European cruise-and-cycle tour operator Boat Bike Tours has merged with another operator and opened a sales office in Fairfield, Connecticut.
The company said it opened the U.S. office due to a growing demand for active travel in North America. With the merger with Croatia-based Islandhopping, Amsterdam-based Boat Bike Tours has more than 70 itineraries across 15 countries.
“When it comes to what we do, our name says it all — we blend the comfort of cruising aboard small ships with adventures by bike,” said CEO Laurens Winkel. “With Boat Bike Tours, trips are inland on rivers and canals, while Islandhopping is on saltwater.”
Boat Bike Tours has a fleet of 50 ships, including barges, motor yachts and sailing ships. Biking styles range from guided tours for casual cyclists and independent tours for avid bikers. The tour operator began more than 40 years ago as Channel Cruises Holland.
Itineraries range from five to 15 days. The company said its travel style gives passengers a chance to spend more time in a destination, allowing them to more deeply connect with a city. The tours go beyond major cities and visit smaller towns and villages.
The company said popular itineraries for its North American clients include a cruise and bike tour from Amsterdam to Bruges; island hopping from Split to Dubrovnik; and an itinerary that takes travelers from Cochem to Metz on the Moselle River.
