Hanseatic tour of the Netherlands
May 07 - 14 / 2027
Departure date: 07 may 2027
. Endurance level: easy / Agility level: moderate
Highlights
This tour is reserved & fully booked by a group
Bike, Barge & Cruise Holland’s hanseatic cities, once an alliance of port cities that made trading with each other possible. Visit these wonderfully preserved ancient cities, each with its own character, but also similarities such as city walls and city gates. Enjoy cycling through the varied Dutch landscapes on the eastern part of Holland, just stop at the local bakery to have a good coffee (the Dutch love their coffees!) Experience the overwhelming vacation by the sea feeling we felt on our first trip with the Merlijn on this itinerary back in 2019. The Veluwe lake used to be a sea and all the small towns like Harderwijk and Spakenburg used to be coastal towns until the Dutch created the new land 'Flevoland' through polders.
Day-to-day itinerary
Day 1: Amsterdam – Weesp
Afternoon check in and Merlijn will set sail for Weesp, where there is an overnight stay. We’ll present you with a welcome drink and introduce the crew. We will also provide information on the tour, the ship, and offer you a safety briefing. Dinner will be served during the cruise, and afterwards you can have a stroll through the first charming city (of many on this tour) called Weesp.
Day 2: Weesp – Wijk bij Duurstede. Bike tour: 25-30 km or extend to 45-50 km
After your first breakfast on board, there will be a bike introduction so you and your ‘barge bike’ can get to know each other. For the first day, the guide will not make it too difficult for you, enjoy cycling through the varied Dutch landscapes while the guide shows you the way. After boarding the Merlin, we sail the last part to todays destination Wijk bij Duurstede. In the evening you can stroll through the very charming city (Neighbourhood of Duurstede translated). Duurstede is the name of the nearby castle/ruin, where the bishop of Utrecht used to live. Wijk bij Duurstede is located at the place where Dorestad used to be, an important trade settlement, that was pillaged around 850 by the Vikings. This city has the only drive-through wind mill in the world. We will spend the night here.
Day 3: Wijk bij Duurstede - Arnhem. Bike tour: 45 - 50 km
Enjoy a sailing breakfast while cruising, at the first stop your bike tour will start. You will bike through the Betuwe, situated between the Waal and Rhine/Lek rivers, surrounding the Linge stream, and famous for its fruit production. Today’s tour also goes along several historical sights of WW2 and we’ll make a stop at the famous airborne museum, an interesting place to visit. The tour ends in Arnhem, the capital of the province Gelderland. Before or after dinner you will have time to stroll a little more through the centre. Your tour guide will show you the city as well as the highlights.
Day 4: Arnhem – Deventer. Bike tour: 40 - 45 km
While you enjoy your breakfast we cruise the beautiful river IJssel downstream and take you to Doesburg. This is one of the seven Hanseatic cities on the river IJssel. Here your bike tour starts along the sparkling river, described by many captains as the most beautiful river of the Netherlands. This week you will visit the mediaeval cities of Kampen, Hattem, Deventer, Zutphen and Doesburg all of them beautiful gems. You’ll cycle to Deventer where Merlijn awaits you. At night you will have time to stroll a little more through the centre.
Day 5: Deventer - Kampen. Bike tour: 40 - 45 km
After breakfast your bike tour starts from Deventer. You’ll cycle along other very charming Hanseatic city’s and along the national park ‘hoge Veluwe’, a beautiful and unique park. When everyone took in enough miles, you will board the Merlijn and together we cruise in the afternoon to the city of Kampen, where we will stay overnight. A city stroll will be offered through this ancient city after dinner.
At Merlijn, we have a long-standing tradition of experiencing the local cuisine by dining ashore on one evening. At the start of the trip, we will let you know which evening this will be.
Day 6: Kampen – Harderwijk – Spakenburg. Bike tour: 45 - 50 km, or ad dan extra 25 km in the morning!!
For the diehard cyclist there’s an option to start an early extra bike tour, for the rest a sailing breakfast is served while we cruise the Last stretch of the IJssel-river and we’ll make a short stop where your bike ride starts. Across the water you will see the eastern part of Flevoland, one of the new Dutch provinces. Your bike tour takes you to the Veluwe, and you will visit Elburg, a charming fishermen’s village. The Veluwe features many different landscapes including woodland, heath, some small lakes and Europe's largest sand drifts. Todays cycle tour ends in Harderwijk, another charming mediaeval city, on the Veluwemeer (Veluwe lake).
Here you will board the Merlijn and together we will sail to the city of Spakenburg, here we will stay overnight. Spakenburg is situated south on the IJsselmeer, and it is one of the few places left in the Netherlands where some women still wear local traditional clothes.
Day 7: Spakenburg - Amsterdam. Bike tour: 45 - 50 km
Your last biking day starts after you have enjoyed your breakfast. You will bike along the Gooimeer (Gooi lake) and through the beautiful Gooi, where impressive houses are to be seen. We’ll also pass by Naarden and visit their impressive fortification museum. After your visit you’ll reach the Merlijn who is already waiting for you in Amsterdam. In the evening a farewell diner will be served.
Day 8: Amsterdam
Breakfast, checkout and departure. Extend your stay in Holland and reserve some time to explore the city. You might want to go on a ride along the canals, or visit the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum, or Amsterdam Hermitage.
Included in your tour:
- 7 nights onboard Merlijn
- Early check-in and late check-out
- Full service of staff, maintaining cabins, manned bar (no self-service)
- Porterage of luggage upon arrival and departure
- Private stateroom of 11 m2 with 2 comfortable beds (80 x 200 cm) that can be pushed together/separated. Individual climate control and private bathroom with shower, toilet, sink, heated and illuminated mirror. Coffee & tea-making facilities from Nespresso, a varied package with coffee cups included.
- Supply of bedding, towels, facial tissues, hand soap, shampoo, sewing kit, vanity kit, bathrobe & slippers.
- Daily loading and unloading of your bicycle to and from the ship
- Use of lightweight state-of-the-art bicycle
- Use of a waterproof bike bag, city backpack, towel, water bottle, helmet with communication system.
- English speaking-tour guide (experienced guide who knows the route like the back of their hand)
- Brochures of the area available on board
- Harbour, lock and canal fees
Included culinary care:
- Welcome drink with bubbles and warm snacks
- All day unlimited coffee & specialty-coffee prepared with fresh milk, variation of tea, hot chocolate and potable ice water (self-service).
- Extensive breakfast buffet daily with at least; 2 warm dishes, freshly baked croissants or similar pastries, various types of bread, toaster, yoghurt, cereals, fresh fruit and various beverages.
- Packed lunch prepared by the staff in a special lunch bag with at least a lavish sandwich, snack and drink.
- 6 three-course dinners
- Dinners are based on ‘plate service’, meals are served in the dining area.
- Meals are perceived by our guests as “luxurious” or even “gourmet style”.
Included beverages during bar opening hours:
- Several sodas served from a small bottle
- Several long drinks
- Wide variety of wines (also non-alcoholic wine)
- Beer on tap (also non-alcoholic beer from a bottle)
Included excursions:
- Ferry costs on the bicycle route
- Entrance to the Airborne museum
- Visit of a cheese farm
- Entrance to the fortification museum
Not included in your tour:
- 1 dinner, the day and location will be announced at the start of the tour
- Excursions, entrance fees and guided tours other than mentioned
- Beverages other than those mentioned (such as spirits and cocktails)
- City maps, bike maps, etc. (we have a lot available however we can’t guarantee every destination)
- Inbound and outbound journeys, such as flights, trains, bus or other type of transfers
- Gratuities (cash only)
- Electronic payments of your onboard expenses (cash only)
- Insurances, we strongly recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance as well as travel insurance.
Not included extra services on board (payable on board):
- Rental of electric bicycles €30,- per piece, per day. Reservations in advance are advisable
- Laundry service, current price available on board