(Practical information by the local, organizing tour operator)

Dear guest,

We are pleased to welcome you on one of our tours soon.

You have booked:
Tour: Netherlands: Southern Tour of Holland
Ship: De Holland

In order to start your holiday well equipped and well prepared we have assembled some useful information and suggestions. We hope that you will enjoy reading the following in happy anticipation of your bike and barge tour. You can also find information of the tour you’ve booked on our website, www.boatbiketours.com. Should you still have questions about your tour or your documents we will gladly answer them by phone or email.

We recommend you to make copies of your most important papers and documents and to take these on the journey with you (keep them separate from the originals). In case of loss of original documents copies make it easier to get replacement documents. It’s also possible to scan these items and e-mail them to yourself.

The information we provide you is based on many years of experience in organizing bike and barge tours. Nevertheless, we don’t claim to be perfect and always welcome suggestions that can help us to improve. We would like to wish you an adventurous and relaxing vacation.

Your Boat Bike Tours team

Place of departure

We expect you on board on the arrival day (day 1 of the tour) between 2 and 4.30 p.m.

In case of a late arrival, please call the ship at: +31 610 758 754 or the tour leader at +31 646 650 129.

Your first meal on board is dinner.

How to get to the place of departure

Assure yourself that you have a good parking place. The best way to be sure of this, is to make a reservation with Boat Bike Tours. This not only means the guarantee of a parking spot, your car is also securely parked at a favorable rate. Furthermore you do not have to park far from the ship and to go from there by public transport or taxi.

A. Valet Parking – Centralparking.nl | Price € 175 - 8 days (2024)
With valet parking you drive to the ship. You will meet the valet parking driver at the ship. The driver will help you with your luggage. The driver will drive your car to the parking, on a covered area with 24/7 camera surveillance.

At your return date, your car will be waiting for you at the ship’s location in Amsterdam and you can drive home immediately..

If your tour ends in Bruges, you will first need to travel to Amsterdam by train. Agree in advance with CentralParking on a meeting point where you will pick up your car.

No waiting/loss of time, no public transportation with many changes, lugging suitcases; 24/7 access

Your car will be safe and monitored

Reliable drivers with a certificate of good conduct and driver qualifications

Parking service of Centralparking is often cheaper than public parking in Amsterdam.

Only if you have made a reservation in advance, you can use the parking service Centralparking
after your arrival in Amsterdam! You can book this in advance via Boat Bike Tours. You can find more information and the reservation form at http://boatbiketours.com/travel-preparation/valet-parking-amsterdam/.

B. Parking Centrum Oosterdok – direct at Amsterdam Central Station
Parking Centrum Oosterdok is the cheapest possibility in the center of Amsterdam to park your car for a longer period. This parking garage is only accessible for cars with a maximum height of 2.10 meter.

Parking Centrum Oosterdok offers a total of 1,369 parking places in a camera guarded and clean building, close to the Central Station of Amsterdam. The rate for long-term parking is €30 per 24 hours (stand: Jan. 2024).

Navigation system: Oosterdoksstraat 150, 1011 DK, Amsterdam. Telephone number: +31 20 4203381

Please reserve a parking spot on https://www.parkingcentreamsterdam.com/

Public transport in Amsterdam: In the city bus, train, metro and streetcar you pay for your trip with your debit card or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, ICS). You must check in with your card when boarding and must check out again when getting off (don't forget!). The fare will then be debited (as a contactless payment) from your account. You will not need a ticket. If you forget to check out, you will be charged a flat rate of 4 Euro.

NOTE: It is NOT possible to travel with multiple persons (including children) on 1 debit card or credit card. You will have to buy a ticket for all other persons in advance. Within Amsterdam a 1-hour ticket is sufficient, which you can buy at one of the GVB Service & Tickets Offices, for example at the Stationsplein opposite the main entrance of Amsterdam Central Station. That ticket is not date- or time-bound and only becomes valid once you board and check in. So you can also buy tickets in presale well in advance. See also: customer-service-how-does-ovpay-work | GVB

Also outside Amsterdam, in the rest of the Netherlands, you can travel by public transport (only) in this way. For the (regional and national) train, you can buy a ticket from the ticket machine at any NS train station.

If you are planning to extend your stay in Amsterdam before or after the tour, we advise you to buy the Iamsterdam City Card. With this card you can visit world-class museums, take a cruise through the charming canals and sample the local delicacies. All for free or with a significant discount! In addition, the City Card gives you unlimited access to the city's public transportation system for 24, 48 or 72 hours. More information on https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/i-am/i-amsterdam-city-card .

Disembarkation

Disembarkation will take place after breakfast till 09:30. Please check your cabin for personal items. Before you leave, do not forget to hand over your cabin key to the crew. If you wish you can leave your luggage on board until noon (please ask the crew).

Departure

Return trip: Plan your trip at www.omio.com or www.trainline.eu.

Would you like to book a hotel?

Make it easy on yourself and book a hotel room close to the departure port prior to your trip. You can also book an extra night after your trip to go home completely relaxed or to explore the city where your trip ends.

Hotels in Amsterdam and other cities
If you would like to book a hotel in Amsterdam or find accommodation in another city, please use the link below. This is a link to an external website recommended by Boat Bike Tours. Boat Bike Tours is not the executing party for hotel reservations through this link: https://boatbiketours.com/travel-preparation/book-your-hotel/

Tour program

Welcome on your ship De Holland

For an extensive description incl. pictures of your ship De Holland please check our website: https://boatbiketours.com/ships/de-holland/

General information about the ship
De Holland is a medium-sized cozy river cruise ship, built in 1952 and extended by 16 meters in 2012. In the winter of 2017/2018 the ship has been completely refitted: new marshalling, spacious and more luxurious cabins and a full restyle of the interior. The ship sails under Dutch flag and management and has always been very popular and appropriate for the Northern and the Southern Tours of Holland.

De Holland has a large salon with large panoramic windows on the upper deck that combines the restaurant, bar and a lounge area. On the partially roofed sun deck, chairs and sun loungers invite for a stay. Here you can relax and have a drink and enjoy the scenery while sailing.

De Holland takes a maximum of 66 passengers in 33 comfortable cabins.

The team
De Holland sails with an elaborate crew of 11: among them the captain, the chef, the hotel manager and your tour leaders. Many of them speak Dutch, English and German. Any question you may have about cycling, food, time schedules, phone numbers, internet, the ship, waterways or anything else; the crew is pleased to be at your service. The captain and his crew wish you a pleasant time on board!

The cabins
After arrival on board, the crew will show you to your cabin. A cabin is almost like a bedroom at home. You will find a few things to pay attention to in the information folder in your cabin. Please read this information carefully.

The lower deck has 23 twin cabins. Two twin cabins in the front have two separate beds, set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches) and an additional fold away bunk bed as optional third bed (only for children). 20 Twin cabins have two separate beds, set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches). All lower deck cabins have a window (80 x 40 cm – 31 x 16 inches) that – for safety reasons – cannot be opened.

The upper deck offers nine twin cabins and one suite, all with two separate beds set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches). All upper deck cabins and the suite have a “French Balcony” (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors) instead of a regular window.

All 33 cabins aboard De Holland have an individual climate control system, digital TV, mini-safe, small wardrobe, hair dryer, 230V sockets and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. The suite has the same amenities as the twin cabins but is larger.

Meals and drinks
The meals on board are substantial and healthy. Breakfast will be served as a buffet and during breakfast you can make your own packed picnic lunch for your bike tour. In the evening the chef serves a three-course dinner.

Special meals are available for guests with other moderate diet wishes, but only on prior notification (at least 7 days prior to arrival on board). In case you eat according to a strict diet, such as gluten free or lactose free, there is an additional surcharge to be paid on board.

During breakfast and after the cycling tour, coffee and tea are available. Complimentary till 4.00 PM. Other drinks such as various non-alcoholic drinks, beer, red and white wine and various kind of liquors are available at a charge.

Beverage package: only on the first day of the trip you will have the option to purchase a beverage package on board. The conditions and prices can be found on board at the bar/reception.

Please note: Payment on board is possible in cash or with your VISA or Mastercard debit or credit card (card payments only with PIN - secret number).

It is not permitted on board to consume beverages that you have brought with you (neither in the lounge nor on the sundeck).

Wi-Fi
The ship is equipped with Wi-Fi. Internet access on board is via the mobile telephone network. There is a small charge of € 10 per week (max 2 devices) for internet data usage. You can purchase an internet voucher at the reception of the ship. Please note that the connection via the mobile network may be slower than a landline connection that you are used to at home or in a hotel, and that it may have limited services (e.g. no streaming or similar services).

Tipping
May service aboard be not to your liking, please let the crew know during the trip. In this case they have the opportunity to improve their service. Are you on the other hand really satisfied, then you are more than welcome to show this in a financial gesture. The amount is at your own discretion, but we would like to suggest approximately 5 - 7% of the travel sum per passenger for the crew to share.

Smoking
Due to legal safety regulations, smoking is prohibited in all cabins on board. All other passenger areas on the ship are also nonsmoking areas.

Language
Aboard the ship most of the crew speaks English, Dutch and German. However, the daily briefings will be done in English and German only. Also the daily route notes are only available in German and English.

Sustainability
For years, Boat Bike Tours had been committed to sustainable travel. We have measuring the footprint of our tours since 2018. This way, we know what the biggest challenges are and working hard to reduce our CO2 emissions. Each ship owner checks which solutions is most suitable for their ship: a more environmentally friendly engine, the use of biofuels or the installation of solar panels.

We offer fully catered tours, including delicious meals. The menus now become even more tasty as we make them more sustainable. In fact, a quarter of our carbon footprint consists of food and drink. Our goal is to reduce this by at least 15% by:
-Choosing meat less often,
-choosing local/regional products and ingredients more often,
-and putting meals with lots of vegetables on the menu.
Please help us and the environment by using electricity, water and towels with awareness.
Boat Bike Tours is a partner of Justdiggit (since 2021) and Trees for all (since 2023), with our donations we support in binding 10,000 ton CO2 in their greening projects. Both non-profit organizations are based in the Netherlands and have been campaigning for a greener world for years.

Type of guidance

Cycling guidance
During this trip there is an expert and experienced tour leader on board. He or she will discuss the next day's cycling routes on a daily basis and provide you with tips and information about the route. You will cycle the tours independently and at your own pace using a detailed cycling map, GPS directions via the free Ride With GPS app and printed route descriptions (available on board). The tour leader will also cycle the routes, so they will be riding nearby and can be reached by phone in case of emergencies, problems or questions.

Included in this tour:

• 8 days/7 nights
• 7 x breakfast
• Packed lunches
• 7 x 3-course dinner
• Coffee and tea on board till 4 PM
• Welcome drink
• Use of bed linen and towels
• Daily cleaning of the cabin
• Climate-controlled cabin
• Daily briefings
• Semi guided cycling tours (guest cycle independently, tour leader also cycles the tour);
• Some short walking tours
• Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
• GPS tracks
• Use of a waterproof pannier bag
• Biodegradable water bottle
• Wi-Fi is available in restaurant – data use is not included
• Live music on board
• Carbon offset payment to the non-profit organization Justdiggit

Excluded in this tour:

• Coffee and tea on board after 4 p.m.
• Drinks
• Bicycle rental or E-bike rental
• Helmet rental
• Personal insurances
• Gratuities (at your discretion)
• Entrance fees and excursions
• Fees for ferries/waterbus
• Transfers to/from the docking place
• Parking fees
• SGR Insolvency protection

Ride with GPS – a special cycling routes app

Ride with GPS (RWGPS) is a special app for your mobile phone, a bike route mapping tool for cyclists. Boat Bike Tours / Eurosail partnered with RWGPS to provide our guests a way to download tour maps and daily routes to the Ride With GPS app on your smartphone for free. The app provides you with clear GPS tracks with voice navigation, to be used off-line.

To be able to use the app during your tour, you have to do some homework.
Make sure you downloaded the app on your phone and that you have downloaded the maps for offline use on your smartphone. Our tour leaders only have limited time to help you during the tour, and downloading the app via the ships’ network can take a long time.

Using Ride with GPS on your tour allows you to access turn by turn voice navigation, detailed maps, and daily itinerary information entirely offline.

STEP ONE: Downloading app and tour package

1. Go to the Google Play or App Store and download the Ride with GPS app.

2. Tap the Open Shortcut button in the lower left corner.     

3. Enter the code provided and tap Submit.

4. Tap Download to save your tour package to your phone (this download can take up to a minute or more).

STEP TWO: Accessing your content

1. Once you have downloaded your content, you will be taken to your tour home page where you can access all your routes and itinerary information.

2. To access your guide content, from the home page scroll to the bottom and tap the day you’d like to view information for.

3. To start navigation, tap on the route thumbnail within the daily guide section then tap the Navigate button. 

STEP THREE: Finishing Navigation

1. When finished riding and you want to end navigation, press and hold the pause button

2. Tap Finish Navigation

3. This will drop you back on your tour homepage ready to start the next day.

How to Video: How to use the Ride with GPS app
This instructional video shows you how to get the app and bike routes on your smartphone.

Bicycles

Granville E-Bike

Aboard the ship there are a few e-bikes available. Please indicate at your booking that you would like to make a reservation for such a bike. This will be on request and at an additional charge. It is important that you are a good cyclist and that you know how an electrical bike works, before you start your cycling tour.

The e-bike is a Granville E-Urban with Nexus 7 gears and hand brakes. The crank Bosch motor (500WH) offers 4 support levels. The e-bikes have a comfortable gel saddle an a lock on the frame. If there is no Granville e-bike available a comparable brand / model will be provided.

Azor

The bicycle you will find on board is a unisex city bike with a low-entry and a riding position that is upright and comfortable. The bike is handmade in the Netherlands by Azor, specially designed by Boat Bike Tours.

The bike consists of a lightweight aluminum frame and is equipped with responsive roller brakes (handbrake), a Shimano 7 speed nexus drive, Selle-Royal gel saddle (adjustable), an easy to use lock (fixed on frame) and the Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tyre. This all results in a lightweight, stable and reliable bike, good for many miles on the saddle.

There are three different frame sizes on board. For each rental bicycle we have a detachable pannier bag, a pump and a repair kit available on board; use of these items is included in the rental price.

Bicycle changes can be made till 2 weeks prior to departure.

Responsibility
Please do not forget to lock your rental bike each time you leave it somewhere for sightseeing or going to a restaurant. Never leave your pannier bag or other belongings on the bicycle. You are responsible as well as liable for your bike and equipment in case of loss, theft or an accident. We would like to ask you to treat your bike with care as if it was your own one. Please return the rental bike as well as the bicycle equipment to the tour guide / crew at the end of the journey.

How to Video: How to attach your bike bag and cycling map
When you travel with Boat Bike Tours, we will lend you a bike bag and a cover for the bike map. See in this video how to attach the carrier bag and the cover for your route description.

How to Video: How to use your e-bike
Do you ride one of our e-bikes? In this video we explain the different settings. We show you how to use the odometer and switc

Packing list

More experienced cyclists know exactly what to bring. In case you are planned to come along on a boat bike tour for the first time, we can provide you with some advice:

– Travel light
– Bring comfortable clothes that you can wear in layers
– Make sure you bring rain gear
– A windbreaker or soft shell jacket is also useful for cool mornings and days that are a bit chilly
– Padded cycling shorts will add considerably to your comfort
– Cycling gloves
– Sunscreen
– Sun glasses
– Sportive shoes (for walking and biking)
– Your own helmet (included on premium tours)
– And of course passport, credit cards and travel documents
 
There is no special dress code on board. Casual clothing is sufficient.

Cycling in the Netherlands and Belgium

Helmets
In the Netherlands and Belgium wearing a helmet is recommended, but not compulsory. If you want to wear a helmet, we advise you to bring your own. There are rental bike helmets on board (price €10 per helmet, please pre-reserve and pay by booking). If you booked a tour on a premium ship, then bike helmets are included.

Bicycle signs
Due to the many separate cycle paths (FIETSPAD, FIETSPADEN), indicated by a round blue sign with a white bike, The Netherlands is a nice cycling country. If there is a blue sign with a white bike on it, then all bikers are obliged to use that cycle path. In many cases, a white bike is painted on the road. This part of the road is usually separated from the rest of the road by an (interrupted) white line. All cyclists are obliged to use this cycle lane; if there is a cycle lane, using the regular road is not permitted!

Sign posts
Signposts for cyclists (incl. number) are often mentioned on the bike maps. Most general signposts, indicating general directions, are blue with white letters. When you are entering a larger town, you will often come across a large map. Looking at this map may be useful: if you get lost, please look out for the small signs saying ‘tourist office’, where people will be glad to be of service to you.

Bicycle nodes
A few years ago the so called ‘knooppuntensysteem’, or bicycle nodes system, was introduced. With this system every cyclist can easily plan individual bicycle tours and is able to orient oneself. These nodes are also being used in our issued bike tours. Aboard the ship, during the briefing of these tours, the tour guide explains how this system works.

Traffic rules
Here are a few of the most important, general traffic rules:

• Always ride on the right and pass on the left
• Through traffic has always priority over traffic turning left or right on equal roads

In addition to this, the following rules apply for cyclists too:

• Cyclists may ride alongside each other, but only if they don’t hinder the other traffic
• Highways are forbidden for cyclists
• Biking on the sidewalk is FORBIDDEN (please dismount)
• Front and rear lights of the bikes should be turned on at dusk and in the dark
• Change of direction should be indicated by a clearly extended arm
• Small children should be transported in a special baby saddle, with enough support/space for their hands, back and feet; please order this baby saddle well in advance.

Emergency number in the Netherlands and Belgium

Emergency phone number Boat Bike Tours (24/7): +31 20 7235454

Various travel information

• Service charge & tips
  The total amount of a bill always includes service and VAT (BTW). The amount on the taximeter also includes service.

  • Of course you may give a tip, especially for remarkable or special help or service. The amount of the tip depends on the amount of the bill or the quality of the service given. It goes without saying that this is always at your discretion. However, it is common use to give a small tip in a restaurant or to the taxi driver (about 5 %).

• Emergency number in the Netherlands and Belgium
  Police / ambulance / fire department emergency: 112
  In Belgium and the Netherlands 112 is specifically used as general emergency number for all rescue services. In case you need to call the police for a non-life threatening situation (for example for an accident without personal damage, theft or burglary) please call +31(0)900 – 8844 in the Netherlands or 101 when in Belgium.

• Emergency phone number Boat Bike Tours (24/7): +31 20 7235454

In case of mistakes and/ or omissions in this publication, neither the tour operator nor the barge or ship operator/owner nor publisher can take responsibility nor accept liability: the vast majority of information has been provided by public sources (for example websites) and third parties (for example tourist offices). This edition and all texts, information, contribution, maps and illustrations are copyrighted. For every use of copyright, you need confirmation in writing from the publisher in advance.

Text sources: Boat Bike Tours, Wikipedia, partner tour operators, various Tourist Information centres

Picture sources: Boat Bike Tours, NBTC, Amsterdam Marketing/ATCB, various Tourist Information centres, Job Hendriks, Hajo Olij/Fotoboot, Arthur Op Zee, Ellen Haars, Colette Raaijmakers, barge+ship owners, various tour leaders + guests of Boat Bike Tours, and many others (all with kind permission).