Hanseatic tour of the Netherlands
The route East
May 17 - 24 / 2025
Departure date: 17 may 2025
Average biking distance per day 25 to 50 km/ Level: Easy
Highlights
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
Check in: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM, 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
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
Sailing breakfast while we cruise to Amerongen, where 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. 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
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 a person as the most beautiful river of the Netherlands, and certainly by Capitan Coen. This week you will visit the mediaeval cities of Kampen, Hattem, Deventer, Zutphen and Doesburg all of them beautiful gems. At night you will have time to stroll a little more through the centre.
Day 5: Deventer - Kampen
After breakfast your bike tour starts from Deventer. You’ll cycle along other very charming Hanseatic city’s. After your visit 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.
Day 6: Kampen – Harderwijk - Spakenburg
Sailing breakfast while we cruise the Last stretch of the IJssel-river, 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
Your last biking day starts in Spakenburg, 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, and 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
- Individual climate control and private bathroom with shower, sink and toilet in all cabins
- Supply of bedding, towels, facial tissues, hand soap, shampoo, sewing kit, vanity kit, bathrobe & slippers
- Full service of staff, daily cleaning of the cabins, manned bar (no self-service)
- Porterage of luggage upon arrival and departure
- 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, universal sized helmet, towel and a personal water bottle
- Tour guide (we offer an experienced guide who know the routes like the back of his/her hand)
- Brochures of the area available on board
- Harbour, lock and canal fees
Included culinary care:
- Welcome drink with bubbles
- All day unlimited coffee, 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
- Wide variety of wines (also non-alcoholic wine)
- Beer on tap and various beers from the bottle (also non-alcoholic beer)
Included excursions:
- Ferry costs on the bicycle route
Not included in your tour:
- 1 dinner
- 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
- Insurances
- Gratuities (cash only)
- Electronic payments of your onboard expenses (cash only)
For your comfort, we rent out electric bikes at € 30,- each per day, reservations in advance are advisable.
The Cancellation policy also applies to pre-booked and reserved use of e-bike or any other extra requested services.
The general terms and conditions of Merlijn de magie van water B.V. apply to all bookings, offers and agreements. Please find them on our website under ‘Terms & Conditions’.
Merlijn complies the General Data Protection Regulation to protect your privacy. Please find them on our website under ‘Privacy statement’.
We reserve the right to modify schedule and/or program. If (part of) the route is not navigable due to weather conditions and/or other nautical reasons and/or is closed off due to circumstances and/or for safety reasons, the operator and/or the captain has the right to change the schedule. This includes changing the location of departure and/or arrival and temporarily suspending departure. Nautical and/or meteorological reasons are understood to mean, among others, weather conditions, the tide, obstruction of waterways/shipping lanes, and the condition of the ship. Closed off due to circumstances and/or safety reasons are understood to mean, among others, terrorism, diseases, natural disasters. Changes in schedule and/or program do not give the customer the right on free cancellation.