It doesn’t get any better than the Southern Tour of Holland on board your home away from home, the ship De Amsterdam. Not only will you get the chance to visit a number of famous Dutch cities, but you will also uncover another side of Holland as you cycle through the countryside – the country’s “Green Heart”. It is here that you will see a landscape of water, meadows, grazing cows, windmills and picturesque farms… it is a landscape that is impossible to feel or look any more Dutch. In short the Southern Tour is the perfect tour for anyone wanting to see as much of “typical” central Holland as is possible in one week. What you will come away with at the end of the tour is a greater appreciation of why this part of the Netherlands attracts so many visitors from all corners of the globe every year.
In collaboration with:
Boat Bike Tours.
Boarding and check-in between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in Amsterdam. Take the opportunity to go shopping, to explore downtown Amsterdam, to make a canal cruise or to visit a museum. At 5 p.m. welcome drink and safety instructions. Dinner and first briefing on board. First night on board in Amsterdam.
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 center of Utrecht where you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful historical city center: the Dom Cathedral with its tower, the canals, special shops and nice cafes. In the afternoon you will continue by ship from Utrecht to Rotterdam.
(25 km / 16 mi. or 40 km / 25 mi.)
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.
(28 km / 17 mi. or 50 km / 31 mi.)
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 and a short cycling tour through the Alblasserwaard. Both tours end in the “silver city” of Schoonhoven, where you can visit a silversmith.
(30 km / 19 mi. or 58 km / 36 mi.)
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. In the late afternoon the ship will sail from Utrecht to Haarlem.
(45 km / 28mi.)
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 center 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.
(40 km/25 mi. or 50 km/31 mi.)
* Departures dates between March 27 and incl. May 1: 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).
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 go for a canal tour on the first day, you will have the opportunity to do so today.
(30 km / 19 mi. or 45 km / 28 mi.)
End of your tour: Departure after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.
De Amsterdam, Saturday departures | Twin Lower Deck |
Twin Upper Deck |
Twin Lower single use | Twin Upper single use | Suite Upper Deck |
Price per person € | Euro | Euro | Euro | Euro | Euro |
Saturday 25-03-2023 | 739,00 | 939,00 | 1108,50 | 1408,50 | 1189,00 |
Saturday 01-04-2023 | 739,00 | 939,00 | 1108,50 | 1408,50 | 1189,00 |
Saturday 08-04-2023 | 739,00 | 939,00 | 1108,50 | 1408,50 | 1189,00 |
Saturday 15-04-2023 | 899,00 | 1099,00 | 1348,50 | 1648,50 | 1349,00 |
Saturday 23-04-2023 | 899,00 | 1099,00 | 1348,50 | 1648,50 | 1349,00 |
Saturday 29-04-2023 | 1029,00 |
1229,00 | 1543,50 |
1843,50 |
1479,00 |
Saturday 06-05-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 13-05-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 20-05-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 27-05-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 03-06-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 10-06-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 17-06-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 24-06-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 01-07-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 08-07-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 15-07-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 22-07-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 29-07-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 05-08-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 12-08-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 19-08-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 26-08-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 02-09-2023 | 1099,00 | 1349,00 | 1648,50 | 2023,50 | 1599,00 |
Saturday 09-09-2023 | 1029,00 | 1229,00 | 1543,50 | 1843,50 | 1479,00 |
Saturday 16-09-2023 | 1029,00 | 1229,00 | 1543,50 | 1843,50 | 1479,00 |
Saturday 23-09-2023 | 889,00 | 1099,00 | 1348,50 | 1648,50 | 1349,00 |
Saturday 30-09-2023 | 899,00 | 1099,00 | 1348,50 | 1648,50 | 1349,00 |
Saturday 07-10-2023 | 739,00 | 939,00 | 1108,50 | 1408,50 | 1189,00 |
De Amsterdam
De Amsterdam is a very well equipped river cruise ship, built in 1991 and last refurbished in 2017. In recent years, the vessel has been operated for river cruises (4 star category) in Germany. In 2018, De Amsterdam make her first cycling cruises on the Southern Tour of Holland! The ship sails under German flag and Dutch management.
Description of the cabins:
The lower deck offers space to 30 twin cabins (11 m² – 135 sq.ft.).
The upper deck has 18 twin cabins (11 m² – 135 sq.ft.) and 8 spacious suites (15 m² – 200 sq.ft.).
All twin cabins have two separate single beds (200 x 80 cm – 78 x 31 inches), the suites have two separate beds set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches) which, on previous request, can be arranged as two separate single beds.
All 56 cabins aboard De Amsterdam have an individual climate control system, digital TV, wardrobe, mini-safe, hair dryer, 230V and 115V sockets and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and basin.
The twin cabins have a large picture window (140 x 90 cm – 55 x 35 inches) that can be partly opened. The suites have the same amenities as the twin cabins, but are larger and – in addition – also have a minibar, a “French Balcony” (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors) instead of a window.
Description of the ship:
De Amsterdam has a spacious restaurant on the lower deck. The pleasant lounge on the upper deck has large windows around, which offers you a great view of the surroundings. There is also a bar with a dance floor. Wi-Fi is available. On the partially roofed sun deck, chairs and sun loungers invite for a stay. Here you can relax and have a drink and enjoy the scenery while sailing. Bicycles will be stored on a separate part of the sun deck.
Facts about the ship
Length: 94.8 m (311 ft.)
Width: 11 m (36 ft.)
Crew: 21
Cabins: 56
Pass.: 112 (max.)
Vegetarian meals are possible at no surcharge. Other diets (like gluten free or for lactose intolerance) are possible at a fee. All diets and vegetarian meals must be booked and confirmed well in advance (only vegan meals are not possible).
Included in this tour:
Not included:
Rental bicycle: € 90 per week
Rental E-Bike: € 195 per week (only on request, limited number available)
Helmets: A helmet can be rented for € 10 per week, only on prior reservation and payment.
Canal cruise Amsterdam: Ticket for a 1-hour canal cruise through Amsterdam – special price for our guests: € 15 (at the ticket desk approx.: € 18). Please book your ticket in advance and you can collect it on board of your ship on the first day of the tour.
It's possible to purchase an optional limitation of liability for damage and loss of your rented bicycle or e-bike:
Limitation of liability (damage) rental bicycle € 10/tour
Limitation of liability (damage) rental e-bike € 25/tour
This package includes:
**: These arrangements solely apply to and are valid for bicycles and E-bikes that have been rented from Boat Bike Tours. For tours, for which Boat Bike Tours is not the organizing tour operator (but the intermediary), and another partner company is the organizing tour operator, other arrangements may apply.
Please note: For safety reasons, it is not allowed to use the rental (e-) bikes for self-arranged rides in Amsterdam: in these cases, the limitation of liability does not apply.
Almost all of the rental bicycles are traditional touring bicycles (women’s models) with 7 or 8 gears, hand brakes (some with pedal brake) and pannier bags. E-bikes feature a small electric engine and battery that assist and ease your pedaling, but they do not feature autonomous propulsion. It is like having a tailwind, so it is easier, but you still have to pedal.
Please note: all bicycles have normal pedals, no click pedals. So please wear ordinary sporting shoes. Changing pedals is not possible.
Prices for other rental bicycles, like children’s bikes, tandems, trailer bikes (slip streamers), children’s seats, and bike trailers are available on request. Guests are also allowed to bring their own bicycles or E-bikes, please let us know so we can reserve a space on board for you.
Parking own bicycle: € 10 per week (only a limited number of parking places available)
Parking + charge station own E-Bike: € 25 per week (only a limited number of parking places available)
However, the crew or tour operator is in no way responsible for any damage, loss or theft of such bicycles.
Parking in Amsterdam (valet parking): prices and pre-booking on request.
Embarking on a boat bike tour means leaving your worries behind. If you’re arriving for one of our tours by car then you can start your carefree experience immediately thanks to the CentralParking valet service.
With this parking service, you can drive directly to your ship’s departure dock. Arrange a drop-off time in advance and a CentralParking valet driver will be waiting to help you with your luggage. Your valet will then drive your car to a secure garage where it will be parked under 24/7 camera surveillance.
Set a pick-up time with CentralParking for your return and your car will be ready and waiting for you when the ship arrives, so you can set out on the road immediately.
...It was a Awesome time on my with your your Southern Netherlands Bike & Boat tour. My experience with the staff was a very good one, everyone was very helpful, kind, and thoughtful. I enjoyed the planned out cycle tours at my own pace, thanks to the help of the GPS and info give the night before. Also the map always was helpful too. My room was very clean and comfortable!! I highly recommend this tour to others :)...
...The staff were an absolute delight and the boat was lovely...
...The level of difficulty was fine, although some days we would have liked longer to see the the beautiful scenery and towns that we cycled through. This may, however, be a comment on the speed of our cycling! Overall the variety of experiences and scenery, making each day different, was well thought planned...
...The scenery was amazing. We travelled through cities, villages, farmland and sea Shores. Our tour guide Marje was outstanding. She was very knowledgeable and helpful...