to Amsterdam
Belgium, Netherlands
Riding in the countryside was wonderful, the ride in the urban parts was much more stressful. Our barge was divided into two groups which had significantly different experiences. Group one (which we were not in) had 2 guides while ours which was the same size had only one which meant that one of us had to take on the role of sweep. Our group leader did not stop or explain anywhere near as much as the other. Our group leader was unwilling to wait to make sure everyone was accounted for. For one example he took part of the group to a canal tour and said it should return on time. When I asked if he would wait for us if it was a few minutes late he said "I don't know, maybe" and when we were still getting our bikes out of the racks, he left with the rest of the group and was out of sight. luckily we were able to catch up but this incident seemed to characterize our whole experience with this guide.
Jehiel • 2 years ago Tripsite Staff
Hi Greg,
Thanks for leaving us this feedback. Sorry to hear the experience you had with your guide was a negative one. We have shared this feedback with our partners.
Glad you enjoyed riding the Dutch countryside! This is one of our favorite parts of bike touring as well.
Jehiel • 2 years ago Tripsite Staff
Hi Greg,
Thanks for leaving us this feedback. Sorry to hear the experience you had with your guide was a negative one. We have shared this feedback with our partners.
Glad you enjoyed riding the Dutch countryside! This is one of our favorite parts of bike touring as well.
Peg H.
4 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Merlijn Tulip Tour - Bruges to Amsterdam - 8 day
Netherlands, Belgium
I always love the Merlijn and the new owners were great! However, this is the least favorite of my Tripsite tours I didn't find the stops very interesting and when we did have an interesting place to visit, our time was very limited. Fun group, great food and pleasant weather but very short days of cycling. I will do another trip next year but do suggest some changes to this itinerary.
Carla • 4 years ago Tripsite Staff
Hi Peg,
Thanks for your feedback! We agree the tour is too long to fit into 8 days which is why so many Tulip Tours from Amsterdam to Bruges have been extended to 10 days or longer. More time to relax and enjoy!
I look forward to help you plan your next trip.
Jill S.
4 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Liza Marleen Bruges to Amsterdam
Belgium, Netherlands
Overall the trip was good and we enjoyed our time. However, we did have some things that could be improved -
firstly the e-bikes that we rented had several problems with them and were unreliable
secondly I found the choice of food strange for being on a tour in Europe - we had Mexican food, followed by Asian food & sushi. What was wrong with french or belgium or even North American (seeing that we were all from NA). There was no flexibility or accommodation of other types of food.
The group leader should have allowed some of us to go ahead with maps rather than keep us in a long line of 20 people strung out with the slowest members behind the leader. We are all adults and professional people and do not wish to be treated like children.
Diane H.
4 years ago
Verified Reviewer
De Amsterdam South Holland Tour
Netherlands
I was extremely disappointed in the quality of the bikes. I had assumed from what I read that the bikes were hybrid bikes similar to what I own: less than 30 pounds, gears, maneuverable, easy to ride. These bikes were very heavy, hard to pedal, hard to walk. No one got the bikes off the barge for us to ride or put them back on. That means I had to struggle with the bike up and down a steep and dangerous metal ramp. I was more tired from riding 30 miles on the flat on one of these bikes than I was after riding a metric century up some pretty big hills on a road bike. I do not believe that a bike and barge trip should emphasize the biking and provide such poor bikes. Electric bikes were an option, but I do not choose to ride one. I want to ride a good quality hybrid or road bike. Riding was so much work that it took away some of the pleasure of seeing the Dutch countryside. The rest of the trip was very nice, but the biking was a big part of why we went on the trip and it was a huge disappointment.
Jehiel from Tripsite • 4 years ago Tripsite Staff
Hi Diane,
I am sorry to hear that you were disappointed in the type of bike offered on this tour. We make it very clear that the bikes used on De Amsterdam are "7-speed unisex hybrid touring bike (Velo de Ville C100 or Gazelle - Chamonix)". We also include pictures of the bikes in your pre-trip travel information. It is unfortunate you missed this information. Regardless, I, glad you enjoyed seeing the scenery along the way!
Kathy M.
4 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Fluvius Bruges to Amsterdam
Belgium, Netherlands
The scenery was absolutely beautiful and thankfully the weather was the same. If I had to make one suggestion it would be to improve the food on board. I don't think that can vegetables are a great reflection of the fresh vegetables that were all over the countryside. I also think that there should be more options for vegetarians.
Andrea S.
5 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Leafde fan Fryslân Bike & Sail the IJsselmeer
Netherlands
This is our 5th bike and boat trip, and all of the others have been 5 star experiences. This tour was very nice, but we had one major problem. We were absolutely unable to keep up with the tour guide. Another Canadian couple was in the same boat. Many of the German guests brought their own e-bikes along. Thankfully, the Dutch wayfinding system is excellent, but we really missed going with the group. Also, the tour guide did not stop at cafes, churches, wineries, breweries, etc. like we have had on other tours. He did make reservations for an interesting water works plant, but the entire group needed to pedal as fast as possible to get there by 2PM. I went to see the plant the next morning on my own. The boat was super fun, especially when the sails were hoisted. The food was great, the crew was great. I would urge anyone looking at this tour to rent an e-bike to keep up, or not pay extra for the tour guide, and just do the trip on your own.
Marlene Z.
5 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Along the North Sea - a Tulip Tour
Netherlands
Biking through the dunes of the North Sea is incredible. The rental bike is a heavy Dutch model and it is windy so you make like an e bike. The fresh herring and fish are amazing. Also there is bus 385 that runs from train in Voorhout to Noordwijk for 2 euro 20. So you don't need that 20 euro cab.
Helen W.
5 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Liza Marleen North Holland Tour
Netherlands
Scenery was great, bring a camel back if you like to drink water while riding, most bikes did not have a cage for the water bottle, instead you kept it in the pannier. Our guide, Eduaro, did not seem to know where we could stop to take a break or use a bathroom, he said everythng was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, this was a problem for the women in the group, it was hot and we needed to keep hydrated.
The captain, chef and assistant Vera were wonderful and did all they could to make us comfortable.
Eileen E.
5 years ago
Verified Reviewer
La Belle Fleur Tulip Tour - 5 day
Netherlands
The most memorable part of our trip was the Keukenhof. Would recommend packing clothes to layer, gloves, and rain gear.
Cheryl M.
5 years ago
Verified Reviewer
De Amsterdam South Holland Tour
Netherlands
Loved the little towns, biking through them. Really nice trails. Sadly rain a couple of days but can't control the weather.
Howard H.
6 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Magnifique III Amsterdam to Bruges
Netherlands, Belgium
The Magnifique II was fine and the food was good. One thing I found odd was the staff joined us at the bar at night. The bar had limited seating and they took up the stools while passengers stood. Not cool. I found the biking boring. There were no interesting stops other than the cities. Amsterdam, Ghent and Bruges were very nice. The Netherlands were rather dull. On other tours we stopped at wineries, Chateaus or interesting landmarks. Here the guides just stopped and said there is coffee or a church you can visit. Not very organized. Their goal seemed to be to keep us out long enough to reach the boat. I would not recommend this tour.
Karen B.
6 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Flora Tulip Tour - 4 Day
Netherlands
I suppose it is a common type of bicycle in Holland, but the upright positioning and lack of rake on the front fork made the bike inherently unstable. I got used to it pretty quickly, but some of the group never did. Only about half of our group were regular cyclists, and that made riding in/with the group an exercise in self-protection. Fortunately, my brakes worked well.
Also, lessons on how to cycle in the Netherlands (rules of the road, etc.) could have been more complete and reinforced each day. Our group tended to bunch up whenever stopped, blocking the way for others, and again, verging on dangerous. The guide said nothing. Read More After one of our group said something to the guide, he finally started paying more attention to keeping the group together at traffic signals. Another part of the group tended to ride in the pedestrian lanes- they stopped doing that after getting a thorough tongue-lashing from a Dutchman walking his dog.
All this said- the general content of the trip was wonderful- the tulips, the cities, the countryside... we thoroughly enjoyed that. Would we do it again? Unsure... perhaps if we could be with a more experienced group.
Julie R.
6 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Zwaan Amsterdam to Bruges
Netherlands, Belgium
Overall, it was a great trip - boat and crew, bikes, guide, fellow passengers. Where this trip fell short of a previous bike boat trip that I did, was that this trip lacked interesting stops along our cycle route. It felt more like getting from point A to point B with a brief coffee or lunch stop - no tours along the way. From my understanding in talking with the boat owner/captain, the cycling routes and stops are planned by the local partner.(https://www.tripsite.com/about/our-partners/).
Jehiel from Tripsite • 6 years ago Tripsite Staff
Hi Julie!
Thanks for sharing this feedback. You are correct, the itinerary is designed by our local partner. Some tours depending on the particular region, group size/ability, length of tour, and logistics surrounding boat travel have more time in the itinerary for excursions and stops along the way. You can find more information about daily cycling routes and planned stops under the "day-to-day itinerary" section on all of our tour pages. Hope this helps when planning your next trip!
Tom L.
6 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Quo Vadis Tulip Tour - Amsterdam to Bruges - 11 day
Netherlands, Belgium
However, we were unprepared for the traffic and city riding intensity. Marsha is an experienced recreational rider but had no idea how to deal with traffic. She completed the first day and began another, but turned back after the first half kilometer and packed it in after that. City traffic and congested cycling is something only urban folks experience, so we and others were unprepared. We were were really expecting a leisurely paced scenic tour, not the frantic paced marathon we got. The trip was listed as easy, but a 12 mph average speed for 36 miles is ridiculous for most recreational cyclists, especially when you’re there for scenery and cultural experience along with cycling.
Additionally, once you start for the day, there is no practical way to drop our.
So, if we were to look for another bike barge trip, we would be looking for:
Quo Vadis or equal
20-25 mile Read More days maximum
8-10 mph average speed maximum
Route maps
Routing to avoid urban traffic
More short stops to smell the flowers.
Ultimately, we were disappointed in the cycling portion of the trip feeling it was not so much for tourists who like to ride. We (and others) felt the guide placed too much emphasis on covering miles and not enough on making it pleasurable.
Tripsite staff is superb and did everything they promised. Thanks.
Brenda M.
6 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Fluvius Tulip Tour - 5 day
Netherlands
The tulip tour trip is too short, but cycling around the flowering bulb fields was wonderful. Visiting Keukenhof gardens in bloom was great. I didn't like assigned seating for our meals and the buffet organization on the Fluvius was terrible, especially when trying to make lunches in a tiny space with everyone grabbing stuff. Food arrangements were the weakest part of the tour, although they also hired an awful lounge singer one night.
Richard H.
6 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Quo Vadis Tulip Tour - Amsterdam to Bruges - 8 day
Belgium, Netherlands
Most Memorable Part: Our fellow travelers and Jacko, the chef on the Quo Vadis.
Julie Worger • 6 years ago
Hi Richard-
We enjoy biking but have never considered a trip like this. You mentioned the things you enjoyed... what were the disappointments?
Thanks for your help.
Suki G.
6 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Magnifique II Amsterdam to Bruges
Netherlands, Belgium
Book from Brugge to Amsterdam to avoid headwinds. Expect riding in country with nothing special to see.
Gordon M.
6 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Sailing Home Amsterdam to Cologne
Netherlands, Germany
We had an exceptional guide. He had a lot of local knowledge and often altered our route in order to extend our cycling experience.
Netherlands Tour Reviews by Activity
All Tour Reviews by Country
Boat/Barge Reviews
- Liza Marleen
- Magellan
- Magnifique II
- Magnifique III
- Magnifique IV
- Mare fan Fryslân
- Merlijn
- Florentina
- Normandie
- Princess
- Olympia
- Panagiota
- Pape Prvi
- Primadonna
- Princesse Royal
- Prinzessin Katharina
- Romantica
- RV River Kwai
- Sailing Home
- San Snova
- Sarah
- Stella
- Sundial
- Swiss Crown
- Thalassa
- Flying Dutchman
- Vietnamese Junks
- Vita Pugna
- Vivienne
- Wending
- Zwaan
- Zwaantje