Northern Route

From: € 1190

8 Days / 7 Nights
Type: Guided
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Imagine Yourself…

Cycling to the former island of Marken over a dike
Wandering the harbors where the Dutch East India company once traded exotic goods
Trying the unique cheese of the island Texel
Feeling inspired in the artist’s village of Bergen
Enjoying spectacular views from the country’s highest dunes

Overview

This tour begins and ends in Amsterdam but will take you north to the distinctly rural Island of Texel after visits to the architectural jewels of Edam, Hoorn, Enkhuizen and Alkmaar, as well as the fascinating outdoor museum, Zaanse Schans. In the 17th century this extensive area was recovered from the sea with the use of hundreds of windmills – many still in working order today. You will get a strong sense of the 17th century Dutch prosperity in Enkhuizen, Hoorn and Volendam. Later, you’ll sail to Texel, an island with thousands of sheep and a magnificent nature preserve that makes it a bird lover’s paradise. Back on the mainland, the route will take you over small dikes and quiet country roads through vast polders and along beautiful sand dunes stretching from Schoorl to Bergen. Alkmaar is the capital of cheese making and has its own cheese market and historic Waag (weigh house). In the tulip months of April and May, you will also cycle through miles of colorful fields.

Daily Itinerary

The barge is moored at the Oosterdok in central Amsterdam, near the train station. You are expected to arrive on board on Thursday between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM.

Upon arrival, you can settle in and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. This is also a great opportunity to meet the tour leader, skipper, and crew, as well as your fellow passengers. During dinner aboard the ship, the itinerary for the next day and the general plan for the week will be shared. Instructions on cycling and safety procedures will also be provided.

In the evening or on Friday morning, the tour guide will lead you on your first short bike ride around Zaandam. You’ll visit the world-famous Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum and picturesque hamlet. It’s a unique place where people both live and work, featuring original houses and windmills from the Zaan river area.
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll hop on our bicycles and begin our journey.

From Wormerveer, we’ll cycle through some of the most picturesque dunes in the Netherlands. If the weather is nice, you might even want to take a refreshing swim in the North Sea during our lunch break at the beach.

Our destination for the day is the charming town of Alkmaar, known for its rich history and vibrant atmosphere. With nearly 400 heritage sites, its picturesque canals, and bustling harbor, Alkmaar offers a delightful mix of old-world charm and modern life. The town is also famous for its historic weigh-house, the first in the country, which played a key role in the weighing and trading of cheese.
From Alkmaar, we’ll head north on our bikes, entering the stunning region of the Schoorlse Duinen (Schoorl Dunes), home to the highest sand dunes in the Netherlands. Over the past century, many pine trees were planted in the area, transforming it into a lush, wooded landscape. Our route will take us through Bergen, a picturesque village that has long been a haven for artists. The village attracts painters, writers, and architects, all inspired by its natural beauty and creative atmosphere.

We’ll also pass by the nature reserve of Het Zwanenwater (The Swans’ Water), with its serene lakes and boggy hollows nestled in the dunes, offering an environment for wildlife. A bit further along, we’ll cycle along the Hondsbossche Zeewering (Hondsbossche Sea Dike), where we’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the North Sea.

After reaching Den Helder, a vibrant Dutch naval port, we’ll board a ferry to Texel, the largest of the Netherlands’ Wadden Islands. Known for its diverse landscapes, Texel is also famous for its charming sheep and birdlife. The Wadden Sea, surrounding the island, is a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for being the largest unbroken system of intertidal mudflats in the world. This unique ecosystem provides an unforgettable natural experience, making our visit to Texel a truly special part of the journey.
Texel, a single municipality, is the largest of the Dutch Wadden Islands (Waddeneilanden). The island stretches approximately 20 kilometers in length and 8 kilometers in width, making it the perfect size for exploration by bike. Texel is a paradise for bird-watchers, especially during spring when around 80 different species breed in the dune areas. Overall, about 300 bird species have been spotted on the island, making it an incredible destination for nature lovers.

A cycling tour around Texel is a must, offering numerous bike paths that wind through the island’s scenic landscapes. We’ll have the option to choose from three different routes: 35, 48, or 62 kilometers. The guide will lead the group along the 35-kilometer route, allowing us to enjoy the island’s beauty at a relaxed pace while soaking in the views and wildlife along the way.
From Texel, we’ll sail across the IJsselmeer to Medemblik, passing through the locks in the Afsluitdijk. This impressive 32-kilometer-long dike has been protecting the Netherlands from the power of water for over 90 years, making it a remarkable feat of engineering. Upon arriving in Medemblik, we’ll hop on our bikes to explore this historic fishing town, which is situated where land and water converge. The town beautifully blends its rich past with the vibrant present.

Today’s journey will end in Enkhuizen, a charming town that was formed when two neighboring villages merged. Here, you can cap off your day with a visit to the Zuiderzeemuseum. This fascinating museum, with both indoor and outdoor exhibits, takes you on a journey through the history of everyday life around the Zuiderzee until the mid-20th century. Enkhuizen itself is a delightful old harbor town, full of character and steeped in history, the perfect place to unwind after a day of cycling.
After a leisurely morning stroll through the streets of Enkhuizen, we’ll continue our journey on bikes, cycling along the dike. To our left, we’ll enjoy stunning views of the Markermeer, while to our right, picturesque West-Frisian villages dot the landscape. In the distance, we’ll see the recently constructed dike (completed in 1976) stretching from Enkhuizen to Lelystad in the Noordoostpolder. This dike was originally designed as part of the plan for a vast new polder, the Markerwaard, which was never realized. Over time, the focus shifted toward environmental preservation and ensuring a sustainable freshwater supply. Today, the dike stands, but the polder remains a vision unfulfilled.

Our day will end in Hoorn, a historic port city on the shores of the Markermeer. Hoorn played a key role during the Dutch Golden Age (1602-1702), serving as an important VOC (Dutch East India Company) city. This rich maritime history, along with Hoorn’s beautiful harbor and well-preserved architecture, makes it the perfect place to spend the night and soak in the town’s past.
Our journey begins with a sail to Volendam, once a small fishing village and now a popular tourist destination. From here, we’ll start our final cycling stage, making our way to Monnickendam. As we ride through this historic town, we’ll be surrounded by its many gables, plaques, churches, and towers, each adding to the town’s old-world charm.

Next, we’ll cycle on to Marken, a former island that retains a unique character with its iconic green-painted wooden houses. Marken’s atmosphere is like no other, offering a glimpse into a traditional Dutch fishing village. Near the lighthouse, we’ll find a little beach, perfect for a relaxing lunch break. If the weather allows, you might even take a refreshing swim in the waters of the IJsselmeer.

The final stretch of our ride takes us through the scenic area of Waterland. As we pedal through this beautiful landscape, you’ll quickly understand why it’s called Waterland, with homes and buildings almost at water level, surrounded by wet, marshy ground.

In the late afternoon, we’ll return to Amsterdam. Once back at the boat, it will be time to say goodbye to our bikes. There will still be some time to explore the city, and in the evening, after dinner, you may choose to cap off your trip with a leisurely city walk or a relaxing canal boat ride, taking in the sights and sounds of Amsterdam’s iconic canals.

Dates & Prices

Green = Open | Yellow = Limited | Red = Full

Prices are per person, in Euro’s and includes bike rental

Departure – 2026	Barge	Twin	Superior	Single use
May 7	Floor van Aemstel	€ 1740	€ 1990	€ 2550	Full label ;
May 14	Floor van Aemstel	€ 1740	€ 1990	€ 2550	Full label ;
June 18	Floor van Aemstel	€ 1740	€ 1990	€ 2550	Book Here label ;
July 16	Godefridus van Aemstel	€ 1640		€ 2400	Book here label ;
July 23	Peter van Aemstel	€ 1460	€ 1660	€ 1810	Full label ;

- 7 nights on board the ship (sheets, blankets, and two towels)
- 7 breakfasts, 6 packed lunches, and 7 dinners
- Coffee and tea on board
- 24-speed bicycle, incl. helmet, pannier bags, lock, water bottle, and bike insurance
- Tour guide (multilingual)
- Route information and road book
- Ferry fares on the route
- Reservation costs
A well maintained, comfortable 24-speed hybrid bicycle is available free of charge for each participant. Men and women’s models are available in sizes appropriate to your height. The bikes come with helmets, grip shifters, hand brakes, carrier bag, lock, repair kit, water bottle holders, water bottle, and bike insurance

Electric bikes (brand KTM Macina Gran P510) can be rented for this tour (€110 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. To rent an electric bike, you must be at least 5 feet 1 inch tall.

In addition, you can rent children’s bikes, child seats, bike trailers, and tag-alongs.
The cook prepares all meals: a substantial breakfast and a three-course dinner of very good quality. A packed lunch may be prepared after breakfast. Tea and coffee will be ready when you arrive on board in the afternoon. There’s a bar on board with reasonably-priced beer, wine, and soft drinks.

If you have special meal requirements, please mention this when booking. In the case of a gluten- or lactose free diet there is an additional charge of €100 per week.

Due to the limited space in our boat’s kitchen, we’re unable to offer vegan meals on this tour.
- Airfare
- Drinks from bar on board or when cycling
- Admission fees to the various museums or places of interest (about €15)
- Trip cancellation insurance

Accommodations

The accommodations listed below are examples of those usually used on the tour. Depending on availability, you may be booked in a different accommodation of equal quality.