Amsterdam – Maastricht and discover the beautiful Dutch rivers and there there sights or vice versa

Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board is between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Around 2 p.m. the barge sails to Weesp.

This small city on the banks of the river Vecht has a historical centre with many canals and buildings dating from the seventeenth and eighteenth century. It also has a few beautiful windmills.

The scenic river Vecht and the small roads along the river attract yachters and cyclists.

As soon as you arrive the tour leader will organize a test ride.

After dinner you will have time to stroll through this charming city.

Your bike tour starts in Weesp and you will cycle along the beautiful meandering river Vecht with impressive mansions on its banks.

Along the way you will visit a real Dutch cheese farm, where cheese is still produced according to traditional methods.

You will meet the barge in the city of Utrecht and from there you will sail the Amsterdam-Rhine canal to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek.

From Vianen you cycle through a typical Dutch landscape to Leerdam a little town on the banks of the river Linge.

Leerdam is famous for its glasswork. A visit of the centuries-old crystal factory of Royal Leerdam is on the program.

You can see a team of master glass blowers at work.

Later on you continue biking on the beautiful roads along the Linge to Gorinchem, a charming town on the river Waal. After a short visit, you will join the barge to Heusden.

During breakfast the ship sails from Heusden to Maasbommel, a village on the Maas river. Here your bike tour will start, leading you along the Maas river to cities as Ravenstein and Grave.

Both are medieval cities. In Ravenstein you can visit the Tanner’s Cottages and in Grave you will see canons from the time of Napoleon.

Grave has also played an important role in Operation Market Garden during the second world war, because it was situated near an important bridge.

This bridge is now called John S. Thompson Bridge. Following the Maas river you will meet the barge in Cuijk where you will spend the night.

The St. Martins Church, a neo-gothic church, houses a very well kept baroc-organ (built 1639-1650).

This organ is one of the oldest in the Netherlands.

Today a magnificent bike tour is scheduled. You cycle along the Maas valley to Afferden and Heyen. 

The route continues through National Park Maasduinen to Well where you will find the Well castle with its heavy round brick tower dating from the 14th century.

The destination for today is Arcen. Here you may visit the famous castle gardens with a great variety: the Rosarium, with ten different rose gardens; the water- and sculpture garden; the Lommerijk, with shades, waterfalls and streamlets; the Valley, offering six ‘international’ gardens ; Casa Verde, offering Mediterranean and tropical gardens; the Golf garden,with a view at the largest waterfall in the Netherlands.

Again your bike route follows the Meuse river. Here and there you cross by ferry or bridge in order to follow the most interesting paths.

The first stop is Venlo, with many historical monuments and a lively inner city. At lunchtime you arrive in Kessel, one of the oldest villages along the Meuse.

There you cross over to the other bank and continue the bike ride to the beautiful village of Beesel, where the grain mill ‘grey bear’ stands proudly along the river.

Todays’s tour ends in the city of Roermond, where of the river Roer and Meuse come together. Roermond is known by its rich cultural heritage.

Since 1559 it has been a bishop city. In the centre you will find many historical buildings. Roermond is also the city of Pierre Cuypers, according to many the most important Dutch architect of the 19th century. He is the architect of the Rijksmuseum and Central Station in Amsterdam.

Today, the cycling tour continues through charming villages and the beautiful landscape of the province of Limburg.

First stop is Thorn, the ‘white Village’ on the Dutch/Belgian border known for its cobblestone streets and white painted houses.

The only non-white building is the 14th-century church. From Thorn you cycle across the Dutch / Belgian border to the Belgian city Maaseik.

This city is famous for the painters Hubert and Jan van Eyck.

On the market square you will see typical Renaissance-style houses with their impressive facades.

You can also take the opportunity to have a nice Belgian “pint” on this beautiful square.

You will find the ship in Born, from where you sail to Maastricht. Maastricht, the capital of the province is a beautifully preserved city with Roman roots. In this town you find the treasure house of the St. Servaas Church, the Bonnefanten museum for art and antiquity, and the Kazematten, a system of underground fortress works from the 18th century.

In addition to these places of interest, it is also worthwhile visiting the marl caves, or just to thoroughly enjoy yourself on the Vrijthof.

You will not get bored!

End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m

Rental bicycle: €75 per week

Rental E-Bike: €175 per week (only on request, limited number available)

You can find a description of the bicycles when you click on ship.

Helmets:           A helmet can be rented for € 10 per week, only on prior reservation and payment.

Rental bicycle: €75 per week

Rental E-Bike: €175 per week (only on request, limited number available)

You can find a description of the bicycles when you click on ship.

Helmets:           A helmet can be rented for € 10 per week, only on prior reservation and payment.

Transfer between Amsterdam and Maastricht: There is a good train connection between these two cities. Please visit the following websites for timetables

About this ship: Sarah

The Sarah is a comfortable and cozy passenger barge. During the conversion of the barge from cargo vessel to passenger barge, the owners of the Sarah decided to choose quality instead of quantity. The Sarah is spaciously built for a small group of passengers and offers an attractive, “feels-like-to-be-at-home” atmosphere. The Sarah sails under Dutch flag and management and is a very popular small river barge on several tours in the Netherlands.

Description of the cabins
The Sarah has ten comfortable cabins (10 m² – 108 sq.ft.). There are six twin cabins with two single beds, two twin/triple cabins with two single beds and a bunk bed and two double cabins with one double bed. In one of the twin cabins, on prior request the beds can be set together. Each cabin has a private shower, toilet and basin. The cabins all have a ventilation system, central heating and windows that can be opened. Furthermore, you will find a mini safe and hair dryer in each cabin. The corridor is air-conditioned, thus also cooling the cabins.

Description of the ship
On the upper deck of the Sarah you will find the cozy air conditioned open lounge with large windows, a TV, a dining area and a bar. Wi-Fi is available. Please note that due to the mobile network connection, the quality is not always stable. The barge also has a beautiful sundeck, partially with awning. On nice evenings you can have diner over here and while cruising, you can enjoy the scenery.

Facts about the ship
Length:            45 m (148 ft.)
Width:              6.5 m (22 ft.)
Crew:               4
Cabins:            10
Pass.:               22 (max.)

Sarah

The minute you step on board of the Sarah, you immediately feel the friendly atmosphere. This cozy barge is roomy at the same time; it offers accommodation to 20-22 guests and besides this, there is enough room for a spacious lounge and restaurant area with a modest bar. If the weather is fine, the meals can also be served outside, on deck. From here you have a wonderful view. Below deck there are 8 comfortable twin cabins (2 have an extra bunk bed) and 2 doubles, all with a private bathroom.

As this is one of the Maastricht or vice versa Tours what cover most of the famous sights around Amsterdam and popular places is always in high demand

May 25  fully booked , Sorry

June 01 fully booked , Sorry

June 08  has still limited availibilty

June15  departure still open for booking

June 22  departure still open for booking

June 29  departure still open for booking

July 06  departure still open for booking

July 13  departure still open for booking

August 17  departure still open for booking

August 24  fully booked , Sorry

August 31 departure still open for booking

September 07  fully booked , Sorry

September 14  departure still open for booking

September 21 departure still open for booking