On this vacation you will stay on the MS Normandie. The pretty ship is your floating hotel, from which you make varied bike tours and explore the beautiful landscape of Holland. You will get to know the country of Rembrandt and Van Gogh from its most beautiful side. The trip is characterized by the combination of big city flair and natural idyll along the waterways. You will drive through the polder area of the Albwasserwaard and the nature reserve De Biesbosch, where there is an 8,000 hectare freshwater delta. You can take a refreshing swim in the Reeuwijkse Plassen lake area. You will also see the most famous row of windmills in the Netherlands and the fortified city of Vianen, while in Delft you will visit the porcelain manufactory. You can enjoy the culinary delights of the region in the cheese cities of Leerdam and Gouda.
Details of the bike and boat tour Province of South Holland
In Rotterdam you will board the ship. You'll travel via Kinderdijk to Dordrecht before cycling through the Rhine Delta area and taking a water cab to Gorinchem. The tour continues via Leerdam to Utrecht and the following day to Schoonhoven. The next highlight is the cheese city of Gouda. Afterwards you have the choice between a short tour to Delft and a long variant that takes you to The Hague and Scheveningen. Then you will arrive back in Rotterdam.
The highlights of the bike and boat tour Province of South Holland at a glance
Rotterdam: The city is an El Dorado for artists and architects. In addition to the historic buildings, you should take a look at the large harbor and go on an extensive shopping spree.
Kinderdijk: There you can visit the famous row of windmills. It consists of 19 mills from the 18th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Utrecht: This charming city is considered the heart of Holland. In the picturesque city center, you can take a leisurely tour of the quaint canals.
Gouda: The world-famous cheese city is a must-see. Try the delicious Gouda, which is produced there in the traditional way.
Things to know about the province of South Holland by bike and boat
Easy cycling tours are on the agenda for this popular ship and bike tour. If you don't want to cycle every day, just stay on board and take in the scenery from that perspective. The cycling excursions take you along very well-maintained cycle paths where you can ride at your leisure.
Individual arrival in Rotterdam. Embarkation from 4:00 pm. Rotterdam is a city with many faces: important port city, classy shopping city and hip artists’ city, but most importantly a city of architecture, and one of the most interesting cities in Europe.
Keep cycling alongside the waterfront via Krimpen aan den IJssel to Kinderdijk, where you will find the most famous group of windmills of the Netherlands. Dating back to the 18th century, the 19 well- preserved mills were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Continue through the polder area of the Albwasserwaard to reach Dordrecht. Dordrecht is considered to be Holland`s oldest city. With about 1000 historic buildings that are housing restaurants, museums or theatres, the city`s rich history and the marvellous historic port area will enchant you.
After a short ferry ride, you reach the beautiful De Biesbosch National Park, where several rivers come together to form a fresh-water delta of no less than 8.000 hectares. You may enjoy a wonderful boat trip, offered here everywhere, before continuing your tour through the Rhine- Delta area and crossing over to Gorichem by water taxi. Do not miss out on the picturesque Old Town of this small but charming city.
Today an interesting and varied tour awaits you. From Gorinchem, cycle via Leerdam – famous for the Leerdammer cheese – into the fortified city of Vianen. Here you may stop for a short break in one of the numerous street cafes. Take the ferry boat to cross the Lek, and keep cycling to Vreeswijk with its narrow lanes. Continue to the little town of Nieuwegein – perhaps take a short side trip to Fort Jutphaas, hidden in a green oasis in Nieuwegein -before reaching Utrecht. Utrecht is considered the heart of Holland. The city was built around the cathedral. That is why it is almost impossible to lose your way in the car-free town with its picturesque canals
This morning, be sure to take some time to explore the beautiful town of Utrecht, before getting back on your bike. Cycle tour through the beautiful polder landscape via Oudewater, with its famous Witches` Weigh House, (none of the so-called witches ever weighed here was found to be too light of weight and thus none of them was sentenced) to Schoonhoven, the Silver City of the Netherlands, with its typical Dutch Old Town.
From Schoonhoven, cycle leisurely to the city of Gouda, which is famous for its cheese. When the weather is fine, you may take a detour for a refreshing bath in the lake Reeuwijkse Plassen. Your today’s destination is Rotterdam. Tip: you should experience the harbour of Rotterdam on an interesting harbour tour.
Two options for today’s cycling tour: First one will lead you to Delft (Tip: visit of the porcelain manufacture), second directly to the governmental seat Den Haag and to the North Sea coastal town and health resort Scheveningen and back. Alternatively, you can also go back to Rotterdam by train (rail and bike is not included, approx. € 16.- p. Pers, not in rush hour between 16:30 h and 18:00 h).
You do not fancy a bike ride? Rotterdam offers endless possibilities to design your day. Really one is spoilt for choice
7 overnights in cabins with shower/toilet in the booked cabin category
Full board: 7x breakfast buffet, 6x small lunch or lunch package for bike tours, 6x coffee and tea in the afternoon, 7x 3-course dinner
Welcome drink
Daily cleaning of cabins
Linen and change of towels if required
All harbour, lock and bridge fees
Daily briefing of bike tours
1 route book for self-guided trips per cabin
Tour guidance on board
Rental bike insurance
For departures on 01.04..2023 / 08.04.2023, the 7-speed rental bike is included with a new booking. The surcharge for an e-bike is 110€.
Not included:
Journey to and from Rotterdam, shuttles, bike rentals, entrance fees and excursions, city maps, ferry fees and fees for waterbus, travel insurances, parking fees, tips, drinks on board
Info
Arrival / Parking / Departure:
Amsterdam train station is close to the pier
Oosterdok car park: secure car park at the train station, about €25 per day. Reservation possible by yourself
Car park Amsterpark.nl /Valet Parking Services: Drop off your car at the pier on arrival day, car will be back at the pier on day of departure, price on request, payable in advance (application form can be ordered bei Eurobike) price approx. € 170/week
Notes:
Further important information according to the package travel law and additional information about your bike and boat trip can be found here!
Your boat
MS Normandie
Aboard the MS Normandie you will find a personal and familiar atmosphere. Enjoy your stay in the cosy panorama salon, the tastefully decorated restaurant or the specious sundeck.
Enjoy a great bike tour where you get to sleep on board a boat each evening. The MS Normandie is a very middle-class barge with a friendly and comfortable atmosphere.
Toll aufbereitete Tourenplanung; leckeres Essen auf dem Schiff und die E-Bikes lassen sich selbst ohne Motor super fahren! Das i-Tüpfelchen: Eine Woche bestes Rad-fahr-Wetter. Der Urlaub hätte nicht besser sein können!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Dorothea P. |25.06.2022
Entspanntes Radeln auf schönen Routen
Unser erster Urlaub als Schiff/Rad- Kombi war sehr schön. Entspanntes Radeln auf gut ausgewählten Routen, gute Verpflegung und Übernachtung auf der MS Normandie an den Anlegestelle in pittoresken Orten. Perfekt.
Julia Bannanswered:
Vielen Dank für Ihre freundliche Bewertung. Wir hoffen Sie bald wieder auf einer unserer Reisen begrüßen zu dürfen.