Tulip Tour Bike & Barge - Comfort

Name: Tulip Tour Bike & Barge - Comfort
Brand: UTracks
SKU: TLP
Rating: 4.33 (3 reviews)

Cycle through the tulip fields of Holland | Cris Toala Olivares

Learn about windmills and more on a guided cycling trip | Richard Tulloch

Soak up the Dutch scenery on a bike trip | Jan Bijl Fotografie

Cycle through the typical Dutch countryside in spring

Cycle to the open air museum Zaanse Schans | Dassel

Life on board the barge | Richard Tulloch

Getting ready to ride on a bike & barge trip in Holland | Richard Tulloch

We visit the flower auction in Aalsmeer on our bike & boat trip | Richard Tulloch

Cycle through the tulip fields of Holland | Cris Toala Olivares

Learn about windmills and more on a guided cycling trip | Richard Tulloch

Soak up the Dutch scenery on a bike trip | Jan Bijl Fotografie

Cycle through the typical Dutch countryside in spring

Cycle to the open air museum Zaanse Schans | Dassel

Life on board the barge | Richard Tulloch

Getting ready to ride on a bike & barge trip in Holland | Richard Tulloch

We visit the flower auction in Aalsmeer on our bike & boat trip | Richard Tulloch

24 Trips to Explore in 2024See the List

Duration

5 days

Activities

guided cycle

Accommodation

4 nights on a premium barge

Meals

4 Dinners
3 Lunches
4 Breakfasts

Price

$USD

Overview

Trip Code: TLP

Trip highlights

Experiencing Holland in the springtime and viewing the fields of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths
Visit the Flower Park Keukenhof and worlds biggest flower auction in Aalsmeer*
Exploring the Zaanse Schans open air museum and medieval city of Haarlem
Soaking up the hospitality onboard the premium barge

Cycling through the tulip capital of the world in springtime must surely be one of life's must do experiences. Based on board a premium river barge, the journey takes in springtime highlights including the world's largest flower gardens of Keukenhof in Lisse where bulbous flowering plants such as hyacinths, crocuses and of course tulips will dazzle with their colour and design. Windmills, wooden houses, museums and Amsterdam are also featured on this short cycle tour.

Trip Grading

introductory

More info about grading system

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Itinerary

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Day 1
Join Amsterdam, cruise to Zaandam

At 2:00pm you can check-in to the barge in Amsterdam. It is possible to bring your luggage on board from 12pm. We will cruise to Zaandam as soon as everyone is on board. Zaandam is a picturesque city renowned for its windmills and cheese making. The barge will dock in the centre of the city. On arrival, the bikes will be distributed and you can enjoy a short bike ride in the surrounding area. You will have the opportunity for an evening walk after dinner.

Meals: D

Day 2
Cycle to open air museum Zaanse Schans (24 or 34km/14 or 21mi)

After breakfast we will cycle (5km) to the open air museum Zaanse Schans (entry not included) which features beautiful windmills, traditional wooden houses, an old Dutch village, a cheese farm and a traditional wooden clog maker. In the afternoon, you have the option of cycling to Haarlem (24km/14mi) or enjoying the scenery from the barge as we cruise (approx 2.5hrs). This vibrant medieval city is known for its textiles, beer brewing and as a major centre for the Tulip trade. The barge will dock in the centre of Haarlem, allowing you plenty of time in the afternoon or evening to take a walk through the small and historical centre complete with the Grote Markt (central square), St Bavo church and the Teylers and Frans Hals museums.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Cycle to 'Keukenhof' flower farm and on to Oude Wetering (38 or 55km/23 or 34mi)

Today we will cycle to the famous flower garden ‘Keukenhof’ for a visit, arguably the most famous flower park in the world where you can admire hundred of thousands of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other flowers in bloom. After an extensive visit, we will continue by bike to the barge docked in Oude Wetering on the shores of the Westeinder Lakes (alternatively by taxi - not included).

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
Visit Aalsmeer, the world's biggest flower auction, cruise to Amsterdam (28km/18mi)

Today we have an early morning bus transfer at 6:30am to visit the world’s biggest flower auction in Aalsmeer*. Millions of flowers are auctioned off here and are instantly sent out to all corners of the world. By 9am you will return by bus to the barge for a late breakfast while we make our way to Amsterdam by bike or on board the barge. During the afternoon and evening you will have ample time to discover this amazing city. During the afternoon you either have the opportunity to make a last beautiful cycling tour through the wetlands of Waterland or to discover this amazing city. Visit the inner city flower market, go to a museum, do some shopping… there is much to see and do. Optional: end-of-day canal tour in Amsterdam. * The Aalsmeer flower auction is closed on weekends and public holidays. This is an optional visit.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
Trip concludes in Amsterdam

Disembark after breakfast until 9:30am. It may be possible to leave your luggage on board until approx 1:30pm giving you more time to explore the beautiful city of Amsterdam (please speak with the crew).

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Inclusions

What's included

4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners (does not include drinks)
Continental breakfasts are served and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. At breakfast you will prepare your packed lunch for the day which will be sandwiches, fruit & juice. If you choose not to cycle on a particular day, the crew will serve lunch on board. Dinner will consist of three courses inclusive of either a pasta, vegetarian or meat dish.
4 nights accommodation aboard a comfort barge on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities. All twin cabins are configured with two lower beds, while double cabins are configured with a double bed. The trip price is based on a small twin cabin below deck - supplement applies for other cabin categories (twin cabin upper deck, double cabin upper deck or single cabin). We do not match clients together so if you are travelling solo you will need to book a single cabin, below deck only (limited and on a request basis).
7 speed unisex trekking bike rental with handbrake and waterproof pannier, helmet, (electric bike; children's bikes; trailer bicycles; tandem bikes; front/rear child seats; available on request, limited supplies - supplement applies)
Short city walking tours
Information pack including route notes & maps (one set per cabin)
Experienced multilingual guide for fully guided cycle tours and daily briefings (you can also choose to ride independently - a map and route notes are available on board)
Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening
Linen and change of towels as required
Daily cabin cleaning
Daily tea and coffee during breakfast and after the cycle tours
Ferry fees
GPS tracks - app access
Carbon offset payment
Wifi

What's not included

Travel to and from Amsterdam
Drinks
Entrance fees and excursions. Allow EUR25 (paid by credit card only) for Flower park Keukenhof. Allow EUR5 for flower auction in Aalsmeer. Prices subject to change. Note: The Aalsmeer flower auction is closed during weekends and on public holidays. This is an optional visit.
Transfers e.g. taxi Keukenhof-Kudelstaart (max 7 people), approx EUR70
A supplement applies if booking a single cabin (we do not match single travellers)
Travel insurance - mandatory *cruise cover may be required - check with your insurer
Catering for special diets (except Vegetarian). A supplement is payable for example lactose or gluten free diets - EUR65pp (subject to change) paid locally on board.
Tips - while tipping is not obligatory, it is customary to offer a tip if the guide and crew have done a good job. As a guide we would recommend EUR 15-30 per person (to be distributed between the guide/s, captain and crew).
Optional excursion: 1hour canal cruise through Amsterdam - EUR15, advance reservation and payment required, collect ticket on embarkation (or approx EUR19 at the ticket desk)
Bike insurance - payable locally (EUR10 for standard bikes and EUR25 for e-bikes) - further details of this Limitation of Liability (damage) policy are available on request
Items of a personal nature

Cabins

Fluvius

Lower Deck Cabins

The lower deck has 15 twin cabins (approx. 10m²) and one smaller twin cabin (approx. 9m²). All cabins have two low separate beds and ensuite bathroom. The windows cannot be opened.

Fluvius

Upper Deck Cabins

On the upper deck there are 3 twin cabins (approx. 10m²) with the same features of the lower deck cabins. There are also 4 double cabins (approx. 12m²) with a large panoramic window (ceiling to floor) that can be opened. A supplement applies for both twin and double cabins on the upper deck.

Bike information

7 Speed Bike

During the trip you will be provided with a 7 speed trekking bike with a unisex frame and hand brakes. You will also receive a pannier to carry your gear required each day.

Electric Bike

An electric bike is available on request. The e-bikes have handbrakes and a pannier. A supplement applies, see below.

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or to allow less fit cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current capabilities.

Grading

introductory

INTRODUCTORY – GRADE 1 The daily cycling distances are from 17 to 40km (10 to 25mi). As with all of our cycling programs, wind and poor weather could make the trip grade change. Should you not wish to cycle there are walking options available or you are welcome to stay on board. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos, visit a museum or enjoy the market places in many of the interesting towns visited. It is considered suitable for beginners and children, as long as they have road sense, are familiar with the workings of a bike (gear change etc) and are comfortable cycling alongside moving vehicles at times. *For safety reasons, we highly recommend a helmet is worn during cycle sections.

Departure dates

Notes

DN1

Aalsmeer is closed on weekends and public holidays. This is an optional visit. A visit to the flower auction may not be possible on some departure dates.

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$USD

Options & Supplements*

Discount for small twin lower deck (pp)USD$-21
electric bike supplementUSD$90
Upper Deck Twin cabin upgrade supplement (pp)USD$140
Upper Deck Premium Double cabin upgrade supplement (pp) -USD$260
single supplement (single in twin cabin) - lower deckUSD$480

*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

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?How fit do I need to be?

The cycling is graded introductory (1). The daily cycling distances are from 17 to 40km (10 to 25mi). As with all of our cycling programs, wind and poor weather could make the trip grade change. Should you not wish to cycle there are walking options available or you are welcome to stay on board. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos, visit a museum or enjoy the market places in many of the interesting towns visited. It is considered suitable for beginners and children, as long as they have road sense, are familiar with the workings of a bike (gear change etc) and are comfortable cycling alongside moving vehicles at times. *For safety reasons, we highly recommend a helmet is worn during cycle sections.

?How far in advance do I need to book?

In order to secure your place on the trip we recommend you book as soon as you are ready. Bookings open for the following year in mid September.

?What is the nearest airport?

Your closest airport is Amsterdam Schiphol. There are good connections throughout Europe and the rest of the world to this airport. You are then able to take a train directly from the airport to Amsterdam Central - services operate frequently with approximate journey time of 15-20min, tickets can be purchased locally.

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