Maastricht to Amsterdam
From: $1,310 USD
Type: Guided
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Imagine Yourself…
- Cycling from Maastricht all the way up to the capital of the Netherlands ‘Amsterdam’
- Visit historical towns, remarkable villages and some castles
- Discover magical flat and green landscapes formed by the rivers
- Feeling inspired by the Dutch poet Marsman
- Eat ‘Kuchen’ in Germany or have an ‘afternoon beer’ at a café in Belgium
This tour begins in Maastricht and will take you to the capital of The Netherlands Amsterdam. Explore 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. We advice you to arrive one or more days before the tour starts, so you will have plenty of time to discover this interesting city. You will not get bored in 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 arrive at our final destination Amsterdam. The beauty of Amsterdam is built around intricate canals, breathtaking architecture, and modern technology. It is a city vibrant in culture and has a strong presence of healthy living. Everywhere you turn, people are commuting by bicycle, sipping coffee on outdoor patios, taking in Museums, socializing with friends over great food and wine, and shopping at the many wonderful boutiques.
REVERSE ROUTE: Amsterdam to Maastricht
Green = Open | Yellow = Limited | Red = Full
2023
Prices are per person in US Dollars – inclusive bike rental
Departure | Barge | Twin | Twin for single use | Triple *3rd bed only for child | |
May 27 | Flora | $ 1,420 | $ 2,050 | $ 1,310 | |
June 10 | Flora | $ 1,420 | $ 2,050 | $ 1,310 | |
August 19 | Sarah | $ 1,420 | $ 2,050 | $ 1,310 |
2024
Prices are per person in US Dollars – inclusive bike rental
Departure | Barge | Twin | Twin for single use | Triple *3rd bed only for child | |
May 11 | Sarah | $ 1,610 | $ 2,350 | $ 1,490 | |
June 1 | Flora | $ 1,610 | $ 2,350 | $ 1,490 | |
June 22 | Gandalf | $ 1,610 | $ 2,350 | $ 1,490 | |
July 6 | Gandalf | $ 1,610 | $ 2,350 | $ 1,490 | |
July 20 | Sarah | $ 1,610 | $ 2,350 | $ 1,490 | |
August 31 | Sarah | $ 1,610 | $ 2,350 | $ 1,490 |
DAY 1 – Saturday: Maastricht
On Saturday afternoon you will be expected by 2 p.m. on board in Maastricht. After storing your luggage and meeting your cycling companions, guide, captain, and crew there is time for bicycle fitting and a short test ride. After dinner the tour leader will take you for a walk through the centre of Maastricht.
DAY 2 – Sunday: Maastricht sailing to Born – Roermond – 24 miles (40 km)
During breakfast we will sail to Born where we will disembark at the locks. From here we cycle over the Belgium border to Maaseik, 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 our break we cross the Belgium/Dutch border again to visit Thorn ‘The White Village’. Thorn is known for its cobblestone streets and white painted houses. The only non-white building is the 14th century church. Our final destination of the day will be Roermond, where the rivers Roer and Meuse (Maas) 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.
DAY 3 – Monday: Roermond – Venlo – Arcen – 30 miles (50 km)
Today we start cycling following the river on the east bank to the beautiful village of Beesel, where the grain will ‘grey bear’ stands proudly along the river. We will cross over to the other bank to Kessel; the oldest village on the river Meuse. Around lunchtime we arrive at Venlo, with many historical monuments and a lively city centre. After lunch our journey continues to Arcen, a former fortified town on the banks of the river Meuse. Here you can 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 4 – Tuesday: Arcen – Cuijk – 32 miles (53 km)
Today we have a magnificent bike tour scheduled for you. First we will bike pass the village Well, where you find the Well castle with it’s heavy round brick tower dating from the 14th century. The route continues close to the German border through National Park Maasduinen. Around lunchtime we will arrive in Afferden. We will meet our barge in Cuijk, where we will have time in the afternoon exploring this interesting city on the banks of the Meuse. The St. Martins Church, a neo-gothic church, houses a very well kept baron-organ (built 1639-1650) one of the oldest in The Netherlands. After dinner we will visit museum Ceuclum where we can climb the tower for a magnificent view of the Maas valley.
DAY 5 – Wednesday: Cuijck – Oss sailing to Heusden – 24 miles (40 km)
After breakfast we will follow the river Meuse to the medieval cities Grave and Ravenstein. In Grave you will see canons from the Napoleonic era. Grave also has played an important role in Operation Market Garden during World War II, because of it’s situation near the John S. Thompson Bridge. In Ravenstsein we can visit the Tanner’s cottages in the city park. We will meet our barge in Oss from where we will sail to Heusden, a very beautiful restored fortified city. We will spend the night in Heusden. Dinner is on your own tonight.
DAY 6 – Thursday: Heusden sailing to Gorinchem – Vianen – 30 miles (50 km)
We will join the barge in the morning sailing to Gorinchem, a charming town on the river Waal. From Gorinchem we start biking to Leerdam. 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. In the afternoon we continue cycling to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek. 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.
DAY 7 – Friday: Vianen – Breukelen – Amsterdam – 26 miles (42 km)
During breakfast we will sail to Breukelen, where our bike tour starts; leading along the windig river Vecht to Amsterdam. Along the way we will visit a mill in Loenen. Our final destination is Amsterdam. Before or after our farewell dinner on board you can visit Amsterdam, taking a canal boat tour or visit the Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum.
DAY 8 – Saturday: Tour Ends
Our tour concludes after breakfast, with departure before 10 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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