Best of Both : EASY BIKE & BARGE, Amsterdam/Keukenhof and Bruges to Amsterdam

Start your trip in Amsterdam!

Today we start our pre-trip by gathering at a bus stop close to the Central Station, where we load your luggage and welcome you on board a minibus that will head for the Keukenhof right away. We handle the entrance fee, and you will have a few hours to explore this very special flower exhibition. It was once a kind of tradeshow, but nowadays it is the most visited tourist attraction in the Netherlands. Have a nice coffee and lunch at the restaurant, sort out the tourist shops and off we go again to Bruges. We expect to arrive in the afternoon and will drop you off at the bus park. It is up to you to handle the hotel booking. You can find options at www.booking.com.

Arriving at the IRIS, optional ride around 30 km/18 miles

Today, we welcome you on board. We will not sail today, so there is ample time to explore the city a bit more. You’re welcome at around 1 pm. We will try to get on our bikes quickly, so we can explore the North Sea coast, for those who like to do so. You can also continue exploring Bruges longer. No hurries, no worries, we will make the most of this day!

Bruges arrival, cycle and sail to Gand

Today we are on the move! Our destination: Genth or Gand. A vibrant town, due to the presence of a University. A city with a great history and a mesmerising charm.

To get there, we will be cycling on a part of a former railway, a rails to trails you could say, and we will cycle through the woods to enjoy our lunch there. We hope to arrive in Genth early enough to look around a bit, before we leave and find the ship docked outside of the city.

Gand to Dendermonde 25 miles/40 k

In the morning, we may take more time to explore the city, and maybe shop a bit. A town walk will be offered for those interested in the cultural highlights. At the top of that list is the painting “the adoration of the Lamb of God” by the Van Eyck brothers in the Cathedral. In the afternoon, we will follow the Schelde River to Dendermonde for about 25 miles. Belgium is one of the most famous beer-producing countries, so this evening, we will organise a Belgian beer tasting on board.

Dendermonde to Antwerp 32 or 20 miles/51 or 32 k

The distance today can be adjusted to your wish: either you can do all the 32 miles, but a pickup or drop off is possible, making the day more like 20 miles. The goal for the day is Antwerp, the city of Diamonds. Antwerp was home to the famous Painter Peter Paul Rubens, and many of his paintings are still in the city to be admired. Antwerp’s Golden age was the 16th century when its trade blossomed, becoming the sugar capital of Europe. Many of the centre buildings still originate from that time, and while walking the streets, you can feel as if you were 500 years ago.  At the end of the afternoon, the bike guide will walk you into town to show you the beautiful city centre. We will also show you nice restaurants because there will not be dinner on the barge this evening. Tonight, you can enjoy the cuisine of the local restaurants.   

Antwerp to Dordrecht, arriving in the Netherlands. Cycling from Tholen to Willemstad 45 km/27 miles

Our ship will leave Antwerp really early this morning, and we sail and pass the border with the Netherlands.

Tholen was an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams, known as the Rhine Delta on the North Sea, where many fishermen lived. Today, Tholen is connected to the mainland, but it retains its picturesque charm and boasts many fishing and boating relics of its colourful past. We start our cycling from here and cross the bridge to the mainland. After a lovely, quiet ride along the Volkerak Lock, we will end in the beautiful fortified city of Willemstad. This star-shaped fortification is still very visible. Willemstad was named after King William of Orange. We will have some time to stroll around before we go on board again for a sail to Dordrecht. The IRIS will now sail on the busiest part of the waterways, where ships come and go to their destinations in Antwerp and Rotterdam. We are now on tidal waters.

Dordrecht is a historic town; its location at the rivers gave it a perfect position for trading. Many harbours in the city have names related to the tradesmen who had their storage there, like the Wolwevershaven (wool weavers). Also, Dordrecht had an essential role in 1680, when religious leaders from protestant churches visited the Synode of Dordrecht. This conference prevented a civil war and was “won” by the more conventional protestants against further reformation. Also, the Staten Bible originates from this convention.

Dordrecht-Kinderdijk-Gouda-Leiden 60 km

We start the day sailing in the direction of Kinderdijk. Enjoy the most busiest crosspoint of waterways, we are close to the harbour of Rotterdam here! We will give you a head start for the visit of the Kinderdijk mills, a world famous Unesco Heritage Site. Very well visited by tourists from all over the world. We will cycle through this area, to places where there are not that many visitors any longer, and continue to Gouda.

There is a lot on our plate today, we will have a short stop to taste the famous Gouda cheese and/or the stroopwafel! Stop for the night in Leiden.

Leiden - Haarlem

We are now pretty close to the Dutch beaches, so weather depending, we might go and have our lunch at, for instance, the beach of Bloemendaal aan Zee. Through the National Park Zuid Kennemerland, with its dunes and cycle paths.

After this great visit, we have a nice ride to Haarlem. In this charming, bustling little town, the IRIS will be waiting for you. After dinner, we might go for a beer at the Joppen Church, or for a city walk. Haarlem is a little mini Amsterdam, with the river Spaarne floating through it, and the city square and church without too many tourists. We are sure you will like it.

Haarlem to Amsterdam, option to cycle to Zaanse Schans and Amsterdam

On this last day of riding, you will have a few options to choose between.

In case you would like to spend more time in Amsterdam, you can stay on board and arrive in Amsterdam at around 1 pm. But, there is also the option to cycle to the Zaanse Schans, an open air museum with a little village, a wood sawing mill, tourist shops etc. From there it is safe to cycle into Amsterdam on cycle paths, and arrive at the IRIS on bike, at the end of the day.

Tonight, there is a farewell dinner on board.

Amsterdam, day of departure

All good things come to an end and loaded with all these impressions; it is now time to say goodbye to the group, guides, and crew. Your breakfast is ready at 8 a.m., and we have to say goodbye before 9 a.m.  Luggage can be left but needs to be collected before 11.30 a.m.