Bike and Barge: Southern Netherlands (MS Normandie)

After making your way to Rotterdam (Schiedam), you will embark on the boat at 4 pm. After you have checked your bags in, you have an afternoon and evening to explore. Enjoy this beautiful city with its port, shopping centre and architecture.

Today it’s time for your first day on the bike! Your route will take you alongside the water until you get to Krimpen aan den Ijssel and Kinderdijk. Here you will see a truly iconic image of the Netherlands – the windmills! This group of 19 windmills were built in the 18^th century and has UNESCO World Heritage Site status. From here, you will travel through landscapes equipped with polders in Albwasserwaard until you get to Dordrecht. People think of Dordrecht as the Netherlands’ oldest city, and its history can be seen through the multiple restaurants, museums, and theatres. The port area is also more than worth visiting.

The day will start with a quick ferry ride to De Biesbosch National Park. This beautiful nature area is where many rivers meet and create a freshwater delta. Here you can observe the natural and tranquil scenery by boat until you continue through the Rhine delta and enter Gorinchem in a water taxi. Here, a highlight is the old town of this charming little city with its distinct buildings.

Enjoy a day of multiple highlights. Your first break from cycling will be in Leerdam, the home of the famous Leerdammer cheese! You will then go to Vianen, a city with an old fort that invites you to stop and have a refreshment in one of its multiple cafes. You’ll then take a ferry across the Lek and then cycle on to Vreeswijk, which has many small streets to explore. Your next stop will be Nieuwegein, from where you can take an additional excursion to Fort Jutphaas, a secret green oasis. Your stop for the night will be Utrecht, thought of as the heart of the Netherlands. You will always know exactly where you are in the city by seeing the central cathedral.

In the morning before you set off on your day of cycling, enjoy a chance to explore the city of Utrecht. You will cycle through scenery characterised by polders via Oudewater, which is home to a well-known witch house, a building full of history and stories to be told. You will then go on to Schoonhoven, aka “The Silver City of the Netherlands”. This is a true, quaint and traditional Dutch town.

Time to leave Schoonhaven and head for Gouda (yes, you’re right in thinking this is where the famous cheese comes from). Your stop for the evening will be Rotterdam, famous for its huge harbour where you can take an enjoyable harbour tour.

Today you have two options to choose from. The first choice goes to Delft, where we highly recommend a visit to the porcelain-manufacture building. Then you will see the governmental seat in Den Haag and Scheveningen, a coastal town and health resort on the North Sea. The second option is getting back to Rotterdam by train (rail and bike not included; it will cost around €16 pp not in peak times). If you don’t fancy a bike ride and instead want to spend the day in Rotterdam, you won’t be short of things to do here.

Have one last breakfast and depart the MS Normandie at about 9:00 am.

• Embarkation: From 4:00 pm
• Disembarkation: Until 9:00 am
• Minimum Number of Participants: 60 guests (must be reached within 21 days before departure)
• Bringing Your Bike: On request only due to limited space on the sun deck. E-bikes exclusively with removable battery packs. We exclude any liability for loss, theft, and damage, including damage caused during transportation from shore to ship or vice versa.
• Travel Safe and Secure: We recommend wearing a bike helmet. Onboard selling: UVEX I-VO for €40 per helmet (limited number available).
• Excursions: We offer a small excursion program that can be booked directly on board with the cruise director. You will receive a brief description of your travel documents. Depending on the number of participants, some excursions may be conducted in two languages (German/English).
• Luggage: We recommend bringing rainwear, a bicycle helmet, a sunhat, and trainers.
• Schedule and Program Changes: We reserve the right to change the routing and program. In the case of low or high water levels, if a route cannot be navigated, the captain reserves the right to change the route for your safety (this cannot be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal). The same applies to previously unknown administrative orders for lock or bridge repairs.
• Travel Documents:
  • EU citizens (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad, or a limited-validity passport) must have a valid passport or ID card that does not expire within six (6) months of the return date of your cruise.
  • Non-EU citizens, EU nationals with multiple citizenships, or anyone who must adhere to special legal entry requirements for the country to visit should seek information about visas and entry documents from the competent embassy.
• Accessibility: This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
• Insurance: We recommend taking out travel health insurance with repatriation coverage, as well as baggage, accident, and travel cancellation insurance.

• 
• Ship name: MS NORMANDIE
• Cabin refurbishment: 2019/20
• Registry: Netherlands
• Length: 91.2 m
• Width: 10.5 m
• Draft: 1.60 m
• Number of Crew: approx. 19
• Passengers: max. 100

Upon joining this vessel, you are immediately aware of the cosy and informal ambience on board. On the upper deck, you will find the comfortable panorama salon with its bar. The main deck features the restaurant (with no direct access from the cabin area). On deck, there are both deck chairs and ordinary chairs and tables, which encourage conversation and communal activity in the fresh air.

MS Normandie has a total of two single cabins and forty-nine double cabins. They are all outside cabins, providing approximately 10-11 square metres of space for double cabins and about 7 square metres for single cabins. All double cabins on the main and upper decks are equipped with two lower hotel beds, a shower and WC, a hairdryer, a TV, a safe (with deposit), central air conditioning, and a picture window. Only the windows on the upper deck can be opened.

In the rear part of the upper deck, engine and generator noises are perceptible in some double cabins. Single cabins have one lower hotel bed and are otherwise equipped with the same features.

Arrival: Rotterdam (Schiedam)

Departure: Rotterdam (Schiedam)

Nearest arrival airport(s): Amsterdam or Rotterdam

Nearest departure airport(s): Amsterdam or Rotterdam We also recommend travelling by train to all of our cycling holiday starting and departure points. We can help you plan your journey to Schiedam by rail. Car parking is available on all tours at the first hotel or a nearby public parking location. Full details are available on request.

Please do not book travel until an official invoice confirms the cycling holiday.