From: $1,610 USD
This wonderful bike and barge trip starts at the Zaanse Schans and ends in Amsterdam, taking you through the provinces of North Holland and the extremely bicycle-friendly island of Texel, while spring flowers are in bloom. You will discover the best tulip areas that the Netherlands has to offer. Spend time in the historical cities of Hoorn, Enkhuizen and Alkmaar, and learn about the water management of these lowlands near the North Sea. You will also visit the famous Keukenhof gardens, known for their thousands of blooming tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and other bulb flowers. You will visit the open-air museum of the Zaanse Schans with its windmills, cheese farm, and picturesque wooden houses. The beautiful, varied scenery and wonderful bikeways of this tour of Holland will surprise and delight you.
Green = Open | Yellow = Limited | Red = Full
Prices are per person in US Dollars – inclusive bike rental
Departure: Zaanse Schans | Sailing Ship | Twin | Upper deck Suite | Junior Suite | Twin for Single use | |
March 31 | Leafde fan Fryslân | $ 1,610 | $ 2,180 | $ 1,840 | $ 2,350 | |
April 13 | Mare fan Fryslân | $ 1,610 | – | $ 1,840 | $ 2,350 | |
April 14 | Leafde fan Fryslân | $ 1,690 | $ 2,260 | $ 1,920 | $ 2,470 | |
April 28 | Leafde fan Fryslân | $ 1,690 | $ 2,260 | $ 1,920 | $ 2,470 |
Opposite direction Tour starts in Amsterdam and ends in Zaanse Schans:
Departure: Amsterdam | Sailing Ship | Twin | Upper deck Suite | Junior Suite | Twin for Single use | |
April 6 | Mare fan Fryslân | $ 1,530 | – | $ 1,760 | $ 2,230 | |
April 7 | Leafde fan Fryslân | $ 1,690 | $ 2,260 | $ 1,920 | $ 2,470 | |
April 21 | Leafde fan Fryslân | $ 1,690 | $ 2,260 | $ 1,920 | $ 2,470 |
DAY 1
Zaanse Schans – warmup ride
You are welcome to check in between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., where your crew will welcome you with coffee and tea. The ship is docked next to the Zaanse Schans, a unique hamlet where people live and work alongside original houses and windmills built next to the river Zaan. This tiny village is dominated by its operating windmills — the oldest of which was built in 1673 — and these were used for grinding mustard seeds, spices, and paint components; extracting plant oil; and for sawing wood into planks. Mare FF: After visiting the village your ship will sail to Alkmaar. During this cruise through the flat Dutch countryside you will enjoy a first sailing diner.
Leafde/Wapen FF: Late afternoon, you will have the option to take a little test ride.
DAY 2
Dune Tour Round trip – 20 or 25 miles (34 or 40 km)
Today you can discover the beautiful North-Holland Dune reserve. This is a 5.300 hectare large forest- and dune area with its unique landscapes. In these dunes the drinking water for almost the whole province of North-Holland is gained. After a visit to the beach and artists village Bergen you will return to Alkmaar where you can visit the wonderful city center.
DAY 3
Alkmaar – Den Helder – 19 or 31 miles (30 or 50 km)
Today you can take a bike tour north of Alkmaar where you will find the most beautiful tulip fields on your way to the North Sea. The sandy beach here is one of the most wonderful to walk along in the entire Netherlands, the perfect spot for feeling the wind in your hair or simply enjoying the view. Close by — and certainly worth a visit — is the artist’s village of Bergen. Then you will bike on through the North-Holland Dune reserve to Den Helder: this piece of land wedged between the North Sea and the IJsselmeer boasts the world’s single biggest flowering bulb field. In one word: spectacular!
DAY 4
Den Helder – Oudeschild (Island of Texel) – 26 or 30 miles (43 or 48 km)
During breakfast the ship will sail to the island of Texel, the largest of the Dutch Wadden Isles. Today you can choose to cycle a shorter route or to take a longer tour around the island. You will cycle through delightful natural parks, and even on Texel you will bike through fields of blooming flowers! The signposts lead you through picturesque villages and landscapes, and even to the Ecomare seal sanctuary. At the end of your cycling tour, you can enjoy a locally-brewed, well-deserved beer during a visit to the small brewery near Oudeschild.
DAY 5
Oude Schild – Enkhuizen – Sailing Day
Today your ship will set sail to Enkhuizen. You may lend a hand during navigation and hoisting the sails. Previous sailing experience is not at all necessary. Of course, you are also very welcome to just relax and enjoy the sailing and scenery as you progress along the IJsselmeer. While sailing you will enjoy an extensive lunch on board. In the afternoon, the ship will arrive in Enkhuizen, an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. You can spend some time exploring here; “the herring city” boasts a beautiful old harbor and an old town full of history. No dinner will be served tonight, to enable you to explore the city. You can make yourself a picnic meal or try one of the nice restaurants of Enkhuizen.
DAY 6
Enkhuizen – Hoorn – Volendam – 14 miles (24 km)
In the morning you will join the ship along the Ijsselmeer to the former Dutch East India Company town of Hoorn, which was, in the 17th century, one of the world’s foremost harbors. Your afternoon ride goes to Volendam, a small and picturesque fishing harbor on the shores of Lake IJsselmeer. Along the way, you will pass Edam, which is known for its famous Edam cheese, covered in red or yellow wax. While this adorable village is now renowned for cheese, it was once an industrious shipyard and port. That’s why, in the 17th century, the town’s specialty became one of the most popular cheeses in the world. Sailors took wheels of Edam on their voyages – the cheese doesn’t spoil easily and could be traded for spices and other riches of the East.
DAY 7
Volendam – Amsterdam – Full day bus excursion
Today a beautiful bus ride leads you through the oldest tulip fields of Holland to the famous Keukenhof Gardens. You will have plenty of time to discover the most beautiful bulb park in the world — Keukenhof is the place where spring springs. It features an overwhelming blaze of colors: seven million flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acre setting of traditional and modern gardening architecture. You also can admire various hyacinths, daffodils, and many other vibrant flowers. In the afternoon the bus will bring you back to Amsterdam to spend a restful night here in your floating hotel.
DAY 8
Amsterdam Tour Ends
Our tour concludes after breakfast, with departure around 9:30 a.m.
A well maintained, comfortable unisex city bike with a low-entry and a riding position that is upright and comfortable. The bike is handmade in the Netherlands by Azor. The bike consists of a lightweight aluminum frame and is equipped with responsive roller brakes (handbrake), a Shimano 7 speed nexus drive, Selle-Royal gel saddle (adjustable), an easy to use lock (fixed on frame) and the Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tyre. This all results in a lightweight, stable and reliable bike, good for many miles on the saddle.
The E-bike is an Azor Steps with Nexus 7 gears and hand brakes. The crank Shimano motor (400 WH) offers 4 support levels, The E-bikes have a comfortable gel saddle and a lock on the frame (or a comparable brand/model). Electric bikes can be rented for this tour ($150 per person). We advise you only to rent an electric bike if you have first tried one at home. They’re heavier than regular bikes and therefore can be difficult to maneuver.
The bikes come with helmets, carrier bag, water bottle, and bike insurance! If you prefer to bring your own bike you’re welcome to do so at a discount of $95 per person.
28 people – The sailing ship Leafde fan Fryslân, an imposing, three-mast barquentine. On the lower deck you will find the restaurant in nautical style, where the carefully prepared sumptuous meals are served. In the wheelhouse on the upper deck, the Leafde fan Fryslân offers a cosy lounge which is equipped with large panoramic windows, a well-appointed seating area , TV and a well equipped bar. Wi-Fi is available. The best views over the water are available here and on the deck, where you can also have a seat when the weather is nice.
Each cabin has an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. All cabins have a mini safe, hairdryer, ventilation, central heating and portholes that can be opened (except for the single cabin).
26 people – The sailing ship Mare fan Fryslân was built in 1960 as a freight ship. It was completely renovated in 2006 and since 2007 it has been used as a very comfortable, beautiful, almost extravagant, three-mast schooner on Dutch waters. The sail can be operated either by hand or electrically. On the lower deck, the Mare van Fryslân offers a cozy lounge/restaurant area with wooden paneling and air conditioning and a nice and warm atmosphere. From here you can reach the wheelhouse on the upper deck, fitted with a large seating area, a well-equipped bar, music & video equipment and TV. The large, panoramic windows offer a breathtaking view over the water. Wi-Fi is available. The wooden upper deck offers adequate seating, the steering unit, space for the bicycles, an outdoors bar with a draught beer tap and a grill, and even a Jacuzzi. When the weather is nice you can relax here or enjoy the scenery while sailing.
Each cabin has an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. All cabins have a mini safe, hairdryer, ventilation, central heating and portholes that can be opened.
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