Difficulty Rating : 3 Start: Amsterdam Finish: Amsterdam Terrain: Easy cycle, flat terrain Daily Average: 40km Weekly Average: 213km Tour Type: Family,Bike and Boat,Group Teaser: Our cycle takes us through vast fields of tulips with incredible colour as far as the eye can see.
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The tulip may have originated in Turkey but it found its home in Amsterdam! The tulip bulb 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 one single bulb cost the same as a whole canalside house in Amsterdam!

Our cycle takes us through vast fields of tulips with incredible colour as far as the eye can see. As well as that this tour visits all the iconic Dutch sites such as its windmills and myriad of canals.   What better way to explore this region than the Dutch way...from the water and from the saddle! You spend the nights on a comfortable barge: a floating hotel,  of which there are a number to choose from.

We offer two similar tours dedicated to the mighty Tulip,  we have highlighted one itinerary on our website but there are dossiers outlining both at the bottom of our itinerary page.

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

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival Amsterdam

On arrival in Amsterdam your embarkation is between 12.30pm - 1.30pm

The first part of the tour you will sail to Spaarndam – known as the village of Hansje Brinker – and from here we make an easy ride into the beautiful city of Haarlem.

Day 2

Haarlem ~ Keukenhof ~ Leiden (40 km)

Today's trip leads you through the oldest tulip fields of Holland, including a visit of the Keukenhof gardens, the most beautiful bulb park in the world. A place where the spring breaks, it is an overwhelming blaze of colours; seven million flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acres. We overnight night in nearbyLeiden

Day 3

Leiden ~ Kudelstaart (45 km)

Today we cycle to Kudelstaart: a small town bordered by the wetland area of Westeinderplassen. We will go right through the green heart of Holland, an area with numerous small cycle paths, lakes and small rivers

Day 4

Aalsemeer ~ Zaanse Schans ~ Wormerveer (45km)

In the early morning, you can visit the auction in Aalsmeer where flowers and plants sold at the auctions are exported all over the world. After breakfast, we cycle along the river Amstel and on to the Zaanse Schans, a unique hamlet where people live and work, with original houses and windmills from the river Zaan area. The hamlet is dominated by operating windmills, the oldest built in 1673, for grinding mustard, spices, paint and oil and for sawing wood into planks.

Day 5

Wormerveer ~ Alkmaar (45 kms)

rom Wormerveer you will cycle to and through the most beautiful dunes of the Netherlands and if weather permits, you may like to swim in the North Sea during your lunch break at the beach. Todays’ overnight stay is in cheese town Alkmaar. A historic lively city with many small and bigger shops. A little less than 400 heritage sites, canals and harbour dominate the townscape.

Day 6

Alkmaar ~ Purmerend (35 kms)

We cycle to Beemster and Purmer, dating from the early 17th century, are an exceptional example of reclaimed land in the Netherlands. A preserved, intact, well-ordered landscape of fields, roads, canals, dykes and settlements, laid out in accordance with classical and Renaissance planning principles. There should also be time to visit one of the big water mills at the Rijp.

Day 7

Purmerend ~ Amsterdam (20 / 35 kms)

urmerend lies at the edge of an area called ‘ Waterland’ where roads and water are on the same level. We visit the lovely village of Zunderdorp and Ransdorp. There is an option to cycle the long route to Edam and Volendam and if time permits you can cross the lake Gouwzee to admire the traditional fisherman’s village Marken with its typical wooden houses. The tour finishes up back in Amsterdam.

  • 7 nights on board ship (incl. bedding, towels, soap)
  • Breakfast & dinner on board
  • Picnic lunch packages  
  • Coffee and tea on board
  • Entrance fee to Keukenhof and Flower Auction
  • Multi-lingual guide, cycles with group
  • At least 3 city walks with tour guide
  • Route info & road book (1 per cabin) 
  • Ferry fares on route
  • GPS-tracks (on request)
  • Free WiFi (limited availability in lounge and on deck)

Bike rental is not included. This is an additional:
€115 Hybrid Bike (bike insurance included)
€225 Electric Bike (bike insurance included)

Discounts are available for children,  please see itinerary or email our office for more information

Bike rental is not included in the basic tour package.

On this tour we rent out Batabus Galivier Hybrid bikes. A good bicycle available for all participants from ages nine and up with 24 gears and handbrakes. All bikes are comfortable lightweight touring bikes. The bikes are equipped with:
- Pannier bags, Helmet, Odometer, Good lock, Water bottle
- You will get a repair kit when biking on your own.

It is also possible to rent an E - bike
Your bike has 24 gears, a detachable lithium-Ion battery, hand brakes, pannier bags, a good lock, water bottle and a repair kit.

Bike Insurance:
Bike insurance is included with bike rental.

The participant is liable for damage or theft as long as the bike is not on board. The bicycle insurance covers the cost of the repair or replacement of bicycle parts in case of an accident. It also protects against theft of the bike while it was locked.

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 (Tulip Tour April 2018)

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 April 2018

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 (Tulip Tour, 2017)

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

Maureen Hickey (Amsterdam Tulip Tour 2013)

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

Maureen Hickey (Amsterdam Tulip Tour 2013)

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 (Southern Tulip Tour 2015)

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 (Super Tulip Tour April 2016)

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

Liza Marleen - Category Comfort

The “Liza Marleen” is a luxury motor passenger barge whose cabins were fully renovated for the 2016 season.  It can accommodate 22 passengers.   The “Liza Marleen” cabins all come with a private bathroom and central heating. There is a beautiful, spacious and tastefully decorated salon and plenty of room on deck. 

Liza Marleen - Category Comfort image 1Liza Marleen - Category Comfort image 1

Wending – Category Comfort

The “Wending” became a passenger motor barge in the nineties. With a capacity of 28 it is fuichsed with all cabins having a private bathroom and central heating.   The “Wending” has a roomy and cosy salon, equipped with a complete music installation and TV.    After a strenuous bike ride it is a great place to relax!

Wending – Category Comfort image 1Wending – Category Comfort 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

Zwaan – Category Comfort Plus

The Zwaan is known for the high quality of the meals and the friendly atmosphere on board.  The crew consists of the captain, chef and hostess for 14 guests. Weather permitting dinners can be served on the sundeck. Since 2019 the Zwaan is equipped with air-conditioning in all 7 cabins. There is limited WiFi on board.


Zwaan  – Category Comfort Plus image 1Zwaan  – Category Comfort Plus image 1

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 2024

Standard Season: April 4, May 2
High Season: April 11, 18, 25

BARGE "ANNA ANTAL"  
€1355 (standard season) / €1480 (high season) per person sharing in a 2 bed cabin
€1155 (standard season) / €1255 (high season) per person sharing bunk bed cabin
€1480 (standard season) / €1625 (high season) for single cabin occupancy

COMFORT BARGE "LIZA MARLEEN"
€1485 (standard season) per person sharing in a 2 bed cabin
€1715 (standard season) per pereson sharing superior twin cabin
€1365 (standard season) per person sharing for superior triple cabin
€2125 (standard season) for single cabin occupancy

COMFORT BARGE "WENDING"  
€1355 (standard season) / €1480 (high season) per person sharing in a 2 bed cabin 
€1270 (standard season) / €1390 (high season) per person sharing in a 3 bed cabin
€1715 (standard season) / €1860 (high season) for single cabin occupancy

SUPER TULIP TOUR 2024

COMFORT BARGE "ZWAAN"  
€1680 (both seasons)  per person sharing in a 2 bed cabin 
€1900 (both seasons)  per person sharing in a luxury double cabin
€1440 (both seasons)  per person sharing smaller cabin 
€2170 (both seasons)  for single cabin occupancy

BARGE "BARGE CLAIR DE LUNE"  
€1410 (standard season) / €1545 (high season) per person sharing in a double bed cabin
€1410 (standard season) / €1545 (high season) per person sharing in split level beds
€1480 (standard season) / €1670 (high season) 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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Booking Form

Primary Contact Details.

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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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Please indicate below how many people are in your group including yourself.

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Acommodation

For single travellers, we organise accommodation on a twin sharing basis. Please note it may not be possible on all our tours and a single supplement will be applied.

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Other Information

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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 €250.00 deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The Balance payment is required two month prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The balancing 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.