The day on a Dutch barge begins early.
Holland is mainly made out of water and cycle paths, so a barge and bike tour is an excellent introduction to life below sea level. The Utracks organisation has organised the Tulip Tour experience for us.
Our barge in the 1920s. 'Germa' was not such a catchy name; now it's called the 'Holland'.
In the 1920s, the barge Holland usually carried sand. Then in the 1960s someone decided that carrying passengers would be more profitable.
That required some refitting. Now the Holland looks like this:
'Holland' in Amsterdam (in Holland).
A cook needed to be added to the ship’s crew. Sand doesn’t need to be fed.
A very Dutch breakfast - great bread, lots of cheese and ham, and chocolate shot.
Our first stop out of Amsterdam was the River Spaarn in the lovely old town of Haarlem.
Our sister ship the Jelmar, following us through the bridges.
We glide along the canals, often waiting for the bridges and locks to open to let us through. There is no hurry.
Life on board
If life below decks is a little cramped, that’s no problem. It’s not the idea that we spend much time there. Up above our bikes are being made ready for action.
Does everybody remember which bike is theirs?
We won’t be setting any records. A leisurely 15-30km a day will be enough.
Ready for the road.
We have tulip fields to photograph, windmills to visit, and appeltaart to eat. Welkom in Nederland!
Welcome to Holland!
Are we having fun yet?
For an ‘inzoomable’ map of our route, click here.
Here’s the overview…
The writer was the guest of Utracks.
What a fabulous time
Highly recommended, Zannyro!
Ohh gosh, Richard, this looks like suuuch fun! There are so many bikes on board that barge – is this kind of trip also beginner-cyclist-friendly?
Definitely beginner friendly, Reggie. Our youngest member was seven years old – and he did really well on the bike, and called it his best holiday ever!
I am duly impressed.