Experience Holland during the tulip flowering season, when it shows itself from its most colourful side. During our one-week tulip tour in April till May we pay special attention to this typical Dutch phenomenon. You will admire hundreds of varieties of tulips in the famous Keukenhof Gardens, see a bulb-growing nursery and visit the biggest flower auction worldwide Royal Flora in Aalsmeer. Of course you will experience the blooming tulip fields live during sail- and cycle tours, and we will berth in well-known old Dutch cities like Leiden, Haarlem or Amsterdam.
Sat: Arrival in Alphen a/d Rijn:
Embarkation in Alphen a/d Rijn at 16.00 'o clock and welcome by the crew.
After our first dinner, go for an evening walk along the old Rhine to the city centre of Alphen a/d Rijn.
Sun: Alphen-Amsterdam (ca. 30km. by bicycle)
After breakfast we will leave for our first cruise on the Aarkanaal and the Amstel to Amsterdam. Shortly before Amsterdam we will stop and our first cycle tour will start through the 'Amstelland'. It will lead us along picturesque small lakes, which meander through the typical Dutch pasture landscape. Amsterdam is today's destination, where the Ali-B2 is already waiting for us. From our central berth in Oosterdok, we can take an evening stroll along the famous canals into the city centre. Don't miss the experience of a canal tour by night!
Mon: Amsterdam-Haarlem
After breakfast there will be free time to explore the Dutch capital.
A lovely cruise is planned for the afternoon. We sail on the North Sea Canal through the harbour area of Amsterdam. We pass through a lock in Spaarndam and reach Haarlem after about 2.5 hours. In the evening, it is time for a shore leave into Haarlem. This old Dutch city is full of big and small charming sights, like fascinating towers, quiet living courtyards, pediments and their unique marketplace with the late Gothic St. Bavokerk.
Tue: Haarlem-Keukenhof-Leiden (22 or 42 km. by bike)
After breakfast we will cycle through the heart of the Dutch bulb region "Bollenstreek" along colourful tulip fields. On our way we will visit the famous flower garden "Keukenhof". The most beautiful tulip varieties in different forms and colours are displayed here in an enormous outside exhibition. We will continue cycling to Leiden, where the Ali-B2 waits for us.
In the evening, there is leisure time in the oldest university city of the Netherlands.
Wed: Leiden-Aalsmeer (39km. by bike)
Today's cycle tour will again guide us through blooming flower fields as well as through the dune area of Noordwijk and Katwijk. On our way we will visit a flower bulb cultivation, where we will among other things be able to admire wild tulip species. Feel the enthusiasm of the passionate breeders on your tour through the colourful rows of flowers and ask anything you have always wanted to know about flowers.
When back in Leiden we will sail for two hours to Aalsmeer.
Thu: Aalsmeer-Alphen (30km. by bike)
The flower country Holland shows its best side in the worldwide biggest flower-auction in Aalsmeer, where millions of flowers and plants find their way into the world. In the early morning, we will have the opportunity to observe the auction business live and enjoy the view of the infinite glory of flowers and the lively bustle of the trading centre.
Subsequently, we will sail through two lake areas back to Alphen a/d R.
During our last cycle trip we will cycle along the Braassemermeer Route past the old traditional farmer houses. We will finish this eventful holiday week with our Captain's Dinner.
Fr: Individual departure after breakfast
