Tulip Tour Bike & Barge - Comfort

At 2:00pm please check-in to the barge in Amsterdam. It is possible to bring your luggage on board from 11am. We will cruise to Zaandam as soon as everyone is on board. Zaandam is a picturesque city renowned for its windmills and cheese making. The barge will dock in the centre of the city. On arrival, the bikes will be distributed and you can enjoy a short bike ride in the surrounding area. You will have the opportunity for an evening walk after dinner.

After breakfast we will cycle (5km) to the open air museum Zaanse Schans (free entry to the site, mills etc extra, payable locally) which features beautiful windmills, traditional wooden houses, an old Dutch village, a cheese farm and a traditional wooden clog maker. In the afternoon, you have the option of cycling to Haarlem (24km/14mi) or enjoying the scenery from the barge as we cruise (approx 2.5hrs). This vibrant medieval city is known for its textiles, beer brewing and as a major centre for the Tulip trade. The barge will dock in the centre of Haarlem, allowing time in the afternoon or evening to take a walk through the small and historical centre. The Grote Markt (central square), St Bavo church and the Teylers and Frans Hals museums are recommended.

Today we will cycle to the famous flower garden ‘Keukenhof’ for a visit, arguably the most famous flower park in the world where you can admire hundred of thousands of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other flowers in bloom. After an extensive visit, we will continue by bike to the barge docked in Oude Wetering on the shores of the Westeinder Lakes. (Alternatively by taxi - not included).

Today we have an early morning visit (6.30am) by bus to the world’s biggest flower auction in Aalsmeer*. Millions of flowers are auctioned here and are instantly sent to all corners of the world. By 9am we will return to the barge for a late breakfast then make our way to Amsterdam by bike and on board the barge. Later there is time to discover this amazing city. You can visit the inner city flower market, go to one of the many museums, do some shopping or enjoy a boat trip through the canals. * The Aalsmeer flower auction is closed on weekends and public holidays - please be aware that on some departure dates a visit to the flower auction is not possible. This is an optional visit.

Disembark after breakfast until 9:30am. It may be possible to leave your luggage on board until approx 1:30pm giving you more time to explore the beautiful city of Amsterdam (please speak with the crew).