Bike and Barge in Holland: Northern Tour

Day 1: Amsterdam | Amsterdam – Zaandam
Embarkation and check-in between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in Amsterdam. Take the opportunity to go shopping, to explore downtown Amsterdam, to make a canal cruise or to visit a museum. At 5 p.m. welcome drink and safety instructions, dinner and first briefing on board. During dinner short cruise to Zaandam.

Day 2: Zaandam – Zaanse Schans – Alkmaar (44 km/27 mi.)
The first cycling trip of this tour takes you via small villages through the beautiful flat and green polder landscape. The first stop is at the Zaanse Schans open air museum (free entry) with its traditional Old Dutch wooden houses, windmills and the cheese and clog factory. After this visit you will cycle through the Land of Leeghwater, a green polder area between Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Hoorn. Stroll through the former whaler’s village De Rijp and pass by the windmills of Schermerhorn. Your ship will be waiting for you near the historical city center of Alkmaar.

Day 3: Dune tour – round trip from/to Alkmaar (33 km/20 mi. or 40 km/25 mi.) | Alkmaar – Den Helder
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. In the afternoon the ship will sail over the North-Holland Canal to the navy harbor of Den Helder.

Day 4: Ferry to North Sea island Texel – cycling roud trips from ‘t Horntje (several options from 15 km/9 mi. to 65 km/41 mi.) | Den Elder – Den Oever
After breakfast you’ll take a 20-minute ferry ride (ticket included) from Den Helder to the isle of  Texel, where you can make beautiful cycling tours on the largest of the Dutch North Sea Isles. Ride through meadows, nature parks and dunes to small villages and have the opportunity for a stop and some bathing at the sandy North Sea beach, or visit the Ecomare seal sanctuary. In the late afternoon you will return by ferry to Den Helder. During dinner your ship will sail to Den Oever.

Day 5: Den Oever – Stavoren | Southwest Friesland – round trip from/to Stavoren (43 km/27 mi. or 55 km/34 mi.)
The vessel will cross the large inland lake IJsselmeer to sail to Stavoren in the Province of Friesland. You can opt for a shorter or longer cycling tour: discover the nature area of Gaasterland or explore a part of the wide lake district, that Friesland is well-known for. You can also combine both options. Night in the small harbor of Stavoren, one of the famous traditional 11 cities of Friesland.

Day 6: Stavoren – Medemblik | Medemblik – Hoorn – Enkhuizen (30 km/19 mi. or 50 km/31 mi.)
The ship will cross the IJsselmeer again during breakfast. Take the short cycling trip from Medemblik along the IJsselmeer coast directly to Enkhuizen, where you can spend the afternoon. Enkhuizen is an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. The herring city boasts a beautiful old harbor, an historical old town centre and the very interesting Zuiderzeemuseum. If you prefer a longer cycling tour, ride from Medemblik to the former Dutch East India Company town of Hoorn, in the 17  century one of the world’s leading harbors. Enjoy your lunch break and make a short stroll in the old city city centre. Continue by bicycle to Enkhuizen via some picturesque rural villages. In the evening you can join a short city walk.

Day 7: Enkhuizen – Volendam | Volendam – Waterland – Amsterdam (35 km/22 mi. or 50 km/31 mi.)
During breakfast the ship will sail to Volendam. Your final day of cycling will lead you through the beautiful area of  Waterland, with its hundreds of small lakes and tiny canals. Near Volendam you will have the opportunity to visit a cheese farm. Recommended (extra cycling miles) is a tour to the former island of Marken, to continue through the water shaped region of Waterland back to the Dutch capital city of Amsterdam. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy everything Amsterdam has to offer. If you didn’t go for a canal cruise on the first day, you can do it today.

Day 8: Amsterdam
End of your tour: disembarkation after breakfast within 9.30 a.m.