Boat Bike Tours: Real stories from aboard and ashore

What’s it really like behind the scenes on a Boat Bike Tour? In this episode, host Ennie chats with Michael van den Heuvel, longtime skipper of the De Willemstad. He shares what it means to run a ship full of international guests, the joys and surprises of life on board, and why the Hanseatic Route is his favorite. From unexpected tandem bikes in guest cabins to scooter rescues during bike mishaps – this is an inspiring and entertaining look into the world of Boat Bike Tours. Listen now and meet the people who bring your cycling holiday to life.

What makes a Boat Bike Tour so much more than just a cycling trip? It’s the stories, the people, and the shared experiences along the way. In this episode of our podcast, host Ennie chats with tour leader Esther Nouse and sustainability advocate Jossie Verkerk about what it’s like to guide guests across Europe, how cultures and connections come together, and what Boat Bike Tours is doing to ensure a more sustainable future. Listen now and discover the heart of Boat Bike Tours.

If you’ve ever taken a Boat Bike Tour, you know how well-planned they are: the route, the itinerary, the special places we stop - everything! Ever wondered what it’s like to organize a tour and guide it? In this episode, Ennie interviews Romy and Tammy—two Boat Bike Tours experts who know every angle of our guest experience. Romy handles group charters and quality, while Tammy leads unforgettable tours. Together, they reveal what’s changed over the years, how international guests have shaped our services, and share incredible (and hilarious) real-life moments.

Step aboard the Elizabeth, a three-masted clipper ship, with Sabina Fickenwirth, a vibrant hostess and sailor who balances hospitality, adventure, and pure love for the sea. In this episode, Sabina recounts the joys of guiding guests through raising the sails, building a family-like atmosphere on board, and finding magic even in moments of chaos. “You do the bike part - that’s your leg day - and the boat part - that’s your arm day - so you get a full-body workout! And then you can sit down and have a big meal and drink a couple beers so it all remains in balance!”

Welcome to the third episode of the Boat Bike Tours podcast! In this episode, tour leader Hester reveals her secrets - her unique approach to creating just the right rhythm for each day of a Boat Bike Tour. Along with some stories about memorable moments in her 15 years as a tour leader, she showcases how special it is to discover a country by bike and boat.

“I brake for cheese!” In Episode 2 of our podcast series, host Mark Schalekamp interviews tour leader Arendina Borremans, and the conversation turns to cheese (What’s the difference between Gouda and Edam?), traffic rules in the Netherlands (shark’s teeth!), the green of Dutch scenery (farmland and nature) and lots of other topics. Hear why Arendina is so proud of Holland and what makes biking in the Netherlands so unique. Don’t miss Episode 2 – Whether you’ve taken a boating and biking tour before or not, this podcast will have you…

Join us on an enlightening journey as host Mark Schalekamp interviews Gijsbert Valstar, who’s been a tour leader for Boat Bike Tours since 2015, but has worked with cycling tours his whole adult life. In this debut episode, Gijsbert – in his very honest and blunt way – describes just how the tours combine cycling and boating. A sampling: “A tailwind for a foreign tourist is a storm, and we [the Dutch] think it’s a breeze.” His love for cycling and his enjoyment of leading these tours shines through in…