Bike and Boat tour - in the charming south of the Netherlands, on MS Normandie
Here's your chance to experience the Netherlands in a unique way. This bike cruise takes you through the green heart of Holland. The province of "Zuid-Holland" (South Holland) is known for its great variety. The tour is an 8-day bike cruise with excellent bike paths and a branched network of waterways guaranteeing an unforgettable holiday. It is a short distance from the big cities to unspoilt nature, and the many waterways offer countless opportunities to discover the beautiful landscapes and cultural highlights the province has to offer. You will discover the diverse cities of Utrecht, Dordrecht and of course Rotterdam. In addition, you will visit the impressive inland lakes Westeinerplassen and Braassemermeer. You will pass the UNESCO experience Kinderdijk with its world famous windmills. And not least the home of the royal "Delft blue" porcelain.
Highlights of the trip
- The sight of the windmills in UNESCO Kinderdijk
- The Biesbosch National Park
- Utrecht with its beautiful cathedral and picturesque canals
- Cycling through low-lying "polder" areas
- The impressive port city of Rotterdam
More about the route
The cycling terrain is flat with good cycle paths and markings. During the day you cycle individually through the beautiful scenery of the land of Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and in the late afternoon your riverboat - MS NORMANDIE, is waiting for you like a "floating" hotel. The daily stages range from about 40 km to about 55 km, and if you feel like skipping a cycling stage, you simply stay on board the boat and enjoy the passing scenery.
Great things about this tour
MS Normandie
This mid-range riverboat was modernised in 2011 and the cabins renovated in 2020. The boat has a friendly atmosphere and can accommodate 100 guests in 51 cabins.
49 double cabins of approximately 11 m2 and 2 single cabins of approximately 7 m2. All cabins have a private bath/toilet, a TV, safe, hairdryers and air conditioning. The cabins are distributed on the main deck and upper deck. Both decks are above the waterline and all cabins are exterior with their own large window.
On the upper deck the windows can be opened and there is adjustable air conditioning. On the main deck the windows cannot be opened but there is adjustable air conditioning.
All cabins have single beds.
You will find the cosy panoramic lounge with bar on the upper deck and the restaurant is on the main deck.
There is a sundeck on the boat - a perfect place to relax after a completed bike ride.
Technical information on MS Normandie
Length: 91.2 metres
Beam: 10.5 metres
Depth below waterline: 1.6 metres
Itinerary See all daysClose all days
It is possible to board the MS Normandie from 16.00. Rotterdam is a city with many facets. It is a very important port city, a popular city in artistic circles, and it is an architecturally very interesting city. Moreover, it is a city with rich shopping opportunities.
Today's cycle stage follows the waterfront via Krimpen aan den IJssel to Kinderdijk, where you'll find the most famous group of windmills in the Netherlands. The 19 well-preserved windmills date back to the 18th century and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You cycle on through the "polder" area of Albwasserwaard. "Polder" is the Dutch term for an area of low-lying land reclaimed from the sea and protected by dikes - something that characterises large areas of the Netherlands. You reach Dordrecht, considered to be Holland's oldest city. With around 1000 historic buildings housing everything from restaurants, museums and theatres, the city's rich history and atmospheric harbour area will enchant you.
This day features the beautiful Biesbosch National Park, which you reach after a short ferry ride. Here, several rivers come together to form a huge freshwater delta of no less than 8,000 hectares. Before continuing your bike ride, enjoy a wonderful boat trip in the area. From here, the tour continues through the Rhine delta area and crosses over to Gorinchem by water taxi. This is a small but very charming town, with a picturesque old town that is certainly worth a visit.
Today, a really interesting and varied tour awaits you. From Gorinchem you cycle via Leerdam - famous for Leerdammer cheese - to the fortified town of Vianen. Here, a short break in one of the many street cafés is a good idea. Take the ferry to cross the river Lek and continue cycling to the lock town of Vreeswijk and its narrow streets. From here, cycle to the small town of Nieuwegein - perhaps take a short detour to the defensive Fort Jutphaas, hidden in a green oasis in Nieuwegein - before cycling to today's destination, Utrecht. The province of Utrecht is considered the heart of the Netherlands. The city was built around the cathedral, which majestically marks the centre. So it's almost impossible to get lost in this car-free city with its picturesque canals.
This morning, make sure you take time to explore the beautiful city of Utrecht before getting back on your bikes. Today's stage takes you through beautiful polder countryside to Oudewater, a historically important border town that leads you back from the province of Utrecht to Zuid-Holland. Here you'll find the house of the famous witches' scales (none of the so-called witches weighed here turned out to be too light, so none of them were condemned). You cycle on to Schoonhoven, famous for its silver museum and its old characteristic Dutch town.
*Since the ship is dependent on shore space, on one-way trips it may be Vianen instead of Shoonhoven. This means that this day will be a bike stage from Utrecht to Vianen instead (approx. 45-55 km)
From Schoonhoven you can cycle to the town of Gouda, famous for its cheese. In good weather, you can take a detour to the Reeuwijkse Plassen lake for a refreshing dip. Today's destination is Rotterdam.
Tip: Here you should experience the city from an educational harbour cruise.
*Since the ship is dependent on shore space, on one-way trips there may be Vianen instead of Shoonhoven. This means that this day will instead be cycling from Vianen via Gouda to Rotterdam (approx. 55-60 km)
There are two options for today's bike ride: the first takes you to Delft where you can visit the famous porcelain factory. The second takes you directly to the seat of government, The Hague, and to the North Sea resort of Scheveningen and back.
If you are not up for cycling back, it is possible to take the train back to Rotterdam (Train ticket not included. Remember that a bicycle ticket must be purchased, approximately €16 per person with bicycle. Please note that bicycles are not allowed on the train during rush hours between 16:30 and 18:00).
If you want to experience Rotterdam without a bike, there are endless possibilities to design your very own day.
After breakfast (no later than 9.00) you will disembark, and from here you can continue your journey, or head home on your own.
Price includes
- 7 nights in outside cabins with private bathroom in the reserved category
- Programme according to itinerary from/to Rotterdam
- Full board: 7 x breakfast buffet, 6 x lunch/packed lunch, 6 x afternoon coffee or tea, 7x 3-course dinner
- Welcome drink
- Daily cleaning of cabins
- Bed linen and towels
- All port, lock, bridge and passenger fees
- Daily information meeting on the day's cycle stage
- Information pack with itineraries in English (one per cabin)
- English-speaking guide on board
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from Rotterdam
- Handling fee (€20)
Practical info
All accommodation on this trip is in the booked cabin category on board MS Normandie
It is possible to travel alone and stay in a single room on this voyage. If you wish this, it can be selected on the booking form.
All departures require a minimum of 50 guests to depart. Departures will be cancelled at least 21 days before departure if there are not enough seats sold. It is therefore important that you wait to arrange transport to the destination until you have received final confirmation of the trip from us.
Please be aware that a cruise ship in the Netherlands is not only your hotel, but also a machine that occasionally works with engine power at night. Especially when passing locks and bridges - and preparing for the journey - noise may occur. If you are sensitive, please bring your own earplugs.
This tour takes place from Saturday to Saturday.
Prices vary throughout the season, check the exact price by finding your desired start date.
On all our cycling holidays it is possible bring your own bike but it also possible to rent a bike for the tour. The bikes you can rent are all perfectly suited for the tour and the local terrain and all bikes are perfectly maintained. If you want to rent a bike on your holiday, then you select this on the booking form where you can also see the price. Remember to write your height in the message field when you book so that we know which size bike you need.
PHOTOS OF THE BIKES ARE BELOW THIS TEXT
On this tour it is possible to rent the following bikes:
- Unisex 7-gear bike – with back pedal breaks
- Unisex ebike – with backpedal breaks
Equipment included in the bike rental:
- Saddle bag (water repellent)
- Handlebar bag (water repellent)
- Service-set with tools and extra bicycle tube
- Combination lock
Roadside assistance
All bikes are equipped with puncture resistant tyres which means that it is virtually impossible to puncture. No rule without exceptions, so should you experience a punctured tyre then you can quickly fix it by using the tools in the service-set. If the damage is greater than a simply puncture then you simply call us and we make sure that your bike is fixed or you will be supplied with a new bike as quickly as possible.
Insurance is included
Insurance against theft and damages are included in the bike rental. Should you have any problems of this nature then all you have to do is to let us know and we will supply a new bike as quickly as possible. Naturally, careless or mischievous behavior is exempt from this.
Unisex 7-gear bike – with back pedal breaks
Unisex ebike – with backpedal breaks
Due to the limited storage space on the sundeck, it is only possible to bring your own bike on request and only limited space is available.
It is also important to be aware that your bikes will be packed tightly with the rental bikes during sailing, with no possibility of extraordinary gentle handling.
This tour has difficulty grade 1.
Grade 1
Suitable for cyclists who enjoy shorter distances in flat or gently rolling terrain. Ideal if you just want to explore the area by bicycle at a leisurely pace. On most itineraries it will be possible to shorten the trip distance, or skip a cycling day.
Read more about our Grading System
It is not compulsory to wear a helmet in the Netherlands, but at Bering Travel we ALWAYS recommend that you wear a helmet and that you bring your own - so you know it fits.
The flights to/from Rotterdam are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 48 hours)
- You arrange your transportation
Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio
Arrival by car
If you come by car, it is possible to drive directly to the quay where your riverboat docks. Here you give the car keys to a parking attendant, who drives the car into the car park and delivers it back to you at the quay at the end of your trip. The price is approximately 190€ for a week (subject to availability - final price available on booking the parking spot online. This service must be booked in advance, and you will recieve the link (in the practical informations) to do the booking your self, upon confirmation of the tour from us.
On this trip, you'll stay on the boat for the entire trip in your chosen cabin. There are two options for cabins:
- Cabin on the main deck
- Cabin on upper deck
All cabins have single beds, bath/toilet, ventilation system and a window that can be opened.
All meals are included in the price of the trip. This means:
- 7x Breakfast
- 6x lunch packed lunch
- 6x Afternoon coffee or tea
- 7x Evening meals (3-course menus)
Special meal requests, e.g. dietary or vegetarian food can be accommodated by arrangement.
All drinks must be paid for on board.
- For a stress-free start to your trip, it is recommended to arrive at the starting point early in the evening of the day before. The individual return journey will take place on the last day of the trip.
- The indicated cycling distance is an approximation and may differ from the actual distance.
- This journey is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
- Further important information about your trip by bike and boat:
- There is always a possibility of changes in the schedule and programme. In the event of extremely high or low water levels, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of the route with a bus or to cancel the trip at short notice without liability (water level is force majeure). The same applies in the case of officially arranged lock and/or bridge repairs not previously announced or in the case of engine damage not caused by the fault of the ship.
- Also be aware that your riverboat is both your "holiday hotel" and a working machine, constantly moving with engine power, even at night (sometimes with lock and bridge passengers and consequent ejection and retraction of structures). Particularly noise-sensitive guests are advised to bring earplugs. Lock passages are particularly associated with noise nuisance - it is the same on all boat trips - and unfortunately cannot be changed!
- Please note that storage space in the cabin is very limited. In your luggage you should pack good rainwear (jacket and trousers), a helmet, sun hat and sun cream and sports shoes.
Tips are not included in the price.
It is customary to tip the crew of the riverboat at the end of the trip. The level is about 7-10€ from each participant. per day. On a trip like this of 7 days duration, about 50-70€ per person would be appropriate - depending on your experience.
There will typically be an envelope in the cabin for this purpose, or information will be provided to this effect at the end of the trip.
Travel Insurance In general we recommend that you are covered by a good travel insurance covering at least Medical Expenses, Illness, Personal Accident, Baggage and Repatriation. The customer is responsible to take the necessary travel insurance that covers these costs. Bering Travel, or our local partners, do not have any responsibility for our customers not being covered by a necessary travel insurance. You have to arrange your insurance in your home country.
It can be hard to plan your trip according to the weather, but to give an idea of the local climate, you can see the data below:
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. This covers you regardless of your nationality. Read more about that here.
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Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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