Jump to content
Jump to footer
Book now
To the online version
Canals typical of the country

Southern Holland, MS Normandie

Waterways & big city flair

8 Days / 7 Nights
Easy
Canals typical of the country

During this vacation, you will be staying on the MS Normandie. This charming ship will be your floating hotel, from which you'll embark on diverse cycling tours to explore the stunning landscapes of Holland. You'll experience the Netherlands, the land of Rembrandt and Van Gogh, at its finest. This journey is characterized by the combination of metropolitan flair and natural beauty along the waterways. You'll ride through the Alblasserwaard polder region and the De Biesbosch nature reserve, which boasts an 8,000-hectare freshwater delta. You can take a refreshing dip in the Reeuwijkse Plassen lake area. Additionally, you'll see the most famous windmill row in the Netherlands and the fortified city of Vianen, while in Delft, you'll have the chance to visit a porcelain factory. You can also savor the culinary delights of the region in the cheese cities of Leerdam and Gouda.

You'll board in Rotterdam and journey through Kinderdijk to Dordrecht. From there, you'll cycle through the Rhine Delta region and take a water taxi to Gorinchem. The adventure continues through Leerdam, then on to Utrecht, and the following day to Schoonhoven. The next highlight is the cheese city of Gouda. Afterward, you have the choice between a short tour to Delft or an extended route leading you to The Hague and Scheveningen. Your journey concludes as you return to Rotterdam.

  • Rotterdam: The city is a paradise for artists and architects. In addition to exploring the historic buildings, you should visit the large harbor and indulge in extensive shopping.
  • Kinderdijk: This is where you can visit the celebrated series of windmills. Comprising 19 mills with their origins dating back to the 18th century, this site holds the prestigious designation of being a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Utrecht: This charming city is considered the heart of Holland. In the picturesque city center, you can enjoy a leisurely boat tour along the picturesque canals.
  • Gouda: You absolutely must visit the world-famous cheese city. Try the delicious Gouda cheese, which is produced there in a traditional manner.

This popular combination of boat and bike tour provides gentle cycling routes. If you prefer not to cycle daily, you have the option to stay on board and appreciate the scenery from this vantage point. The cycling outings occur on impeccably maintained cycling paths, allowing you to ride at your own pace.

itinerary at a glance

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 canalsv

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

After breakfast checkout until 9:00 am– have a safe journey home.

route information

Easy

The large number of cycle paths make Holland a paradise for cyclists. The routes are flat and can be classified as easy.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

services & information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Program according to itinerary from/to Rotterdam
  • 7 nights in outside cabins in the booked cabin category
  • 1 welcome drink
  • Full meals (7x breakfast, 6x packed lunch for cyclists or lunch snack on board, 7x 3-course-dinner)
  • On board tour guide incl. daily tour briefing
  • Daily cabin cleaning, change of bed linen and towels as needed
  • 1 route book per cabin
  • All harbour, lock and bridge fees
  • GPS-data

OPTIONAL

  • Bringing your own bike/electric bike:  €29,- (on request only, limited)

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Parking garage de Boompjes Rotterdam
  • Central Parking Valet Services
    On the day of arrival your car will be picked up at the landing stage and brought back to the ship on the day of departure

Things to note

  • Minimum number of participants: 60 persons
  • Further important information according to the package travel law and additional information about your bike and boat trip can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Your boat

Melanie Spitzwieser

"I look forward to making your vacation dreams come true."

Melanie Spitzwieser
Travel specialist
One call to vacation bliss
Monday - Friday: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Call now
One click to vacation bliss
 
I am looking forward to your message!
Contact form

5 out of 5 stars

2 ratings
5
100%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%
Load more

other tours that might interest you

from
€699
Book now Book
You now receive special conditions when you book a trip.