Dutch & Belgian Waterways River Cruise Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
Dutch & Belgian Waterways River Cruise Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
8 days
7 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Small Luxury Ship
2026: Apr-May
From $5,530 - $10,630 /person
Includes port fees
Iconic Canals, Windmills & Bike Paths from Amsterdam to Bruges
Spring is magic in the Low Countries. Fairy-tale windmills float upon banks of sea grass. Busy bike paths interlace with softly flowing canals. And when Mother Nature is ready, gardens burst into bloom.
Highlights
- Sail the canals, waterways and reservoirs that crisscross these two countries—if ever a region was made for small cruise ships, it’s this!
- Celebrate spring at the world-renowned Keukenhof Gardens, where a landscape planted with 7 million bulb flowers is opened to visitors for just one month a year
- Bike through dynamic cities like dreamy Amsterdam, charming Ghent and romantic Bruges
- Clink a glass of Belgian beer as you indulge in local specialties like waffles, chocolate, gourmet cheese and fresh seafood
- From sweeping sandy beaches to marshes rich with birdlife, the Low Countries’ landscapes may surprise you
Start/End Amsterdam
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Welcome to the Netherlands, where cycling is a way of life • Start with a bike ride in the famous Dutch bulb region • Before boarding our ship in Amsterdam, see the millions of flowers on display in Keukenhof Gardens • Settle into your spacious stateroom and get to know the ship's ample amenities • Sail through Ijsselmeer to the historic town of Kampen, once a member of the nautical Hanseatic League.
Nights 1-2
A custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. An Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool)
Days 3-4
Ride on amazing bike paths along the coast and through the province of Zeeland • Pass the inland harbors of tiny canal towns like Bruinisse, known for its mussels • Cross the border into Belgium and continue to Ghent, one of the country's oldest cities • Bike along a canal and through picturesque countryside to magical Bruges • Explore the city’s well-preserved medieval architecture, which is stunningly showcased by cobbled lanes and willow-draped waterways.
Nights 3-4
A custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. An Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool)
Days 5-6
Bike through the impressive historic center of Antwerp • Spin past Westmalle Abbey, where monks have been producing beer since the 18th century, and sample a taste of their labors during lunch at a nearby castle • Back in the Netherlands, admire the country's iconic windmills • Pedal on cycling paths through enchanting villages and past lush farmland • As you bike through polders to Gouda, keep an eye out for a variety of birds including warblers, buntings and bluethroats • Try a wedge of the namesake cheese or treat yourself to a slice of appeltaart topped with whipped cream.
Nights 5-6
A custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. An Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool)
Days 7-8
Fit right in with the two-wheeled crowds as you navigate your bike through friendly Amsterdam • Check out the gingerbread-house architecture of the Zaandaam neighborhood and spin past the Zaan windmills • Cycle out of the city and into the countryside, where quaint villages and beautiful meadows await • Enjoy unparalleled views of stately homes, arched bridges and famous monuments as our ship weaves through Amsterdam’s intricate canals.
Night 7
A custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. An Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Tulips are early blooming spring flowers; keep in mind that coming to the Netherlands and Belgium during their season means traveling well outside of summer—with weather to match! Expect spring showers and gusty winds on your trip, and pack accordingly. Some years, weather during our cooler springtime trips includes hail and even snow!
As unpredictable as the weather can be, so can the blooms themselves. Like peak fall colors or the northern lights, the exact timing of spring flower displays varies from year to year. While the timing of this trip aims to align with tulip season, please remember that we can’t guarantee fields of tulips. That part is in Mother Nature’s hands—the rest is in ours.
We sail with up to 30 Backroads guests per group. Occasionally there may be more than one Backroads group onboard and you may cross paths with the other group on routes or at restaurants. When this occurs, each group will have their own dedicated onboard Backroads leaders.
On our active cruises, we seek out diversity by including regionally authentic and creative meals for onshore lunches, picnics and the occasional onshore dinner. On-ship meals, though delightful, are meant to appeal to a wide cross section of passengers and may at times feel more conventional for some, and less reflective of the region than on Backroads hotel trips.
Our daily itinerary is based on scheduled sailing and port arrival times and as a result some days have more opportunities for exploring on land while other days have more sailing time. Every river has its own unique temperament and for centuries water levels have shifted due to rain, temperature and agriculture. High water levels may mean the ship cannot pass under a bridge, low water levels result in slower sailing, and a disabled lock can also lead to some extra cruising time. Should any unforeseen change happen during your river cruise, we will work closely with AmaWaterways’ captain and staff, who are very experienced in going with the flow. Depending on the situation, we may use a bus or our bikes to get to the next destination and use a land-based hotel if needed, in which case our leaders will adjust the rides and activities as necessary.
In contrast to our land-based trips, which have similar room categories, the AmaWaterways ships offer a wide range of stateroom categories. The top-tier staterooms often fill fast, so book as early as possible if this is important to you.
Most port conditions require that ships tie up alongside each other, in which case you may need to walk through another ship to access our ship. This is a part of river cruising due to its popularity. You may experience obstructed views from your stateroom when the ship is double-docked, but as soon as we set sail again your beautiful views will be restored.
Accommodations
Small Ships, Big Adventures
Our small ships feel more like boutique retreats, offering an experience a world away from the typical large cruise.
Ship may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-7
A custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. An Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool)
Gallery
Share Your Adventure!
Tag @backroadstravel or use #MyBackroadsTrip to submit your photos.
Bikes
Choose Your Perfect Bike
Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Included in your trip price
- Ideal for avid cyclists
- Redesigned for 2024
- Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
- Responsive, efficient and comfortable
- Drop handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- One of the lightest e-bikes available
- Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
- Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
- Upright handlebars only
- Limited availability on Unplugged Bike Tours; learn more
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 8 customers
Incredible trip ! Loved every minute
Fabulous sights , great bike paths and amazing tour leaders and support staff
Many enjoyable moments!
The leaders and support staff were tops, the accommodations were excellent, and the others travellers were interesting and very enjoyable to be with.
Unforgettable
Backroads exceeded our expectations yet again! This was our third trip with them, and it truly stood out. Our leaders were not only knowledgeable but also made every moment special, ensuring that we had a seamless and unforgettable journey. The cycling routes through the Netherlands and Belgium were like something out of a dream—tulip fields stretching for miles, picturesque windmills on the horizon, and quaint villages inviting us to explore. And of course, WAFFLES, CHOCOLATE, and FRIES. Not sure I lost weight, but hopefully I broke even. Thank you Backroads, amazing journey!
We love river cruises. No packing and unpacking.
A week of cycling through the canals and farmland of beautiful rural Netherlands and Belgium, but also visiting medieval towns and the cities of Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Amsterdam, And we always enjoy meeting the enthusiastic trip leaders and the interesting people from throughout the US, with whom we travel on Backroads trips.
High Expectations Exceeded!
Great experience. AmaSerena was very nice. Accomodations solid. Would suggest more of a hybrid with less meals on the boat for future trips. Incredible routes and a fantastic job by Backroads.
Like a Fairy Tale
Not having to move at all was a dream. Unpack once and watch belgian towns cruise by at night- less fuss more joy! Leaders were beyond compare. Great routes. No better way to see the world than by bicycle in my opinion! A couple rainy days but overall just a magnificent experience.
Unforgettable
Backroads did not disappoint! Our phenomenal leaders gave us a trip we will never forget. This was our 5th trip with Backroads and it was another winner! We thoroughly enjoyed our phenomenal leaders, our friendly group, our picturesque cycling and our entire journey through the Netherlands and Belgium. There was so many beautiful things to see (tulips and windmills and the charming cities we visited along the way) and so much fabulous food to taste (including waffles and chocolate and Belgian fries!) Visiting the Netherlands and Belgium during Tulip Time is a very special experience and we are grateful for a trip we will never forget!
Not so great
The good things were the cycling was very good on three of the days; some of the other rides not so good. I love Holland, so it's always nice to be there, but I would not choose this trip again. There were many negatives: -The food on the boat was mediocre at best. When I travel to Europe my preference is to eat locally in the towns we stay. This is not possible on this trip because the boat--when it is harbor as opposed to on the river--is often too far from town or has a schedule that will not allow this. -There were 34 Backroads people on this trip. That is way too many, particularly considering there were only 2 guides on the boat, and 2 guides who showed up sporadically on our rides. -The group was dysfunctional. Of the 34 people, 24 were in large groups traveling together. Each group chose to not mingle, eat all meals with each other and essentially act like they were alone on the trip. I've taken several BR trips and this is not the dynamic one typically encounters. Backroads in my view had an obligation to give heads up to those traveling as solos or couples as to the sheer absurdity of the # of people and the fact that there would be these large packs traveling together. Keep in mind this is a 7 day trip so you are on the boat for a long time. -The activities were peculiar. For example, we had one day for both Bruges and Ghent, both world class cities, including limited to an hour guided walk in Ghent. These towns deserve more. Although we docked in Antwerp, our ride did not take us into central Antwerp. Other rides had similar oddities.
Backroads Guest Services
Thank you for your detailed feedback on your recent cycling trip with Backroads. We're pleased to hear you enjoyed the cycling in Holland, but we sincerely apologize the trip fell short for you in other key ways. We understand your desire to eat locally, and we regret any limitations in dining options on the boat. Our river cruise trips offer a unique perspective , but we acknowledge the tradeoff of being farther from places with services like restaurants during mealtimes. We appreciate your understanding and will strive to communicate this aspect more clearly in the future. Regarding the "group within a group" dynamic, we apologize for any frustration caused. Your suggestion to inquire about the group size in advance is valuable, and we encourage you to reach out to your Backroads travel consultant for such information to ensure a better match with your preferences. Your insights are crucial as we work to improve our offerings, and we hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a more satisfying travel experience in the future.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip.
Note: Your stateroom will be assigned based on availability. Please contact us if you are interested in booking multiple Stateroom Categories for your party, selecting a specific stateroom, or Single Supplement pricing.
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