Green Heart of Holland Boat & Bike Tour
Boat & Bike • 7 nights
VISITING: The Netherlands
Overview
Why we love this tour
Historic cities and traditional Dutch villages
19 UNESCO windmills of Kinderdijk
Gouda Cheese and blue Delft pottery
Easy cycling on flat terrain
Guiding
Distance
Level
Standard
Departs
Runs
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Cycle at your own pace as you journey through the ‘Green Heart’ of Holland. Starting and finishing in Amsterdam, you’ll ride to historic cities and towns, passing farms, canals and coastal dunes. Staying aboard your boat, you’ll set off on relaxed daily cycle rides with the choice of longer or shorter routes. Each evening you’ll dock near fascinating towns and cities, where you can step ashore and explore on foot.
Along the way, you’ll discover cheese in Gouda, blue porcelain in Delft, and silversmiths in Schoonhoven. Art lovers can also look forward to Leiden and Haarlem, where famous Dutch artists like Rembrandt once lived. On day five, you’ll experience the 19 UNESCO windmills at Kinderdijk, which date back to the 18th century. During your last full day, you’ll have the option to visit the world’s largest flower market before cycling or cruising back to Amsterdam.
The Trip
Route
Itinerary
or click on individual days
Accommodation
MS Gandalf
View full details of MS Gandalf.
This cosy and comfortable barge accommodates up to 22 guests in 10 cabins, all with separate twin beds, central heating and private shower and wc. All cabin windows can be opened. Some cabins can take a 3rd bed on request. There is a spacious saloon and restaurant area and two sun decks, offering seating areas with tables and chairs and storage space for the bikes. The environmentally-friendly solar roof panels make for peaceful nights on board, as the ship needs to make little use of the generator to produce power.
MS Gandalf
Flora
The comfort barge Flora has 11 lower deck cabins, all with shower and toilet and a window. Ten cabins are twin-bedded and one has a double bed, except for two that have a third, raised bed suitable for a child up to 12 years.
Meals are taken in the lounge and dining area on the upper deck, which also has a small bar and sundeck for relaxing and sunbathing as you admire the views.
Flora
What's included
Price includes
7 nights accommodation aboard the Flora or MS Gandalf
Board basis: Full board including, 7 breakfasts, 6 packed lunches and 6 three course dinners
Services of an English speaking on-board guide with daily briefings and guided cycle rides
Ferry fees
Maps and route information (1 set per cabin) - GPS tracks available
Welcome meeting and drink on the first evening
Free tea and coffee
Local contact number for assistance
Price excludes
Flights and transfers
Bike & helmet hire
Entrance fees & excursions
Drinks & tips on board
Special dietary requests - see below
Transfers to/from the docking in Amsterdam
Bike hire and extras
Bike hire
Hybrid bikes have 24 gears on the Flora and 7 gears on the Gandalf, gel-saddle, a pannier, a lock on the frame and a small repair kit included at no extra cost.
Hybrid bike
Hybrid bike with 7 gears and gel saddle
E-bike
Bringing own bike
Bringing own E-bike (includes a charge station)
Other Extras
Helmet
Helmet hire
Board upgrade
Gluten or lactose free diet (65 Euros payable locally) - please select if applicable
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Friendly service with expert knowledge
Easy to book and pay online
Full financial protection
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about this tour. Simply click on a question to reveal the answer.
Take the train (NS) from Amsterdam Central Station to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Alternatively, take the Eurostar from Amsterdam or ferry from Hook of Holland to Harwich, UK.
Your days will involve gentle riding, mainly on flat terrain and with minimal effort required. Easy cycling holidays are suitable for most people whether you are a regular cyclist or not, however we recommend at least a few practice rides before your holiday!
We are always on hand to offer advice, so please give us a call if you wish to chat about the tour’s grading.
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For Boat & Bike tours the boat will generally keep to the advertised itinerary, however the captain may have to adapt the itinerary due to the river or sea conditions.
There is limited space in the cabins, so pack light and take a soft suitcase.
Yes, you can relax on the boat or explore when you arrive at each destination instead of cycling.
Absolutely! Boat & Bike tours are very sociable and a good choice for single travellers wishing to mix with other guests and share your common interest of cycling.