Discover Holland in a unique way on an 8-day tour by bike and boat. Good bike paths and a ramified network of waterways guarantee an unforgettable holiday. During the day you cycle individually through the beautiful scenery in the country of Rembrandt and Van Gogh and in the late afternoon your boat MS SIR WINSTON is awaiting you as your “floating” hotel. Would you prefer to not cycle every day? No problem, stay on board and enjoy the passing landscape.
Province southern Holland
Travel by bike and boat through Holland's green heart. Nearly no province is more diversified than southern Holland. Big cities and untouched nature are located next to each other. The numerous waterways offer countless possibilities to discover the beautiful landscapes and the cultural highlights of province “Zuid-Holland”. Get to know the diversified cities as Den Haag and Scheveningen and of course Rotterdam, also named “Manhatten by the Maas river”, precious inland lakes as the Westensteiner Plassen Brassemeer, not to forget the “Porcelain stronghold” Delft with its “Delft blue”.
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
Note:
Reservation fee of CHF 15 per adult (incl. legally required customer money protection)
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.
Information
Arrival/Departure:
For example "Parkeergarage de Boompjes" Rotterdam: Parking garage not far from the ship's pier (approx. 10 minutes walk), approx. € 25 per 24 hours or valet parking in a guarded car park in Rotterdam (holiday extras).
On the day of arrival your car will be picked up at the pier and brought back to the ship on the day of departure (the registration takes place online via registration link). Costs from approx. € (€170,-/week (rate according to occupancy).
Number of participants:
Minimum of 40 people
Other important information:
If a minimum number of participants is necessary for the trip to take place, this is defined under “Arrival dates”. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the tour by the time specified under the heading “Arrival dates” before the planned travel date. We recommend organising your arrival and departure only after this deadline has passed.
The distance travelled is approximate and may differ from the actual distance.
Travel cancellation insurance, including travel interruption insurance is recommended.
Accommodation
MS Normandie
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.
On joining this vessel you are immediately aware of the cosy and informal ambience on board. On the upper deck you will find the comfy panorama salon with its bar, on the main deck the comfortable restaurant (no direct access from the cabin-zone).
On deck there are both deck chairs and ordinary chairs and tables, which encourage conversation and communal activity in fresh air.
MS NORMANDIE possesses altogether two 1-bed-cabins and forty-nine 2-bed-cabins. They are all outside cabins, giving some 10-11 square metres of space (2-bed) and about 7 qm (1-bed). All 2-bed-cabins are equipped with two lower beds, one of which can be folded against the wall during the day to provide a more homely atmosphere, shower and WC, hairdryer, TV, safe,central air-conditioning and a picture window. Only on the upper deck the windows may be opened. 1-bed cabins have one lower bed and are otherwise equipped with same features.
Petits déjeuners très répétitifs et confiture industriel, tous les jours des pommes de terre. Pas de vins Français.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Roland Zbinden |11.10.2016
Sud de la Hollande
J'ai beaucoup apprécié ce voyage, l'accueil, la serviabilité à bord, les repas, l'hébergement en cabine.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Lydia Graf-Dietrich |04.10.2016
Organisiert und gleichfalls individuell
Nachdem wir (mein Mann und Ich) viele Jahre unsere Radtouren selber organisierten, haben wir den Komfort einer organisierten Reise genossen. Die Route war klar, Info-Material, dazu täglich persönliche Informationen - wir konnten ganz unbeschwert uns aufs Velo setzen und losfahren - geniessen. Das Beste: unser Zimmer reiste mit, und damit kein Zusammenpacken jeden Tag.Wir haben es genossen, uns nicht selber um das Essen kümmern zu müssen, sondern uns einfach zu Tisch setzen zu können.Wenn uns danach war, konnte wir mit den anderen Gästen Kontakt haben. Daneben blieb genügend Zeit für Individuelles.Die Reise im Mai (Nord-Holland) hat uns so gut gefallen, dass wir gleich nochmals für 1 Woche nach Holland reisten.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Geurit Elmer |20.09.2016
Wasser und Stätte in SüdHolland
Bis jetzt waren wir immer individuel mit dem Rad unterwegs. Diese organisierte Reise hat uns sehr gut gefallen, die Bordcrew war super, vom Zimmermädchen, Koch bis zum Capitän. Sir Winston ist ein gutes zweckmässiges Schiff. Die Tour war sehr abwechselnd und interessant. Kompliment. Wir hatten unsere eigene Fahrräder, die Leihräder machten einen guten Eindruck.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4 stars
Hans Jörg Furrer |16.06.2016
Rad & Schiff MS Normandie
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4 stars
E. S. |22.07.2015
Südholland Rad und Schiff
Schöne Landschaft und tolle Reise mit Schiff, sehr nette Besatzung und gutes Essen.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4 stars
Aline Beaud |04.05.2015
Entdeckungsreise
Eine super Reise durch Südholland. Die Stimmung auf dem Boot ist sehr gut, die Strecken mit dem Velo sind sehr schön. Man entdeckt viele neuen Aspekten von Niederlande, schöne Landschaften und Natur.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Angela Achermann |30.09.2014
tolle Woche
wir waren sehr begeistert von der excellenten küche an bord der ms normandie! die kabinen waren zweckmässig, genügend stauraum, bequeme betten. sehr freundliches, herzliches personal, stets um uns bemüht! herzlichen dank