Tulip Tour - Bruges to Amsterdam

Netherlands, Belgium Bike + Boat Tour

Experience bustling Flemish cities and breathtaking Dutch landscapes

Aboard the Merlijn.....

This incredible tour takes you through the historical Flemish cities of Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges while riding through the very beautiful landscapes of the Netherlands. The tour starts in Bruges, a picturesque town that is one of the most beautiful of all Flemish historical cities. After Bruges, you will sail through the Flemish countryside to Ghent. While in Ghent, a visit to St. Baafs Cathedral is a must. It is home to the world famous painting Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by artist Jan van Eyck; it is considered one of the most important works from the early Northern Renaissance. From Ghent, the tour follows the breathtaking river Nederschelde to Antwerp, hometown of the painter Peter Paul Rubens. Rubens House, once the home and studio of this talented man, is now a quaint museum full of his works. From there, Netherlands is the destination. After taking a break in Willemstad, a visit to the historical center of Dordrecht and the windmills of Kinderdijk is on the agenda. You will even get to visit Gouda, famous for its cheeses and candles, and  the wonderful flower exhibition of Keukenhof. Finally, you will arrive in Amsterdam, biking from Haarlem. In Amsterdam, you can enjoy a ride through the canals and explore the Rijks or Van Gogh-museum.

Where You’ll Stay

You will be on board the lovely Merlijn, a comfort plus vessel, or the Anna Cornelia.

What’s Included

• 7 nights accommodations on board
• Breakfasts, lunches & dinners (except dinner in Antwerp)
• Daily cleaning of the rooms
• All bedding, towels, facial tissues, soap, etc.
• Unlimited coffee, tea, and hot chocolate during the cruise and ice water through out the meals
• Tour guide
• Entrance fee to the Keukenhof
• City tours in Ghent, Antwerp, Dordrecht, Leiden, Haarlem, and Amsterdam
• Harbor fees

What’s Not Included

• One dinner
• Drinks other than mentioned
• Entrance fees other than mentioned in the tour description
• Outward and inward journey

Tour Dates

• Merlijn
• May 5-12, 2012Tour is fully booked. Please see our other Tulip tour aboard the Merlijn

Skill Level

Easy guided bike and boat tour on a mainly flat terrain.

Tour Boats

• Merlijn

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Bruges - Ghent
2. Ghent - Baasrode, 25 miles (40 km)
3. Baasrode - Antwerp, 15/35 miles (25 - 55 km)
4. Antwerp - Tholen - Willemstad - Dordrecht, 16 miles (25 km)
5. Dordrecht - Gouda - Leiden, 22 miles (35 km)
6. Leiden - Keukenhof - Haarlem, 18 miles(30 km)
7. Haarlem - Amsterdam, 18 miles (30 km)
8. Departure

*All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.

*Below itinerary is for the Merlijn
SATURDAY: Bruges - Ghent

The Merlijn,  your sailing hotel, will be moored  in the historical center of Bruges. Bruges, also called the Venice of the North, is probably the most beautiful of all Flemish cities. Its old center, dating back to the Middle Ages, is almost completely intact. At one point, Bruges was a buzzing metropolis; a center for trade and art, which can still be enjoyed today. It is a perfect place to go browse and shop.  Please be sure your arrival time in Bruges allows you enough time to explore this charming city! The Merlijn will be ready to sett off in the early evening. Luggage can be stored on board beforehand.

Embarkation will begin at 4pm. Passengers will enjoy a welcome drink as the crew presents information about the ship, the tours and the bicycles. The Merlijn will set sail at 5pm to Ghent. During the cruise, a delicious dinner will be served.  Arrival time in Ghent is approx. 10pm.

SUNDAY: Ghent - Baasrode; 25 miles (40 km)
In the morning, you will have time to visit Ghent. It is a lively university city with a rich past, as it has origins in Roman Times. It is  located where the rivers Leie and Schelde converge. This position on the rivers brought Ghent great prosperity in the past, which peaked in the late 13th, early 14th century. The textile industry also brought wealth to this city. In the center, there are many old preserved patrician houses along with the Clothmakers' Hall (1425) where textile merchants used to meet. The major church, St. Baafs' Cathedral, is built in various styles and ages; here you can admire a number of medieval painting masterpieces, the most famous being the 'Adoration of the Lamb' by Jan van Eyck. After enjoying lunch in Ghent, the bike tour to Baasrode will start.

The tour follows the Zeeschelde River downstream to the destination Baasrode, a small village on the Schelde River.

MONDAY: Baasrode - Antwerp; 15/35 miles (25/55 km)
Today, the bike tour follows the river Schelde further downstream via Temse to Rupelmonde. There is a beautiful bike path along the river and the landscape around the Schelde is magnificent. From Rupelmonde cyclists will motor on board to Antwerp. Antwerp is not only known as the diamond city, but also the birthplace of the famous painter Peter Paul Rubens. In Rubens House, once his workshop and home, you can admire his beautiful work. In the center of the city there is the magnificent Cathedral of Our Lady as well as beautiful town houses situated all around the Market Square. The Merlijn will be moored in the Willemdok, not far from the city. Tonight you will enjoy your dinner in one of the many local restaurants of Antwerp.

 TUESDAY: Antwerp - Tholen - Willemstad - Dordrecht; 15 miles (25 km)
Today, you will have more time to explore Antwerp. You can visit Ruben's House, the diamond factory, or go shopping in the lively center. The bike tour starts in Tholen, across the river Oosterschelde. The dam Oesterdam connects Tholen with Zeeland waterways. Tholan was once an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams where many people fished for a living. Nowadays, Tholan is connected to the mainland in various ways, but it is still a picturesque village with many relics of its rich history. From Willemstad, the Merlijn will cruise to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns of Holland. After dinner, there will be time to explore  this historic city.

WEDNESDAY: Dordrecht - Gouda - Leiden; 22 miles (35 km)
In the morning, there will be a walking tour through the charming old city of Dordrecht. Later, you will arrive in Kinderdijk where there is an impressive row of large windmills built to drain the Alblasserwaard.  The bike tour to Gouda starts here as well. Gouda, known as the city of cheese and candles, is an interesting place and home to the oldest Gothic city hall in the Netherlands. Before the start of the trip to Leiden, there will be time to travel throughout this historic city.

The cruise goes right through the Green Heart of Holland. Leaving Gouda, you will pass Boskoop, famous for its horticulture nurseries, particularly the woody plant and perennial nurseries, of which approximately 774 are situated along stretches of land divided by narrow canals. Passing small cities and villages such as Alphen aan den Rijn, your destination is Leiden. Leiden’s rich history is still very much alive. It is the birthplace of the famous painter Rembrant and it is where he developed his painting skills. Leiden owes its lively atmosphere to the first Univeristy in Holland (1575), which has developed into a world-famous center of science. The students contribute a lot to this thriving city.

After dinner, there will be time to explore this city.

THURSDAY: Leiden - Keukenhof - Haarlem; 18 miles (30 km)
After breakfast, the Merlijn will sail to Lisse, which is near the Flower Exhibition in Keukenhof. Here you can admire all the beautiful tulips and other flowers that are cultivated in Holland. On the way to the city of Haarlem, you will pass flower fields and awe-inspiring Dutch scenery. After dinner, take a stroll through the historic city of Haarlem and end your trip drinking the famous local "Jopen" beer in one of the many bars.

FRIDAY: Haarlem - Amsterdam; 18 miles (30 km)
In the morning, a little before the bike tour starts, there will be time to explore the charming city of Haarlem. You may want to visit the Frans Hals Museum or the St. Bavo Church where Mozart once played the organ. There are many things to see in Haarlem, as it is one of the oldest cities in Holland dating back to the 10th century. The tour ends in the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam. Here you will have time to explore the city. You might want to ride through the canals and later visit the Rijks Museum or the Van Gogh Museum. 
After a farewell dinner, enjoy a stroll through the beautifully illuminated and lively city of Amsterdam.

SATURDAY: Amsterdam
Breakfast, check out and departure.

*Below itinerary is for the Anna Cornelia
Saturday: Amsterdam - Ghent
Transfer from Amsterdam (airport) to Ghent. You will check in aboard the Anna Cornelia and prepare for embarkation. In the evening there will be a short guided walk or bicycle tour through the beautiful center of Ghent.

Sunday: Bruges - Dendermonde
In the morning, you will take the train to Bruges. You will experience the many historic monuments of Bruges by horse-drawn carriage and a guided walking tour. Feel free to explore the city till the afternoon, when you will take the train to Dendermonde.
In the evening, the tour guide will lead a walk through the town's center.

Monday: Dendermonde - Antwerp 31 miles (50 km)
The barge will sail to Antwerp, where cyclists will hit the road and enjoy the flat Flemish countryside. Once in Antwerp, another walking tour will be available to those interested in seeing more of this beautiful city.
The rest of the afternoon and evening are free, giving you plenty of time in the lively city of Antwerp.

Tuesday: Antwerp - Willemstad
The morning will be spent in Antwerp, before sailing to the town of Willemstad. Willemstad is a beautiful walled city right across the impressive waterways of Zeeland. The barge will be moored here for the night.

Wednesday: Willemstad - Gouda 25 miles  (40 km)
At Moerdijk, cyclists will disembark and begin their journey to Gouda. This tour leads through the world famous windmills of Kinderdijk. You will even get to see inside one! After a fascinating visit to the windmills, you will head for Gouda: the city of cheese.
After dinner, there will be time to visit this impressive town.

Thursday: Willemstad - Haarlem 15 miles (25 km)
The barge will depart early for Oude Wetering. From there, you will pedal through the reclaimed land of the Haarlemmer Meer to stunning flower gardens of Keukenhof. After enjoying all the blooming tulips and daffodils, you will return to the barge.

Friday: Haarlem - Amsterdam 19 miles (30 km)
Cyclists depart for Amsterdam, following the river Amstel. After arrival, you will have time to explore Amsterdam.
In the evening, there will be a guided city walk and a boat ride through the famous city canals.

Saturday: 
Tour ends after breakfast.

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