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Holland's Tulips 5-day Bike & Barge Tour (Mag II)
There is simply no better way to enjoy iconic Dutch tulips in the "Garden of Amsterdam" than on a 5 day mini spring break on board luxury premium barges. Spring in Holland is the most beautiful season, so why not enjoy it cycling and cruising to some unforgettably beautiful areas to see where Dutch tulips – and a wide range of other flowers - are grown before being shipped around the world. Enjoy some memorable days on board a premium passenger barge while enjoying excellent service and an alternating itinerary.
The Tulip Mini Tour cruise centres on the fascinating city of Amsterdam called, by some, the smallest metropolis of Europe. Highlights of the city include the UNESCO heritage-listed canal system, its quirky ‘leaning’ buildings, Anne Frank’s home, the Rembrandt House Museum, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam and Dam Square, the very centre and heart of the city, world class shopping and much, much more. During the tour you can visit the famous Bloemenmarkt, the world's only floating flower market in the centre of Amsterdam and will discover the open air museum ‘Zaanse Schans’ with its beautiful windmills, traditional wooden houses, an old Dutch village, a cheese farm and a traditional wooden clogmaker and enjoy guided bicycle tours and some city walks. Other highlights include the historic city of Haarlem, the world famous flower park ‘Keukenhof’ near Lisse and the largest flower auction* in the world at Aalsmeer. *:The flower auction is not open in the weekends and holidays; instead we offer a free tour through the famous canals of Amsterdam.
In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. You’ll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. It’s also possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are rental bikes on board, but you can also bring your own if you mention it when booking.
Accompanied by a competent, professional and multilingual tour leader, you and the group will visit interesting sights and places on the daily cycling tours. During the bike tour, they will explain the local history and culture behind the things you encounter along the way. You can also choose to ride individually with the help of a map and route notes (available on board)
If you would like to rent a bike (60 EUR) or E-bike (155 EUR), please contact our office when booking: [email protected]
Slow Tours offers a number of other Bike & Barge tours in Europe
Amsterdam | Amsterdam – Zaandam
Embarkation and check-in, where the crew will welcome you on board, takes place at 2 p.m. As soon as all guests have arrived a short cruise will bring you to Zaandam, a spot famous for its windmills. Here, your barge will berth in the center of the city for the night. Upon arrival you can enjoy taking your new bike for a brief test ride through the surrounding area. In the evening, enjoy a short walk through the picturesque center of Zaandam.
Zaandam – “Zaanse Schans” – Zaandam Zaandam – Haarlem (24 km/14 mi. or 34 km/21 mi.)
After breakfast you will enjoy a 5 km bicycle ride to the open air museum “Zaanse Schans” with beautiful windmills, traditional wooden houses, an old Dutch village, a cheese farm and a traditional wooden clog maker. In the afternoon you have a choice to make: you can either cycle (24 km/14 mi.) to Haarlem or take it easy and join the barge while enjoying the scenery. In Haarlem visit the historical inner city with the Grote Markt and St. Bavo church. Your barge will be berthed not far from the centre of Haarlem for the night, so you will have time to enjoy a short city walk in the afternoon or in the evening.
Haarlem – Keukenhof – Oude Wetering (39 km/24 mi. or 57 km/35 mi.)
Today you will cycle to the Keukenhof, arguably the most famous flower park in the world where you can admire hundreds of thousands of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and many other flowers in full bloom. After an extensive visit you will get back on your bicycle at noon and will head to Oude Wetering, a small village, where your floating hotel will be waiting for you.
Oude Wetering – Amsterdam Amsterdam Waterland cycling tour (25km/16 mi. and/or 28 km/18 mi.)
This morning you are in for a real treat – an early visit by bus (6.30 a.m.) to the biggest flower auction in the world at Aalsmeer. In the morning millions of flowers are auctioned off here and are instantly sent out to all parts of the world. By 9 a.m. you will return on the your barge where a late breakfast will be waiting for you before you make your way to Amsterdam by bicycle. During the afternoon you will join the barge sailing through Amsterdam. Later in the afternoon there is time to discover this amazing city. Visit the inner city flower market, go to a museum, do some shopping…there is just so much to do!
The Aalsmeer flower auction is closed during weekends and on public holidays. This is an optional visit. Please be aware that on the March 26 tour 2020, a visit to the flower auction is not possible.
Amsterdam
End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.
Tours marked with are special prices.
| Start | End | Max. No. Guests | Accommodation | Price p.p. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 29 2025 | Apr 02 2025 | 35 | Single rooms | 1,424€ | ||
| Double rooms | 949€ | |||||
| Apr 02 2025 | Apr 06 2025 | 35 | Single rooms | 1,424€ | ||
| Double rooms | 949€ | |||||
| Apr 06 2025 | Apr 10 2025 | 35 | Single rooms | 1,724€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,149€ |
If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.
Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote
22
I just came back from a 5-day Tulip Tour. The barge is adorable and the staff (Captain, Sailor, 2 hostess and 2 tour guides) were all top notch! The crew worked together like a well oiled machine and made sure all the guests had a great time. The bike tours were great and we saw plenty of flowers (specially tulips) with a lot of exercise. We got back to the barge every afternoon with time to explore the village before or after dinner...My only advice...Rent an e-bike...the wind can be really strong! - April 2022