Netherlands & Belgium
Holland by barge — the classic bike-and-boat tour.
Flat towpaths, windmills, tulip fields, and canal towns that feel unchanged for centuries. The Netherlands is where bike-and-boat travel was invented, and it remains the benchmark.
What makes this route special
The Dutch countryside was built for cycling. Hundreds of kilometres of dedicated bike paths run alongside canals, through flower fields, and between historic towns. Your barge moves with you — mooring each evening in a new village while your cabin, meals, and luggage wait on board.
Places you'll pass through
Amsterdam
Start or finish in the world's most cycle-friendly city. Canal rings, the Rijksmuseum, and a thousand reasons to linger.
Bruges, Belgium
The medieval jewel of Flanders — cobblestone lanes, chocolate shops, and canals that mirror the sky.
Kinderdijk
Nineteen working windmills in a UNESCO-listed polder landscape. One of the most photographed spots in the Netherlands.
Delft & Gouda
Blue pottery, cheese markets, and quiet streets that feel a world away from the tourist trail.
A sample week on the water
Day 1
Amsterdam — embark
Board your barge in Amsterdam. Evening welcome dinner and briefing from your guide.
Day 2
Amsterdam to Haarlem
Cycle through the city's western canal ring and out into the bulb fields. Moor in Haarlem for the night.
Day 3
Haarlem to Leiden
Flat paths through tulip country (in season) and along the Old Rhine to the university city of Leiden.
Day 4
Leiden to Delft
A gentle ride through the Randstad. Afternoon free to explore Delft's pottery studios and market square.
Day 5
Delft to Kinderdijk
Cycle the Delfland polder to the iconic windmill landscape at Kinderdijk. Sunset from the towpath.
Day 6
Kinderdijk to Gouda
Morning at the windmills, then ride to Gouda for the famous cheese market and stroopwafels.
Day 7
Gouda to Amsterdam — disembark
Final ride back to Amsterdam along the Amstel River. Farewell lunch on board before disembarking.
Itineraries vary by operator and departure. Bob can walk you through the specific options available for your dates.
Good to know before you go
What fitness level do I need?+
How many people are on the boat?+
What's included in the price?+
When is the best time to go?+
Ready to plan your Holland tour?
Bob can compare operators, cabin grades, and departure dates to find the right fit for how you like to travel.
Talk with Bob