Sailing and cylcing around the IJsselmeer in Holland, the Netherlands

Itinerary

Day 1, Saturday: Amsterdam

Boarding between 2:00pm and 6:00pm. The vessel stays in the port of Amsterdam on the first night. In the afternoon and evening you have time to stroll around the city, visit a museum, the flea market or take a canal cruise in Amsterdam.

Day 2, Sunday:
Amsterdam – Waterland – Monnickendam | Bike ride: approx. 35km (approx. 50km including the island of Marken)

After breakfast you take off on a bike ride through the magnificent rural nature reserve of Waterland with its many villages, canals and rivers. One highlight of the trip is Broek in Waterland, a picturesque spot in the centre of Waterland with its wooden houses, canals and gardens. If you feel like pedalling a bit further, you can visit the island of Marken, which used to be on the Zuiderzee. The bike ride ends in the port town of Monnickendam, where you also spend the night.

Day 3, Monday:
Monnickendam – Volendam – Edam – Hoorn | Bike ride: approx. 52km

A bike ride from Monnickendam via Volendam, Edam, De Rijp and Schermerhorn to Hoorn. Along the way you can visit a cheese factory, take a break in Volendam’s bustling harbour and stroll through the narrow streets of the old whaling village of de Rijp. The wealthy merchants of the 17th century built some splendid homes and warehouses, which are still well maintained today and characterise the image of the old towns. Also as you wander through Hoorn, our endpoint for today, you can marvel at many of these beautifully ornate buildings.A shorter route goes via Volendam and Edam across the Ijsselmeer dike to Hoorn.

Day 4, Tuesday:
Hoorn – Enkhuizen. Bike ride: approx. 28km | Sail from Enkhuizen to Urk.

In the morning you cycle along the old dike on the Ijsselmeer from Hoorn to Enkhuizen. You’re expected for lunch on board the Elizabeth in the port of Enkhuizen. You then sail across the Ijsselmeer to the traditional fishing village of Urk. Take a stroll through its narrow streets, down to the beach and through the port of this picturesque village. The houses in the old village of Urk were built very close together on elevated sites as protection from flooding, which resulted in a town full of winding alleyways that are still evident today.

Day 5, Wednesday:
Urk and Schokland. Bike ride approx. 34km | Sail from Urk to Lemmer.

After breakfast you ride alongside the water to the former island of Schokland, which since land was reclaimed is now completely surrounded by terra firma. A museum documents the fate of this little island, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Attractive cycle paths run alongside the former coastline. You cycle back to Urk and then board the Elizabeth and set sail for Lemmer in the province of Friesland. The water sports centre at Lemmer has many cafés and quaint pubs along the canals and close to the old neo-gothic lock.

Day 6, Thursday:
Lemmer – Frisian lakes and Gaasterland – Stavoren. Bike ride approx. 48km | Sail to Enkhuizen

The cycle path goes from Lemmer on the rolling hills of Gaasterland with its idyllic villages alongside the Friesian lakes such as De Morra and Fluessen. Along the way you pass the historic centre of the small town of Sloten. You then cycle via Molkwerum, a village that is criss-crossed by numerous canals to Stavoren, the oldest town in Friesland. In the late afternoon the sails are hoisted and you take the boat to Enkhuizen. The evening is the best time for a stroll through the port, in which many East India Company ships were once berthed.

Day 7, Friday:
Cruise Enkhuizen – Amsterdam

With a stiff breeze and under full sail you return from Enkhuizen along the Ijsselmeer coast to Amsterdam. If you wish, you can take an active part in sailing the vessel; no maritime experience is required. In the afternoon you reach the Dutch capital and still have time to explore the city centre.

Day 8, Saturday:
Amsterdam

Disembark by 9:30 am after breakfast and return home.

Tour info
Total distance: approx. 212 km. The cycle routes are on sealed cycle paths, farm roads and along secondary roads with little traffic. There are no significant gradients.

Arrival by plane, rail

Airport: Amsterdam Schiphol. From here to Amsterdam’s main station (Amsterdam Centraal) a train leaves every 10 minutes (approx. € 4.00). The berth is not far from the railway station.

Arrival by car, parking in Amsterdam
Oosterdok underground car park near the station for € 20 for 24 hours but only for cars up to 2.1 metres high. You cannot reserve parking spaces.
Alternative: Amsterpark, secure parking can be reserved in advance for € 150 per week including pick-up service. A valet will bring your car from the vessel to the underground car park and back to the vessel on the day of your departure. Full details are included with your travel information.

Please note

– Minimum number of participants: 10 individuals up to four weeks before departure.

– Routes are subject to change.

– You undertake these bike trips at your own risk.