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This wonderful bike and barge trip that starts and ends in Amsterdam, takes you through the provinces of South- and North Holland while spring flowers are in bloom. You will spend time in the historical cities of Haarlem, Leiden, Gouda and Alkmaar and learn about the water management of these lowlands at the North Sea. You will also visit the famous Keukenhof gardens, known by the hundreds of thousands of blooming tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other bulb flowers. The world-famous Aalsmeer flower auction is on the program where an astonishing volume of beautiful flowers are being traded daily and exported all over the world the World. One night the barge mooring is at the open air museum ‘the Zaanse Schans’ with its windmills, cheese farm and picturesque wooden houses. You will be surprised by the beautiful, varied scenery and the wonderful bikeways of Holland.
This cycling tour is largely along the flats plains, and the daily stages vary from 10 to 55 km – mostly on tarmac cycle paths along rivers and canals, or quiet country roads. The boat is moored at night and typically sets sail after breakfast, meeting up with the bikes in the afternoon. Some parts of the itinerary are undertaken by boat, to allow easier access onto cycling paths or simply to enjoy the cruise.
Easy cycling in mostly flat areas, with only few short climbs and descents. Little effort required, suitable for most people.
The barge leaves the harbor. The crew will welcome you aboard the barge with coffee and tea. Test-ride from the lock of Spaarndam.
Today’s trip leads you through the oldest tulip fields of Holland, including a visit of the Keukenhof gardens. This is the most beautiful bulb park in the world. Keukenhof is the place where the spring breaks. An overwhelming blaze of colors; seven million flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acres’ background of traditional and modern gardening architecture. ………..
Breakfast while sailing out of Leiden. Your bike tour starts just outside Leiden and leads through the ‘green heart’ of Holland. Near Zoeterwoude, you will visit the cheese farm where you will learn about the cheese-making process and you will have the opportunity to taste the results. .
We stay in Gouda this morning. You have the opportunity to do some shopping and to visit the market square with its cheese weigh house or you can visit the St. Johns church. We leave by barge around noon and have a light lunch on board. From Alphen aan den Rijn you bike through the ‘green heart’ of South Holland via river Drecht and Amstel-Drecht channel to Kudelstaart.
At 7 am you can drink an early cup of coffee. After that you go by bike to the flower auction of Aalsmeer, the largest of Europe. Here huge quantities of flowers are trucked in and sold every day, after which they are distributed all over Europe. After your visit you return on board (around 9 am) for a late breakfast while the barge sails to Amsterdam. You will enjoy a nice cruise, right through the city.
After breakfast your bike tour leads you to the beautiful town of De Rijp. Centuries of history are still evident here in De Rijp’s wooden facades, beautiful church, lock and town hall.
From here, your ride continues across the Beemster Polder, an almost untouched open polder landscape. Your next stop is at the former windmill complex of the Schermer Polder.
This morning you bike to the Hortus Bulborum, a unique garden museum dedicated to the preservation of rare and historic bulbs. More than 4,000 tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other flowers are planted here.
Disembarkation after breakfast until 9 AM: End of your trip.
Departure – Arrival
Sun. 25 March – Thu. 29 March
Thu. 29 March – Mo. 02 April
PRICE: from: $1290.00 cad / per person*
Single Supplement : $210
*based on double occupancy in premium twin cabin
Departure – Arrival
Mo. 02 April – Fri. 06 April
Fri. 06 April – Tue. 10 April
Tue. 10 April – Sa. 14 April
PRICE: from: $1390.00 cad / per person*
Single Supplement : $310
*based on double occupancy in premium twin cabin
