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4.8/5 (53 reviews)

8-Day Netherlands Tulips Bike & Barge Spring Tour

Join us for the jaw-dropping show of tulips and other spring flowers on our Netherlands Tulips Bike & Barge. Unpack once and your hotel meets you at the end of each day's ride. Visit the famous Keukenhof flower gardens, a historic castle and windmills.

Start - End: Amsterdam - Amsterdam

Total trip: 8 days

Average group size: 12 people

Level: 1

from USD 5,899/pp including taxes and fees

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The Barge - room with two beds
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Trip Inquiry - 8-Day Netherlands Tulips Bike & Barge Spring Tour

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Celebrate spring in the Netherlands with flower fields, canals, windmills, and relaxed riding.

Step aboard a cozy barge in Amsterdam and settle into an unforgettable week surrounded by the Netherlands' spectacular spring flower displays.


Your adventure begins and ends in vibrant Amsterdam, where world-class museums, winding canals, and lively nightlife await exploration. From the moment the boat pulls away from the city’s iconic canals, the rhythm of everyday life slows and a gentler pace takes over. Each day brings relaxed cycling through landscapes awash in tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths — mile after mile of vibrant fields stretching toward the horizon. Classic windmills, peaceful polder paths, and charming brick villages create a scene that feels lifted from a storybook.


A highlight of the week is a visit to the world-famous Keukenhof gardens, where millions of blooms create a dazzling tapestry of color. Another day offers time to explore one of the Netherlands’ most luxurious historic castles, with grand architecture and gardens that echo centuries of Dutch history. Smooth, flat bike paths make the riding wonderfully accessible, whether the goal is a leisurely morning spin or a longer, scenic loop.
Back on board, the barge becomes a floating home — a comfortable and welcoming place to unwind. While guests sleep, enjoy dinner, or sip coffee on deck, the boat quietly cruises to the next town, ready for the following day’s ride. There’s never any need to repack or board a bus. And on days when rest feels right, the barge offers a peaceful alternative to the bike paths.


It’s an easygoing spring adventure filled with color, culture, and the simple joy of exploring by bike and sharing moments with your fellow travelers — with thoughtful support every step of the way. No buses, no stress … just you, your bike, and the best of the Netherlands in bloom.

Trip Highlights

Day by Day on Tour

Day by day, you'll cycle peaceful Dutch paths and cruise serene canals by barge — from Amsterdam's iconic waterways and windmill-dotted landscapes to the medieval streets and chocolate-box charm of Bruges.

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Please meet at the *respective barge at 12:30pm. The barge will be docked near the Amsterdam Nemo Museum. You will find it tied up at Jetty #2 on the dock area called the Oosterdok. Cruise out through the Amsterdam Harbor onto the Amstel River. While the barge sails to Haarlem, your tour leader will tell you about the tour, the cycling and safety. From Spaarndam you have the option to do a little test ride. After dinner on board, the tour leader will take you on a town walk through the beautiful city centre of Haarlem.
Accommodation: Clair d’Etoile Barge
Meals: Dinner

Biking: 8.9 miles (14.3 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 197 feet (60 meters) ascent, 199 feet (61 meters) descent 
Terrain: Easier

Today’s trip leads you through the oldest tulip fields of Holland, including a visit of the Keukenhof gardens. This is the most beautiful bulb park in the world. Keukenhof is the place where the spring breaks. An overwhelming blaze of colors; seven million flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acres’ background of traditional and modern gardening architecture. You also can admire the various hyacinths, daffodils and many other colorful flowers. In the afternoon you cycle to the city of Leiden. Dinner on board and after that you can join the walk through town.
Accommodation: Clair d’Etoile Barge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 23.3 miles (37.5 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 525 feet (160 meters) ascent, 530 feet (162 meters) descent
Terrain: Easier

After breakfast you will cycle out of Leiden. You will travel through the ‘green heart’ of Holland. Near Zoeterwoude, you will visit a cheese farm where you will learn about the cheese-making process and you will have the opportunity to taste the results. In the afternoon you reach Gouda, famous for the Gouda cheese. Gouda has an attractive compact center with her pretty market square and Gothic town hall. The main church of Gouda, devoted to Saint John, is world famous for its stained glass windows. After dinner you can join the walk through town.
Accommodation: Clair d’Etoile Barge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 29.1 miles (46.8 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 469 feet (143 meters) ascent, 463 feet (141 meters) descent
Terrain: Easier

We stay in Gouda this morning. You have the opportunity to do some shopping and to visit the market square with its cheese weigh house or you can visit the St. Johns church. We leave by barge around noon and have a light lunch on board. From Alphen aan den Rijn you cycle through the ‘green heart’ of South Holland via river Drecht and Amstel-Drecht channel to Kudelstaart.
Accommodation: Clair d’Etoile Barge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 22.5 miles (36.2 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 321 feet (98 meters) ascent, 318 feet (97 meters) descent 
Terrain: Easier

At 6.30 a.m. you can drink an early cup of coffee. After that you cycle to the flower auction of Aalsmeer, the largest of Europe. Here, huge quantities of flowers are trucked in and sold every day, after which they are distributed all over Europe. After your visit you return on board (around 9 a.m.) for a late breakfast while the barge sails to Amsterdam. You will enjoy a nice cruise, right through the city.

Today’s cycling tour takes you from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, a unique hamlet where people live and work, with original houses and windmills from the river Zaan area. The hamlet is dominated by operating windmills, the oldest built in 1673, for grinding mustard, spices, paint and oil and for sawing wood into planks. As you walk through the village you will see a clock museum, an old-fashioned grocery store, a house with period furniture, a clog maker and a cheese farm.
Accommodation: Clair d’Etoile Barge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 15.5 miles (24.9 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 436 feet (133 meters) ascent, 436 feet (133 meters) descent
Terrain: Easier

This morning you cycle to the Hortus Bulborum, a unique garden museum dedicated to the preservation of rare and historic bulbs. More than 4,000 tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other flowers are planted here. Your cycling tour continues to Egmond at the Northsea. The tour goes through the dunes to Alkmaar. This town is known as a Dutch cheese city. As you wander through the streets you’ll be amazed by the beauty of Alkmaar’s Old Town, with its well-preserved 17th century buildings and narrow, winding canals. Dinner in town at your own account.
Accommodation: Clair d’Etoile Barge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Biking: 27.1 miles (43.6 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 597 feet (182 meters) ascent, 590 feet (180 meters) descent
Terrain: Easier

After breakfast your cycling tour leads you to the former windmill complex of the Schermer Polder. Here we visit the Schermerhorn Windmill Museum. Your next stop is the beautiful town of De Rijp. Centuries of history are still evident here in De Rijp’s wooden facades, beautiful church, lock and town hall. From here, your ride continues back to Amsterdam. In the late afternoon or evening there is time for a canal tour through the famous canals of the city.
Accommodation: Clair d’Etoile Barge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 34.1 miles (54.9 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 581 feet (177 meters) ascent, 587 feet (179 meters) descent 
Terrain: Easier

Today, after breakfast, we say farewell to you at the dock in Amsterdam at about 9 a.m. You can catch a train to the airport or elsewhere in Europe from Central Station nearby where we dock ... or we can help arrange a taxi to the airport … or stay on for more adventures in Amsterdam. 
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast

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Frequently Asked Questions

We know you might have a few questions before you book. Our frequently asked questions cover everything you need to know to feel ready for the ride.

On the first day of the tour please meet at your barge at 12:30pm. The barge will be docked near the Amsterdam Nemo Museum at Jetty #2 on the dock area called the Oosterdok.

You are welcome to book your pre-tour stay at any hotel in Amsterdam. For easy access to local sights and a central location, consider staying in neighborhoods like the Canal Ring, Jordaan, or De Pijp. You must make your own way to the barge at the pre-designated time, though taxis and Ubers are readily available throughout the city.

You spend the last night on the barge in Amsterdam Harbor, docked at approximately the same location where you met the barge. You can depart after breakfast on the last day.

Arrival: We recommend arriving in Amsterdam by 10am. Many guests like to arrive a day or two early to accommodate potential flight delays and/or explore the city before the tour begins. Taxis and Ubers are readily available from Schiphol Airport to take you to your hotel or the barge.

Departure: Flying out on the last day, we recommend departing from Amsterdam after 2pm.

The Clair d'Etoile can accommodate up to 24 guests and offers a welcoming atmosphere for your spring flower adventure.

On the upper deck, the cozy salon features large panoramic windows, air conditioning, a restaurant area, lounge corner, and small bar. The very spacious sun deck (90 square meters) offers plenty of room to relax with chairs and tables where you can enjoy the scenery while cruising. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the barge.

Between cycling excursions, your barge cruises to a new destination while you enjoy meals on board. You dine, sleep, and start each day with breakfast, then set off on your ride. At the end of the day, your floating home is waiting at the next harbor.

The Clair d'Etoile offers cabins across the lower deck to suit your preference. You can choose from 10 twin bed cabins (with fixed windows) or 2 double bed cabins (with windows that open), all measuring approximately 7 m² (75 sq. ft.).

All beds measure 80 x 200 cm. Every cabin includes a private bathroom with shower, toilet, and basin, ventilation, central heating and air-conditioning, mini safe, and hair dryer.

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What's included

  • 7 nights’ accommodation
  • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
  • You’re supported from start to finish by our highly experienced guides and leaders
  • Industry leading Guest-to-Guide ratio (averaging 6:1)
  • All activities outlined in the itinerary
  • Delicious snacks and non-alcoholic drinks to keep you fueled
  • All necessary equipment (well-maintained and safe) for activities
  • Branded t-shirt and bag
  • Hybrid with flat-bar handlebars, or E-Bikes - equipped with a front handlebar bag or rear carrier, branded water bottle, mirror, and flat pedals
  • Ride with GPS for navigation along with the detailed maps and itineraries
  • Transportation in our air-conditioned vans - safe, clean, modern, and comfortable!
  • Your queries answered by our knowledgeable Customer Care Team - only a call, chat, or email away
  • You’re “trip ready” with our Customer Care Team’s calls prior to your trip
  • “My Account” - your own online space with everything required for your adventure

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