Southern Tour of Holland Bike & Barge Tour

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 centre 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”.

Accommodation:

The barge has a large salon with large panoramic windows on the upper deck that combines the restaurant, bar and a lounge area. Wi-Fi is also 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 lower deck has 21 twin cabins and one single cabin. Thirteen “regular” twin cabins in the middle and back (10 m² – 108 sq.ft.) have two single low beds (200 x 80 cm – 78 x 31 inches).  One cabin has the possibility for a third bunk bed (above one of the beds). The single cabin (9 m² – 97 sq.ft.) has one low bed (200 x 80 cm – 78 x 31 inches). Eight “superior” twin cabins in the front (9,5 – 11,5 m² – 102 – 124 sq.ft.) have two separate beds, set next to each other as a hotel-style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches). The difference between twin and superior twin cabins on the lower deck is that the superior twins are the renovated cabins. All lower deck cabins have a small window that can be opened.  Beds in the superior cabins are normally set as hotel-style beds (78 x 62 inches) or, optional, on previous request, can be arranged as 2 separate single beds (78 x 31 inches).

The upper deck offers twelve twin cabins, ten cabins (9-10 m² – 97-108 sq.ft.) with two single low beds and two have a double bed (200 x 140 cm – 78 x 55 inches). Four cabins have the possibility for a third bunk bed (above one of the beds). All upper deck cabins have a window that can be opened. All 34 cabins aboard have an individual climate control system, mini-safe, small wardrobe, hairdryer, 230V sockets and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and basin.

Included in the Southern Holland Bike and Barge Tour:

• 8 days/7 nights 
• Breakfast
• Packed lunches
• 7x three-course dinner
• Use of bed linen and towels (change of towels daily possible)
• Daily short cleaning of the cabin
• Welcoming drink 
• 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
• 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
• 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

2019: Prices quoted are for a twin cabin on the lower deck; superior cabins on the lower deck (from 899 euro) and twin cabins on upper deck (979 euro) available on request.

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.
• Canal cruise Amsterdam: Ticket for a 1-hour canal cruise through Amsterdam – special price for our guests: 14 EUR (at the ticket desk approx.: 16 EUR). Please book your ticket in advance and you can collect it onboard your ship on the first day of the tour.
• 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.
• On arrival please bring your luggage on board from 11am.

Arrival/parking/departure:

• Parking in Amsterdam (valet parking): prices and pre-booking on request.
• Departure Saturdays 2020 only, Sundays 2021 only

If you would like to rent a bike (85 EUR), E-bike (185 EUR) or helmet (10 EUR), please contact our office when booking: [email protected]

Slow Tours offers other Bike & Barge tours in Europe

Read More