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Between April and mid-May we offer special tulip tours, centered on the Tulip theme and you visit of course the Keukenhof.

On this bike and barge tour we cycle through the green heart of Holland, with its meadows, ditches and farms. The route leads through vast fields of tulips between Leiden and Haarlem,  where you can visit the world-famous, 32-hectares flower garden The  Keukenhof .   Over 7 million bulbs, with a total of 800 varieties of tulips,  bloom here,  it is a  unique, unforgettable experience!

The tulip bulb, originally from Turkey, reached the Netherlands at the end of the 16th century. The flower and bulb were thought to be so special that a lively trade arose quite quickly. In 1634 there was one single bulb that was so expensive, a whole canal house in Amsterdam could be bought with its worth.

Apart from the beautiful flowers we also visit the famous cheese city of Gouda,  the 19 windmills of Kinderdijk (World Heritage List), the international port of Rotterdam and the Residence in The Hague.

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A downloadable version of the itinery is available from the Dossiers Tab

Itineraries

Day 1 (Thursday)

Arrival Amsterdam, embarkation between 12.30pm – 1.30pm sailing to Oude Wetering, cycling around Oude Wetering, 10 km

The barge is moored at the Oosterdok in central Amsterdam, near the train station. After arrival on board, you can settle in and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acuinted with the tour leader, skipper and crew and of course your fellow passengers.

You will first cruise through Amsterdam before reaching the wetlands south of the city and the mooring place of today, the village of Oude Wetering.

During dinner aboard the ship, the program for the next day and the global planning of the week are discussed. After dinner the tour leader will escort you on the first kilometers on your bike during a short ride around the village.

Day 2 (Friday)

Oude Wetering – Gouda 45 km

From Oude Wetering we start our tour through country roads, along river banks and channels through the Green Heart to the city known for its cheese: Gouda.  Gouda, is not only famous for its cheese, pipes, ‘stroopwafels’ (treacle-waffle) and pottery, but also for beautiful stained glass windows, a fairy-like town hall and atmospheric canals. It is a beautiful Old Dutch city with a mostly intact city centre. As on most days, after dinner you can take a walk through the city.

Day 3 (Saturday)

Gouda to Delft - 40 km

From Gouda we cycle past scenic polders via Kinderdijk to Rotterdam. Kinderdijk has the largest group of windmills in the Netherlands and were still actively used until 1950.  After visiting the windmills  we take a ferry to Rotterdam where we embark and from there our boat takes us to Delft. Delft, is famous for its pottery, the ‘Delft blue’. You can visit the Prinsenhof Museum which is housed in the former St Agatha’s monastery. In 1572 William of Orange chose the convent as one of his residences and it was from here that he led the revolt against the Spanish tyranny of Holland. He was murdered on the steps of the Prinsenhof on July 10, 1584, by Balthazar Gerards, a Spanish sympathiser. Two bullet holes in the wall of the stairs still bear witness to this event.

Day 4 (Sunday)

Delft - Leiden - 36 km / 48 km

From Delft we cycle towards The Hague, through the large park of ‘het Haagse Bosch’ and past the former Royal Palace ‘Huis ten Bosch’. The longer route heads along tranquil cycle paths through the dunes  to Wassenaarse Slag,  where we can see the remains of the Atlantikwall.  The route continues through the dunes, to the old fishing village of Katwijk aan Zee where the older inhabitants still speak their own dialect, ‘Kattuks’. Following the course of the Oude Rijn (Old Rhine) river we cycle to Leiden which boasts 14 museums, including the Rijksmuseum. The ship is moored near the Zijlpoort, a gate that once formed part of the city walls. The shorter route heads inland after ‘Huis den Bosch’ and brings us along ‘Vlietlanden’ a 130 ha big recreational lake to Leiden.

Day 5 (Monday)

Leiden - visit to Keukenhof Gardens by public transport

Today you visit the Keukenhof gardens, the most beautiful spring park in the world. It is an overwhelming blaze of colours,  seven million flowering tulips, in a magnificent 80-acres’ of traditional and modern gardening architecture.. In the Keukenhof various gardens and gardening styles can be found: the English Landscape Garden, the Historical Garden, the Natural Garden, the Japanese Natural Garden, the Formal Garden and three special colours gardens. Spread throughout the entire park there are approximately eighty sculptures from well-known Dutch artists as well as also several other art objects, such as the collection ‘Surprising Tulips‘.

Day 6

Leiden - Harlem - 40 km

From Leiden we cycle through wonderful flower beds towards Haarlem.  From March to May the bulb fields are blooming, starting with daffodils and followed by hyacinths, tulips and lilies. Once in the city of Haarlem we take a short tour through the city to see some typical  ‘hofjes’ (almshouses), old houses around a central courtyard, now usually housing elderly people.. Haarlem, which rendered its name to Harlem, New York, is a lively city with good shopping possibilities. The barge is berthed in the city centre, with a view of St Bavo’s Church and with easy access to the Grote Markt with its many outdoor cafés. 

Day 7 (Wednesday)

Harlem –Amsterdam 40 km

From Haarlem we sail to the nearby village of  Spaarndam, whose name comes from the dam built in the Spaarne River to limit the danger of flooding from the sea.  The statue of Hansje Brinker on the IJdijk is here.  Hansje is a character from an American novel,  who was said to have  saved the country from flooding by putting his finger in the dike. The Buitenhuizen ferry takes us across the North Sea Canal and from there we cycle to the Zaanse Schans. The Zaanse Schans, with its traditional weatherboard houses, warehouses and windmills may give you the feeling of stepping back into the 17th or 18th century.Yet this is no open air museum, but a lively neighborhood where people live and work. Among other things a cheese farm, a clog maker and an old bakery can be visited here.  The tour finishes back in Amsterdam.

Day 8

Amsterdam, end of the tour after breakfast. (Disembarkation before 10am)

  • 7 nights accommodation on board (incl. bedding, towels, soap)
  • Breakfast and dinner on board
  • incl. coffee & tea on board
  • Picnic lunch packages
  • Tour guide who cycles with the group
  • Minimum of 3 city walks with tour guide
  • Wi-Fi (limited availability in boat lounge/deck)
  • Road book (1 per cabin)
  • Entrance to Keukenhof and Flower Auction, including publick transport
  • Ferry fares en route
  • Travel documents and cycling app incl. GPS tracks

Not included:
€140 bike rental, incl. bike insurance
€255 e-bike rental, incl. bike insurance
approx. €25 entrance fees to muesums
Personal insurance
Travel from/to Amsterdam

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We did enjoy our Tulip Guided Cycling Tour last April.  My wife hasn’t stopped telling everyone how wonderful it was.  A couple of observations on our particular tour...Overall a great tour and we have recommended it.
Edward & Marlene Hayek

We enjoyed the tour very much and highly recommend it to others. I have no complaints about anything! The staff were friendly, helpful and fun. The barge is remodelled with a dining area, bar area and lounge...very cosy. The cabins were small but comfortable. The meals were delicious and interesting, & we always had snacks, coffee and tea available. Our guide, Peter, was informative and the routes he took us on were scenic, the whole trip was very organized.
We had new bikes with locks and saddle bags to bring our food and gear for the day. Even though the weather was cold; sometimes raining it was a wonderful trip.
Thank you, I hope to travel with Cycling Safaris again!
Diane Cisewski

We thoroughly enjoyed it - we had good weather all week, the barge, crew and guide (Bert) were great, fellow passengers were fun and the tulips were stupendous. I would highly recommend it.
Nancy & Don McDaniel

An excellent tour, relaxed cycling, great food, good value for money and added the bonus of Keukenhof visit.
Maureen Hickey

This was my first experience of a barge and cycle holiday and it was most enjoyable.
Maureen Hickey

I very much enjoyed the cycling holiday. Starting and finishing in Central Amsterdam was ideal and made it very convenient for air travel.
It was a great way to see and experience Holland. 
Overall, a most enjoyable holiday.
John Conway

We had an amazing holiday on our Super Tulip Tour! We can't say enough great things about it. Our barge (Anna Antal) was like home for 7 days, our guide Roelie was exceptional guiding us on our bikes, finding points of interest and then after supper giving us a walking tour of the towns, the bikes were awesome. The food was so great from breakfast in the morning and the selection of foods for packed lunch to the three-course gourmet meal at supper. This bike and barge tour was very special for us. 
Mary & Bill Ormerod

Sailing Home - Category Comfort de Luxe

The "Sailing Home" started cruising in 2001, a beautiful barge that can accommodate 26 passengers. The interior of the salon and bar is decorated in a mode Victorian style offering a lot of comfort. There are 13 spacious and comfortable guest cabins and each one has a private bathroom, central heating and air-conditioning.  A roomy salon lounge, a cosy bar and a sun deck are all located on the top floor.

Sailing Home - Category Comfort de Luxe image 1Sailing Home - Category Comfort de Luxe image 1

Anna Antal – Category StandardPlus/Comfort

The Anna Antal also became a passenger barge in the nineties.   With a capacity of 18 people it has nine cabins all with central heating and a private bathroom.   Like all barges it has a cozy salon where,  in the evenings, a drink can be consumed by the elegant bar. Outside there is a sun deck / a deck for the bicycles. The crew as with all barges consists of a skipper, a cook and a sailor/hostess. 

Anna Antal – Category StandardPlus/Comfort image 1Anna Antal – Category StandardPlus/Comfort image 1

Anna van Aemstel

The “Anna van Aemstel” (former Wending) is a former freight barge that started a new life in the early nineties as a luxury passenger motor barge. Since then it’s a familiar sight on several routes in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The Anna van Aemstel sails exclusively for Cycletours Holidays. It has a roomy and cosy saloon (airconditioned). After the bike ride the saloon is a great place to relax. An extensive range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks is available for the ''après de velo". Outside there is a sun deck/a deck for the bicycles. The crew consists of a skipper, a cook and a sailor/hostess. There is limited WiFi on board.

The Anna van Aemstel was renovated in the winter of 2024/2025 and the salon, kitchen and cabins got a complete make-over. The barge is looking fresh and updated and the cabins are air-conditioned.

Allure

The MS ALLURE is a modern, converted inland waterway vessel. The ship offers a comfortable lounge/restaurant, a small bar and a sun deck.

The MS Allure sails exclusively for Cycletours Holidays. In the evenings it is possible to come together in the sitting area ( air-conditioned).

There is limited WiFi on board.

The total of ten 2-bed outside cabins with ground-level beds are around 8 square meters in size.

Barge Clair de Lune

The Clair de Lune was originally built in 1936 as a freight ship in Belgium. From 2020 the Clair de Lune sails exclusively for Cycletours in mainly France.

The Clair de Lune sails exclusively for Cycletours Holidays .In 1982 the barge was built into a passenger ship, first named ‘Steile Bank’ and ‘Summerjazz’. Since May 2014 we named the ship ‘Clair de Lune’.

Aboard there is a big and cozy salon with big windows for a perfect view. The barge is 34.15 meters long and 5.05 meters wide, which makes it possible to boat in France with its narrow locks.

How to get to the start point port:

To get from Schiphol airport to the barge,  the distance is approx. 20 km. At Schiphol airport you can take the train to Central Station Amsterdam. These trains leave approx. every 8 min.and takes approx 15 minutes by train from the airport into Amsterdam, a ticket costs approx €5 per person for single journey. From Amsterdam Central Station it is a 10 minute walk to the place where the barge is docked.
A taxi from Schiphol to Amsterdam takes about 30 minutes, it costs about €35.

For more details please have a look at the tour dossier.

As always please contact us in the office for more information (info@cyclingsafaris.com).

TULIP TOUR 2026

BARGE "ANNA ANTAL"  
€1835 per person sharing in a 2 bed cabin
€1560  per person sharing bunk bed cabin
€2040 per person sharing in superior twin cabin
€2305 for single cabin occupancy

BARGE "SAILING HOME"
€2105 per person sharing in a 2 bed cabin
€3130 for single cabin occupancy

BARGE "ANNA VAN AEMSTEL"  
€2020 per person sharing in a 2 bed cabin 
€1845 per person sharing in a 3 bed cabin
€2990 for single cabin occupancy

SUPER TULIP TOUR 2026

BARGE "ALLURE"  
€2030 per person sharing in a 2 bed cabin / split beds 
€2030 per person sharing in a double bed cabin / one big bed (limited)
€3000  for single cabin occupancy

BARGE "BARGE CLAIR DE LUNE"  
€1950 per person sharing in a double bed cabin
€1950 per person sharing in split level beds
€2040 for single cabin occupancy

Self Guided Tour Information

Self led tours are not an option on this route.

Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available





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Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

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Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €300.00 non refundable deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The balancing payment is required two months prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The full payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

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Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.