Cycling through fields of spring flowers
The lightest cycling holiday, covering largely flat terrain, suitable for everyone and people of all ages; with distances to 45 kilometers. You spend about 4 hours on your bicycle.
In April and May we offer special tulip tours. You will cycle through hectares of spring flowers and tulips, learn all about growing tulips and of course you visit the Keukenhof & the Flower auction in Aalsmeer.
The program of this Bike and Barge Super Tulip Tour is totally dedicated to this beautiful flower. You will visit the world-famous, 32-hectares’ flower garden The Keukenhof, where you can admire the wonderfully colorful fields with flowering bulbs in peace and quiet. Over 7 million bulbs will bloom, with a total of 800 varieties of tulips. A unique, unforgettable experience! The tulip, originally from Turkey, reached The Netherlands at the end of the 16th century. The plant became very popular (the “ Tulip Mania”) and in 1634 there was one single bulb that was so expensive, a whole canal side house in Amsterdam did cost the equivalent!
On Tuesday morning you will have to wake up early to visit the impressive flower auction at Aalsmeer. Aalsmeer controls a market share of 44% for the turnover of bulbs and tulip flowers. At midday you will cycle from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans. The Zaanse Schans is a unique hamlet where people live and work, with original houses and windmills from the river Zaan area.
Around Alkmaar you will find the most beautiful dunes in the country. The last part of the week the route leads you through the 17th century polders. The green “ Waterland” landscape surrounds you, while you cycle through the Beemster Polder back to Amsterdam.
You are expected on our barge on Saturday the latest at 2 PM. The barge needs to leave the mooring place in Amsterdam at 2.15 PM. It is very important you are on time. The barge can’t wait due to the opening hours of bridges and/or locks. Boarding time is between 1 PM and 2 PM. When you arrive on board you can put your luggage away in your cabin and then enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the guide, skipper and crew and of course your fellow passengers. The first part of the tour you will sail to Spaarndam – known as the village of Hansje Brinker – and from here we make an easy ride into the beautiful city of Haarlem.
Todays trip leads you through the oldest tulip fields of Holland and along the Keukenhof. Of course you’ll have time to admire the most beautiful bulb park in the world (tickets are included in the tourprice). Keukenhof is the place where the spring breaks. An overwhelming blaze of colours; seven million flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acres’ background of traditional and modern gardening architecture. You also can admire the various hyacinths, narcisses and many other colourful flowers. You spend the night in Leiden which was Rembrandt’s hometown.
Today you continue your tour around the Haarlemmermeer. In case you have a lunchstop at the other side of the bridge in Leimuiden. imagine that this polder once was the biggest lake in Holland and nicknamed ‘the waterwolf’. The cycleroute leads you through the green heart of Holland, an area characterized by small cycle paths, typical black and white cows and despite the work of mr. Leeghwater, a lot of water. Your destination for today is Kudelstaart: a small town bordered by the Westeinderplassen.
Every morning „Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer" sets the world price for flowers and plants. As a visitor you can walk over a specially designed gallery to experience the hustle and bustle of demand and supply experience the hustle and bustle lead by the auction clock but also enjoy the gorgeous flowers that are showed in. While flowers and plants start their world tour you will have breakfast while sailing towards Amsterdam. Between the airport Schiphol and the city you disembark to continue your tour by bike along the river Amstel and right into the city. A ferry (don’t forget to take a look to the left where you see whale tail shaped building of the eye filmmuseum) brings you to the other side of the river ‘IJ’. Here you leave the city behind an continue your tour through lush green polders towards the world famous hamlet of Zaanse Schans. A unique place where people live and work, with original houses and windmills from the river Zaan area.
From Wormerveer you will cycle through the most beautiful dunes of the Netherlands and if weather permits, you may like to swim in the North Sea during your lunch break at the beach. Todays’ overnight stay is in cheese town Alkmaar. An historic lively city with many small and bigger shops. A little less than 400 heritage sites, canals and harbour dominate the townscape.
Today you can discover the descent of Beemster cheese and the birthplace of the man who defeated ‘the waterwolf’. The Beemster Polder, dating from the early 17th century, is an exceptional example of reclaimed land in the Netherlands. It has preserved intact its well-ordered landscape of fields, roads, canals, dykes and settlements, laid out in accordance with classical and Renaissance planning principles. There will be time to visit the windmills at the Rijp and see the house where mr. Leeghwater was born.
Purmerend lies at the edge of an area called ‘ Waterland’ where roads and water are nearby on the same level. We visit the nice village of Zunderdorp and Ransdorp. The better cyclists can cycle the long route to Edam and Volendam and if time permits you can cross the lake Gouwzee to admire the traditional fisherman’s village Marken with its typical wooden houses. In Amsterdam you can look back at cycling seven days in great variation of typical Dutch landscapes, towns and many highlights.
End of the tour after breakfast, before 10 AM. If you have an early flight, ask the tourleader to arrange a taxi to the Airport.
Cycling in a cycle country
Our carefully selected routes will lead you along the most beautiful spots of the country. The average daily distance is around 45 kilometers. Most participants prefer riding in a group with the cycling guide, but you can also ride individually. A road book is included (1x per cabin). Gps-tracks can be provided by e-mail.
Supplements:
Reservation costs € 20,- per booking
Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund € 5,- per person (Insolvency Protection)
8 April & 6 May
Twin cabin € 1.240,-
Bunk bed cabin € 1.050,-
Bunk bed cabin single use € 1.335,-
15 & 22 & 29 April
Twin cabin € 1.355,-
Bunk bed cabin € 1.150,-
Bunk bed cabin single use € 1.465,-
1 & 8 April
Double cabin € 1.240,-
Cabin with split-level beds € 1.240,-
Cabin with single bed € 1.310,-
15, 22 & 29 April
Double cabin € 1.355,-
Cabin with split-level beds € 1.355,-
Cabin with single bed € 1.480,-
8, 15 & 29 April
Luxury double cabin € 1.735,-
Twin cabin € 1.535,-
Smaller double front cabin € 1.315,-
Smaller front cabin for single use € 1.980,-
Extra options:
Rental touring bike per week € 100,-
E-bike per week € 195,-
Insurance for rental bike € 30,-
Insurance for e-bike € 40,-
Special diet (gluten free, lactose free, vegan) € 75,- per diet (possible on request up to 14 days prior to start of the tour)
Boarding time is between 1 PM and 2 PM. You are expected on our barge on Saturday at the latest at 2 PM. You can recognise the barge by the banner with Cycletours written on it. The name of your barge is printed on the voucher, which you will receive separately. After arrival there’s coffee and tea on board. Other drinks are also available on cash payment. If you want you can bring your luggage in advance: from noon onwards. The mooring place of the barge in Amsterdam is: Oosterdok , Zip-code 1011 VX (near the Science Center: ‘Nemo’, Oosterdok 2).
The nearest airport to the embarkation point of the barge is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). There is a direct train that leaves 6 times per hour from the airport to Amsterdam Central Station. It takes about 16 minutes. The price for a train ticket Schiphol-Amsterdam Central is € 4,20 per person for a single journey. Walking distance to the barge is about 10 to 15 minutes. A taxi from the airport to the barge in Amsterdam takes about 30 minutes. It costs about € 45,-.
The nearest train station to the embarkation point of the barge is Amsterdam Central Station. Walking distance to the barge is about 10 to 15 minutes. A taxi from the station to the barge takes about 5 minutes: Costs about € 10,-.
If you arrive by car, we recommend you to arrive earlier to unload your luggage. You can find more information about parking possibilities at www.iamsterdam.com
The nearest parking is Parking Oosterdok, parkingcentreamsterdam (about € 150,- per week, it is not necessary to reserve in advance; 500m walking distance to the barge).
The tour ends one week later on Saturday morning after breakfast before 10 AM. You will spend the night from Friday to Saturday on board in Amsterdam. After the tour ends in you can take the train back to Schiphol Amsterdam Airport. Should you have an early flight, no problem. You may leave as early as you need to.
On this tour the following barges are scheduled
The Anna Antal is a former shuttle barge which was converted into a luxury motor passenger ship for Bike & Barge tours in the Netherlands and Belgium. Read more..
The “Liza Marleen” is a luxury motor passenger barge, built on the completely dismantled shell of a seafaring freight logger. This barge is ideally suited for trips on the wider waterways, like the Dutch Waddenzee, the IJssel lake and the Zeeland Streams. Read more...
The “Wending” is a former freight barge that started a new life in the early nineties as a luxury passenger motor barge. Since then the “Wending” is a familiar sight on several routes in the Netherlands and Belgium. Read more...
The Zwaan is specialized in Bike and Barge tours. On board of the Zwaan you find a cozy dining room, a sun deck. In 2019 the Zwaan is renovated and equipped with air- conditioning in the cabins. Read more..
The Clair de Lune was originally built in 1936 as a freight ship in Belgium. The barge is 34.15 meters long and 5.05 meters wide, which makes it possible to boat in France with its narrow locks. In 2020 the barge is upgraded. Read more...
Rental bikes on this tour.
Imagine a floating hotel sailing to the next stage, while you are calmly pedalling along. No lugging of luggage: that is exactly what Bike & Barge is all about! In the pleasant atmosphere on board you can have a chat, go through the day with the others, and enjoy the meals prepared specially for cyclists. In the evenings you can enjoy a drink in the salon or admire the setting sun on deck. Do not expect a cruise ship with its passive luxury. The Bike & Barge Holidays are for people who really enjoy the physical activity of cycling and who value sociability more than wholesale luxury.
Free WiFi is (limited) available in lounge and on deck.
Most cabins are 2-person cabins, but some barges also have triple cabins. There are four categories: Standard Plus (cabins with private shower/toilet; bunk beds), Comfort (cabins as Standard Plus but with twin beds), Comfort Plus (cabins as Comfort, small ship or with air-conditioning) and Comfort DeLuxe (a very comfortable and tastefully furnished 5-star ship; cabins have twin beds and air-conditioning). In all categories the cabins have central heating and a porthole or window; they are provided with running water (hot and cold), private shower/toilet and 220 voltage. There is limited storage space in the cabin. We recommend 1 suitcase per person. You can slide the suitcase under the bed.
The captain/skipper, the chef and your tour guide all welcome you warmly. They are prepared specifically for these trips and will provide good and safe passage, good meals, and a friendly, pleasant atmosphere. They will, of course, also give you a great deal of interesting information during and after the cycling and sailing. The skipper is responsible for the smooth running of things on board; the cook is in charge of the catering. A tour leader accompanies you during the bike ride and can assist in case of breakdowns. He/She will be your guide to point out the things of interest along the way and is multi-lingual (Dutch/English, some speak German and/or French).
Your chef is used to cook delicious meals for hungry cyclists. Besides an extensive breakfast, you will also be offered a packed lunch for on the road. It consists of different types of bread and sandwich fillings, juice, a snack and a piece of fruit. Lunch package needs to be prepared by yourself after breakfast. Dinner is different every day. There is a first course, main course and dessert The meals on board are included in the price, as are coffee and tea. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks can be obtained at a reasonable charge. When you return on board after the day’s cycling, a cup of tea or coffee with a biscuit will be waiting for you.
If you suffer from food allergies or food intolerance (such as lactose- or gluten- intolerance/-allergy) or if you have special meal requirements (vegetarian; pescetarian; vegan meals; gluten free meals etc.), we ask you to mention this when booking, but at the latest until 14 days before arrival. Diets which need a special preparation or special ingredients can only be offered in limited form. We will do our best to meet your needs, but we also ask for your understanding as due to limited logistic possibilities on a barge we are not able to prepare complete specialized menus and special food requirements cannot always be met in all details.
In case of vegan meals, gluten free or lactose diet, there is an additional charge. This charge is € 75,- per diet/ per person/per week when you order the diet when booking and € 100,- per diet/ per person/per week when ordering on spot.
One of the most attractive aspects of the Bike & Barge holidays is that you encounter an international company on board, including people from e.g. USA, Canada, Australia, France and United Kingdom. It’s a great opportunity for you to get to know various cultures at the same time! We have people of all ages, solo travelers, couples and also families with children (during the school holidays). Most groups are made up of 12 to 26 people.
Holland is a cycling country: 17 million inhabitants all with bikes. The number of cyclists necessitates a cycling infrastructure: cycle paths (30,000 km), cycle routes (long and short distance), cycle bridges, cycle tunnels, cycle ferries and special signposts for cyclists. Cycling is part of normal life in the Netherlands; parents bring their children to school by bike, people go to work by bike, factory workers, doctors, even the prime minister! Cyclists, of course, have to observe traffic rules and regulations. The most important rule is to remember that you are not alone on your bike and that you are sharing the road with your group and other road users. Your guide on board will tell you all you need to know about the traffic rules and regulations.
Yes, this must be notified when booking, but at least 14 days before arrival. Diets which need a special preparation or special ingredients can only be offered in limited form. We will do our best to meet your needs, but we also ask for your understanding as due to limited logistic possibilities on a barge we are not able to prepare complete specialized menus. In case of Celiac; gluten free diet or vegan meals there is an additional charge of € 50,- per week. On some tours there also is an additional charge of € 50, – for lactose-free meals.
No, but it is of course sensible to wear one. We provide a safety helmet with all our own rental bikes.
Most of the participants then wear rainwear. When the weather is so bad that cycling becomes really impossible (and that is almost never the case!), The guide organizes an alternative program with, for example, cultural excursions and city tours.
The main countries represented by our cycling guests are: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and France. The common language on board is English.
No, the barge doesn’t take the same route that the cyclists do. Sometimes the route may be altered because of weather conditions or repairs to bridges or locks and then the guests and the guide can arrange with the skipper to be met at a different place. Naturally you can always stay on board for one or more days.
