By Bike and Boat on the IJsselmeer with Children

Day 1: Amsterdam – Monnickendam or Volendam by boat | Circular tour (10 km)
Individual arrival in Amsterdam. Boarding is scheduled between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. The boat will then depart towards Volendam or Monnickendam to start the tour of the IJsselmeer. From the port of one of these characteristic villages, you will embark on a short test bike ride in the Waterland Nature Reserve, a splendid rural area where you will find the typical image of the Dutch countryside made up of villages, canals, small lakes, and inlets.

Day 2: Monnickendam or Volendam – Volendam (36 or 49 km) | Volendam – Hoorn by boat
Today you will enjoy a typical Dutch day: by bike, you will reach a nearby family-run cheese factory, where you can see how the typical cheese and famous wooden clogs are made. You will then continue biking to Purmerend, in the heart of the Beemster polder, 3.5 meters below sea level, created over 400 years ago when the Dutch decided to transform an inland lake into grazing land, a masterpiece also recognized by UNESCO. The stage then continues to Edam, home of the homonymous cheese wrapped in a yellow or red wax casing, a system that allows for long-term conservation. Through the main dam of the Ijsselmeer, you will reach Volendam, a quiet town overlooking the shores of the lake, where a boat awaits you. In the evening you will have time for a stroll in the center among the colorful wooden houses, before setting sail towards Hoorn.

Day 3: Hoorn – Enkhuizen (26 or 44 km)
In the morning, start the bike stage with a destination of Enkhuizen. You will cycle among green farms, passing in front of De Krijgsman (The Warrior) mill, the tallest in the northern province. Once in Enkhuizen, you can enjoy an evening stroll along the old port and center of this charming city, which flourished during the time of the East India Company.

Day 4: Enkhuizen – Stavoren by boat | Stavoren circular tour (25 or 37 km)
If weather conditions permit, cross the Ijsselmeer by boat to the port of Stavoren, located in the region of Friesland (about 4 hours). During the crossing, those who wish can help the captain steer the boat or simply enjoy the scenery. Upon arrival, you will ride your bike to the picturesque fishing village of Hindeloopen, and onwards to Workum, home to a museum dedicated to the life and work of the beloved Dutch realist painter Jopie Huisman.

Day 5: Stavoren – Lemmer (33 or 40 km)
Following the dam along the Ijsselmeer, you will reach the Gaasterland, an area characterized by sandy ridges up to 10 meters high, named after gaasten, a local term indicating the elliptical peaks born in the glacial era. Leaving the dam, you will enter the Rijsterbos forest: from here, crossing the wooded area, you reach the small town of Balk and then proceed to the picturesque city and fortress of Sloten. Take some time for a walk along its magnificent canals or choose one of the many places for a pleasant lunch break.

Day 6: Lemmer – Urk (25 km)
In the morning, navigate through the IJsselmeer to the port of Urk. On board, you can assist the captain in sailing the ship if you wish. Or, you can simply sit on the deck and fully enjoy the trip, watching the seabirds. At Urk, you can stroll along the narrow streets and alleys. In this quaint fishing village, you can notice that the houses were built closely together, on an elevated grassy terrain to protect them from the water. In the afternoon, an optional bike tour is planned through the northeastern polder (Noordoostpolder).

Day 7: Urk – Lelystad | Lelystad – Blocq van Kuffeler (20 km or 28 km) | Blocq van Kuffeler – Amsterdam
After breakfast, you will disembark for the final goal of our bike tour. You will cycle through the Oostvaardersplassen, a nature reserve where nature and wildlife are strictly preserved as in ancient times. The stages of the route wind through wooded areas, while others offer panoramic views over extensive reed beds and marshes. This is a paradise for birdwatching lovers. The ship will then pick you up at the Oostvaardersdiep marina for the return trip to Amsterdam. Celebrate this wonderful week around the IJsselmeer by having a farewell dinner on board the ship.

Day 8: Amsterdam
After breakfast, end of services. Disembark around 9:30 AM.