Discover the Southern regions of Holland on barge and bike

It doesn’t get any better than the Southern Tour of Holland on board your home away from home. Not only will you get the chance to visit a number of famous Dutch cities, but you will also uncover another side of Holland as you cycle through the countryside – the country’s “Green Heart”. It is here that you will see a landscape of water, meadows, grazing cows, windmills and picturesque farms… it is a landscape that is impossible to feel or look any more Dutch. In short the Southern Tour is the perfect tour for anyone wanting to see as much of “typical” central Holland as is possible in one week. What you will come away with at the end of the tour is a greater appreciation of why this part of the Netherlands attracts so many visitors from all corners of the globe every year. As well as being able to discover the natural beauty of Holland’s Green Heart you will visit:

• The world famous city of Amsterdam
• Utrecht, the geographical center of The Netherlands
• Rotterdam, the busiest port in Europe
• Delft, a city with close ties to the Dutch Royal family and the world renowned painter Johannes Vermeer
• Haarlem, a sightseeing paradise

Other attractions over the course of the tour include the cheese city of Gouda, the windmills at Kinderdijk (Unesco World Heritage Site), the silver city of Schoonhoven, the dunes and beaches of the North Sea coastline and the open air museum “Zaanse Schans”. 

The ship – Your sailing hotel

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.

This impressive and well maintained river cruise ship has 56 cabins for a maximum of 112 passengers. All of the cabins have a window, giving you a different view every day. They are well-equipped and provided with two comfortable single beds. In the spacious restaurant on the lower deck you can go for a cyclist’s breakfast and in the evening it’s time for a three course dinner. A good spot for relaxing after a great cycling day, is in the lounge area and bar on the upper deck, or – on a sunny day – at the partially roofed sun deck.

You cycle independently

During this trip there is an expert and experienced tour leader on board. He or she will discuss the next day’s cycling routes on a daily basis and provide you with tips and information about the route. You will cycle the tours independently and at your own pace using a detailed cycling map, GPS directions via the free Ride With GPS app and printed route descriptions (available on board). The tour leader will also cycle the routes, so they will be riding nearby and can be reached by phone in case of emergencies, problems or questions.

Included in the Bike and Barge Tour:

• 8 days/7 nights 
• 7x Breakfast
• Packed lunches
• 7x three-course dinner
• Coffee and tea on board until 4pm
• Welcome drink
• Use of bed linen and towels (change of towels daily possible)
• Daily short 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, maps and notes
• Use of a waterproof pannier bag
• Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant – data use is not included
• Live music on board

Not included in the tour:

• Coffee and Tea on board after 4pm
• Drinks 
• Bicycle or E-bike rental
• Helmet (10 EUR)
• Personal insurances
• Gratuities (at your discretion)
• Entrance fees & excursions
• Fees for ferries/waterbus
• Transfers to/from the docking place
• Parking fee
• Dietary requirements on request/surcharges may be calculated
• SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person

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 cycling for a day (or more) you are welcome to relax and stay on board 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 (91 EUR), E-bike (245 EUR) or helmet (10 EUR), please contact our office when booking: [email protected]

Slow Tours offers other Bike & Barge tours in Europe

Read More