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One-Stop Resource for Bike Tours Worldwide
Representing Local Bike Tour Companies
More than 400 Tours in 70 Countries
Get our newsletter | Contact Us
Call (877) 462-2423 or (423) 756-8907
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| Type of tour: | Guided |
| Level: | Leisurely |
| Duration: | 7 Nights |
| Distance: | 27 Miles/day average |
| Dates: | Saturdays: Apr 6 - Jul 20; Sep 7 - 28, 2013. |
| Tour price: | €755 |
| Start city: | Amsterdam, Holland |
| End city: | Amsterdam, Holland |
Historic towns, picturesque villages in a rural environment abounding with water, but also dunes and beaches. Those are the typical ingredients of the Southern tour. And do not forget the mills. A varied trip that guarantees a striking introduction to the heart of The Netherlands.
While roaming the center of Haarlem, Leiden or the 16th Century Delft on one day, the next day you will cycle along the reedy borders of the Lek or Vecht river. In the historic towns there is time for visiting a museum (Frans Hals, Rembrandt and Van Gogh), shopping, or relaxation in an outdoor café.
You will visit the beach and the dunes of Scheveningen near The Hague by bike, just like many Dutch people. You will discover the world's largest seaport Rotterdam very appropriately by boat. Absolutely breathtaking are the eighteen mills in Kinderdijk, built around 1750, driven by the wind. The canal tour by boat through Amsterdam will make this route complete.
Learn more about guided tours.
Historic towns, picturesque villages in a rural environment abounding with water, but also dunes and beaches. Those are the typical ingredients of the Southern tour. And do not forget the mills. A varied trip that guarantees a striking introduction to the heart of The Netherlands.
While roaming the center of Haarlem, Leiden or the 16th Century Delft on one day, the next day you will cycle along the reedy borders of the Lek or Vecht river. In the historic towns there is time for visiting a museum (Frans Hals, Rembrandt and Van Gogh), shopping, or relaxation in an outdoor café.
You will visit the beach and the dunes of Scheveningen near The Hague by bike, just like many Dutch people. You will discover the world's largest seaport Rotterdam very appropriately by boat. Absolutely breathtaking are the eighteen mills in Kinderdijk, built around 1750, driven by the wind. The canal tour by boat through Amsterdam will make this route complete.
Learn more about guided tours.
Day 1: Amsterdam round trip (12 miles/20 km)
Embarkation at 4 PM near Central Station. When you arrive on board the ship you can put your luggage away in your cabin and then enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the guide, skipper and crew and of course your fellow passengers. Your bicycle will be handed out to you and you can join a short tour on bike from the ship's berth through the quieter parts of the city. If time permits the tour will also take you a short way out of the city. Back on board, after the bike ride, the programme for the next day and the rest of the week will be explained to you at dinner time.
Overnight in Amsterdam.
Day 2: Amsterdam – Haarlem (30 miles/47 km)
The ship is left behind and a ferry takes you across the IJ where the cycling starts in the Amsterdam-Noord district. Soon you are out of the city, pedaling through the recreation area 't Twiske to the 'Zaanse Schans'. The Zaanse Schans, with its traditional weatherboard houses, warehouses and windmills may give you the feeling of stepping back into the 17th or 18th century. Yet this is no open air museum, but a lively neighbourhood where people live and work. When you have spent enough time at the Zaanse Schans you continue on your way and cycle along the green painted timber houses that are so typical for this area. After crossing the IJ once again you cycle to Spaarndam, a village on the river Spaarne. Here you can find the statue of Hansje Brinker on the Ijdijk. Further on to Haarlem which offers you many interesting sites from the 17th century.
Overnight in Haarlem.
Day 3: Haarlem – Leiden (23-29 miles/38-48 km)
Today starts with a short tour on bike through the centre of Haarlem, to have a better look at some of the city's typical almshouses. Upon departure from Haarlem you may cycle to the 'Cruquiusgemaal' (Cruquius Pumping Station): one of the three steam-powered pumping stations that drained the Haarlemmer Lake between 1849 and 1852. Now a museum, it gives you an excellent idea of the Dutch 'battle against the water'. In summer you now cycle through the dunes to the beach, in springtime you can cycle through the bulb field area to the Keukenhof, a 32 hectares' park where every spring (March-May) the very best and most beautiful bulb flowers are shown to the world. The night is spent in Leiden, a historic city with many little courtyards, façades, and historical buildings built between the 15th and 18th century. The town centre has many shops to browse through and many outdoor cafés along the waterfront.
Overnight in Leiden.
Day 4: Leiden – Delft (31 miles/49 km)
You leave the city in a southerly direction and cycle along the Vliet canal. In Voorschoten you turn westwards towards the coastline. At 'Wassenaarse Slag' you can take a break on the beach. The route to Delft takes you along the water once again. The old centre of Delft is well worth a visit. When the weather is clear the view from the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) is spectacular; a large part of the Southern Tour can be seen from here!
Overnight in Delft.
Day 5: The Hague
The city of the Hague has an international character with its wide avenues, parks and stately mansions. Possible visits are the Peace Palace, the ‘Binnenhof’ with the 13th-century ‘Ridderzaal’ (Knights’Hall),the famous paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt and Rubens in the Mauritshuis of the largest panoramic, circular painting in the world Panorama Mesdag.
Overnight in The Hague.
Day 6: Delft - Rotterdam (26-31 miles/44-52 km)
The first part of today's route will be sailed through the centre of Rotterdam, thus giving you the best view of the modern architecture of this port. Your cycling day starts in Kinderdijk and then takes you through the Alblasserwaard, situated between rivers and showing you a wide scenery of water and meadows. The many inundations and the slowly sinking surface made water management essential in this fenland. Canals and ditches were dug and windmills were constructed; of the latter nineteen remain today. Their jobs have almost been taken over by electric pumping stations. After a visit to one of the mills you will continue on bike. Via the 'storks' village' of Groot-Ammers you cross the river Lek and enter Schoonhoven renowned for its silver industry. The short route then mainly follows the Lek until Vianen, the somewhat longer route goes along the idyllic little river Vlist via Haastrecht to Oudewater. One more river crossing takes you into Vianen, a small, old, fortified town where we spend the night.
Overnight in Vianen.
Day 7: Vianen - Amsterdam (27 miles/42 km)
While having a breakfast cruise you pass through the dramatic locks in the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal.
Disembarkation in Breukelen, the charming town that rendered its name to Brooklyn, the well-known New York district. The final stretch takes you along meandering waterways and through smaller and larger villages. The diverse scenery of this route is very picturesque. You cycle through Vreeland, Loenen and Nieuwersluis. Loenen is definitely one of the most beautiful towns upon the Vecht. Almost without noticing you enter Amsterdam, following the Amstel River. The extensive network of bicycle paths ensures a relatively easy way back into the city, showing you some remarkable sites in the centre. Then it is time to say goodbye to your bike. Before the fare-well dinner you may want to go for a walk in town. At night there you may want to take a canal trip or go on a city walk through the centre of the city.
Overnight in Amsterdam.
Day 8: Amsterdam
End of the tour after breakfast.
Saturdays: Apr 6 - Jul 20; Sep 7 - 28, 2013
*all dates are aboard Liza Marleen, EXCEPT Jul 20, which is aboard the Zwaan
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Standard plus (cabins with private shower/toilet; bunk beds) Departure: Jul 20, 2013. |
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Standard plus (cabins with private shower/toilet; bunk beds) Departures Apr 6 - Sep 28, 2013, except Jul 20, 2013. |
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Liza Marleen
(Apr 6 - Sep 28, 2013 **except Jul 20, 2013)
The Liza Marleen is a luxury motor passenger barge, built in 1997-98 on the completely dismantled shell of a seafaring freight logger, and can hold a maximum of 28 overnight passengers.
The Liza Marleen is "standard plus" and has 6 triple cabins and 8 double cabins. All cabins come with a private bathroom and central heating. The triple cabins have one double bed on top and one single bed underneath. The double cabins have two separate beds on top of each other.
The barge has a beautiful, spacious and tastefully decorated salon for a day stay and plenty of room on deck.The dayroom has audio-equipment and TV.
Dates: Saturdays, Apr 6 - Sep 28, 2013 **except Jul 20, 2013.
Zwaan
(Jul 20, 2013)
The Zwaan boat can hold 14-28 people, and has 7 cabins all with a private shower and toilet. The boat has wifi, and 220 voltage.
Details about the 7 cabins:
- 2 family-style cabins, 2- 3 people with double bed + single bed
- 2 friends-style cabins, 2- 3 people with 3 single beds (one bunk)
- 2 twins-style cabins, 2 people with two separate beds
- 1 cabin, for 2 people with double bed
Liza Marleen
(Apr 6 - Sep 28, 2013 **except Jul 20, 2013)
The Liza Marleen is a luxury motor passenger barge, built in 1997-98 on the completely dismantled shell of a seafaring freight logger, and can hold a maximum of 28 overnight passengers.
The Liza Marleen is "standard plus" and has 6 triple cabins and 8 double cabins. All cabins come with a private bathroom and central heating. The triple cabins have one double bed on top and one single bed underneath. The double cabins have two separate beds on top of each other.
The barge has a beautiful, spacious and tastefully decorated salon for a day stay and plenty of room on deck.The dayroom has audio-equipment and TV.
Dates: Saturdays, Apr 6 - Sep 28, 2013 **except Jul 20, 2013.
Zwaan
(Jul 20, 2013)
The Zwaan boat can hold 14-28 people, and has 7 cabins all with a private shower and toilet. The boat has wifi, and 220 voltage.
Details about the 7 cabins:
- 2 family-style cabins, 2- 3 people with double bed + single bed
- 2 friends-style cabins, 2- 3 people with 3 single beds (one bunk)
- 2 twins-style cabins, 2 people with two separate beds
- 1 cabin, for 2 people with double bed
The tour follows a flat terrain route. This tour is rated leisurely, meaning it has relaxed cycling with occasional hills.
The tour follows a flat terrain route. This tour is rated leisurely, meaning it has relaxed cycling with occasional hills.
Tour start and end:
Nearest airport:
Nearest train station:
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Tour start and end:
Nearest airport:
Nearest train station:
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.
Get weather information.
Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.
Get weather information.
From the famed canals and impressive art collections of Amsterdam and attractions of Rotterdam to the tulip fields carpeting the lush countryside, Holland packs a considerable punch for such a small country. Outside of the large cities, visitors can revisit the Middle Ages through its remaining castles and grand estates. Other highlights of the Dutch countryside include the marshlands, wetlands, and beaches. The walled towns of Holland’s trade and commerce routes are delightful to explore, and the maritime tradition of this coastal land is still seen in its quaint harbor towns.
Dutch tulips are iconic – a symbol of Holland. Mid-March through mid-May transforms the already beautiful countryside into a sea of reds, pinks, purples, and yellows. Another charming symbol of the country, Holland's many windmills are scattered across the landscape and make for postcard-perfect scenery.
From the famed canals and impressive art collections of Amsterdam and attractions of Rotterdam to the tulip fields carpeting the lush countryside, Holland packs a considerable punch for such a small country. Outside of the large cities, visitors can revisit the Middle Ages through its remaining castles and grand estates. Other highlights of the Dutch countryside include the marshlands, wetlands, and beaches. The walled towns of Holland’s trade and commerce routes are delightful to explore, and the maritime tradition of this coastal land is still seen in its quaint harbor towns.
Dutch tulips are iconic – a symbol of Holland. Mid-March through mid-May transforms the already beautiful countryside into a sea of reds, pinks, purples, and yellows. Another charming symbol of the country, Holland's many windmills are scattered across the landscape and make for postcard-perfect scenery.
Cycletours Holidays originated in 1987 as a seperate division, specializing in Bike & Barge Holidays, especially designed for the overseas tourist wanting to discover Holland. Cycletours Holidays was the first company to offer trips such as these, combining regular cycling tours with overnight stays on a ship, serving as hotel and luggage transport all-in-one!
Cycletours Holiday's strengths are excellent service, we have staff with more then 15 year's experience with Bike and Barge Holidays, good quality for a reasonable price
We hope to welcome you soon on one of our Bike & Barge or Bed & Bike Holidays!
Cycletours Holidays originated in 1987 as a seperate division, specializing in Bike & Barge Holidays, especially designed for the overseas tourist wanting to discover Holland. Cycletours Holidays was the first company to offer trips such as these, combining regular cycling tours with overnight stays on a ship, serving as hotel and luggage transport all-in-one!
Cycletours Holiday's strengths are excellent service, we have staff with more then 15 year's experience with Bike and Barge Holidays, good quality for a reasonable price
We hope to welcome you soon on one of our Bike & Barge or Bed & Bike Holidays!
Charge for Changes
If after booking a trip, you wish to make changes, bear in mind that you can be billed a surcharge to cover the costs of changes, This amounts to € 14,-. According to the ANVR terms and conditions, changes can generally be made up to 28 days prior to the departure date.
Cancellation conditions according to BikeToursDirect
The conditions of all tours act on the Dutch jurisdiction. Any liability of the tour operator (the transporter) is limited to the amounts of the concerned insurance-company(s) of the tour operator / the transporter is (are) willing to pay, taken into account the maximum overages. The parties agree that the Dutch law applies to this agreement. Any conflicts arising out of this contract will be brought solely before a competent judge in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Cycle Tours Holland Travel Agreement
A travel agreement is reached with the traveler's acceptance of our offer. Acceptance can take place either directly through us or via the intermediary service of a booking office. As soon as you make a reservation, your accommodations will be arranged. When these arrangements have been settled, you'll receive word from us and thereupon, the invoice will be sent.
A confirmation of your booking together with the invoice will be sent within 72 hours. Travel documents will be sent via e-mail 3 weeks prior to departure. When booking more than 2 months before departure, payment in terms is possible. Deposit is 15% of the total amount. Second payment needs to be done at least 6 weeks prior to departure.
Travel Conditions
Cycletours is a member of the General Dutch Association of Tour operators (ANVR). This association publishes the ANVR-travel condition that includes the rights and duties of both the tour operator and the participant. These conditions are available upon request.
Travel Conditions
Cycletours is a member of the General Dutch Association of Tour operators (ANVR). This association publishes the ANVR-travel condition that includes the rights and duties of both the tour operator and the participant. These conditions are available upon request.
Cancellation of the tour
Cycletours Holland reserves the right to cancel tours with fewer than 12 participants up to 21 days prior to the date of departure. Cycletours Holidays will offer an adequate alternative in case of such cancellation.
Charge for Changes
If after booking a trip, you wish to make changes, bear in mind that you can be billed a surcharge to cover the costs of changes, This amounts to € 14,-. According to the ANVR terms and conditions, changes can generally be made up to 28 days prior to the departure date.
Cancellation conditions according to BikeToursDirect
The conditions of all tours act on the Dutch jurisdiction. Any liability of the tour operator (the transporter) is limited to the amounts of the concerned insurance-company(s) of the tour operator / the transporter is (are) willing to pay, taken into account the maximum overages. The parties agree that the Dutch law applies to this agreement. Any conflicts arising out of this contract will be brought solely before a competent judge in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Cycle Tours Holland Travel Agreement
A travel agreement is reached with the traveler's acceptance of our offer. Acceptance can take place either directly through us or via the intermediary service of a booking office. As soon as you make a reservation, your accommodations will be arranged. When these arrangements have been settled, you'll receive word from us and thereupon, the invoice will be sent.
A confirmation of your booking together with the invoice will be sent within 72 hours. Travel documents will be sent via e-mail 3 weeks prior to departure. When booking more than 2 months before departure, payment in terms is possible. Deposit is 15% of the total amount. Second payment needs to be done at least 6 weeks prior to departure.
Travel Conditions
Cycletours is a member of the General Dutch Association of Tour operators (ANVR). This association publishes the ANVR-travel condition that includes the rights and duties of both the tour operator and the participant. These conditions are available upon request.
Travel Conditions
Cycletours is a member of the General Dutch Association of Tour operators (ANVR). This association publishes the ANVR-travel condition that includes the rights and duties of both the tour operator and the participant. These conditions are available upon request.
Cancellation of the tour
Cycletours Holland reserves the right to cancel tours with fewer than 12 participants up to 21 days prior to the date of departure. Cycletours Holidays will offer an adequate alternative in case of such cancellation.
