Guided Dutch Hanseatic Cities Amsterdam Loop Bike and Boat Tour

Discover the Netherlands by bike and boat on this relaxed journey through the historic Hanseatic region. Starting and ending in Amsterdam, the route follows scenic rivers and lakes while linking beautifully preserved medieval towns such as Zutphen, Deventer, and Kampen. Cycle along the IJssel River, through forests and heathlands near the Veluwe, and past charming fishing villages and open Dutch landscapes. Your floating hotel, the small and welcoming Anna van Aemstel, travels with you, allowing you to explore new places each day without changing hotels. Combining easy cycling, rich history, and tranquil scenery, this tour offers a rewarding way to experience the culture and landscapes of the Netherlands.

Tour Type

Guided

Level

easy

Avg. Daily Distance

44 km / 27 mi

Cycling Days

6

Lodging

Casual+ Accommodation

Group size

Min. 2, Max. 14

Highlights

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Historic Hanseatic Cities

Explore beautifully preserved towns such as Deventer, Zutphen and Kampen, rich in medieval architecture, market squares and centuries old trading history.

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Scenic River and Nature Routes

Cycle along the Rhine and IJssel rivers through flat countryside, forests, moorlands and national parks, ideal for relaxed and enjoyable riding.

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Bike and Boat Comfort

Travel aboard the intimate ANNA VAN AEMSTEL, combining daily cycling adventures with comfortable cabins, full board and a friendly onboard atmosphere.

Itinerary

Brief Itinerary

Meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.

Listed hotels are subject to availability and may be replaced with similar alternatives of equal standard.

DayPlaceCasual+ InnsMealsDistanceActivity
DAY 1AmsterdamANNA VAN AEMSTELD
DAY 2ArnhemANNA VAN AEMSTELB,L,D48 km / 30 micycling
DAY 3DeventerANNA VAN AEMSTELB,L,D44 km / 27 micycling
DAY 4KampenANNA VAN AEMSTELB,L,D48 km / 30 micycling
DAY 5HarderwijkANNA VAN AEMSTELB,L,D43 km / 27 micycling
DAY 6SpakenburgANNA VAN AEMSTELB,L,D45 km / 28 micycling
DAY 7AmsterdamANNA VAN AEMSTELB,L,D34 km / 21 micycling
DAY 8AmsterdamB

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1: Amsterdam

Embark in Amsterdam from 12:30 pm near Central Station. After departure at 2:00 pm, cruise along the Amsterdam Rhine Canal to Wijk bij Duurstede.

Enjoy dinner on board and an evening stroll through the medieval town with its charming market square.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: ANNA VAN AEMSTEL
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Day 2: Arnhem

During breakfast, the ship sails to Wageningen. Begin your first cycle ride through the Lower Rhine Valley. Pedal through forests and heathlands of Veluwe National Park (optional entry).

Continue past Sonsbeek and Zijpendaal parks before arriving in Arnhem near the city centre.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycling Distance: 48 km / 30 mi
Accommodation: ANNA VAN AEMSTEL
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Day 3: Deventer

The ship sails to Doesburg. Cycle along the IJssel River following the Hanseatic Cycle Route to Bronkhorst, known as the Netherlands’ smallest town. Continue to Zutphen, famous for its church towers.

In the afternoon, cruise to Deventer. Explore De Brink square, a historic Hanseatic marketplace.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycling Distance: 44 km / 27 mi
Accommodation: ANNA VAN AEMSTEL
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Day 4: Kampen

Sailing to Wijhe during breakfast, you begin cycling through the peaceful landscapes of the eastern Veluwe. After crossing the IJssel River by ferry, the route leads through woodlands and open countryside.

You reach either Hattem or Zwolle, both vibrant Hanseatic cities with charming medieval centres and historic architecture. In the evening, the ship cruises to Kampen while you enjoy dinner onboard.

Kampen boasts one of the best-preserved historic harbours in the Netherlands.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycling Distance: 48 km / 30 mi
Accommodation: ANNA VAN AEMSTEL
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Day 5: Harderwijk

After breakfast, cycle along Lake Veluwe, where beaches and water sports create a relaxing atmosphere. Continue to Elburg, a perfectly preserved fortified town with a compact medieval centre.

The ride then passes through extensive Veluwe woodlands before reaching Harderwijk, an old fishing port. Visit the impressive 14th–15th century Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk basilica and explore the atmospheric harbour area.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycling Distance: 43 km / 27 mi
Accommodation: ANNA VAN AEMSTEL
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Day 6: Spakenburg

Today’s route leads through a mix of flat coastal scenery, woodland, and moorland. If weather allows, you may stop at Strand Nulde recreation area for a refreshing swim. Cycling alongside the peaceful Eem River, you approach Spakenburg, known for its traditional fishing heritage.

The museum harbour forms the heart of the town, showcasing classic wooden boats and maritime culture.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycling Distance: 45 km / 28 mi
Accommodation: ANNA VAN AEMSTEL
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Day 7: Amsterdam

After breakfast, the ship sails to Huizen. Your final cycling stage takes you to Naarden, famous for its star-shaped fortress design. Continue to Muiden to see the impressive Muiderslot Castle, surrounded by water and gardens.

Following quiet countryside paths, you return to Amsterdam. Spend your final evening exploring canals, historic houses, and vibrant cafés.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycling Distance: 34 km / 21 mi
Accommodation: ANNA VAN AEMSTEL
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Day 8: Amsterdam

After breakfast, disembarkation takes place by 9:00 am. Individual onward journey home.

Meals: Breakfast

Ready to plan your adventure? Download a print-ready detailed itinerary.

Map

Accommodation

Each accommodation has been thoughtfully selected to ensure an exceptional and memorable experience for guests. Should the listed hotel be unavailable, we will ensure an alternative of similar quality.

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ANNA VAN AEMSTEL

ANNA VAN AEMSTEL is a small and comfortable bike-and-boat vessel in the Netherlands. Originally a cargo ship, it was converted into a passenger ship in 1993 and renovated in 2024/25. The ship accommodates up to 25 passengers in 13 cabins, all equipped with private bathrooms, air-conditioning, and opening windows.

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Dates and Prices

Book with Confidence: For scheduled group departures, your 20% deposit is fully refundable until 60 days before departure. Solo travellers booking 120+ days in advance can avoid a mandatory Single Supplement. See terms & conditions.



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Essential Info

Inclusions

LODGING

All hotels as mentioned in the tour details or similar (subject to availability).

trip leader

Expert Trip Leader(s) who look after your every need and add meaning to your vacation.

bike

Immaculately maintained bike with helmet, suited to a terrain.

Luggage Transfer

Transportation of luggage from one hotel to another.

meals

Meals as per itinerary. Guests are given the opportunity to dine on their own so that they discover a location independently.

Exclusions

Airport pickup

We recommend to book direclty from airport.

Airport drop

We recommend to book direclty from your last hotel.

Beverages

Beverages such as alcohol, tea, coffee, juice at a hotel or restaurant.

Gratuity

Gratuities for your guide team are not included in the trip price.

A great ride begins with a great bike. Our tours typically include the models listed below, though in some cases—due to height or availability constraints—we may provide an equivalent alternative.

Bike Image

7-Gear Touring Bike (Unisex) or similar

trekking

Included in your trip price

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Velo De Ville 8-Gear E-Bike or similar

ebike

Available at a surcharge

Start

Amsterdam

Finish

Amsterdam

Fly-In

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)

Fly-Out

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)

Arrival Your tour starts in Amsterdam. Plan your arrival at least two hours before embarkation, which takes place between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm near Amsterdam Central Station at Oosterdok. From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, take a direct train to Amsterdam Central Station, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Taxis and rideshare services are also available from the airport and take around 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic. If arriving by car, you may use nearby parking garages such as Oosterdok Parking or arrange valet parking in advance. From Central Station, the embarkation point is within walking distance.

Departure Your tour ends in Amsterdam with disembarkation by 9:00 am. If departing by air, allow sufficient time to reach Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Direct trains from Amsterdam Central Station to the airport run frequently and take about 15 to 20 minutes. Taxis are also available and take approximately 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic. If you parked your car in Amsterdam, ensure you collect it according to your pre booked parking arrangement. We recommend scheduling onward travel from late morning onward for a smooth departure.

The best weather for cycling this Dutch Hanseatic route is from late spring to early autumn. May, June and September offer ideal conditions with temperatures between 17 to 22°C (63 to 72°F), mild sunshine and moderate rainfall. July and August are warmer at 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F), pleasant but occasionally busier and slightly wetter.

April and October can be cooler at 12 to 17°C (54 to 63°F) with mixed sunshine and showers. From November to March, temperatures drop to 3 to 10°C (37 to 50°F) with higher rain and wind, making cycling less comfortable.

January

Offseason

February

Offseason

March

Mixed

April

Good

May

Best

June

Best

July

Good

August

Good

September

Best

October

Mixed

November

Offseason

December

Offseason

Best

Good

Mixed

Offseason

Packing smart is essential for a safe and enjoyable cycling adventure. From essential biking gear to clothing and travel necessities, this guide ensures you're prepared for any terrain or climate.

Recommended Bicycling Clothes & Gear

  • Bicycling shoes or stiff-soled sneakers.
  • Padded cycling shorts.
  • Short-fingered cycling gloves (personal gloves are ideal).
  • Brightly colored cycling jerseys or synthetic T-shirts for visibility.
  • Synthetic cycling socks.
  • Sunglasses with UV protection.
  • Personal helmet (recommended even though provided).
  • Personal saddle (optional for added comfort).
  • Rain jacket or windbreaker.
  • Cycling water bottle (to reduce plastic waste).

Note: Helmets, gloves, and water bottles are personal items, so bringing your own is recommended for maximum comfort and hygiene.

Clothing

  • Light, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen.
  • Full-sleeved clothing for sun protection.
  • Warm layers for chilly mornings and evenings (if traveling in winter).
  • Comfortable footwear for non-cycling time.
  • Bring a compact rain jacket in case of sudden weather changes.
  • Ethnic or modest clothing for exploring towns and temples.

Other Necessities

  • Toiletries: Basic hygiene essentials, including insect/mosquito repellent and sunscreen.
  • Hand sanitizer and wet wipes.
  • Plug socket adaptor.
  • Binoculars for wildlife spotting or desert landscapes.

Pro Tips

  • Pack light but plan for the varying temperatures: warm days, chilly evenings, and desert winds.
  • Use brightly colored clothing for visibility on roads.
  • Pack light to leave room for shopping.

Luggage

Please limit your luggage to one medium-sized suitcase and one carry-on bag. Mark your luggage with your name, address, and phone number.

Before venturing on your adventure, make sure you're equipped with essential travel advice, including security updates, local laws, and crucial passport and visa information. Start by visiting the official government website of your home country for accurate and reliable guidance:

Note: Passport and visa regulations can change at any time. Stay proactive by checking for the latest updates to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.

Medical insurance that covers medical costs in case of an accident during the trip is mandatory to participate in our tours.

We recommend purchasing adequate travel insurance to protect yourself from unforeseen events. Our experience shows that guests who purchase travel insurance—including coverage for all activities on the itinerary, trip cancellation, interruption, delay, baggage damage, loss or theft, personal accident, death and repatriation costs, medical and emergency expenses (including Covid-19), and personal liability—travel with greater peace of mind.

Is proof of medical insurance required?

Yes. You must provide your insurer's name, policy number, and emergency contact via our reservation form. This is mandatory. If you cannot provide proof, you’ll need to purchase insurance before traveling with us.

Can I use my credit card insurance?

Yes, as long as it meets our requirements and provides adequate coverage. Ensure you have an emergency contact number and policy number available.

When should I buy travel insurance?

Purchase travel insurance as soon as you've paid in full or booked your flights.

Does Art of Bicycle Trips sell travel insurance?

We do not sell travel insurance directly, as we believe our customers should have the freedom to choose a policy that best suits their needs. However, we recommend Insured Nomads as a great starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

A guided bike tour includes a professional local guide who rides with you throughout the trip. The guide handles navigation, manages daily logistics, ensures safety, and shares cultural insights. In addition to the guide, you also have a support vehicle that transfers luggage, provides water/snacks, and offers on-route assistance or a lift whenever needed. You simply follow the guide and enjoy a fully supported experience.

Your guides are local cycling experts, fluent in English, with deep knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and food.

On our guided tours, we ensure you begin your ride feeling comfortable and well-supported. Your guide and local team play an active role in getting your bike properly set up.

Before Your Tour

When you book, we ask for your height. This allows our local partners to select the correct frame size and prepare the bike in advance so it’s close to your ideal fit when you arrive.

At the Start of the Tour

You’ll receive a full in-person bike fitting with your guide or local representative. This typically includes:

  • Adjusting saddle height
  • Moving the saddle fore–aft (small adjustments to move the saddle forward or back for better balance and comfort)
  • Fine-tuning handlebar height and reach (where adjustable)
  • Confirming pedal preference — flat pedals are provided by default. If you bring your own clip-in pedals, our guide will help install and adjust them
  • A short test ride to check comfort

Your guide will ensure everything feels right before the tour begins.

During the Tour

Throughout the trip, your guide will make additional adjustments whenever needed. This is especially helpful if you discover new comfort preferences after a few hours of riding.

What to Expect

Our guided tour bike fitting is hands-on, comfort-focused, and practical, ensuring you ride safely and enjoyably each day. It’s not a detailed workshop-level fit, but it covers all essential adjustments for multi-day touring.

For guided tours, we do not provide GPX files separately, as navigation is handled by your guide. On certain occasions, if you prefer more independence, we may offer app-based navigation access with the daily routes loaded. However, please understand that this may not always be possible and depends on the specific tour setup.

Our support vehicle is always close by to make your ride worry-free. It carries your luggage, water, snacks, and spare parts, and is there if you need a quick lift or just want to rest for a while. You’ll see it at regular intervals along the route and during meal or refreshment stops. The vehicle is also used for scheduled transfers and to ensure safety and comfort along the route.

The fitness level required for each trip is indicated by the "level" of the tour, which in turn is mentioned on each tour page right next to the price and the trip duration.

Easy: The terrain is mostly flat with a few gentle climbs.

Moderate: The terrain is either mostly flat or consists of rolling hills with a few challenging climbs. There could also be a few days with longer riding distances of up to 75 kms (45 miles)

Difficult: The terrain is mostly hilly with strong elevation gains and/or has long days on the bike. Such trips are recommended for intermediate to advanced cyclists.

Please note that we usually bike around 4-5 hours per day irrespective of the level of the trip.

We’ve carefully planned the route so that most rides follow peaceful countryside roads, scenic bike paths, and quiet lanes well away from heavy traffic. On rare occasions, short stretches on busier roads may be necessary, but your guides will ensure these sections are managed safely.

While your tour price covers most of the main expenses, including accommodations, daily breakfast, and many meals, you may wish to budget for a few lunches or dinners not included in the itinerary, as well as drinks, snacks, or personal treats along the way. As a general guide, allow around US $20–40 per person per day for these additional expenses.

Our guided bike tours typically have 6–14 guests, allowing for a personalised experience.

Airport transfers are not included unless specifically mentioned in your trip inclusions.

For airport pickup, we recommend booking directly from the airport upon arrival — most airports have reliable taxi, shuttle, or app-based options.

For airport drop, please book a transfer through your last hotel — they can easily arrange it for you.

We focus on delivering exceptional experiences during your tour. For logistical simplicity and flexibility, we do not handle pre- or post-tour hotel bookings. However, we’re happy to share a list of recommended hotels near the starting and ending points of your trip so you can plan your stay independently.

We are happy to pass on your room preference for a twin or double setup, and our hotel partners do their best to accommodate these requests. However, room configurations are always subject to availability at each property.

On some of our trips—especially those that travel through remote regions or small boutique inns—room types may be limited. In such cases, despite our best efforts, you may need to stay in a double room instead of a twin, or twin instead of a double, depending on what is available.

Given the nature of our journeys and the unique places we visit, we kindly ask for your understanding and support if such adjustments are required.

We will always inform you in advance wherever possible and work closely with our partners to ensure the most comfortable arrangement for your stay.

You can exchange currency at the airport itself, or at ATMs in larger cities. Most commercial establishments will accept international credit cards for payments, though its good to carry some local currency with you at all times.

Tours run rain or shine, but we may adjust the route or schedule for safety. The support vehicle is always available.

Popular tours can sell out months ahead, especially in summer. Booking at least 9 months in advance ensures best availability.

We require a 10% deposit at booking. The balance is due 60 days before departure.

For full details, please see our cancellation policy here.

Yes. About 4 weeks before your trip, you’ll receive a Pre-Departure Information Pack with daily ride profiles, packing tips, meeting locations, and detailed itinerary.

The meeting time on Day 1 is mentioned in your travel planner shared with you. You can arrive either on the morning of Day 1 depending on the meeting time, or book a pre-tour night to arrive a day earlier.

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