It doesn’t get any better than the Southern Tour of Holland on board your home away from home, ships De Amsterdam or De Holland or Arkona. Not only will you get the chance to visit a number of famous Dutch cities, but you will also uncover another side of Holland as you cycle through the countryside – the country’s “Green Heart”.
In collaboration with:
Boat Bike Tours.
Embarkation and check-in between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in Amsterdam. Take the opportunity to go shopping, to explore downtown Amsterdam, to make a canal cruise or to visit a museum. At 5 p.m. welcome drink and safety instructions. Dinner and first briefing on board. First night on board in Amsterdam.
Your first cycling tour starts in Breukelen. You’ll tour along the beautiful and winding river Vecht with its enchanting background of imposing castles, country houses and quaint tearooms. You will follow the Vecht into the center of Utrecht where you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful historical city center: the Dom Cathedral with its tower, the canals, special shops and nice cafes. In the afternoon you will continue by ship from Utrecht to Rotterdam.
Today you will cycle via the “jenever city” of Schiedam and through the Delfland area to Delft, famous, of course, for its blue pottery. Visit the beautiful city centre with its small canals, picturesque streets, bridges and alleys. For many of our guests a visit to the Delftware factory is one of the highlights of their tour. Afterwards, you will cycle back to Rotterdam, where you can enjoy a short city walk in the evening.
Today you can cycle the first part or the “waterbus” will take you and your bicycle to Alblasserdam. After just a few minutes of cycling you will reach Kinderdijk (UNESCO cultural heritage, with its impressive row of 19 large windmills). You then have the choice between a longer cycling tour with a visit to the beautiful cheese city of Gouda and a short cycling tour through the Alblasserwaard. Both tours end in the “silver city” of Schoonhoven, where you can visit a silversmith. *On some departures, the night in Schoonhoven on day 4 is not possible. The ship will dock in the cheese city of Gouda instead. All cycling highlights will remain in the program.
Today you will cycle from Schoonhoven through the beautiful “Green Heart” of Holland along small villages and quiet roads to Utrecht. On your way you can visit a traditional cheese farm and in Oudewater you can visit the Witches Weigh House. In the late afternoon the ship will sail from Utrecht to Haarlem.
Today you can choose from 2 cycling tours. Both tours takes you through the beautiful Kennemer dunes, a national park where you can spot several bird species, Scottish Highland cows and Shetland ponies. After a visit to the seaside resorts Bloemendaal and Zandvoort you cycle through the forests and the center of Haarlem back to the ship. The longer cycling tour leads to the largest steam engine of the world, the Cruquius pumping station and back to Haarlem. During dinner your ship will cruise to Zaandam.
* Departures dates between March 27 and incl. May 1: From Haarlem you have the opportunity to visit the world famous Tulip exhibition park “Keukenhof” in Lisse (by bicycle or public transport; transfers/tickets/entrance fee not included).
From Zaandam your final day of cycling will take you to the open air museum the Zaanse Schans (free entry), with its beautiful windmills, an Old Dutch village with traditional wooden houses, a cheese farm and a traditional wooden clog maker. After exploring the museum you cycle through the recreational area “Twiske” back to Amsterdam. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy everything Amsterdam has to offer. If you didn’t go for a canal tour on the first day, you will have the opportunity to do so today.
End of your tour: Departure after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.
Prices per person
Cabin type |
For |
Season A |
Season B |
Season C |
Season D |
Season E |
Twin cabin lower deck
|
2 pax |
€ 799, - |
€ 899, - |
€ 1.049, - |
€ 1.199, - |
€ 1.299, - |
Twin low for single use (max. 5)
|
1 pax |
€ 1.198,50 |
€ 1.348,50 |
€ 1.573,50 |
€ 1.798,50 |
€ 1.948,50 |
DAM: Twin cabin upper deck
|
2 pax |
€ 1.049, - |
€ 1.149, - |
€ 1.299, - |
€ 1.449, - |
€ 1.549, - |
DAM: Twin upper for single use (max. 1)
|
1 pax |
€ 1.573,50 |
€ 1.723,50 |
€ 1.948,50 |
€ 2.173,50 |
€ 2.323,50 |
DAM: Suite upper deck
|
2 pax |
€ 1.299, - |
€ 1.399, - |
€ 1.599, - |
€ 1.749, - |
€ 1.849, - |
ARK: Twin cabin upper deck
|
2 pax |
€ 1.199, - |
Not available |
€ 1.449, - |
Not available |
€ 1.699, - |
ARK: Single cabin upper deck
|
1 pax |
€ 1.559, - |
Not available |
€ 1.889, - |
Not available |
€ 2.209, - |
Tour Dates 2025:
Departures on Saturday: De Amsterdam (DAM)
Departures on Sunday: Arkona (ARK)
Cycling cruise ship De Amsterdam
De Amsterdam is a very well equipped river cruise ship, built in 1991 and last refurbished in 2017. In recent years, the vessel has been operated for river cruises (4 star category) in Germany. In 2018, De Amsterdam made her first cycling cruises on the Southern Tour of Holland! The ship sails under German flag and Dutch management.
Description of the cabins
The lower deck offers space to 30 twin cabins (11 m² – 135 sq.ft.).
The upper deck has 18 twin cabins (11 m² – 135 sq.ft.) and 8 spacious suites (15 m² – 200 sq.ft.).
All twin cabins have two separate single beds (200 x 80 cm – 78 x 31 inches), the suites have two separate beds set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches) which, on previous request, can be arranged as two separate single beds.
All 56 cabins aboard De Amsterdam have an individual climate control system, digital TV, wardrobe, mini-safe, hair dryer, 230V and 115V sockets and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and basin.
The twin cabins have a large picture window (140 x 90 cm – 55 x 35 inches) that can be partly opened. The suites have the same amenities as the twin cabins, but are larger and – in addition – also have a desk with storage place, a minibar, a “French Balcony” (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors) instead of a window.
Description of the ship
De Amsterdam has a spacious restaurant on the lower deck. The pleasant lounge on the upper deck has large windows around, which offers you a great view of the surroundings. There is also a bar with a dance floor. Wi-Fi is available. On the partially roofed sun deck, chairs and sun loungers invite for a stay. Here you can relax and have a drink and enjoy the scenery while sailing. Bicycles will be stored on a separate part of the sun deck.
Facts about the ship
Length: 94.8 m (311 ft.)
Width: 11 m (36 ft.)
Crew: 21
Cabins: 56
Pass.: 112 (max.)
Cycling cruise ship De Holland
De Holland is a medium-sized cozy river cruise ship, built in 1952 and extended by 16 meters in 2012. In the winter of 2017/2018 the ship has been completely refitted: new marshalling, spacious and more luxurious cabins and a full restyle of the interior. The ship sails under Dutch flag and management and has always been very popular and appropriate for the Northern and the Southern Tours of Holland.
Description of the cabins
The lower deck has 24 twin cabins (10 m² – 108 sq.ft.). Three twin cabins in the front have two separate beds, set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches) and an additional fold away bunk bed as optional third bed (only for children). 21 Twin cabins have two separate beds, set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches). All lower deck cabins have a window (80 x 40 cm – 31 x 16 inches) that – for safety reasons – cannot be opened.
The upper deck offers nine identical twin cabins (10 m² – 108 sq.ft.) and one suite (13 m² – 140 sq.ft.), all with two separate beds set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches). All upper deck cabins and the suite have a “French Balcony” (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors) instead of a regular window.
On previous request, in most cabins beds, normally set as hotel-style beds, can be arranged as two separate single beds. All 34 cabins aboard De Holland have an individual climate control system, digital TV, mini-safe, small wardrobe, hair dryer, 230V sockets and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. The suite has the same amenities as the superior twin cabins but is larger.
Description of the ship
De Holland has a large salon with large panoramic windows on the upper deck that combines the restaurant, bar and a lounge area. Wi-Fi is available. On the partially roofed sun deck, chairs and sun loungers invite for a stay. Here you can relax and have a drink and enjoy the scenery while sailing. Bicycles will be stored on a separate part of the sun deck.
Cycling cruise ship Arkona
The Arkona is a very well equipped river cruise ship and was completely refurbished during the winter of 2017/2018. The modern and elegant atmosphere aboard the vessel will make your journey a relaxed experience. In recent years, the vessel has been operated for river cruises in Germany.
Description of the cabins
The lower deck offers space to 33 twin cabins with a window that – for safety reasons – cannot be opened.
The upper deck has 12 twin cabins and two single cabins (11 m² – 135 sq.ft.) with a small double bed (140cm) with floor to ceiling panoramic window of which the upper half can be opened.
All comfortable twin cabins (11 m² – 135 sq.ft.) have two separate single beds. One of the separate beds can be turned into a sofa during the day.
All 47 cabins aboard the Arkona have an individual climate control system, TV, wardrobe, mini-safe, hair dryer, 230V and 115V sockets and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and basin.
Description of the ship
The Arkona has a restaurant and separate lounge area with bar on the upper deck. Both are spacious and modern with large panoramic windows. Wi-Fi is available. On the partially roofed sun deck, chairs and sun loungers invite for a stay. Here you can relax and have a drink and enjoy the scenery while sailing. Bicycles will be stored on a separate part of the sun deck.
Facts about the ship:
Length: 83 m (272 ft.)
Width: 9.6 m (31.5 ft.)
Cabins: 47
Pass.: 92 (max.)
If you have special dietary wishes (vegetarian meals, lactose intolerance or gluten-free diet), then please indicate this when you book your tour. Vegetarian meals are always available, but we need to know in advance; in all other cases we will check the possibilities for the tour of your choice. In some cases, a small fee for preparing special meals will be charged. This mainly applies to lactose or gluten-free meals.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer vegan meals. This is because the kitchens in our ships are not large enough to guarantee that the food can be prepared completely vegan. The available space on board is limited, so the chefs cannot store the necessary tools and supplies to prepare vegan food.
Included in this tour:
Not included:
Please note: For safety reasons, it is not allowed to use the rental (e-) bikes for self-arranged rides in Amsterdam: in these cases, the limitation of liability does not apply.
...It was a Awesome time on my with your your Southern Netherlands Bike & Boat tour. My experience with the staff was a very good one, everyone was very helpful, kind, and thoughtful. I enjoyed the planned out cycle tours at my own pace, thanks to the help of the GPS and info give the night before. Also the map always was helpful too. My room was very clean and comfortable!! I highly recommend this tour to others :)...
...The staff were an absolute delight and the boat was lovely...
...The level of difficulty was fine, although some days we would have liked longer to see the the beautiful scenery and towns that we cycled through. This may, however, be a comment on the speed of our cycling! Overall the variety of experiences and scenery, making each day different, was well thought planned...
...The scenery was amazing. We travelled through cities, villages, farmland and sea Shores. Our tour guide Marje was outstanding. She was very knowledgeable and helpful...