Holland Bike & Boat: Northern Circuit

Welcome to the Netherlands! Amsterdam is one of the most cultured cities Europe has to offer, so if you arrive early you can drop your bags off at the boat and explore the wonders of “The Dam”. Boarding is between 2 PM and 4:30 PM. Meet your fellow guests and at 5 PM you receive the first briefing from the onboard tour leader, then enjoy dinner and your first night onboard!

Begin the day with a relaxed boat journey to the town of Zaandam. From here, hop into the saddle and cycle to the open-air museum Zaanse Schans, a truly authentic experience of Holland. The polder fields open up the landscape and the smell of cacao fills the air. An abundance of tulip fields, agricultural land, and canal paths lead you into the impressive modern city of Alkmaar where you will rendezvous with your and you are free to relax on deck with a chilled beer or wine.

Important: Due to works on the locks of Zaandam in 2020, there will be some subject to change for days 2 and 3 of any departures between 28/03/2020 - 30/05/2020. The experience remains unchanged as you will still sail to Zaandam, visit Zaanse Schans, and cycle to Alkmaar. However, instead of having your overnight here, you will be transferred by bus in the late afternoon to Enkhuizen. Your barge 'De Holland' will be waiting here in this 17th-century town at the banks of Lake IJssel.

Discover the unique dune reserve of the province of North-Holland as you cycle through a collection of sleepy villages, where forested lanes give way to wind-sculpted dunes and the North Sea. After a visit to the beach and the artist's village of Bergen, return to Alkmaar where the boat will sail to the Naval and fishing port of Den Helder.

There is a shorter cycling route available today of 33km/20mi.

Important: Due to works on the locks of Zaandam in 2020, there will be some subject to change for days 2 and 3 of any departures between 28/03/2020 - 30/05/2020. After breakfast, a bus brings you back to Alkmaar, where yesterday's cycling tour ended. Visit the beach and the artist's village of Bergen, then cycle on through the dunes and the fishing port of Den Helder (cycling distance: 50km/31mi).

Relax over breakfast as we sail to the island of Texel, the largest of the Dutch islands in the North Sea. Cycle along beaches, through colourful villages and visit the Ecomare seal sanctuary. Towards the end of your ride, you can sample the local delicacy kibbling; small delicious pieces of codfish fried in a spiced batter accompanied with a locally brewed beer from Oudeschild. Over dinner, the boat will return to the mainland port of Den Oever.

There are various shorter cycling routes available today of 15km/9mi.

Cruise into Holland’s largest inland lake, IJsselmeer, in the province of Friesland. Biking along the banks of the lake and through the natural area of Gaasterland is one of the more relaxed days of cycling as you head to the small harbour of Stavoren. Enjoy a night in Stavoren, one of the traditional cities of Friesland.

There is a shorter cycling route available today of 43km/27mi.

Your boat will cross IJsselmeer once more as you enjoy breakfast. Hop off at Medemblik and cycle along the coast to Enkhuizen. An ancient maritime city, spend the afternoon exploring the old city and Zuiderzeemuseum. If you prefer a longer ride, cycle from Medemblik via the 17th century Dutch East India Company town of Hoorn before continuing onto Enkhuizen.

There is a shorter cycling route available today of 30km/19mi.

Begin with a sail to Volendam before leaving the boat to cycle through a network of canals and lakes. Along the way visit a local cheese and learn the traditional methods of producing the Dutch cheese of Gouda. Later, ride into the Dutch capital Amsterdam and further explore this fascinating city either on foot or from a canal cruise.

Embarkation starts after breakfast and is possible until 09.30 AM. Depending on your onward travel arrangements, you may like to further explore Amsterdam. Your on board crew will be happy to help with onward taxis should you require.