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Springtime Tour: Dutch Highlights & Tulips 8-Day Self-Guided Bike & Barge Tour (DeH)
Cycle and sail the provinces of South and North Holland at the best time of year: when spring flowers are in bloom. This is when the tulip fields glow in a multitude of colors, thousands of daffodils compete with the sun, and hyacinth fields spread their sweet scent for all to enjoy. But that’s just the beginning, because there’s a whole lot more to this region. You’ll be astounded by the enormous variety of different scenery you’ll see within such a small area. From your bike, you’ll see beautiful medieval cities and small fishing villages, centuries-old windmills and locks still in use, wide green fields and wetlands teeming with bird life. Get out of the wind and relax in the dunes by the North Sea, or feel the breeze in your hair as you stroll along the beach. You may even want to dip a toe in the sea, but beware! It’s cold!
This tour also takes you to the historical cities of Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Haarlem. Park your bike and explore them on foot. It’s the most relaxed way to enjoy their beauty (and to find the cutest little cafés). There are plenty of museums where you can delve into the history of the region. Learn about tulip growing in the area by visiting both the famous Keukenhof Gardens and the lesser-known Hortus Bulborum garden museum. Zaanse Schans open-air museum shows you what villages and village life looked like in the old days. And in Amsterdam, of course, there’s a museum for every interest, be it old Dutch masters or contemporary art, history or seafaring.
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. Easy cycling on flat terrain.
Your ship is a medium-sized cozy river cruise ship, built in 1952 and extended by 16 meters in 2012. In the winter of 2017/2018 the ship has been completely refitted: new marshalling, spacious and more luxurious cabins and a full restyle of the interior.The lower deck has 22 twin cabins (10 m² – 108 sq.ft.). Two 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 (only for children). 20 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.
The upper deck offers nine identical 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.
If you would like to rent a Bike (98 EUR) or E-Bike (273 EUR), please contact [email protected] when booking
Slow Tours offers a range of Bike and Barge Tours Europe
Amsterdam – Hoorn
At 1.30pm, the crew welcomes you on the ship and checks you in. After a safety briefing, the ship will head out towards the Ijsselmeer. Our first destination is Hoorn.
Hoorn – Enkhuizen (40 km/25 mi. or 50 km/31 mi.)
While the exact field locations shift every year, the “West-Frisian” area is known for being the second biggest tulip region in the Netherlands. We’ve planned two different bike routes through the fields for you to choose from. Due to the semi-guided concept on this tour, you can cycle at your own pace and stop for photos as often as you’d like.
Enkhuizen – Volendam | Volendam – Zaanse Schans (50 km/31 mi) | Zaanse Schans – Alkmaar
Early in the morning, your floating hotel will set off to take you to the famous village of Volendam. This is where today’s bike ride will start. You’ll cycle through “Waterland,” just north of Amsterdam. Hundreds of small canals and plenty of bridges make up the landscape as you cycle from one picturesque village to the next. The cycling tour ends at Zaanse Schans, an old Dutch village with beautiful windmills, still in use, and traditional wooden houses. There, you can visit artisans like a cheesemaker and a clog maker. Yet Zaanse Schans is more than just an open-air museum, because the people you see are actual inhabitants! Around dinnertime, your cruise continues on to Alkmaar.
Alkmaar – Alkmaar (33 km/21 mi. or 50 km/31 mi.)
Today’s bike tour brings you to lovely tulip fields north of Alkmaar, then to seaside resort Egmond aan Zee, pleasantly situated in the dunes near the North Sea. The sandy beach is one of the most beautiful of the Netherlands and great for a walk, a swim or simply for enjoying the view. Close by, the pretty artists’ village of Bergen is definitely worth a visit. Both Egmond aan Zee and Bergen are close to the North Holland Dune Reserve, a 5,300-hectare (2.5 square miles) forest and dune area with unique landscapes. Return to the ship in Alkmaar for dinner.
Alkmaar – Zaandam (38 km/24 mi. or 47 km/29 mi.) | Zaandam – Haarlem
This morning you cycle to Egmond-Binnen and then to Limmen. In this village you’ll visit the Hortus Bulborum, a unique garden museum dedicated to the preservation of rare and historic bulbs. Some of the over 3,500 tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other flowers planted here are nearly extinct in the rest of the world. Your cycling tour continues through colorful tulip fields and brings you to Zaandam. The ship will be waiting for you to take you to Haarlem on a leisurely afternoon cruise. It will dock for the night within walking distance of the city center. Grab the chance to visit the exceptionally beautiful historical inner city at the end of the afternoon or after dinner. The Grote Markt (central market square) and St. Bavo church are impressive indeed.
Haarlem – Keukenhof – Haarlem (49 km/30 mi.)
Today’s trip leads you through the oldest tulip fields of Holland to the Keukenhof Gardens. This flower bulb park is an overwhelming blaze of colors with seven million flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acre setting of traditional and modern garden architecture. You can also revel in the beauty and fragrances of various hyacinths, daffodils and many other colorful flowers. In the afternoon you’ll cycle back to the ship in Haarlem.
Haarlem – Amsterdam (31 km/19 mi. or 36 km/22 mi.)
Your last bike tour brings you back to Amsterdam. You’ll enter the city from the west through a pleasant green area. You can use the afternoon to discover more of this amazing city: visit the inner-city flower market, go to the Vondelpark, enjoy a museum, or just look at life in this city that never sleeps. There is something interesting to do for everyone. For those who want to do an end-of-day canal tour, we offer tickets at a reduced price.
Amsterdam
End of your tour. Enjoy a good breakfast before disembarkation by 9.30 am.
Tours marked with are special prices.
| Start | End | Max. No. Guests | Accommodation | Price p.p. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 11 2026 | Apr 18 2026 | 66 | Single rooms | 1,350€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,049€ | |||||
| Apr 18 2026 | Apr 25 2026 | 66 | Single rooms | 0€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,319€ | |||||
| Apr 25 2026 | May 02 2026 | 66 | Single rooms | 1,845€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,229€ | |||||
| Mar 28 2027 | Apr 04 2027 | 66 | Single rooms | 1,499€ | ||
| Double rooms | 999€ | |||||
| Apr 04 2027 | Apr 11 2027 | 66 | Single rooms | 1,499€ | ||
| Double rooms | 999€ | |||||
| Apr 11 2027 | Apr 18 2027 | 66 | Single rooms | 1,499€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,149€ | |||||
| Apr 18 2027 | Apr 25 2027 | 66 | Single rooms | 1,499€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,149€ | |||||
| Apr 25 2027 | May 02 2027 | 66 | Single rooms | 1,649€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,299€ |
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
Wander the World Without Worry
Local language barriers. Lost passport. Unexpected medical expenses. Sometimes, our trips don’t go as planned. That’s why Slow Tours Pty Ltd wants you to have the most robust travel advisory and protection for your vacation.
Ask us for a quote [email protected]
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