Bike & Barge Tour in Northern Holland

During this fascinating cycling cruise, you will discover the best of what the beautiful Provinces of North-Holland and Friesland offer. Explore flat “polder” landscapes – a polder is a low-lying tract of land enclosed by embankments – the North Sea coast, towering sand dunes, long sandy beaches, historic windmills, the island of Texel and the many picturesque harbour towns along the coast of IJsselmeer Lake. It is without a doubt a tour not to be missed! Nowhere else in the world will you find an area as fascinating as the Dutch Provinces of North Holland and Friesland, two areas rich in tradition.

Over the course of your week, you will be able to discover typical Dutch culture and cycle through a flat “polder land”, extensively reclaimed over the centuries from the North Sea and the former Southern Sea (now IJsselmeer). What you will soon realize is the truth behind the proverb “God created the earth but the Dutch made Holland”, such has been the extent of land reclamation in the region you will be cycling through. Since the 17th century in an effort to save disappearing land from encroaching water, protective dikes have been built, low lying land has been pumped dry and tidal dams have been created in creeks to prevent flooding, with the result that today’s green flat polder landscape is full of agricultural enterprise.

Given the Dutch love for cycling, the region is crisscrossed with many quiet cycle tracks that stretch from one end of the region to the other. You will be amazed by the beauty of the North Sea beaches, the towering sand dunes – who said there were no hills in Holland! – the extremely bicycle-friendly island of Texel, the beautiful flat landscapes, small dreamlike farm villages and romantic picturesque harbour villages. During the second part of the tour, you will cross the large lake IJsselmeer to Stavoren in the Province of Friesland. Other highlights during your week tour include the open-air museum “Zaanse Schans”, the historic city centre of Alkmaar and the old harbour cities of Medemblik, Enkhuizen, Hoorn and Volendam, the islands of Texel and Marken and – of course – Amsterdam with its beautiful canals.

Accommodation:

The ship has a large salon with wide panoramic windows on the upper deck that combines the restaurant, bar and a lounge area. Wi-Fi is available. On the partially roofed sun deck, chairs and sun loungers invite for a stay. Here you can relax and have a drink and enjoy the scenery while sailing.  Bicycles will be stored on a separate part of the sun deck.

The upper deck offers nine identical superior twin cabins (10 m² – 108 sq.ft.) and one suite (13 m² – 140 sq.ft.), all with two separate beds set next to each other as a hotel-style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches). All upper deck cabins and the suite have a “French Balcony” (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors) instead of a regular window.

The lower deck has 24 twin cabins (10 m² – 108 sq.ft.). Three twin cabins in the front have two separate beds, set next to each other as a hotel-style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches) and an additional fold away bunk bed as optional third bed. 21 twin cabins have two separate beds, set next to each other as a hotel-style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches). All lower deck cabins have a window (80 x 40 cm – 31 x 16 inches) that – for safety reasons – cannot be opened. On previous request, in most cabins beds, normally set as hotel-style beds, can be arranged as two separate single beds.

All 34 cabins aboard have an individual climate control system, digital TV, mini-safe, small wardrobe, hairdryer, 230V sockets and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. The suite has the same amenities as the superior twin cabins but is larger.

Included in the Bike and Barge Tour:

• 8 days/7 nights
• Breakfast
• Packed lunches
• 7 x 3-course dinners
• Coffee and tea on board till 4pm
• Welcome drink
• Use of bed linen and towels
• Daily cleaning of the cabin
• Climate-controlled cabin
• Daily briefings
• Semi-guided cycling tours (guest cycle independently, tour leader also cycles the tour)
• Some short walking tours
• Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
• GPS tracks
• Use of a waterproof pannier bag
• Ferry ticket to Texel (2023)
• Wi-Fi available in restaurant - data use not included
• Live music on board

Not included in the tour:

• Coffee and tea on board after 4pm
• Drinks
• Bicycle rental or E-bike rental
• Helmet rental
• Personal insurances
• Gratuities (at your discretion)
• Entrance fees and excursions 
• Fees for ferries (except for Texel)
• Transfers to/from the docking place
• Parking fees

Notes:

• All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours.
• A knowledgeable and multilingual tour leader is available onboard. He/she will provide you with all necessary tour information during daily briefings. You  will cycle the tours independently, at your own pace, with the help of a detailed cycling map, GPS-tracks and printed route notes (available onboard).
• The tour leader will also be cycling the daily tours and can – for assistance – be reached on his/her mobile phone in cases of emergency or technical breakdown of the bicycle.
• During days when several bicycle options are possible, not all mentioned highlights can be visited during the shorter cycling options.
• If you don’t feel like cycling for a day (or more) you are welcome to relax and onboard while the ship is sailing. But please note: lunch will not be served on board. So you can enjoy your packed lunch.  

Arrival/parking/departure:

• Parking in Amsterdam (valet parking): prices and pre-booking on request.
• Departure Saturdays only

If you would like to rent a bike (90 EUR), e-bike (195 EUR) or helmet (10 EUR), please contact our office when booking: [email protected]

(2024 PRICES) If you would like to rent a bike (90 EUR), e-bike (225 EUR) or helmet (10 EUR), please contact our office when booking: [email protected]

Slow Tours offers other Bike & Barge Tours in Europe

Read More