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Amsterdam Classic Tulip Tour Bike & Boat – Magnifique II (&IV)

Tour: BBNT5-M2
Bike & Boat Holiday

Enjoy Holland at its most colourful in real classic style. Climb aboard the comfortable premium Dutch barge, MS Magnifique II / Magnifique IV, in Amsterdam to cruise the lowland waterways and push your pedals oh-so-gently to the famously bright and beautiful bulb fields of Keukenhof. At Aaalsmeer, ‘FloraHolland’, the world’s largest flower auction, is a breath-taking sight to behold, but cycling in springtime around the nature reserves of the polders, alongside the canals of Amsterdam and streets of shopping heaven, Haarlem, is colourful stuff too. Sister vessel to MS Magnifique III, your special floating accommodation gives this tour a truly Dutch flavour. And don’t worry - with a visit the magnificent Zaanse Schans open air museum included, there are windmills, clogs and cheese a-plenty too! 2024 prices now available. Read More

Destination

Europe, Holland

Start Day

Any Day

Board Basis

Half Board

Prices from

£933.00

Duration

5 Days, 4 Nights

Availability

Apr - Apr

Tour Grade

Grade 1 (Very Easy)

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Home > Europe > Amsterdam Classic Tulip Tour Bike & Boat – Magnifique II (&IV)

Overview

A colourful circular tour that’s brimful of Dutch charm, balancing time relaxing in luxury on the waterways with a spot of cycling of the gentlest kind. Visit the world-famous Keukenhof bulb fields; bright flower auctions and markets; working windmills, gabled houses and traditional crafts at the Zaanse Schans open air museum, as well as the vibrant city of Amsterdam. With accommodation on board the premium touring Dutch barge, MS Magnifique II / Magnifique IV, you can choose to sit back and watch the world go by between cultural and floral treats – or pedal out and stop to smell the flowers just that little bit more.

Tour Code:
BBNT5-M2
Activity:
Bike & Boat, Cycling
Type:
Bike & Boat Holiday
Country:
Europe, Holland
Area:
Holland
Duration:
5 Days, 4 Nights
Board Basis:
Half Board
Availability:
Apr - Apr

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 (IV). 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 / IV moored in central Amsterdam and settle in to your floating accommodation on board this classic 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

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 premium barge MS Magnifique II / IV 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 (as well as a 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 II / IV 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 ‘FlorHolland’, 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  22 (3 & 1 &16)  Kms  35 (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

 

Dates & Prices

Download Prices

For tour start days/dates, seasons and all prices, please click on the PRICES button above

PRICE INCLUDES

En suite individually air-conditioned twin cabin, with shower/WC, flat screen TV, porthole (not openable on main deck).  MS Magnifique II has a panorama saloon and bar (unlimited free wi-fi available) with widescreen TV, restaurant and upper sundeck with jacuzzi. Twin cabins are 11 sqm (upper deck suites 14 sqm with opening window.  MS Magnifique IV has its restaurant on the main deck with glass observation window into the kitchen and bar on the upper deck. Twin cabins are 12sqm, upper deck suites are 15sqm. Upper deck cabins have a large opening window

Buffet/continental breakfast, packed lunch, and 3 course dinner

Tea and coffee on board

Hire of hybrid bicycle with 7 gears and hand brakes and single pannier bag

Instructions and route maps provided on arrival (1 set per cabin)

Tour guide who will be cycling the daily routes. When there are sufficient numbers on board (min. 18 guests) there will be two guided groups offering longer/faster and shorter/slower rides

Other services, items and local experiences:

  • Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening
  • Water Bottle
  • Daily route briefings
  • Some short walking tours
  • Entry to the Zaanse Schans open-air museum
  • Entry to Keukenhof
  • Entry to North Holland Dune Reserve

The detailed itinerary may be affected by navigational issues such as unfavourable weather, floods or low tides. These will be decided by the boat’s captain

Please note that the price EXCLUDES

Visits/excursions, entrance fees and any bus/taxi fares or ferry fees during the tour

On board drinks (except tea and coffee)

Cost of getting to and from the tour area and transport to and from the dock in Amsterdam

Accommodation Options

On board either the Premium Dutch barge MS Magnifique II  or the  Premium Dutch barge MS Magnifique IV (specific barge depends upon departure date) in an outside-facing 2 bed cabin with private facilities and air-conditioning on the lower deck. We are pleased to discuss details on request.


MS Magnifique II

The barge has 18 cabins and can accommodate up to 34 passengers.

Cabin Upgrades:

  • Main deck premium cabin
  • Upper deck suite

Boat Plan & Details 


MS Magnifique IV

Cabin Upgrades:

  • Upper deck suite

The barge has 18 cabins and can accommodate up to 36 passengers.

Boat Plan & Details 

More Information

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