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Amsterdam Classic Tulip Tour Bike & Boat – Magnifique III

Tour: BBNT5-M3
Bike & Boat Holiday

Tulips and Amsterdam – what an irresistibly classic and colourful combination! Make premium barge, MS Magnifique III, your relaxing home and set out to cruise the lowland canals and pedal green polder pathways en route to the bright and beautifully famous Keukenhof bulbfields and ‘FloraHolland’, the world’s largest flower auction at Aaalsmeer. Fear not - must-see windmills, artisan clog-makers and cheese-producers are all on the menu too at the magnificent Zaanse Schans open air museum. And you’re sure to find extra helpings of colourful artistic inspiration in the Van Gogh Museum or along the waterways and gabled-houses in cosmopolitan capital, Amsterdam. MS Magnifique III is the latest and largest addition to the superb Magnifique premium Dutch barge fleet, offering an even more impressive service and bikes. 2024 prices now available. Read More

Destination

Start Day

Any Day

Board Basis

Half Board

Prices from

£933.00

Duration

5 Days, 4 Nights

Availability

Mar - Apr

Tour Grade

Grade 1 (Very Easy)

Read Overview
Home > Amsterdam Classic Tulip Tour Bike & Boat – Magnifique III

Overview

A truly bright and beautiful tour of Holland’s tulip treasures, taking in the famous Keukenhof bulbfields and the biggest flower market in the world from the comfort of MS Magnifique III, the latest and largest Dutch premium barge in its fleet. Sit back and relax – even in the upper deck jacuzzi perhaps – or make the most of its upgraded bikes (with free helmets!) and enjoy gentle optional cycle rides. Explore the impressive windmills, traditional craft workshops and old Dutch-style charm of the Zaanse Schans open air museum, the green polder landscapes or get a feel on two wheels for the buzz of vibrant bike city, Amsterdam.

 

Tour Code:
BBNT5-M3
Activity:
Bike & Boat, Cycling
Type:
Bike & Boat Holiday
Country:
Area:
Duration:
5 Days, 4 Nights
Board Basis:
Half Board
Availability:
Mar - 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 premium barge MS Magnifique III. Details of the transits to the next destination are outlined in the itinerary below but may be subject to change.

Day 1 Day One – All aboard in Amsterdam!   

Join premium barge MS Magnifique III 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 Centre

Day 2 The best of Holland en route to Haarlem

Time to sample all things Dutch, in real Dutch style! Leave your Dutch premium 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 III 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 III 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 leaders as specified
  • Tea and coffee on board daily until 4pm
  • Free wifi (limited use of data) on board in lounge area
  • Upgrade of bikes and cycle helmets provided.

 

 

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, 11 sq m (upper deck suites 14 sq m), shower/WC, flat screen TV, porthole (not openable on lower deck). MS Magnifique III has a panorama saloon and bar (unlimited free wi-fi available) with two screens, restaurant and upper sundeck with jacuzzi

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

Tea and coffee on board

Hire of hybrid bicycle with 7 gears and hand or back-pedal brakes and single pannier bag

Instructions and route maps provided on arrival

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:

Drinks on board (except tea/coffee)

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

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

Accommodation Options

On board the Premium barge MS Magnifique III  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.

The barge has 20 cabins and can accommodate up to 40 passengers.

Cabin Upgrades:

  • Upper deck suite

Boat Plan & Details 

More Information

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