Highlights of Holland

Day 1: Amsterdam, 10 mi. (15 km) 
Day 2: Amsterdam - Marken - Volendam, 15 miles (25 km)
Day 3: Volendam - Hoorn, 14 miles (22 km)
Day 4: Hoorn - Enkhuizen, 15 miles (25 km)
Day 5: Enkhuizen - Medemblik, 12.5 miles (20 km)
Day 6: Medemblik - Den Oever - Den Helder, 12.5 mi. (20 km)
Day 7: Texel, 0 to 28 miles (0  to 45 km)
Day 8: Den Helder - Alkmaar, 12.5 or 28 miles (20 or 45 km)
Day 9: Alkmaar - Zaansche Schans - Haarlem, 15 to 28 mi (25 or 45 km)
Day 10: Haarlem - Amsterdam, 3 or 15 mi (5 or 25 km)
Day 11: Amsterdam

Day 1: Amsterdam, 10 mi. (15 km)
Arrival onboard the Elodie in Amsterdam where the crew will welcome you with a nice cup of tea or coffee. Introduction to the crew, of the rules on board, and you’ll get all the information on the full program too. After this, you take a short tour through the rural area of North Amsterdam so that you can get comfortable with your bike and make any adjustments if required. 

In the evening, after dinner, your guide will take you for a walk through Amsterdam. 

Day 2: Amsterdam - Marken - Volendam, 15 mi. (25 km) 
Today you'll experience a medley of wonderful landscapes and little “South Sea” villages. We start in Amsterdam, following the IJsselmeer coastline through wetlands to the former island of Marken. Here you'll see some of the inhabitants wearing traditional costumes and enjoying the beauty of their traditional houses. With your bikes, you take the express ferry to Volendam, a charming little touristic town. 

Day 3: Volendam - Hoorn, 14 mi. (22 km)
Depart Volendam by bike and follow the IJsselmeer coast to Edam, just a short distance from Volendam. The famous Edam cheese originated in this town. From here, continue following the coastline of the former South sea to Hoorn. “The Horn” in South America was named after this place, home to some of the most famous Dutch explorers, and you can still sense the rich maritime history in the town’s beautiful harbor. 

Day 4: Hoorn - Enkhuizen, 15 mi. (25 km)
Leaving Hoorn your next stop is Enkhuizen, one of the bases of the VOC (United East India Company). Freight ships left for Indonesia and other exotic destinations from here, to purchase valuable trading products, therefore making the Dutch very prosperous in those days. The architecture of the old houses in Hoorn and Enkhuizen clearly reflects the wealth of its inhabitants in that period. 

Day 5: Enkhuizen - Medemblik, 12.5 mi. (20 km)
In the morning you will have time to visit the Zuiderzee Museum. This museum brings to life the stories of people who once lived on the shores of the Zuiderzee. You will see, hear, feel, taste, and smell everyday life around the Zuiderzee, as it was before the Afsluitdijk (the great IJsselmeer Barrier Dam) turned the former inland sea into what is now known as the IJsselmeer, in 1932. The Zuiderzee Museum focuses on the history, current situation, and future of the region. Themes such as water, crafts, and communities take center stage. These stories are visualized in the Outdoor Museum with its historic buildings, and in the Indoor Museum through thematic exhibitions. 

Comfortable cycle paths - just like on the rest of this tour - bring you from Enkhuizen to Medemblik, where you will spend the night. 

Day 6: Medemblik - Den Oever - Den Helder, 12.5 mi. (20 km)
In the morning, cycle to Den Oever. Here is the beginning of the large dam that closed off Holland’s interior from the open sea. This 32 km long dam was constructed between 1927 and 1933 as a response to frequent flooding and the desire to create more land. A tremendous achievement in those days - because it was built mainly by hand. The Elodie will be waiting for you here and together sail to Den Helder, which is the hometown of the Dutch navy. Notice the many navy vessels while sailing into the harbor. Den Helder also contains a lovely open-air museum with some remarkable ships. Admission is free and after dinner, your guide will take you there for a walk, as it is very close to where the Elodie is moored. 

Day 7: Texel, cycling, 0 to 28 mi. (0 to 45 km)
Take the early morning ferry to Texel. 

Those that wish to do so can cycle around the island but today also offers an excellent opportunity to create your own itinerary. Your guide will take you to the seal center "Ecomare", the Nature Reserve "de Slufter" and the beach by "de Koog". There are many other interesting things to visit that do not require you to cycle long distances. For example, Jutters museum displaying a fine collection of rarities that have been found on the beach or fished out of the sea by the fishermen, the market in Den Burg, or the local brewery. At the end of the day, return to the Elodie. 

Day 8: Den Helder - Alkmaar, 12.5 or 28 mi. (20 or 45 km)
You can either start cycling from here or spend some more time on board and start at St Maartensvlotbrug, where you can join the others. You will continue the bike tour to resorts such as Schoorl, Bergen, and Groet, passing through an area of sand dunes - a beautiful, slightly hilly landscape. Today it’s possible to spend some time at the beach and even take a dive in the North sea. The Elodie awaits you in Alkmaar town center. After dinner, the guide takes you for a walk around this charming town, famous throughout the world for its cheese markets. 

Day 9: Alkmaar - Zaansche Schans - Haarlem, 15 to 28 mi. (25 or 45 km)
Today you experience the iconic windmills of Holland. In the morning, cycle to Graft and de Rijp, via Oterleek and Ursem, along the Eilandpolder. Then we take the ferry at Spijkerboor to cross one of the many canals of this wetland area, and we get to the "Zaansche Schans". There will be plenty of time for this open-air museum because there is a great deal to be seen. Often you'll be able to see the Zaansche mustard mill in action, and you can take home a jar of windmill-pressed mustard. For the experienced cyclists, there’s the option to cycle to Haarlem, but it’s also possible to stay on board and enjoy the boat tour. 

Day 10: Haarlem - Amsterdam, 3 or 15 miles (5 or 25 km) 
In the morning, cycle to Hans Brinker’s statue. Today you have the option of cycling to Amsterdam or you can stay on board and enjoy the boat ride. Amsterdam is certainly well worth exploring because of its many attractions. Recommended is a boat tour around the canals, the Van Gogh museum, and the Rijksmuseum. You may also want to simply savor the atmosphere and enjoy the colorful procession of people strolling by while sitting at a sidewalk café. In the evening you can choose where you'd like to dine from the many excellent eateries found in Amsterdam. 

Day 11: Amsterdam
Individual departure after breakfast. 

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• Elodie

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  The Elodie was built in 1931 and has been completely refurbished into a comfortable boat for biking and boating. Everyone who has been on board says the same thing. There is just something special about this boat. Perhaps because it simply feels like home. It is nothing flashy but oh so comfortable. The common area of the Elodie is beautifully finished with various types of wood, has a number of small tables, a large reading table, and a comfortable sofa where everyone gathers before breakfast… Read More