Bike-Barge Trip to See the Tulips in Holland April 2025

APRIL 16 to 27, 2025

I am sharing preliminary details on a 11-day bike-barge trip to Holland next spring, leaving Toronto Wednesday April 16/25 and returning Sunday April 27/25. At this time, I have only estimated prices based on best available information, but wanted to share this information so that people could hold the date if they were interested in experiencing cycling during peak tulip season.

The tour will take us through different provinces of Holland while spring flowers are in bloom (this is the week with the highest likelihood of peak tulips!). We will visit the famous Keukenhof gardens, known by the hundreds of thousands of blooming tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other bulb flowers. The world-famous Aalsmeer flower auction is on the program where an astonishing volume of beautiful flowers are being traded daily and exported all over the world. We will spend time in the historical cities of Haarlem, Leiden, Gouda and Alkmaar and learn about the water management of these lowlands at the North Sea. Other activities include visits to an original Dutch cheese farm, the Zaanse Schans open air museum, and the North Holland Dune reserve. This is a fully guided tour, with 2 English-speaking guides.

I have confirmed the Zwaantje barge with Boat Bike Tours from April 19-26 2025. This barge has 12 cabins and can accommodate 24 people, which is the number of cyclists for this tour. No single cabins are available. Solo travellers are of course welcome. If you are unable to identify your own roommate, one will be assigned.

I was on a similar trip on this barge in 2023 – it was quite comfortable and we had a great chef who served delicious meals. I have asked for the same guide if possible.  I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and felt it offered a lot of variety and interesting activities. The cycling was gentle. The weather was good except for one light rain day.  As such, I thought others would be interested in doing it as a group. This trip is 3 weeks later in the season from when I went, when the fields were full of daffodils and hyacinths – this time we should see more tulips of various colours.

The itinerary is as follows:

Wed. Apr 16:                 Fly Toronto-Amsterdam direct, arriving Thursday morning

Thurs/Fri. Apr 17-18: Explore Amsterdam

Sat. April 19:                  Board Zwaantje (mid day)—Information about the boat:

https://www.boatbiketours.com/ships/zwaantje/

April 19-26                     Cycling – maximum distance 54 km on Day 7; rated as level 1 difficulty (easy, flat) (Note that on any day, participants can choose to stay on the barge and not cycle). The full itinerary can be found here:

https://www.boatbiketours.com/boat-bike-tours/netherlands/8-day-tulip-tour-premium/

Sat April 26:                   Return to Amsterdam

Sun, April 27:                Fly Amsterdam-Toronto, direct

Potential activities in Amsterdam will be identified, and everyone can select which ones, if any, they are interested in. Likewise, participants can explore this historic city on their own. Where possible, arrangements will be made in advance. My goal is that everyone has someone to explore this beautiful city with.

The price for this trip is estimated to be in the range of $3,900 + airfare per person, which includes:

• 3 nights accommodation in Amsterdam – hotel TBD

• Transfers to/from the airport, the hotel, and the barge location (using local transport)
• All costs related to the Zwaantje tour, including:
  • 8 days/7 nights
  • Bike rental
  • 7 breakfasts and packed lunches
  • 6 3-course dinners (dinner in Alkmaar not included)
  • Coffee and tea on board
  • Welcome drink
  • Use of bed linen and towels
  • Daily cleaning of the cabin
  • Climate controlled cabin
  • Daily briefings of the cycling route and highlight of attractions
  • Fully guided cycling tours with 2 English-speaking guides
  • Some short walking tours
  • GPS tracks
  • Use of a helmet (or you can bring your own)
  • Use of a waterproof pannier bag
  • Biodegradable water bottle
  • Entrance to Keukenhof Gardens
  • Visit to original Dutch cheese farm
  • Entrance to North-Holland Dune reserve
  • Entrance to Aalsmeer flower auction
  • Wi-Fi
  • Carbon offset payment to the non-profit organization Justdiggit
• Excluded costs:
  • 1 dinner at Alkmaar
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Drinks on the barge
  • Gratuities to Zwaantje staff and guides; hotel personnel in Amsterdam (budget $125-$200 for the barge staff/guides depending on your satisfaction with services provided; hotel staff at your discretion)
  • Entrance fees and excursions except where indicated
  • Single supplement for hotels in Amsterdam (TBD)

E-bikes are available at an additional cost of ~$220 and must be booked in advance.

Lunches and dinners in Amsterdam would be extra, as well as visiting attractions of your choice.

The final costs may fluctuate depending on the Euro rate at the time of final payment. This estimate reflects a conservative exchange rate of 1.55.

Travel medical insurance is mandatory.

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