Amsterdam Classic Tulip Tour Bike & Boat – Magnifique I
Holland doesn’t come more bright and beautiful than this! Tour the colourful floral carpets of the famous Keukenhof bulb fields at Lisse. Wonder at the world’s largest flower auction in Aaalsmeer. Push your pedals gently around Amsterdam, Haarlem and discover all things Dutch at the Zaanse Schans open air museum with its windmills, cheese farm and clog-makers. To top it all, the comfortable, yet classic premium Dutch barge, MS Magnifique I, is your floating home for this superb little springtime tour, so as you cruise along the lowland waterways in style you can enjoy all the local colour from a different angle too. Read More
Holland
Any Day
Half Board
£736.00
5 Days, 4 Nights
Mar - Apr
Grade 1 (Very Easy)
Overview
A colourful circular tour that’s a real breath of Dutch air, combining relaxed time on the waterways with a spot of gentle cycling. A chance to take in the world-famous Keukenhof bulb fields; bright flower auctions and markets; the wonderful windmills and old style Dutch charm of the Zaanse Schans open air museum, as well as the vibrant city of Amsterdam. With accommodation on board the touring premium Dutch barge, MS Magnifique I, on this tour you can choose to sit back and watch the world go by (perhaps even from the upper deck Jacuzzi!) between cultural and floral treats – or pedal out and stop to smell the flowers just that little bit more.
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 I. 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 I moored in central Amsterdam and settle in to your floating accommodation on board this classic premium Dutch barge in the early afternoon, before heading out to explore the bloomin’ brilliant sights of ‘Europe’s smallest metropolis’. From the colourful culture of the Rembrandt House Museum to bustling Dam Square and the quiet canal-side streets full of gabled houses with their bright front doors and overflowing window-boxes, there’s plenty to catch the eye, but it’s equally tempting to just sit on the café terrace and get a taste for the place. Back on board, your tour sets off with a short dinner-cruise towards picturesque Zaandam, home of windmills and all things classically Dutch. On arrival in the city, there’s time for a short stroll around the centre, before taking to your comfortable cabin for the night.
Overnight mooring – Zaandam Centre
Day 2 The best of Holland en route to Haarlem
Time to sample all things Dutch, in real Dutch style! Leave your Dutch barge behind as you saddle up and set off the Dutch way – on two wheels – to Zaanse Schans, the famous open air museum which celebrates rural life in Holland. 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. Try a traditional Dutch pancake or sip a proper ‘Dutch’ coffee 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 shopping heaven, Haarlem, or climb back on board and settle down and watch the Dutch scenery go by. Either way, Haarlem has many treasures in store around its Grote Markt and with the MS Magnifique I taking a berth in the centre of the city, they’re all just a short afternoon or evening’s walk away.
Overnight mooring – Haarlem
Miles 6 Kms 10
Day 3 Time for a tip-toe (& bike ride!) – Keukenhof Bulb Fields
Prepare to see the world coloured truly beautiful – for there’s nothing quite like the splendour and scent of the amazing Keukenhof bulb fields in full bloom! Hop on your bike (or a bus if you prefer- ticket not incl.) to head for the bright swathes of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, lilies and almost every bulbous flower imaginable. Perhaps the world’s most famous and extensive flower gardens, the Keukenhof (aka ‘Kitchen Garden’) at Lisse seems to stretch for miles and sees more than 7 million bulbs planted each year – it’s sure to send your senses reeling! Nothing like another mile or two on the bike to clear your head then – it’s time to pedal on ( or take a taxi – not incl.) towards the beautiful shores of the Westeinder lakes where MS Magnifique I will be waiting at Kudelstaart, Oude Wetering or Aalsmeerderbrug depending on the availability of mooring.
Overnight mooring – Kudelstaart, Oude Wetering or Aalsmeederbrug.
Miles 11 (optional) & 13 Kms 18 ( optional) & 22
Day 4 Going, going, gone – Aalsmeer flower auction & Amsterdam
Up early today, as it’s time to make a bid to see some more fantastic flowers. Aalsmeer is home to ‘FloraHolland’, the biggest flower auction in the world (ticket not incl. /closed weekends *), but things start early here, so prepare to be out on your bike and back again on board by 10am! It’s a colourful start to the day and hard to believe that many of the flowers will be already on their journeys around the world by the time you settle down to the hearty brunch which awaits you on your return. Choose to sit back and relax on board for the final leg from Aalsmeer to Amsterdam, or do a little gentle leg-work back on the bike to arrive in the capital on two wheels. Once in Amsterdam, why not head for the inner city flower market for a final burst of colour, take to the shops or sample a city trip on a different kind of boat around the incredible canal network which is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For your final night, your floating accommodation is moored in the heart of Amsterdam.
Overnight mooring – Amsterdam
Miles 3 & 1 & 16 Kms 6 & 3 &25
*On tours when a visit to the flower auction is not possible, a complimentary ticket for a canal tour in Amsterdam is provided
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 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
• Tea and coffee on board daily until 4pm
• Free wifi (unlimited use of data) on board in lounge area.
Accommodation Options
On board the premium barge MS Magnifique I in an outside-facing 2 bed cabin with private facilities and air-conditioning.
is on board the premium barge, MS Magnifique I in an outside-facing 2 bed cabin with private facilities and air-conditioning situated on the lower deck. The Dutch barge can accommodate up to 35 passengers and has 17 cabins. Full details about the barge including layout plans are available here.We are pleased to discuss details on request.
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