Holiday Highlights
- Enjoying the highlights of Holland in spring time
- Staying on board a Dutch barge, with a friendly mix of different nationalities
- Visiting the colourful Keukenhof flower gardens which boast around 6 million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils.
- Discovering the historic towns of Haarlem and Leiden, the birthplace of Rembrandt
- Experiencing world-renowned flower auctions
- Exploring Amsterdam
Saddle Skedaddle gave us some tips too prepare us for the cycling! It was very well organised, the leaders were great and the comfort of the barge was lovely. The food was also superb.
Itinerary
- Meals: Dinner
Today you’ll embark and be welcomed on board by the local crew. Boarding will take place at 14.00, in the centre of Amsterdam. As soon as all guests have arrived, the barge will set sail for Zaandam, famous for its windmills and cheese making, where your barge will berth in the centre of the city.
Upon arrival into Zaandem you can take a short test ride on your bike, to explore the area. In the evening you can enjoy a short walk through the picturesque centre of Zaandam.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast you will enjoy a 5 km ride to the open air museum Zaanse Schans, which features beautiful windmills, traditional wooden houses, an old Dutch village, a cheese farm and a traditional wooden clog maker.
In the afternoon you’ll cycle the 5 km back to the boat. From here you can choose to either cycle the 14 miles / 24 km to Haarlem (or you can take a slightly longer 21 mile / 34 km route). Alternatively, if you don’t fancy the ride, you can take it easy on the barge while enjoying the scenery as it makes the 2.5 hour trip (approx.)
In Haarlem you can visit the historical inner city complete with the Grote Markt, St. Bavo church and the Teylers and Frans Hals-Museums. Your barge will be berthed in the centre of Haarlem for the night, giving you plenty of time to enjoy a short stroll through the city in the afternoon or in the evening.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today you’ll ride to the Keukenhof (approx. €18. entry fee included for bookings on the Magnifiques), arguably the most famous flower park in the world, where you can admire hundreds of thousands of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and many other flowers in full bloom.
You’ll explore the Keukenhof till noon, then jump back on your bikes for the ride to Oude Wetering, covering a distance of approximately 24 miles / 38 km. (Alternatively, you can take a longer route covering 34 miles / 55 km), before reaching your floating hotel which will be waiting for you on the shores of the Westeinder Lake.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
This morning you are in for a real treat – an early visit by bus (06.30) to the biggest flower auction in the world at Aalsmeer. In the morning millions of flowers are auctioned off here and are instantly sent out to all parts of the world*. By 09.00 you will return to your barge where a late breakfast will be waiting for you before you make your way to Amsterdam by bicycle. During the afternoon you will join the barge sailing through Amsterdam. Later in the afternoon there is time to discover this amazing city. Visit the inner city flower market, go to a museum, do some shopping… there is just so much to do!
*: The Aalsmeer flower auction is closed during weekends and on public holidays. This is an optional visit. Please be aware that on certain departure dates in 2023, a visit to the flower auction is not possible: 04 Apr MAG III, 05 Apr MAG II, 07 Apr MAG 1V, 12 Apr MAG III, 19 Apr MAG IV, 20 Apr MAG III.
- Meals: Breakfast
Today you’ll say goodbye to your floating hotel, disembarking after breakfast, around 09.30. You may be able to leave your luggage on board until approx. 12.00 to give you some time to explore the beautiful city of Amsterdam, before making your way home.

Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
Gentle riding on cycle paths and quiet roads across flat terrain. You’ll ride 40% of the time on roads shared with traffic and 60% on a mixture of cycle paths and cycle lanes (separated from motor vehicles). Due to the leisurely nature of the tour we do recommend a hybrid bike, however as the majority of the route sticks to tarmac the route is suitable for road bikes. (There may however be short sections on hard-packed gravel or dirt roads where you may have to take extra care). Suitable for beginner cyclists or those looking for a laid-back break.

Leisure Cycling Grade
Distances generally between 10-20 miles / 15-35 kms per day
For those looking for an accessible cycling holiday with manageable daily distances
Based on predominately flat terrain
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
If you‘re new to cycling, or perhaps haven’t ridden your bike for a while, then the relaxed rides on our Grade 1 holidays might be for you. Of course no route can be pancake flat the entire way, with some gentle slopes being inevitable, but if you‘re looking for short, daily distances on mostly flat terrain, (with plenty of time to go at your own pace and explore your destination), then these holidays would be a good place to start. We’d expect those on a Grade 1 holiday to be able to ride their bike confidently and generally be fit and healthy.
This was our first time on this type of holiday, but I loved the concept of the boat and bike rides. It was all we could hope for. Saddle Skedaddle were very good at responding quickly to my early enquiries and responded positively in every instance.
Dates & Prices
Late Availability
We want you to know which holidays are coming up soon, so you don’t miss out! If a trip has this symbol beside it, it means you don’t have long to snap up your place.

Private Departures
Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.
Whats Included 
A) Twin en suite cabin (linen and towels provided)
B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Packed Lunch, D=Dinner)
C) Welcome drink
D) Daily coffee and tea (available until 16.00)
E) Welcome meeting with the crew
F) English speaking tour leader
G) Various short city tours
H) Entrance Keukenhof
I) Entrance North-Holland Dune reserve
J) Visit mill at Zaanse Schans
K) Fees for ferries integral to itinerary
What's not Included 
A) Bike rental (available if required)
B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
C) Personal clothing and equipment
D) Travel insurance
E) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.
F) Entrance fees to museums and attractions not mentioned in ‘What’s Included’
G) Single cabin (available on request)
H) Travel arrangements to / from the boarding point in Amsterdam
I) Parking fees
The Essentials
News, Reviews & Stories
Reviews
Jenni, West YorkshireEverything about this holiday was superb!Everything about this holiday was superb from the accommodation and in house services, to the chef and our fantastic tour guides. Did not want it to finish. My third trip with Saddle Skedaddle and it won’t be the last.
Jean, NorthumberlandA WOW holiday...Wow. What a country Holland is for cycling. The excellent route numbering and the very good maps we were given made it all very easy. Distances were clearly marked and they really did add to the enjoyment of the trip. And we couldn’t fault the pre-trip information, the helpful staff on the telephone and the accurate description of what to expect.
Rosemary, YorkshireAmazing advice and service!Saddle Skedaddle gave us some tips too prepare us for the cycling! It was very well organised, the leaders were great and the comfort of the barge was lovely and the food was superb.
Marian, KentA different kind of holiday...This was our first time on this type of holiday, but I loved the concept of the boat and bike rides. It was all we could hope for. Saddle Skedaddle were very good at responding quickly to my early enquiries and responded positively in every instance. Generally, it was all better than I had expected! I liked the international mix of passengers with the Dutch company and there are so many people we met who we want to keep in touch with.
Roz, KentExcellentAmazingly comfortable & stylish accommodation. Very comfortable bed, surprisingly spacious cabin & lovely en suite. Attractive dining/bar/seating areas. Great lounging areas on decks. The staff on the barge were all amazingly friendly, helpful, hard working and professional.
Sue, ManchesterBeautiful!The visit to Keukenhof was my favourite part – seeing the tulips and daffodils in the fields and gardens was beautiful.
Jean, NorthumberlandWow!Wow! what a country Holland is for cycling. The excellent route numbering and the very good maps we were given made it all very easy. I couldn’t fault the pre-trip information, the helpful staff on the telephone and the accurate description of what to expect.
Chris, OxfordshireVery good...Delivered what it said on the tin! Perfect group size, splendid crew and well looked after.
Tricia, South AfricaEvery day was magicalAs a 73 year old, I was apprehensive that I would be able to keep up, but I was fine and the Guide, Henke was especially considerate. The itinary was fantastic and visiting the various places of interest meant that we were not cycling all day, but enjoying regular stops.
What a charming and knowledgeable Tour Leader we were lucky enough to have. The fact that he spoke such perfect English was a bonus for me. He had a wonderful sense of humour and was most kind and thoughtful.
Judith, EdinburghExcellent...All days were excellent, lots of local interest, lovely towns Harlem and Leiden, amaising flowers at the Keukenhof and excellent stops for coffee and cakes and a visit to the Aalsmeer flower auction was mind boggling.