Explore Friesland

Day 1: Enkhuizen to Stavoren
Day 2: Stavoren - Makkum | Makkum - Terschelling, 19 or 30 mi. (32 or 49 km)
Day 3: Terschelling | Terschelling - Harlingen, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 4: Harlingen - Franeker - Leeuwarden, 26 or 31 mi. (42 or 51 km)
Day 5: Leeuwarden - De Alde Feanen - Grou, 24 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Grou - Sneek, 28 or 32 mi. (46 or 53 km)
Day 7: Sneek - Spannenburg | Spannenburg - Lemmer, 20 or 25 mi. (33 or 41 km) | Lemmer to Enkhuizen
Day 8: Departure from Enkhuizen

*All distances are approximate. The planned itinerary is subject to change due to nautical, technical, or meteorological reasons and other unforeseen circumstances. If there is low or high water, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety even with no advance notice. During the days when two distance options are possible, you can make a choice for the longer or the shorter option, but not all the mentioned highlights will be visited during the short bike option.

Parts in Italics are undertaken on board.

Day 1: Enkhuizen – Stavoren, about 2.5 hours sailing
Your vessel is ready for boarding at 2 pm. After meeting the crew and settling in, the barge departs Enkhuizen and crosses the former Zuiderzee, once known as the unpredictable South Sea. You arrive in the small Hanseatic town of Stavoren, where the ship remains overnight.

Day 2: Stavoren - Makkum | Makkum - Terschelling, 19 or 30 mi. (32 or 49 km)
Your first cycling stage follows the Frisian coastline northward, passing the historic harbors of Hindeloopen and Workum, both picturesque fishing villages. In Workum, you may visit the museum dedicated to local painter Jopie Huisman. Continuing toward Makkum, you’ll notice the large shipbuilding hall where superyachts are constructed. Upon return to the barge, the crew welcomes you back with coffee and tea.

Depending on the weather and tide, the ship will sail to Terschelling tonight or tomorrow morning. The barge will carry you through this UNESCO-listed tidal sea flats. Beside the birdlife, you may even spot some seals on the crossing if you're lucky.

Day 3: Terschelling | Terschelling - Harlingen, 26 mi. (42 km)Besidesthese
Today you'll have plenty of time to explore Terschelling. The island has numerous small villages, beaches, dunes, and nature reserve areas with diverse birdlife. The eastern part is one large nature reserve where you can spot black-winged stilts, large colonies of spoonbills and great black-backed gulls. Enjoy the varied landscape that the Island has to offer. 

Day 4: Harlingen - Franeker to Leeuwarden, 26 or 31 mi. (42 or 51 km)
Sail back to the mainland in the morning and begin cycling from Harlingen, a historic fishing port. Ride inland to Franeker, one of Friesland’s 11 cities, where the Royal Planetarium—an 18th-century working model of the solar system—is a highlight. Today’s endpoint is Leeuwarden, the provincial capital, known for its lively center and leaning church tower of Oldehove (known affectionately as the "Frisian Tower of Pisa". Dinner tonight is at your own account in town.

Day 5: Leeuwarden - De Alde Feanen - Grou, 24 mi. (40 km)
Cycle from Leeuwarden toward National Park De Alde Feanen, an area of small lakes, reedbeds, and swamp forests formed from former peat-mining grounds. With more than 400 plant species, the landscape shifts between wide open views and sheltered, wooded wetlands. Continue to Grou, where the barge is moored for the night.

Day 6: Grou - Sneek, 28 or 32 mi. (46 or 53 km)
Today’s ride heads west through quiet countryside and open vistas. The destination is Sneek, the oldest fortress town in the province and a key location in the medieval Friso-Hollandic conflicts. One of Sneek’s landmarks is the Waterpoort, a historic defensive and decorative gate linking the town to its harbor. Overnight in Sneek.

Day 7: Sneek - Spannenburg | Spannenburg - Lemmer, 20 or 25 mi. (33 or 41 km) | Lemmer to Enkhuizen
In the morning, the ship will take you through the lake district to Spannenburg, where the bike tour begins. The long route takes you via Woudsend and Balk to Lemmer, while the short route takes you via Sloten and Balk to Lemmer, where you may visit the UNESCO-listed steam pumping station. In the afternoon, the barge carries you back across the water to Enkhuizen.

Day 8: Enkhuizen
Enjoy one final breakfast on board before disembarkation at 9:30 am.

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• Lena Maria

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