The Hanseatic towns of the Netherlands by bike and boat aboard the De Nassau

Historical Sites of the Netherlands by Bike and Boat

The region you will travel through has been shaped over millennia by rivers and streams. It flourished during the Middle Ages when the Rhine and IJssel rivers were among the most important trade routes in Europe. Many towns along their banks were members of the Hanseatic League, a confederation that protected its members' economic interests and stretched across much of the Netherlands, Germany, and Northern Europe. The wealth from that period is still visible everywhere, particularly through the rich civil and religious architecture.

Cycling through the Natural Beauty of the Rhine Valley

Your tour begins in the charming city of Amsterdam. From there, you will sail and cycle to several Hanseatic cities of various sizes, such as Arnhem, Deventer, Zutphen, Kampen, Harderwijk, and Elburg. The natural beauty of the Rhine Valley and its enchanting tributary, the IJssel, will surely impress you.

Another highlight along the route is the so-called "Bordering Lakes," located between the "old" continent, with its many magnificent port towns, and the "new land" of the Flevoland province, which was once an inland sea. The 125 km-long IJssel Valley is a perfect playground for those who enjoy cycling along winding paths through a region of varied landscapes.

Day 1: Amsterdam | 🚢 From Amsterdam to Wijk bij Duurstede
Boarding and welcome on board between 1 pm and 2 pm. At 2 pm, the boat leaves the port to reach Wijk bij Duurstede via the Rhine Canal.

Day 2: 🚢 From Wijk to Duurstede to Wageningen and then from Arnhem to Doesburg | 🚲 From Wageningen to Arnhem (50 km)
Enjoy breakfast as the boat heads towards Wageningen. Hop on your bike and cycle through the charming Rhine Valley to Arnhem, a former Hanseatic League city. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to stroll through the pretty streets and alleys, have a drink, or visit one of the many museums. During World War II, Arnhem was the scene of the largest airborne operation in history. It ended in failure with the inability to regain control of the Rhine bridge and the complete elimination of the British 1st Airborne Division.

Day 3: 🚲 From Doesburg to Deventer via Zutphen (45 or 55 km)
You have two options today. Both take you first to Bronkhorst, which is proudly the smallest village in the country. Then, via ferry, the shorter option takes you to the west bank of the IJssel, while the longer one takes you to the east bank. Either way, you'll end the day in Deventer, enjoying the peaceful and charming countryside. Deventer is famous for its delicious, tangy gingerbread.

Day 4: 🚢 From Deventer to Wijhe | 🚲 From Wijhe to Kampen (40 or 56 km)
Cycle along beautiful cycle paths to Hattem. This town has a rich history, evident in its rich heritage. Before joining the boat in Kampen, a stop in Zwolle is recommended. The powerful Hanseatic League in medieval times left magnificent traces on the town's architecture. In Kampen, enjoy the evening discovering the most important Hanseatic city in the Netherlands.

Day 5: 🚲 From Kampen to Elburg and Harderwijk (48 or 56 km)
The route takes you along the shores of Lake Border to the fishing village of Elburg. It's a popular summer destination for water sports enthusiasts: swimming, fishing, and boat trips. Continue through forests and moors to finish your day's ride in Harderwijk. The boat awaits you in the old fishing port. In the 15th century, Harderwijk was home to the largest fish market in the Zuiderzee region.

Day 6: 🚲 From Harderwijk to Spakenburg and Huizen (45 or 56 km)
Even today, there are two routes to choose from. Both routes visit the charming village of Spakenburg, well-known for its traditional costumes, which are still worn to this day. The boat awaits you in Huizen.

Day 7: 🚲 From Huizen to Amsterdam (35 km)
Two pretty fortified towns await you along the route: Naarden and Muiden. After enjoying them, drive along quiet roads to the Dutch capital. You should normally have the afternoon to enjoy this magnificent town, which is full of treasures and activities. Stroll along the canals, visit the Anne Frank House, visit one of the museums on Museumplein, or shop in the charming alleyways.

Day 8: Amsterdam
All good things must come to an end, and so this bike and boat trip in the Netherlands comes to an end after breakfast (9:30 a.m.).

General Information: 

• 8 days and 7 nights  
• Comfort level of the boat: Comfort  
• Common language spoken on board: English  
• Children's rates: Please contact us  

2026 Dates:

• Departures every Saturday
• From May 2nd to October 10th inclusive

Included:

• 7 nights  on board with full board (picnic lunch)
• Coffee and tea on board until 4 p.m.  
• Welcome drink  
• Bed linen and towels provided
• Daily cabin cleaning  
• Air-conditioning in each cabin  
• Daily briefing  
• "Semi-guided" tour (you cycle independently, but the tour leader is available for questions and/or emergencies)  
• Some guided walking tours  
• Maps and notes for cycling routes (one per cabin)  
• GPS tracks  
• Wi-Fi available in the restaurant (data not included)  

Not included:  

• Transport to the departure point  
• Personal expenses 
• Drinks
• Fees for ferries
• Visits  
• Anything not specified under "included"

Optional extras:

• Standard bike or e-bike rental  
• Personal bike space (mandatory if no bike is rented)  
• Bicy +: Amsterdam canal cruise (1 hour)  
• Helmet  
• Bike theft insurance (for rented bikes)  
• Cancellation insurance  

Difficulty level:
1 2 3 4 5 6  

Terrain:
Flat, smooth roads and paths.  

Climate:  
Contrary to popular belief, temperatures in the Netherlands are similar to those in France. Near the coast, the climate can be windy.  

Technical details:

• 36 to 56 km of cycling per day, or 3 to 6 hours of riding maximum.  
• Easy route to follow. No difficulties, accessible to all.  

Bibliography:  
Guide and maps of the Netherlands available on cartovelo.fr  

Participants: 
You will meet an international community of all ages on board.  

Accompaniment:
On board, the captain and crew ensure the smooth running of your holiday on the boat. Each day, if you wish, you can receive advice on the route to follow and additional tourist information during the briefing.  

Meals:

• Breakfasts: A hearty Dutch breakfast is served on the boat.  
• Lunches: After breakfast, you will prepare your own lunch (sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and drinks).  
• Snacks: After your daily ride, various drinks such as tea and coffee will be prepared for your return to the boat.  
• Dinners: A minimum of three courses. After dinner, you can choose between coffee and tea.

Other drinks, such as wine, beer, lemonade, and mineral water, are not included but can be purchased on board at a reasonable price. 

Bicycles:  

• Rental bikes come equipped with panniers, a lock, and a repair kit for flat tires.  
• E-bikes come with a 400W battery and different levels of assistance.  
• If you bring your own bike, it cannot be insured against theft by our company, so you will need to arrange this with your own insurer. Don’t forget your lock.  

Transport:  

• By train: Amsterdam's central station is well-connected, with several daily trains to and from France. Thalys is the fastest option.  
• By plane: Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport.  

Your vehicle:  
We strongly discourage parking cars in the streets of Amsterdam. You can find information on monitored parking facilities in the city at parkingcentrumoosterdok.nl.  

Cancellation Insurance:  
To ensure reimbursement of costs in case of cancellation, you can purchase cancellation insurance. For more information, click here.  

For a description of the boat: click here.