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8 days / 170 Mi

Springtime in Holland : EASY BIKE & BARGE incl. Keukenhof visit

Level
Easy biking
avg. travel
28 mi/day
total distance
170 mi
total days
8
Overview
Day-to-day
Photos
Accommodations
Included & optional

Springtime in Holland: The Classic Tulip Tour

BIKE & BARGE aboard the Iris

Tulips = Springtime. Definitely! Holland, in its full glory, shows off at the Keukenhof, treasuring its tulip history in the Hortus Bulborum. Flaunting fields full of tulips as far as you can see. And in between, we pass little villages and charming cities like Gouda, Leiden, Haarlem and Alkmaar. Yes, Gouda! Yes, say Cheeeeeese!

Days are packed with great bike rides, countless windmills, a castle, cheese, tulips, dunes, beach, sea, waterways, and lovely bike paths. FLAT, of course, we are in Holland. And all this beauty can be topped off by joining the barge IRIS in the afternoon, having a local beer and enjoying the gourmet dinners at night. So don’t hold your horses: there will not be a better way of visiting this beauty.

As we start and finish in Amsterdam, you can take some extra nights there, in a hotel, and visit the world famous museums like the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum (with Rembrandts’ Night watch), the Anne Frank House, and enjoy the abundance of terraces and boutique style cafe’s. Flea Market, Flower Market, Noorder Markt, Albert Kuip Markt. Have your pick! Oh yes, let’s mention the “grachten” (the canals). Many canal-tours to choose from, one taking you from museum to museum.

Starts from:

€2150,-

  • Visit the beautiful Castle of the Netherlands and stop off at a working Cheese Farm

  • Spend a night docked amidst the historic windmills at Zaanse Schans

  • Spend a whole afternoon exploring Amsterdam on the last day of cycling

Planned tours

g April 1, 2027 €2150,-
g April 8, 2027 €2435,-
g April 15, 2027 Last seats €2435,-
g April 22, 2027 Last seats €2435,-
g April 29, 2027 €2435,-
g

= Guaranteed departure

Tour map
Tulips-and-Cheese_FINAL_280818-e1550752407999

Day to day program

Day 1

Amsterdam to Utrecht

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Day 2

Castle De Haar, Oudewater and Gouda

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Day 3

From Gouda through the Green Heart to Leiden

20220416_151443-e1654877495651 read more

Day 4

Keukenhof Day!

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Day 5

Beach, Hortus Bulborum and Alkmaar

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Day 6

Alkmaar to Zaanse Schans

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Day 7

Back to Amsterdam

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Day 8

Amsterdam: end of our tour

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Photos

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Accommodations

the IRIS

the IRIS

Premium Barge IRIS has been sailing as a passenger barge since 2006 on the waterways of Holland, Belgium, Germany and France. The best way...

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Cabins

Cabins

Our cabins are compact but offer plenty of storage space to unpack comfortably. A full renovation was completed in 2020. Beds are separated at...

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Beds Apart

Beds Apart

Double bed cabin setup.

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Bathroom

Bathroom

Modern private bathroom with shower.

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Lounge area

Lounge area

If you do not feel like cycling you are welcome to stay on board and have a private cruise!

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Breakfast and dining area

Breakfast and dining area

Every morning the smell of fresh rolls will welcome you to breakfast! Enjoy our breakfast buffet and pack your lunch, get ready to go!...

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Included & optional

  • Seven nights onboard
  • Bed linen and towels
  • Breakfast
  • 6 x 3-course dinner on board, with a complimentary glass of wine, beer, or soda.
  • 6 x packed lunches for bike trips
  • Coffee and tea on board 24/7
  • Tour guide (from 18 guests, 2 guides)
  • Cabins cleaned daily
  • Climate-controlled cabins
  • Helmets, panniers and waterbottle
  • Entrance of Castle de Haar, Cheese Farm, Keukenhof, Hortus Bulborum

Not included:

  • Bike rental € 130,- per bike (2026), € 140,– (2027)
  • E-bike on availability, € 270,– (2026), € 285,– (2027)
  • Entrance fees for museums and monuments other than those mentioned, on your own
  • Travel and cancellation insurance needs to be arranged by you
  • Miscellaneous beverages and expenses on excursions.
  • Gratuities for Staff and Guides: advise 8% of tour costs (4% for crew, 4% for guides)
The Bike and barge tours do not use a Van. Guests can stay on board instead of biking. On some days, a pickup or later drop-off may be available. The guide will explain every day!

Starts from:

€2150,-

  • Visit the beautiful Castle of the Netherlands and stop off at a working Cheese Farm

  • Spend a night docked amidst the historic windmills at Zaanse Schans

  • Spend a whole afternoon exploring Amsterdam on the last day of cycling

Planned tours

g April 1, 2027 €2150,-
g April 8, 2027 €2435,-
g April 15, 2027 Last seats €2435,-
g April 22, 2027 Last seats €2435,-
g April 29, 2027 €2435,-
g

= Guaranteed departure

Tour map
Tulips-and-Cheese_FINAL_280818-e1550752407999

Day to day program

Day 1

Amsterdam to Utrecht

shutterstock_147514454-e1545482904896 read more

Day 2

Castle De Haar, Oudewater and Gouda

shutterstock_284339270-scaled-1 read more

Day 3

From Gouda through the Green Heart to Leiden

20220416_151443-e1654877495651 read more
Full program

Accommodations

the IRIS

the IRIS

Premium Barge IRIS has been sailing as a passenger barge since 2006 on the waterways of Holland, Belgium, Germany and France. The best way...

Read more
Cabins

Cabins

Our cabins are compact but offer plenty of storage space to unpack comfortably. A full renovation was completed in 2020. Beds are separated at...

Read more
Beds Apart

Beds Apart

Double bed cabin setup.

Read more
All Accommodations

Photos

Our tours are intentionally small, with no more than 24 travelers. This creates a relaxed, personal atmosphere where you can connect with fellow adventurers, explore hidden gems, and enjoy every moment at your own pace.
All photos