Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
Amsterdam Pre-Trip Bike Tour
Trip Overview
This private pre-trip tour around Amsterdam and Haarlem on July 14-16, 2022 (and June 13-15, 2023) is listed as "private" as it is open only to guests on the Netherlands North Bike & Barge bike tour that starts July 16, 2022 (or June 15, 2023). Explore Amsterdam’s more peaceful suburb, Haarlem, by foot ... and the city of Amsterdam’s sites by canal boat. Visit one or more of the famous Amsterdam art or history museums … or just enjoy the lovely buildings and boats seen from the canal boat along the way. Get a great introduction to this scenic region famous for its windmills, chocolate, pewter, wooden clogs and other handicrafts. Stay in a lovely hotel in the town of Haarlem known for its historic buildings. Then bike through a pretty region from Haarlem to Amsterdam and the start of your 8-day barge tour. (Please note that this pre-trip is essentially provided at-cost, so all discounts, such as Discovery Cyclist past rider discounts, don't apply.)
Learn more about our 8-day Netherlands North Bike Tour
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
Meet your leaders at the Frans Hals Amrath Hotel in Haarlem in the afternoon for a guided walk around the quaint city of Haarlem — established in 1245. Learn about the colorful shipping history of the region as you stroll by medieval buildings, cobblestone streets and gabled houses. This town is famous for its history in the tulip trade, beer brewing and textile manufacturing. Have a group dinner together and plan for tomorrow’s adventures.
After breakfast, take the 15-minute train ride into Amsterdam for a day of exploring. Board the “Hop On Hop Off” canal boat and stop at your leisure to enjoy the local sights and museums. Choose from the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House and many more attractions. Most are within a few blocks of the canal boat’s route. Or stay with the group and cruise much of the day, see some sites, and get great views of the magnificent 17th-Century houses, churches, canal boats and more. Lunch and dinner are on your own, so you can see the sights, linger in town if you like ... and return to the hotel in Haarlem via train when you are ready.
Pack your luggage, and we transfer it for you to the barge. After breakfast, start cycling a scenic route in a loop that ends in Amsterdam! Enjoy great views of picturesque windmills, wooden houses, barns, workshops and the craft area around Zaanse Schans. Have lunch together along the way. Arrive at the barge by around 5 p.m. to meet the crew for the start of your Bike & Barge trip.
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
2 night’s lodging, 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner (1 lunch and 1 dinner on your own), guided Haarlem city walk, train ticket from Haarlem to Amsterdam and return, hop on channel boat ride in Amsterdam, bike & helmet, leaders and van support for biking.
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
2 night’s lodging, 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner (1 lunch and 1 dinner on your own), guided Haarlem city walk, train ticket from Haarlem to Amsterdam and return, hop on channel boat ride in Amsterdam, bike & helmet, leaders and van support for biking.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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