This tour begins in Amsterdam and will take you to the southernmost city of The Netherlands Maastricht. Cycling along the river Maas and Roer, through beautiful landscapes. Visit Glass and cheese city Leerdam, stroll along the cobblestone streets in the ‘White Village’ Thorn. Cycle through National Park Maasduinen (between river Maas and the German border) with all kinds of different landscapes (forests, heathlands, fens, lakes and shifting sands). The park is 3 km wide and 20 km long. Spend an afternoon in Roermond where you’ll find fantastic architecture, imposing buildings and beautiful shopping streets. Than last but not least we come to our final destination Maastricht, famous for its historic inner city, its carnival celebration and it’s Burgundian Way of life. Have a coffee with a Limburgse vlaai (Limburg-style pie) or visit the vineyards around Maastricht, which are unique in Holland.

REVERSE ROUTE: Maastricht to Amsterdam

Green = Open | Yellow = Limited | Red = Full

2023

Prices are per person in US$  – inclusive bike rental

Terms and Conditions

DAY 1 – Saturday: Amsterdam – Weesp – 6 miles (11 km)
On Saturday afternoon you will be expected by 2 p.m. on your boat located close to the Amsterdam Central Station. After storing your luggage and meeting your cycling companions, guide, captain, and crew. The barge sails to Weesp where the tour guide will organize a test ride. Dinner on the boat will be followed by a stroll through the charming city of Weesp and a preview of the cycling itinerary for the upcoming week.

DAY 2 – Sunday: Weesp – Utrecht – sailing to Vianen – 28 miles (47 km)

We will leave Weesp after breakfast and will cycle along the beautiful meandering river Vecht with impressive mansions on its banks. Along the way we will visit a real Dutch cheese farm, where cheese is still produced according to traditional methods. In the afternoon we will meet our barge in Utrecht, from where we will sail the Amsterdam Rhine canal to Vianen. Vianen received city rights in 1337. During the Middle Ages, as a “free city,” Vianen could be a haven for felons and escaped serfs. Of the three castles built during the town’s history, Castle Batestein was said to be one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands. Its only remnants are a 17th-century brick gate and water-pump. Remnants of the old city wall are visible fence parts of the old downtown. Vianen celebrates its city rights every year in October with a horse-market. Besides the horses there are also other activities on this day, such as a fair and market and traditional Dutch games

DAY 3 – Monday: Vianen – Gorinchem – sailing to Heusden – 25 miles (41 km)

Today we will cycle through a typical Dutch landscape to Leerdam, a little town on the banks of the river Linge. Whichever way we cycle, nature between Lek and Linge is equally beautiful everywhere. Along the way we will pass old farms and unique locations for a stopover. Leerdam’s culture has been strongly influenced by the glass and timber industry. The glass currently manufactured in Leerdam is internationally known as Royal Leerdam. After visiting Leerdam we continue biking along the river Linge to Gorinchem, a charming town on the river Waal. After a short visit we will join the barge to Heusden. Wander through the picturesque streets, alleyways and discover numerous buildings dating back centuries. This historic setting is the home to galleries, speciality shops, friendly restaurants and pavement cafes

DAY 4 – Tuesday: Sailing from Heusden to Oss – Cuijck – 24 miles (40 km)

During breakfast we sail to Oss, a city on the river Maas (Meuse). From here our daily bike trip will start, leading us along the river Maas to medieval cities as Ravenstein and Grave. In Ravenstein you may visit the Tanner’s Cottages and in Grave we will see canons from the Napoleonic era. Grave has played an important role in Operation Market Garden during World War II, because of it’s situation near the John S. Thompson Bridge. Our journey continues along the river Maas to Cuijk. After dinner we will visit museum Ceuclum in Cuijck where we can climb the tower for a magnificent view of the Maas Valley. 

DAY 5 – Wednesday: Cuijck – Arcen – 32 miles (53 km) 

Today we have a magnificent bike tour scheduled for you. We will cycle along the river Maas to Afferden and Heyen. The route continues through National Park Maasduinen to Well where you will find the Well castle, with it’s heavy round brick tower, dating from the 14th century. Our final destination of the day will be Arcen, where we’ll spend the night. Here you may visit the famous castle gardens with a great variety:

• The Rosarium, with ten different rose gardens
• The water- and sculpture garden
• The Lommerijk, with shades, waterfalls and streamlets; the Valley offering six ‘international’ gardens 

DAY 6 – Thursday: Arcen – Venlo – Roermond – 30 miles (50 km)

We will start the day cycling following the river Meuse. We will hop on ferries and cross bridges to follow the most interesting paths. Our first stop will be Venlo, with it’s many historical monuments and lively city centre. Around lunch time we will arrive in Kessel, one of the oldest villages along the river Meuse. From here we will cross over to the other bank and continue to the beautiful village of Beesel, where the grain mill ‘Grey Bear’ stands proudly along the river. We will spend the night in Roermond, where river Roer and river Meuse meet each other. Roermond’s rich history and religious promincen is well visible through the many monumental buildings in the city centre. Roermond is also the city of Pierre Cuypers, according to many the most important Dutch architect of the 19th century. Cuypers is the architect of the Rijksmuseum and Central Station in Amsterdam. Tonight dinner is on your own. We will have dinner recommendations available on board.

DAY 7 – Friday: Roermond – Born – sailing to Maastricht – 25 miles (42 km)

Today our cycling route continues through charming villages and the beautiful landscape of the province Limburg. Our first stop will be in Thorn, the ‘white village’, at the Belgium border. Thorn is known for its cobblestone streets and white painted houses. The only non-white building is the 14th century church. From Thorn we will cross the border to the Belgian city Maaseik. Maaseik is famous for the painters Hubert and Jan van Eyck. On the market square we will see typical Renaissance style houses with their impressive facades and can order a Belgian beer (Pint) at one of the many terraces. After Maaseik we will continue to Born where we will meet our barge. From here we will sail to Maastricht. Maastricht, the capital of the province Limburg, is a beautiful preserved city with Roman roots. You can’t get bored in Maastricht with so many places of interest:

• The treasure house of the St. Servaas Church
• The Bonnefanten museum for art and antiquity
• The Kazematten, a system of underground fortress works from the 18th century
• The marl caves
• Or enjoy yourself at the lively and famous square the Vrijthof

DAY 8 – Saturday: Tour Ends
Our tour concludes after breakfast, with departure before 9:30 a.m.

What’s Included

• 7 nights on board the ship (bed linen and towels)
• Daily cleaning of the cabin
• 7 breakfasts, packed lunches, and seven 3-course dinners (in 2023 six 3-course dinners)
• Coffee and tea on board
• 24-speed bicycle, incl. helmet, pannier bags, lock, water bottle, and bike insurance
• Tour guide (multilingual) – Daily briefings
• Route information and road book
• Entrance museum Ceuclum in Cuijk
• Fees for ferries
• Reservation costs

Bikes

Almost all of the rental bicycles are traditional touring bicycles (women’s models) with 7 or 8 gears, hand brakes (some with pedal brake) and pannier bags. The bikes provided in Croatia and France have 11 or 21 gears and hand breaks. E-bikes feature a small electric engine and battery that assist and ease your pedaling, but they do not feature autonomous propulsion. It is like having a tailwind, so it is easier.

Please note: all bicycles have normal pedals, no click pedals. So please wear ordinary sporting shoes. Changing pedals is not possible.

The bikes come with helmets, grip shifters, hand brakes, carrier bag, lock, repair kit, water bottle holders, water bottle, and bike insurance. If you prefer to bring your own bike you’re welcome to do so at a discount of $85 each. Electric bikes can be rented for this tour ($120 per person).We advise you only to rent an electric bike if you have first tried one at home. They’re heavier than regular bikes and therefore can be difficult to maneuver. In addition, you can rent children’s bikes, child seats, bike trailers, and tag-alongs.

Meals

The cook prepares all meals: a substantial breakfast and a three-course dinner of very good quality. A packed lunch may be prepared after breakfast. Tea and coffee will be ready when you arrive on board in the afternoon. There’s a bar on board with reasonably-priced beer, wine, and soft drinks. If you have special meal requirements, please mention this when booking. In the case of a Vegetarian and gluten-free diet there is an additional charge of €50 per week. You’ll need to pay this cash on board. 

Not Included

• Airfare
• Drinks from bar on board or when cycling
• Admission fees and excursions (not mentioned under included)
• 1 dinner
• Trip cancellation insurance

The barges listed below are examples of those usually used on the tour. Depending on availability, you may be booked in a different barge of equal quality.

SARAH

22 people – The Sarah is a comfortable and cozy passenger barge. During the conversion of the barge from cargo vessel to passenger barge, the owners of the Sarah decided to choose quality instead of quantity. The Sarah is spaciously built for a small group of passengers and offers an attractive, “feels-like-to-be-at-home” atmosphere. The Sarah is a very popular small river barge on several tours in the Netherlands. The Sarah has 10 cabins. 

• Six cabins have two single beds (one can be placed together)
• Two twin/single cabins with two single beds and a bunk bed
• Two double cabins with one double bed.

All cabins have a private shower, toilet and basin. There is a ventilation system, central heating and the windows can be opened. The cabins are provided with a mini safe and an hair dryer.  The corridor is air-conditioned. 

GANDALF

20 people –The Gandalf is a small and comfortable passenger barge. The ship has been sailing in various areas in The Netherlands and Belgium for many years. The Gandalf is a very popular ship, ideal for bike and barge tours and has two sun decks. 

• 10 Twin cabins with two separate beds (in two of these cabins is a bunk bed available on request)

Each cabin has a recently renovated bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. Windows can be opened and the cabins have ventilation and central heating. A hair dryer is available on request.

FLORA

24 people – The Flora is a small, cozy and comfortable passenger barge, which has successfully been sailing the Green Heart of Holland tour for several years now. The ship was renovated in 2007 and is a very popular small river barge for bike and barge tours.

• 10 Twin cabins 
• 1 Double cabin

In two twin cabins there is a bunk bed available on request for children up to age 12. 

Each cabin has central heating and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. The small windows in the cabin can be opened. There is a mini safe in every cabin and an hair dryer available on request. 

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