Bike & Boat: Through South Holland with the MS Normandie

You cycle along the water via Krimpen aan den IJssel to Kinderdijk, where the most famous row of windmills in the Netherlands is located. The 19 well-preserved mills date from the 18th century and have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You continue through the polder area of ​​the Albwasserwaard to Dordrecht. Dordrecht is considered the oldest city in Holland. You will be amazed by its rich history, around 1000 monuments are used as restaurants, museums or theaters, and the wonderful historic harbor area.

After a short ferry ride you will arrive in the beautiful nature reserve De Biesbosch. Various rivers meet here and form a freshwater delta of no less than 8.000 hectares. Perhaps you can take one of the boat trips that are offered everywhere here before cycling further through the Rhine Delta area and taking the water taxi to Gorinchem. Don't miss the pretty historic old town of this small but very charming town.

Today, a very varied and interesting tour awaits you. From Gorinchem, you cycle via Leerdam - famous for Leerdam cheese - to the fortress town of Vianen. Here, you should take a short break in one of the numerous street cafes. Take the ferry across the Lek and cycle on to Vreeswijk with its narrow streets. You continue via the small town of Nieuwegein - perhaps you will pay a quick visit to Fort Jutphaas, which is hidden in a green oasis in Nieuwegein, before you reach Utrecht. Utrecht is considered the heart of Holland. The city was built around the cathedral. This makes it practically impossible to get lost in the traffic-calmed city center with its idyllic canals.

This morning you should definitely take some time to explore the lively town of Utrecht before getting back on your bike. Then you'll tour through the beautiful polder landscape via Oudewater with its famous witch's weigh house (none of the so-called witches who were weighed here were ever found to be too light and convicted) to the silver town of Schoonhoven with its typically Dutch old town.

*Depending on the allocation of berths by the authorities, Vianen may also be used as an alternative to Schoonhoven. The itinerary would then be: Day 5: Utrecht – Vianen, cycling tour approx. 48-59 km; Day 6: Vianen – Gouda – Rotterdam, cycling tour, approx. 69 km. Final allocation of berths will take place in spring 2026.

From Schoonhoven you cycle to the famous cheese town of Gouda. Then you continue to Rotterdam. The port of Rotterdam is not only the largest in Europe, but also one of the largest in the world. In recent years, the city has developed into one of the architectural and cultural metropolises.

*Depending on the allocation of berths by the authorities, Vianen may also be used as an alternative to Schoonhoven. The itinerary would then be: Day 5: Utrecht – Vianen, cycling tour approx. 48-59 km; Day 6: Vianen – Gouda – Rotterdam, cycling tour, approx. 69 km. Final allocation of berths will take place in spring 2026.

There are two bike tours to choose from: the shorter option takes you to Delft - here you have the opportunity to visit the porcelain factory - the longer option takes you directly to the seat of government of the Netherlands in The Hague and then on to the North Sea spa and bathing resort of Scheveningen and back. Alternatively, you can take the train (Rail & Bike, not included, approx. € 16 per person, not during rush hour between 16:30 p.m. and 18:00 p.m.) back to Rotterdam. In the late afternoon, you should take the opportunity to take a harbor tour through Europe's largest deep-water harbor and admire the impressive skyline and unusual architecture from the water. Don't feel like cycling? Rotterdam offers you endless options for how to spend your day. You are spoiled for choice!

After breakfast, disembarkation by 09:00 am and individual journey home.