Holland: Best of Holland

This premium tour combines iconic landmarks and hidden gems to offer a wonderful impression of Holland’s unique character. Over eight days, you’ll travel in style aboard one of our small luxury barges. Your cycling cruise begins in Amsterdam with a relaxing dinner cruise to Zaandam, followed the next day by a visit to the Zaanse Schans open-air museum, where Dutch history comes to life.

Enjoy a scenic cycling tour to Hoorn through the heart of the Beemster polder, recognized by UNESCO as a “masterpiece of creative planning,” where Renaissance ideals shaped a reclaimed landscape.

You’ll also visit the picturesque former island of Marken, now connected to the mainland. From there, cycle to IJburg, one of Amsterdam’s newest neighborhoods, built in the late 1990s on reclaimed land that was once the bottom of a lake. Discover Schoonhoven, famous for its silver craftsmanship, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk with its 19 iconic windmills — perfect for unforgettable views and stunning photos.

The tour then continues north to Gouda, world-famous for its cheese and candles. Explore the Green Heart of Holland, a vast rural region surrounded by some of the Netherlands’ largest cities. You’ll spend the night in a charming village in this peaceful countryside before cruising back to Amsterdam, where your journey concludes.

Fully Guided

Accompanied by a competent, professional and multilingual tour leader, you and the group will visit interesting sights and places on the daily cycling tours. During the bike tour, they will explain the local history and culture behind the things you encounter along the way. You can also choose to ride individually with the help of our Ride with GPS app and our BBT cycling map (available on board).

Itinerary

Day 1 Amsterdam – Zaandam

Embarkation and check-in take place between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m., when the crew will warmly welcome you on board. Once all guests have arrived, the ship will cruise to Zaandam, a city known for its historic windmills. Your barge will moor in the city center for the night.

After arrival, you may enjoy a short test ride on your bicycle through the surrounding area. In the evening, take a leisurely walk through the picturesque center of Zaandam.

Day 2 Zaandam – Zaanse Schans – Beemster – Hoorn

41km25 mi or 51km31 mi

After breakfast, set out on your first cycling tour to the Zaanse Schans open-air museum for a short visit. Continue cycling through small villages in the beautiful and historic Beemster polder.
Today’s ride ends in Hoorn, a former home port of the Dutch East India Company and one of the world’s most important harbors during the 17th century. In the evening, you can join a boat tour through Hoorn’s historic canals.

Day 3 Hoorn – Volendam | Volendam – Marken (ferry) | Marken – Waterland – Weesp

39km24 mi or 46km28 mi

While enjoying breakfast, the ship cruises to Volendam, a picturesque fishing village on the shores of Lake IJsselmeer. From there, you’ll take a ferry to the former island of Marken.
Explore this charming and authentic village before continuing your cycling journey along the coastline toward IJburg, a modern district of Amsterdam built on reclaimed land that was once part of the sea. From there, cycle to the historic town of Muiden, home to a beautiful 14th-century waterfront castle.
Today’s cycling tour ends near the village of Weesp, where you will rejoin the ship. Around 5:00 p.m., the ship departs for Utrecht, and you can enjoy dinner while cruising.

Day 4 Utrecht – Schoonhoven | Schoonhoven – Dordrecht

32km19 mi or 53km32 mi

During breakfast, the ship sails to Schoonhoven, known as the “Silver City,” where today’s cycling tour begins.
You may choose between two cycling routes. The longer route takes you into De Biesbosch National Park, one of the last remaining freshwater tidal areas in Europe. As you cycle along quiet dikes and winding waterways, you’ll pass through a serene landscape of willow forests, creeks, and wetlands. Keep an eye out for soaring birds — and with a bit of luck, you may even spot a beaver.
The day ends in Dordrecht, affectionately called “Dordt” by locals. This is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, located at the junction of three major rivers. After dinner, you may join a short guided city walk. Overnight stay on board in Dordrecht.

Day 5 Dordrecht – Alblasserdam (Waterbus) | Alblasserdam – Gouda

37km22 mi or 52km32 mi

After breakfast, you’ll take the Waterbus to Alblasserdam, where today’s cycling tour begins. Along the way, you’ll pass the famous 19 windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Netherlands’ most iconic and photogenic landmarks.
You’ll have the opportunity to visit one of the windmills as well as the visitor center before continuing on to Gouda, famous for its cheese and candles.
Dinner is not included this evening, giving you the opportunity to enjoy one of Gouda’s many excellent restaurants. Recommendations are available on board.

Day 6 Gouda – Leiden – Uithoorn

33km20 mi or 52km32 mi

This morning, take some time to explore the beautiful historic city of Gouda, including its charming market square and the famous Cheese Weighing House. A visit to St. John’s Church, renowned for its world-famous stained-glass windows, is also included.
Today’s cycling tour takes you through the scenic landscapes of the Green Heart of Holland, characterized by green meadows, expansive views, small canals, and lakes — all below sea level.
The longer cycling route passes through Leiden, the birthplace of the famous painter Rembrandt and home to the oldest university in the Netherlands.
The destination for today is the village of Uithoorn, where you will spend the evening and overnight on board.

Day 7 Uithoorn – Amsterdam

26km16 mi

This morning, enjoy your final cycling tour around Uithoorn. This water-rich region is a popular residential area for affluent Amsterdam residents seeking a quieter life closer to nature.
After lunch, return to your floating hotel for the final cruise back to Amsterdam. As the ship sails along the Amstel River, you’ll experience the vibrant city from a unique perspective — a wonderful way to conclude your journey.

Day 8 Amsterdam

End of the tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9:30 a.m.

Prices & availability

Friday

May 21, 2027

Friday

May 28, 2027

Amsterdam, Oosterdok

Guided

La Mar

Available

Prices from

€1,519.00 p.p.

Friday

May 28, 2027

Friday

Jun 4, 2027

Amsterdam, Oosterdok

Guided

La Mar

Available

Prices from

€1,519.00 p.p.

Friday

Jun 4, 2027

Friday

Jun 11, 2027

Amsterdam, Oosterdok

Guided

La Mar

Available

Prices from

€1,519.00 p.p.

Friday

Jun 11, 2027

Friday

Jun 18, 2027

Amsterdam, Oosterdok

Guided

La Mar

Available

Prices from

€1,519.00 p.p.

Friday

Jun 25, 2027

Friday

Jul 2, 2027

Amsterdam, Oosterdok

Guided

La Mar

Available

Prices from

€1,519.00 p.p.

Friday

Sep 10, 2027

Friday

Sep 17, 2027

Amsterdam, Oosterdok

Guided

La Mar

Available

Prices from

€1,519.00 p.p.

Friday

Sep 17, 2027

Friday

Sep 24, 2027

Amsterdam, Oosterdok

Guided

La Mar

Available

Prices from

€1,519.00 p.p.

Friday

Oct 1, 2027

Friday

Oct 8, 2027

Amsterdam, Oosterdok

Guided

La Mar

Available

Prices from

€1,419.00 p.p.

Friday

Oct 8, 2027

Friday

Oct 15, 2027

Amsterdam, Oosterdok

Guided

La Mar

Available

Prices from

€1,419.00 p.p.

Practical information

Included in this tour

8 days/7 nights
7 x breakfast
Packed lunches
6 x three-course dinner
Coffee and tea on board
Welcome drink
Use of bed linen and towels
Daily cleaning of the cabin
Climate-controlled cabin
Daily briefings
Fully guided cycling tours (2 tour leaders, 2 groups)
Some short walking tours
Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
GPS tracks
Use of a helmet
Use of a waterproof pannier bag
Biodegradable water bottle
Fees for ferries
Entrance Zaanse Schans
Visit a mill in Kinderdijk
Visit St. John’s church
Canal trip through Hoorn
Wi-Fi
The CO2 emissions from this trip will be offset through Trees for All and plastic recycler Orca.

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Excluded from this tour

1x dinner
Drinks
Bicycle rental or e-bike rental
Personal insurances
Gratuities (at your discretion)
Entrance fees and excursions (not mentioned under inclusions)
Transfers to/from the docking place
Parking fees
SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person – will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)

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Additional options & information

2027:

Rental bicycle Premium: €105 per week (optional)
Rental E-Bike Premium: €287 per week (only a limited number of electrical bikes available: pref. reservation by booking)
Parking own bicycle: €14 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
Parking + charge station own E-Bike: €35 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
Please click on this link for more information about the rental and own bicycles/E-bikes

Loyalty Discount

Explore our Loyalty Discount!

After your tour, you’ll receive an exclusive discount code:

You get 3% on your second tour with us.
From the third tour onwards, you will receive a 5% discount.
Enjoy savings on any of our upcoming trips in 2026.

Check your post-tour email for details. You can combine this discount with other promotions for additional savings. Join us again for another adventure by boat and bike!

Discover more

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