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A bike and boat cycling holiday aboard a very comfortable barge enjoying the vivid tulip fields of Holland. Easy cycling on dedicated cycle paths past fields ablaze with vivid blooms. On this route you’ll also visit the world famous Keukenhof flower gardens, the fascinating outdoor museum of Zaanse Schans and also have time to explore vibrant Amsterdam.
Starting and finishing in the heart of vibrant Amsterdam this circular route offers easy and enjoyable daily bike rides through the surrounding countryside. The kaleidoscopic bulb fields are of course the main attraction however on this tour you will also visit the iconic open-air museum of the Zaanse Schans, the atmospheric old town of Haarlem, the stunning Keukenhof Flower Gardens and, on certain departures, the frenetic Flower Market in Aalsmeer. There will also be plenty of time to explore the fascinating and unique city of Amsterdam.
Magnifique IV suite
You will live aboard a very comfortable and well appointed barge. Depending on your chosen start date this will be on the Magnifique II, Magnifique III or Magnifique IV - all offer a very high standard of accommodation
The daily rides are led by a local guide who is a font of knowledge on local customs, traditions and history and he/she will be happy to impart his/her knowledge during the daily rides. You’ll be cycling along dedicated cycle paths and quiet lanes. The routes are very easy with no hills so anyone with a basic level of fitness can enjoy this tour.
The emphasis is firmly on enjoying the scenery and springtime colours, so if you don’t fancy riding one day, simply stay on board and enjoy a relaxing cruise to the next port of call.
The captain reserves the right to make changes to the planned route due to changing wind, tide and weather conditions, and where required by organizational necessities.
On arrival in Amsterdam make your way to your boat – embarkation and check-in is at 2pm. Once everyone is on board she slips her moorings and begins a leisurely cruise to nearby Zaandam, 22 miles/35 kms. Upon arrival you can enjoy taking your bike for a brief test ride and in the evening take a stroll through the picturesque old town before turning in for the night.
After breakfast we enjoy a short cycle ride of approximately 5km to the open air museum of Zaanse Schans. Explore working windmills, traditional wooden dutch houses, a clog workshop and a cheese factory. After returning to the boat you can choose whether to stay on board and enjoy a leisurely cruise to the town of Haarlem or to do the journey by bike. Once in Haarlem be sure to visit the town’s lovely main square.
Today is a real highlight as we cycle through a myriad of colourful bulb fields. The colours are stunning and this is definitely not a day to forget the camera. The finale is a visit to the Keukenhof – the world’s largest flower garden. Here we wonder among 7 million bulbs including daffodils, hyacinths and tulips, set over nearly 80 acres of land. The kaleidoscope of colours and fragrances are unforgettable and at times our senses are almost overwhelmed. At lunchtime we cycle to the nearby village of Oude Wetering where the barge is waiting for us.
This morning, there is an optional trip to the Aalsmeer flower auction. We are picked up at 06.30 and driven by bus the short distance to the auction site(entry fee of €7 – not included)*. Here we can watch the frenetic activity as millions of blooms are auctioned to buyers from around the world in the blink of an eye.
Afterwards, we return to the boat for a late breakfast and then enjoy a leisurely cruise along the waterways back into the heart of Amsterdam. Once moored up, we can choose whether to spend the afternoon exploring the museums and other attractions of this vibrant city or alternatively, to mount up and join a ride that will lead us through the wetlands or Waterland region just outside the city.
The boats remains moored in central Amsterdam overnight providing you with the opportunity to also experience an evening in this vibrant city.
*The Aalsmeer flower auction is closed during the weekend and on public holidays. Please note also that on some dates this optional visit to the flower auction is not possible:
After breakfast it’s time to disembark, by 9.30am, and head for home or your next adventure.
Regular bikes provided are modern alloy framed models with 7 speeds, a gel saddle and puncture-resistant tyres. The bikes also come equipped with pannier and integrated lock.
E-bikes provided have highly-responsive handbrakes and a minimum of seven speeds. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats an integrated lock and puncture resistant tyres.
We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons. Alternatively, helmets can be provided on arrival.
The Magnifique II offers exceptionally high levels of comfort and service and has 17 cabins. A modern design finished in a classical style, the ship makes a very pleasant base for your cycling holiday.
The upper deck has four spacious suites (14m²) with two separate single beds, a small sitting area and large panoramic windows, one of which can be opened. The lower deck feature 13 cabins, 12 of which are twin bedded cabins (11m²) with two separate single beds, one of which is a larger premium twin with two separate single beds and a small sitting area (13m²). All the cabins on the lower deck have portholes (fixed for safety reasons).
All the cabins are well appointed and equipped with en-suite facilities with a shower, toilet and sink and the air conditioning in all cabins can be individually regulated. Furthermore they are equipped with a flat screen TV, mini-safe and hairdryer.
On the upper deck there is a tastefully decorated salon with restaurant, bar and a lounge with wide screen TV, large windows to enjoy the scenery and free Wi-Fi. Large doors open onto a partially roofed sundeck with table and chairs. On the top deck you will find a whirlpool/Jacuzzi and deckchairs.
Meals - The meals on board are substantial and healthy. Breakfast will be served as a buffet and during breakfast you may make your own packed picnic lunch for your bike tour. In the evening the chef serves an appetizing dinner.
Dietary requirements: If you have special dietary requirements, it is important you indicate this when you book or enquire about it before you book. Vegetarian meals are always available, but we need to know in advance. In all other cases we will need to check if it is possible. In some cases a fee for preparing special meals will be charged. This mainly applies to lactose or gluten-free meals and is €70 for 7 night trips and €40 for 4 night trips and is to be paid when you board. Unfortunately vegan meals are not offered. This is because the kitchen on the ship is not large enough to guarantee that the food can be prepared completely vegan. The available space on board is limited, so the chefs cannot store the necessary tools and supplies to prepare vegan food.
The Magnifique III offers the same exceptionally high level of comfort and service as the Magnifique II and has 21 cabins.
The lower deck features 14 twin cabins (12m²) with two separate single beds and 2 single cabins (9 m²). The upper deck has 5 spacious suites (16 m²) with two separate single beds, a small sitting area and a “French Balcony”: ceiling-to-floor sliding glass doors. In most cabins and all suites, on prior request, the beds can be set together as a double bed.
All cabins are well appointed and equipped with en-suite facilities with a shower, toilet and basin. The cabins on the lower deck have portholes (fixed for safety reasons), upper deck suites have sliding glass doors that can be partly opened. The airconditioning in all cabins can be individually regulated. In each cabin you will find a flat screen TV, mini-safe and hairdryer.
On the upper deck, there is a tastefully decorated salon with restaurant, bar and a lounge with wide screen TV, large windows to enjoy the scenery and free Wi-Fi. Large doors open onto a partially roofed teak wood sundeck with tables and chairs on the aft deck.
The Magnifique IV was completed in the Spring of 2020 and offers the same high level of comfort and service as her sister ships.
The lower deck features 8 twin bedded cabins (12m²) with two single beds, while the upper deck will offer 10 spacious, double-bedded suites (16 m²) with a cozy sitting area and French balcony with floor-to-ceiling glass doors. The cabins on the lower deck have portholes (fixed for safety reasons).
All cabins have their own private bathroom with shower, basin and toilet; as well as individually-regulated air-conditioning, flat screen satellite TV, mini safe and hair dryer.
On the upper deck, there is a tastefully decorated bar/lounge area with wide screen TV, large windows to enjoy the scenery and free Wi-Fi. The comfortable and inviting restaurant is separated from the kitchen by a glass wall, so you can see the talented chefs in action. Large glass doors open onto a beautiful partially-covered teak viewing deck, furnished with tables and chairs.
Dietary requirements: If you have special dietary requirements, it is important you indicate this when you book or enquire about it before you book. Vegetarian meals are always available, but we need to know in advance. In all other cases we will need to check if it is possible. In some cases a fee for preparing special meals will be charged. This mainly applies to lactose or gluten-free meals and is €70 for 7 night trips and €40 for 4 night trips and is to be paid when you board. Vegan meals are €58 for 4 night trips and €102 for 7 night trips.
Fly to Amsterdam or take the Eurostar train
Research flights from UK airports here.
Research Eurostar from UK here
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