The Tulip is the most beautiful flower in Holland. You will visit the
world-famous, flower garden The Keukenhof, where you can admire the wonderfully colourful fields with flowering bulbs in peace and quiet. A unique, unforgettable experience! On Sunday you will sail to Amsterdam and at midday you will cycle from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans. The Zaanse Schans is a unique hamlet where people live and work, with original houses and windmills from the river Zaan area.
Around Alkmaar you will find the most beautiful dunes in the country. The last part of the week the route leads you through the 17th century polders. The green “ Waterland” landscape surrounds you, while you cycle through the Beemster Polder back to Amsterdam.
Thursday: Amsterdam – Haarlem (cycling: ± 15 km)
Embarkation is between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM.
The barge is moored at the Oosterdok in central Amsterdam, near the train station. After arrival on board, you can settle in and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the tour leader, skipper and crew and your fellow passengers.
You will first cruise through Amsterdam and over the North Sea Canal before reaching the village of Spaarndam. Here you can find the statue of Hansje Brinker on the IJdijk. Hansje is a character from an American novel. The brave boy saved the country from flooding by putting his finger in the dike. From here we make an easy ride into the beautiful city of Haarlem and you will see the first of many windmills.
Haarlem, which rendered its name to Harlem, New York, is a lively city. The barge is berthed in the city centre, with a view of St Bavo’s Church and with easy access to the Grote Markt with its many outdoor cafés.
During dinner aboard the ship, the program for the next day and the global planning of the week are discussed. Instruc-
tions on cycling and safely procedures will also be given. As on most evenings the tour guide will take you on a wal around the city after dinner.
Friday: Haarlem – Keukenhof – Leiden (cycling ± 40 km)
Todays trip leads you through the oldest tulip fields of Holland and along the Keukenhof. Of course you’ll have time to admire the most beautiful bulb park in the world (tickets are included in the tourprice). Keukenhof is the place where the spring breaks. An overwhelming blaze of colours; seven million flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acres’ background of traditional and modern gardening architecture. You also can admire the various hyacinths, narcisses and many other colourful flowers. You spend the night in Leiden which was Rembrandt’s hometown.
Saturday: Leiden – Kudelstaart (cycling ± 45 km)
Today you continue your tour around the Haarlemmermeer. In case you have a lunchstop at the other side of the bridge in Leimuiden. imagine that this polder once was the biggest lake in Holland and nicknamed ‘the waterwolf’. The cycleroute leads you through the green heart of Holland, an area characterized by small cycle paths, typical black and white cows and despite the work of mr. Leeghwater, a lot of water. Your destination for today is Kudelstaart: a small town bordered by the Westeinderplassen.
Sunday: Kudelstaart – Flower auction – Wormerveer (cycling ± 45 km)
You will have breakfast while sailing towards Amsterdam. Between the airport Schiphol and the city you disembark to continue your tour by bike along the river Amstel and right into the city. A ferry (don’t forget to take a look to the left where you see whale tail shaped building of the Eye filmmuseum) brings you to the other side of the river ‘IJ’. Here you leave the city behind an continue your tour through lush green polders towards the world famous hamlet of Zaanse Schans. A unique place where people live and work, with original houses and windmills from the river Zaan area. The barge is moored in Wormerveer.
Monday: Wormerveer – Alkmaar (cycling: ± 45 km)
From Wormerveer you will cycle through the most beautiful dunes of the Netherlands and if weather permits, you may like to swim in the North Sea during your lunch break at the beach. Todays’ overnight stay is in cheese town Alkmaar. An historic lively city with many small and bigger shops. A little less than 400 heritage sites, canals and harbour dominate the townscape.
Tuesday: Alkmaar – Purmerend (cycling ± 45 km)
Today you can discover the descent of Beemster cheese and the birthplace of the man who defeated ‘the waterwolf’. The Beemster Polder, dating from the early 17th century, is an exceptional example of reclaimed land in the Netherlands. It has preserved intact its well-ordered landscape of fields, roads, canals, dykes and settlements, laid out in accordance with classical and Renaissance planning principles. There will be time to visit the windmills at the Rijp and see the house where mr. Leeghwater was born. The day ends at the former market town Purmerend.
Wednesday: Purmerend – Amsterdam (cycling ± 35 or 20 km)
Purmerend lies at the edge of an area called ‘ Waterland’ where roads and water are nearby on the same level. We visit the nice village of Zunderdorp and Ransdorp. The better cyclists can cycle the long route to Edam and Volendam and if time permits you can cross the lake Gouwzee to admire the traditional fisherman’s village Marken with its typical wooden houses. In Amsterdam you can look back at cycling seven days in great variation of typical Dutch landscapes, towns and many highlights.
Thursday: Amsterdam
End of the tour after breakfast, before 10 AM. If you have an early flight, ask the tourleader to arrange a taxi to the Airport.
The Zwaan is known for the high quality of the meals and the friendly atmosphere on board. The crew consists of the captain, chef and hostess for 14 guests. Weather permitting dinners can be served on the sundeck. Since 2019 the Zwaan is equipped with air-conditioning in all cabins. There is limited WiFi on board.
Cabins:
All cabins are provided with air conditioning, private bathroom, central heating and portholes that open
Dates/Prices 2025 per person
Barge Zwaan
| Cabin type |
April 3 -24 + May 1 |
| Twin cabin |
€ 1890,00 |
| Luxury Double cabin |
€ 2140,00 |
|
Smaller double front cabin (with double bed) |
€ 1630,00 |
| Cabin for single use
|
€ 2410,00 |
Barge Clair de Lune
| Cabin type |
April 3 – 24 |
| Cabin with split level beds |
€ 1740,00 |
| Double cabin |
€ 1740,00 |
| Cabin for single use |
€ 1940,00 |
Dates
Departure on: April 3, 10, 17 and 24; May 1
Included:
Excluded:
