Bike and Barge in Holland

Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful metropolises in Europe and wants to be discovered right at the beginning of your bike tour. In addition to a canal tour, there are many other ways to pass the time: a stroll through the old town or a visit to one of the many museums. Embarkation starts at 2 p.m., the introductory talk at 3 p.m. Then you will test your bike on a short ride before having the first dinner on board.

Today, after a short boat ride to Zaandam, you will visit the museum village of Zaanse Schans, which is one of the top tourist attractions in the Netherlands. A unique living and working quarter with museums, mills, stores, old crafts, restaurants, an information center and an excursion service will transport you to times long past. You will then cycle to Haarlem.

You leave Haarlem, known for its 17th century warehouses. It goes along the North Sea coast via the seaside resorts of Noordwijk and Katwijk aan Zee, both of which offer beautiful sandy beaches. This will take you to the university city of Leiden. Here Rembrandt saw the light of day and later opened his first studio. Also interesting is the Archaeological Museum, where you can see an original Egyptian temple.

From Leiden you cycle to the capital of the province of South Holland: The Hague. In addition to beautiful old buildings, there are also numerous modern buildings, which have been given names such as filler or citrus press by the population. We continue to the famous seaside resort of Scheveningen. The small fishing village has developed into the largest seaside resort in the Netherlands. In beautiful Delft you have reached your destination for today.

Delft is one of the oldest Dutch cities and presents itself with Brabant Gothic and Renaissance houses. By ship you will visit the impressive world port of Rotterdam, be amazed by the hustle and bustle! The 19 windmills of Kinderdijk have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then continue by bike to the cheese city of Gouda.

The city of Gouda has more to offer than the world-famous cheese. It was also here that syrup waffles were first produced in the early 19th century. The Gothic town hall is one of the oldest in the Netherlands. From the confluence of the IJssel and Gouwe watercourses, you will then cycle through the canal-lined countryside of South Holland to the pretty town of Kudelstaart.

Early in the morning you go to the famous flower auction in Aalsmeer (not included). Afterwards, get on your bike or the ship will take you back to Amsterdam via the Amstel river. There you can once again enjoy the incomparable atmosphere of this distinctly charming city, take part in a canal tour and let yourself drift in the city's colorful nightlife on your last vacation evening.

After breakfast your journey by bike and barge through Holland on the MS Flora, MS Gandalf or the MS Sarah is unfortunately already over. This is followed by disembarkation and your journey home.