Tulip Fields of Holland - 8-Day Bike & Boat Tour

Day 1: Amsterdam – Spaarndam | Spaarndam – Haarlem
3 mi. / 6 km or 8 mi / 14 km

Your beautiful bike and boat tour will begin with check-in at 2:00 PM. You'll be greeted with coffee and tea by your welcoming crew as you settle into your floating hotel. At 2:30 PM, the boat will begin cruising toward Haarlem. During this first journey, your tour leader will introduce the itinerary, cycling plans, and safety information.

When you reach Spaarndam, you'll have the opportunity for a short test ride on your bike. You'll then enjoy dinner on board before your guide leads you on an interesting walk through Haarlem's charming historic center.

Day 2: Haarlem – Keukenhof – Leiden
23 mi. / 38 km

Today’s guided bike tour will take you through the heart of Holland’s oldest tulip-growing region. A visit to the Keukenhof Gardens will be the highlight, where over seven million tulips and other flowers will be blooming in a stunning 80-acre park.

In the afternoon, cycle to the historic university city of Leiden. After dinner on board, you'll be invited to join an evening walk along the city’s beautiful canals and old streets.

Day 3: Leiden – Gouda
22 mi. / 37 km or 26 mi. / 43 km

After breakfast, you'll cycle through the peaceful countryside of Holland’s “Green Heart.” Near Zoeterwoude, a visit to a traditional cheese farm will offer insight into the Dutch cheese-making process—and, of course, the chance to taste some delicious samples!

By the afternoon, you'll arrive in Gouda, known globally for its namesake cheese and beautiful city center. You'll have time to explore the historic market square, the Gothic town hall, and the stained-glass windows of St. John’s Church. An after-dinner walk will give you more time to appreciate Gouda’s charming character.

Day 4: Gouda – Alphen a/d Rijn | Alphen a/d Rijn – Kudelstaart
12 mi. / 20 km or 27 mi. / 44 km

This morning, you'll have time to explore Gouda at your leisure. You might like to browse the local shops, visit the cheese weigh house, or admire the artistry of St. John’s Church. Around midday, the barge will depart, and you'll enjoy a light lunch onboard.

From Alphen aan den Rijn, your bicycle tour will continue through South Holland’s tranquil countryside, following rivers and canals toward the village of Kudelstaart.

Day 5: Kudelstaart – Flower auction
5.4 mi. / 9 km | Aalsmeer – Amsterdam | Amsterdam – Zaanse Schans - Purmerend (5 mi. / 9 km or 27 mi. / 45 km

At 6:30 AM, coffee will be served for those heading to the flower auction in Aalsmeer - the largest in Europe! Here, you'll have the unique opportunity to witness a trade where millions of flower blooms are auctioned for markets across the continent.

After returning to the barge, you'll enjoy a late breakfast while cruising toward Amsterdam. Today will offer a relaxing transition from countryside to city - a transformation you can watch peacefully from your hotel on the water! The bike tour will lead you to Zaanse Schans, a charming village where historic windmills and houses have been preserved over the decades. You'll explore working windmills, a clog-making workshop, an old grocery store, a cheese farm, and more. It will feel like cycling through a living museum! At the end of the afternoon, you’ll bike to Purmerend, where the ship is moored for the night.

Day 6: Purmerend – Alkmaar
31 mi. / 50 km

Today begins with a scenic ride to the Hortus Bulborum, a unique garden museum dedicated to rare, heritage flower bulbs. From there, you'll cycle toward the North Sea dunes and on to the town of Egmond, continuing through coastal landscapes until reaching Alkmaar.

Known as one of Holland’s famous cheese towns, Alkmaar will welcome you with its 17th-century buildings, narrow canals, and lively old town. Dinner will be on your own tonight, giving you the chance to dine at one of Alkmaar’s cozy local restaurants.

Day 7: Alkmaar – Amsterdam
22 mi. / 37 km or 33 mi. / 54 km

Your final bicycle tour will take you to the Schermer Polder where you'll visit the Schermerhorn Windmill Museum. Afterward, you'll continue to the beautiful village of De Rijp, where wooden facades and historical buildings evoke centuries of maritime history.

From there, you'll ride back to Amsterdam, arriving in the late afternoon. There will be time to relax and perhaps take a canal cruise of Holland's capital to round off your bike and barge holiday in style.

Day 8: Departure from Amsterdam

After breakfast, your tour will officially end. Disembarkation will take place until 9:30 AM.