Discover the Green Heart of the Netherlands and Iconic Historic Cities
Embark on a classic Dutch Bike & Boat journey through the legendary “Green Heart” of the Netherlands. Sailing on a comfortable river cruise ship that acts as your floating hotel, this tour offers the perfect balance between vibrant city exploration and picturesque countryside cycling. Discover world-famous sights—from the historic canals of Amsterdam and Haarlem to the windmills of Kinderdijk and the modern skyline of Rotterdam.
Semi-Guided Cycling with Daily Onboard Support
Each evening, an experienced onboard tour leader provides a detailed briefing on the next day’s route, offering expert tips and local advice. During the day, you cycle independently and at your own pace using detailed maps, printed descriptions, and GPS navigation. The tour leader remains nearby on the route and is always available by phone for assistance or questions. On most days, you can choose between a longer or shorter cycling option, giving you the flexibility to tailor your daily effort.
ROUTE
Starting and ending in Amsterdam, this 8-day round-trip itinerary weaves through the central and southern regions of Holland. Highlights include the royal ties of Delft, the historic cheese town of Gouda, the silver city of Schoonhoven, the UNESCO World Heritage windmills at Kinderdijk, and the open-air museum of Zaanse Schans.
Cycling stages range from gentle 20 km options up to 58 km rides along safe, well-paved bike paths. If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, you are welcome to stay on board, relax on the sun deck, and enjoy the scenery as the ship cruises to the next destination. Please note that taking shorter daily routes may mean bypassing a few specific highlights mentioned along the path.
Itinerary
Day 1: Amsterdam individual arrival (Embarkation)
Embarkation and check-in from 2 p.m. in Amsterdam. Take the opportunity to go shopping, to explore downtown Amsterdam, take a canal cruise or visit a museum. Welcome drink, dinner and first briefing on board.
Day 2: Amsterdam – Breukelen | Breukelen – Utrecht | Utrecht – Rotterdam
25 km / 16 mi or 40 km/25 miles
Your first cycling tour starts in Breukelen. You’ll tour along the beautiful and winding river Vecht with its enchanting background of imposing castles, country houses and quaint tearooms. You will follow the Vecht into the centre of Utrecht where you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful historical city centre: the Dom Cathedral with its tower, the canals, special shops and nice cafes. In the afternoon you will continue on by ship from Utrecht to Rotterdam.
Day 3: Rotterdam – Schiedam – Delft – Rotterdam
28 km/17 miles or 50 km/31 miles
Today you will cycle via the “jenever city” of Schiedam and through the Delfland area to Delft, famous, of course, for its blue pottery. Visit the beautiful city centre with its small canals, picturesque streets, bridges and alleys. For many of our guests a visit to the Delftware factory is one of the highlights of their tour. Afterwards, you will cycle back to Rotterdam, where you can enjoy a short city walk in the evening.
Day 4: Rotterdam – Alblasserdam with the “waterbus” | Kinderdijk – (Gouda) – Schoonhoven
30 km/19 miles or 58 km/36 miles
Today you can cycle the first part or the “waterbus” will take you and your bicycle to Alblasserdam. After just a few minutes of cycling you will reach Kinderdijk (UNESCO cultural heritage, with its impressive row of 19 large windmills). You then have the choice between a longer cycling tour with a visit to the beautiful cheese city of Gouda or a short cycling tour through the Alblasserwaard. Both tours end in the “silver city” of Schoonhoven, where you can visit a silversmith.
Day 5: Schoonhoven – Oudewater – Utrecht | Utrecht – Haarlem
45 km/28 miles
Today you will cycle from Schoonhoven through the beautiful “Green Heart” of Holland along small villages and quiet roads to Utrecht. On your way you can visit a traditional cheese farm and in Oudewater you can visit the Witches Weigh House. Late afternoon the ship will sail from Utrecht to Haarlem.
Day 6: Haarlem – North Sea coast – Haarlem | Haarlem – Zaandam
40 km/25 miles or 50 km/31 miles*
Today you can choose from 2 cycling tours. Both tours takes you through the beautiful Kennemer dunes, a national park where you can spot several bird species, Scottish Highland cows and Shetland ponies. After a visit to the seaside resorts Bloemendaal and Zandvoort you cycle through the forests and the centre of Haarlem back to the ship. The longer cycling tour leads to the largest steam engine of the world, the Cruquius pumping station and back to Haarlem. During dinner your ship will cruise to Zaandam.
* Departures dates between March 27 and incl. May 3: From Haarlem you have the opportunity to visit the world famous Tulip exhibition park “Keukenhof” in Lisse (by bicycle or public transport; transfers/tickets/entrance fee not included).
Day 7: Zaandam – Amsterdam
30 km/19 miles or 45 km/28 miles
From Zaandam your final day of cycling will take you to the open air museum the Zaanse Schans (free entry), with its beautiful windmills, an Old Dutch village with traditional wooden houses, a cheese farm and a traditional wooden clog maker. After exploring the museum you cycle through the recreational area “Twiske” back to Amsterdam. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy everything Amsterdam has to offer. If you didn’t do a canal tour on the first day, you will have the opportunity to do so today.
Day 8: Amsterdam End of cruise – disembarkation
After breakfast on board it is time to disembark to return home or to extend your holiday a few days longer.
Extend Your Stay
You can also book an additional nights through us. Price on request.
Getting to Amsterdam (Departure Point)
By Plane: Fly into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
By Train: Direct train connection from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal Station (approx. 15–20 minutes).
How to book this tour
We require a deposit of 25% of the tour price per person upon reservation, final payment 6 weeks before departure.
Included
- 8 days/7 nights
- 7 x breakfast
- Packed lunches
- 7 x 3-course dinner
- Coffee and tea on board till 4 PM
- Welcome drink
- Use of bed linen and towels
- Daily cleaning of the cabin
- Climate-controlled cabin
- Use of a waterproof pannier bag
- Biodegradable water bottle
- Wi-Fi is available in restaurant – data use is not included
- Live music on board
- Daily briefings
- Semi-guided cycling service with a tour leader available via phone for questions or emergencies
- Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
- GPS tracks
- Some short walking tours
NOT Included
- Flights
- Coffee and tea on board after 4 PM
- Drinks
- Bicycle rental or E-bike rental
- Helmet rental
- Gratuities (at your discretion)
- Entrance fees and excursions
- Fees for ferries/waterbus
- Transfers to/from the docking place
- Parking fees
- SGR Insolvency protection
- Personal & Travel insurance
- Anything not listed as included is not included
Check available options
Departures & Prices
Choose the option that best fits your schedule and start planning your cycling journey.
Prices are per person in a double room for 2027.
2026
October
from
1049€
Ships
✓
De Amsterdam
✗
Poseidon
2027
October
from
849€
Ships
✓
De Amsterdam
✗
Poseidon
2027
Mar, Apr, Sep
from
999€
Ships
✓
De Amsterdam
✓
Poseidon
2027
Apr, Sep
from
1099€
Ships
✓
De Amsterdam
✓
Poseidon
2027
Apr, May, Jul, Aug, Sep
from
1299€
Ships
✓
De Amsterdam
✓
Poseidon
2027
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
from
1399€
Ships
✓
De Amsterdam
✓
Poseidon
Double cabin for single use surcharge on the tour base price (limited).
Accomodation
Carefully selected to ensure comfort, quality, and a relaxing and unforgettable journey.
De Amsterdam
Step aboard the Amsterdam and enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere as you cruise through the Netherlands. Whether you’re unwinding on deck, taking in the passing scenery, or relaxing after a day of cycling, the ship offers the perfect setting to enjoy every moment of your journey.
Restaurant and separate lounge, spacious cabins, dance floor and Individually controlled air conditioning
max. 112 passengers
56 cabins
Poseidon
Life on board the Poseidon is as much a part of the journey as the cycling itself. Relax, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, and watch the beautiful Dutch countryside glide by from the comfort of the ship.
Separate lounge and restaurant areas, openable windows in cabins, individually controlled air conditioning
max. 96 passengers
48 cabins
BIKES
You can choose to rent a bicycle on board or bring your own bike for the trip.
Below you’ll find the essential information for rent options.
+91€
Bike
+252€
E-Bike
+14€
Bike Insurance
+28€
e-Bike Insurance
+10€
Helmet
Your Own Bike
+14€
Bike
Parking*
+28€
e-Bike
Parking + charge station*
*Bike and e-bike parking is limited. Advance reservation is recommended.