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Bike & Boat

Amsterdam City & Country Cruise Bike & Boat – Magnifique II

Tour: BBNA5-M2
Bike & Boat Holiday

Experience the colourful countryside contrasts around Holland’s historic capital on a special autumn tour full of charming choices. Make the premium Dutch barge Magnifique II your floating home and tour North Holland’s green heartlands on two wheels as well as on its wonderful waterways. From day one, you may get a taste for relaxing on board as your dinner cruise delivers you from Amsterdam to medieval Haarlem. Go with the flow (and the barge) if you wish, or enjoy some gentle sightseeing ‘Dutch style’, arriving at destinations on two wheels, following scenic routes coloured even more beautiful by the season. Discover Alkmaar’s cheese market history, Volendam’s harbour full of fishy treats and the ‘Zaanse Schans’ open air museum home to everything Dutch from windmills to syrup waffles. Cycle when it suits you. Relax all the way. And enjoy -  this is one great little tasty tour of Holland. Read More

Destination

Start Day

Weds, Sat

Board Basis

Half Board

Prices from

£0.00

Duration

5 Days, 4 Nights

Availability

Oct - Oct

Tour Grade

Grade 1 (Very Easy)

Read Overview
Home > Amsterdam City & Country Cruise Bike & Boat – Magnifique II

Overview

Relax in luxury on the waterways and enjoy some gentle scenic cycling if you wish, as you get a taste of Holland in all its autumn glory. Visit cosmopolitan Amsterdam; Haarlem’s medieval gateway and Alkmaar with its cheese market traditions. Head to lakeland shores to discover the fishing village of Volendam, the former ‘sea-side’ harbour which inspired Renoir and Picasso, and get the full picture of Holland at the famous ’Zaanse Schans’ open air museum of rural life and crafts. With accommodation on board the touring premium Dutch barge, MS Magnifique II, and the verdant flatlands of Holland’ green heart to explore, going with the flow – or going by bike – couldn’t be easier. The only tricky thing on this tour is what to choose next!

Tour Code:
BBNA5-M2
Activity:
Bike & Boat, Cycling
Type:
Bike & Boat Holiday
Country:
Area:
Duration:
5 Days, 4 Nights
Board Basis:
Half Board
Availability:
Oct - Oct

Itinerary

Please note:

Due to navigation conditions, the exact details of itineraries / embarkation points may be modified at the discretion of the boat’s Captain. All overnights are on board your floating accommodation, the MS Magnifique II. Details of the transits to the next destination are outlined in the itinerary below but may be subject to change.

Day 1 All aboard in Amsterdam!  

Join the MS Magnifique II moored at ‘Veemkade’ quay in central Amsterdam and settle in to your floating accommodation on board this premium Dutch barge from 2pm. There’s a short while to explore the adjacent city centre with its historic network of canals, now a designated World Heritage Site, before the barge takes to the waterways at 5pm for a dinner cruise to medieval Haarlem. On arrival, stroll off supper and see the sights around the old city. Don’t miss the ‘Kustgotiek’ (Coast Gothic) cathedral of St Bavo, the ‘Grote Markt’ and town gate or the iconic ‘Molen De Adriaan’ windmill on the River Spaarne.

Overnight mooring – Haarlem.

Day 2 Off to Alkmaar: Say cheese!

Pedal out from Haarlem today, or simply stay on board and watch the ever-green polderlands of North Holland drift by. Either way, Zaanse Schans, the famous open air museum which celebrates rural life in Holland awaits to woo you with all things Dutch. From windmills to wooden houses and hand-crafted clogs to home-made cheeses, there’s so much to see – an oil mill, a paint mill, a saw mill, a mustard mill; a tin pewter foundry; a museum of timepieces set with blue and white tiles. Sip a proper ‘Dutch’ coffee, try a traditional Dutch pancake and wonder at the charming collection of architectural styles in the old Dutch village with its pretty gardens. There are more choices in the afternoon too – whether to stay in the saddle all the way to Alkmaar, home to Holland’s most renowned cheese market, or to climb back on board, settle down and watch the Dutch scenery go by. Whatever amount of cycling you choose, supper on board Magnifique II in its berth in Alkmaar is sure to feel well-deserved and set you up for an evening stroll around the charming city.

Overnight mooring – Alkmaar.

Miles 15 & 24 Kms  25 & 40

Day 3 Time for something a bit fishy

Time to head back across the emerald flatlands to a quaint little harbour on Holland’s famous Ijseelmeer, Western Europe’s largest lake. Take to two wheels and pedal beautiful polder pathways through Holland’s ‘Green Heart’ all the way from Alkmaar to Volendam on the ‘inland coast’. There are two route options, so you can the amount of cycling that suits you.

If you prefer to relax on board, Magnifique II travels the waterways via Amsterdam – an inspiring trip which sees the historic premium Dutch barge taking to the waters of the Great Lake. Formed as recently as 1932 when the Afsluitdijk (Afsluit Dyke) was built, cutting the inland area of water off totally from the sea, the Ijseelmeer is a fascinating phenomenon.

The little fishing village of Volendam has its fair share of history too as Edam’s original harbour. But a shorter canal route to the ‘inland coast’ was dug and with it an alternative port. The original harbour was dammed, land reclaimed or ‘filled in / made full (‘vol’). The picturesque fishing village is renowned for winning the hearts of painters like Picasso and Renoir who stayed here. A short tour around Volendam is included, so you can be inspired yourself. Be sure not to miss the charming harbour area, famed for its local specialities of ‘Paling’ (smoked eel) and ‘Maatjes’ (typical salted herring).

Overnight mooring – Volendam.

Miles  21-30  Kms 35-50

Day 4 Over the Great Lake or across the ‘Waterland’ to Amsterdam

More choices await on your last day of cycling or waterway cruising. Saddle up and venture out across the wonderful ‘Waterland’ district to arrive like a local in Holland’s capital city – on two wheels. Take your pick of two cycle routes depending on your energy levels, or perhaps even plump to stay on board Magnifique II for the journey back over the Ijsselmeer to the barge’s final mooring in Amsterdam. Whatever route you choose, you can count on the scenery being beautiful and will be rewarded by a decision well made. In the evening, there’s an opportunity to see the historic streets of narrow houses as they were always intended – from the canals themselves. For your last night, your floating accommodation is moored in the heart of Amsterdam.

Overnight mooring – Amsterdam.

Miles  21-30  Kms  35-50

Day 5 Depart after breakfast

Following your final breakfast on board your floating home, you might choose to stay a while longer in Amsterdam to enjoy its cosmopolitan culture, amazing museums and unique character.

Extra nights in hotel accommodation can be booked to allow more time to explore Amsterdam at your leisure.

Programme of activities included in the price:

• Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening
• Daily briefings regarding the bike tours from the multi-lingual tour leader who will be cycling the daily tour route and contactable by phone.
• Short guided city walks with the tour leader as specified.

Dates & Prices

Accommodation Options

is on board the premium Dutch barge, MS Magnifique II, in an outside-facing 2 bed cabin with private facilities and air-conditioning situated on the lower deck. The barge has 18 cabins and can accommodate up to 34 passengers. Full details about the barge including layout plans are available here. We are pleased to discuss details on request….

More Information

Useful websites, travel information and tips to help you plan your journey to and from the country and location of your holiday.

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