- Details
- Itinerary
- Ship
- Photos
Venture along Europe’s picturesque waterways and bike paths on an unforgettable bike and barge trip from Amsterdam to Bruges. Discover the magic of varied landscapes as you pedal through historic towns, vibrant tulip fields and charming villages. At each stop, your comfortable barge will welcome you for moments of relaxation and conviviality. Explore cultural treasures such as famous windmills, winding canals and fascinating medieval architecture. A unique experience combining cycling, navigation and discovery!
1 to 2 / 5
What does the difficulty level mean ?
1 : Easy, flat terrain, requires little effort, between 20 and 50 km
2 : Quite easy, flat terrain and slight inclination, requires some effort, between 50 and 70 km
3 : Intermediate, many hills, between 70 and 100 km
4 : Advanced intermediate, mountainous, requires much effort, between 80 and 120 km
5 : Advanced, major difference in height, constant effort, between 90 and 130 km
This is an indication, the levels may vary depending on the different routes.
Includes:
- Trip flight from Montreal to Amsterdam
- 2 nights’ accommodation at the Sir Albert Hotel in Amsterdam
- 2 breakfasts at the hotel
- 7 nights’ accommodation on a superior category boat (Sailing Home) staterooms in double occupancy and comfort plus (daily room service and air conditioning)
- 7 breakfasts on the ship
- 6 self-made lunch boxes on the ship
- 7 3-service dinners on the ship
- Coffee and tea
- 2 towels and linen for the week
- Visit to the town of Gouda, including St. John’s Church
- Visit of Kinderdijk mills
- Visit to the Watersnoodmuseum (museum of the great flood – Delta Plan)
- Visit to the medieval cities of Ghent and Bruges
- Services of a local guide during your stay
- Services of Daniel Gervais Gendronbike group leader
- All transfers
- Taxes
Not included:
- Gratuities
- Meals other than those mentioned
- Bike rental with helmet, insurance included | Hybrid bike ($165) or electric bike ($320)
- Alcohol (must be paid cash on site)
- Baggage fees and seat selection with the airline
- Client’s contribution to the Compensation fund of $3,50 per $1,000
Introduction of Mandatory ETIAS Permit for Travels to Europe
Starting from January 1, 2024, every Canadian traveler planning to visit Europe will be required to possess an ETIAS permit. This is the European Travel Information and Authorization System, implemented by the European Union.
For more information about this permit, you can visit the official website at the following address: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en.
Please note that this permit costs 7 euros per person, and the process can take up to 30 days for approval.
It is also mandatory to have a passport that remains valid for at least 3 months after your departure date from Europe. Without this, entry at the European border will be denied.
Entry and exit requirements – COVID-19
Most governments have implemented special entry and exit restrictions and requirements for their territory due to COVID-19. Before travelling, it is your responsibility to verify if the local authorities of both your current location and destinations have implemented any restrictions or requirements related to this situation. Vaccination or health passports may be required in some cases. It is your responsibility to be aware of the specific entry, exit and transit restrictions and requirements for the country or territory you are visiting before you travel and before you book your trip. Voyages Gendron is not responsible if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements. For full details on health measures and entry and exit requirements for a destination, visit the official government website.
Itinerary:
Leaving in the evening.
Flight to Amsterdam.
Arrival at Amsterdam airport.
Transfer to your hotel.
Free time.
AM
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the houseboats.
2:00 pm: Boarding of the houseboats.
3:00 pm: Departure from the houseboats.
PM
Dinner and overnight stay on board the houseboats.
AM
Breakfast on the barge and preparation of your lunch box.
Bike ride | 45 km
Starting from Uithoorn, we will cycle towards Gouda through the Green Heart of Holland. When we think of Gouda, we not only think of cheese, pipes, syrup waffles, and pottery, but also of stained glass, the fairy-tale town hall, and the typical canals that run through the city. Gouda is a typically Dutch city with a warm atmosphere, and its center has remained practically intact. Lunch provided.
Evening: Dinner and overnight on board the barge.
AM
Breakfast on the barge and preparation of your lunch box.
Bike Ride | 40 km
Take the road that will lead you from Gouda to Kinderdijk. The windmills of Kinderdijk are one of the most famous tourist sites in the Netherlands. You will then continue your journey to Rotterdam to arrive (by boat) in Delft. Delft is a city renowned for its blue faience, Delfts Blauw. The Het Prinsenhof Museum is located in the former Sainte-Agatha monastery. In 1572, William of Orange chose this monastery as one of his residences. From this place, the prince led the Dutch insurgency against Spanish domination over the Netherlands. On July 10, 1584, he was assassinated on the stairs of the Prinsenhof by Balthazar Gerards, a Dutchman who had sided with the Spanish. Two bullet impacts in the staircase wall still testify to this event.
Dinner: Lunch box and visit to a pottery.
Evening: Dinner and overnight on board the barge.
AM
Breakfast on the barge and preparation of your lunch box.
Bike ride | 40 km
From Delft, we will pedal towards The Hague, through the Haagse Bosch forest, along the royal palace, Huis ten Bosch. You will ride on a quiet cycle path through the dunes, towards Wassenaarse slag. There are still traces of the Atlantic Wall at this location. The underground brick corridors, almost 1,000 meters long, still connect the five bunkers to each other. This wall was a defense line 2,685 kilometers long. Today, this network is used as a nature reserve for bats. Further in the dunes, you will find Katwijk aan Zee, a fishing village since forever. Katwijk also has its own dialect: Kattuks. Passing through the Oude Rijn (old Rhine), we will pedal to Leiden. Leiden has fourteen museums, including the Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde (museum of anthropology) with many precious exotic objects. The boat is moored next to the Zijlpoort gate, which used to be part of the city walls.
Dinner: lunch box and visit to Mesdag art gallery in The Hague.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay on board the barge.
AM
Breakfast on the barge and preparation of your lunch box.
Visit of the Keukenhof by public transport
Today, you will visit the Keukenhof, the most beautiful spring park in the world. The Keukenhof is where spring suddenly appears. An impressive and colorful collection of 7 million blooming tulips, in a beautiful setting of very beautiful traditional or modern gardens. The Keukenhof consists of different style gardens: English garden, historical garden, natural garden, Japanese natural garden, formal garden, and three colorful gardens. Throughout the park, 80 statues made by Dutch sculptors are scattered. Several other works of art, including the Surprising Tulips collection, are also exhibited there.
Dinner: Lunch box.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay on board the barge.
AM
Breakfast on the barge and preparation of the lunch box.
Bicycle tour | 37 km
From Leyde, you will pedal along beautiful bulb flower fields towards Haarlem. During the period from March to May, the bulb flower fields are in bloom: first the daffodils, then the hyacinths, tulips, and lilies. Then, we will take a short ride through the center of Haarlem to visit some hofjes, typical of the city (houses for elderly people built around a private courtyard). The city of Haarlem, which gave its name to the Haarlem neighborhood in New York, is lively, and it is pleasant to do some shopping in its warm atmosphere. Our boat is moored in the city center. So, you can leisurely walk to the beautiful market square where you will find terraces and from where you can enjoy a splendid view of the Saint Bavo Cathedral.
Dinner: Lunch box.
Evening: Dinner and overnight on board the barge.
AM
Breakfast on the barge and preparation of the lunchbox.
Bike ride | 40 km
You will navigate from Haarlem to Spaarnedam, a picturesque village near Haarlem, in the direction of Amsterdam. Spaarndam was named after the dike that was built in the river, Spaarne, to limit the dangers of a sea flood. On the IJdijk dike, you will find the statue of Hansje Brinker. Hansje was a character from an American book, who saved the country from a flood by plugging a hole in the dike with his finger. Starting from the Buitenhuizen bridge, you will cycle towards Zaanse Schans. The village of Zaanse Schans, with its traditional wooden houses, warehouses, and windmills, will make you feel like you have traveled back to the 17th or 18th century. It is not an open-air museum, but a lively neighborhood where people live and work. You can visit a cheese farm, a clog manufacturer, and an old bakery, among other things.
Dinner: Lunchbox.
Evening: Dinner and overnight stay on board the barge.
AM
Breakfast on board the barge.
Transfer to the Park Hotel in Amsterdam.
Free time
AM
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport, flight and return to Montreal.
Navire
Boat: Sailing Home
The “Sailing Home” has a dining room, a spacious lounge, a comfortable bar and a sun deck. The Sailing Home began sailing in 2001. The interior of the lounge and bar is decorated in a modern Victorian style and offers a lot of comfort.
Capacity : 26 persons
Length/width : 45 x 6,5 m
Electricity: 220 V
Wifi on board: Yes, available in limited quantities in the lounge and on the deck
Can the windows open? No
Air conditioning: Yes
Cabins:
Thirteen cabins with private shower, sink, toilet, central heating and air conditioning.
13 double cabins (beds can be placed closer together).
Hairdryers are available on board.
June 4 to 14, 2024
11 days | 9 nights | Flight | 22 meals
June 4 to 14, 2024
11 days | 9 nights | Flight | 22 meals