North Holland Tour

Day 1: Embarkation: Amsterdam
Day 2:  Zaandam - Zaanse Schans - Alkmaar, 27 mi. (44 km)
Day 3: Dune tour, Alkmaar - Alkmaar, 20 or 25 mi. (33 or 40 km) | Alkmaar - Den Helder*
Day 4: Ferry to North Sea island of Texel: cycling round trips from ‘t Horntje (several options from 15 km/9 mi. to 65 km/41 mi.) | Den Helder - Den Oever
Day 5: Den Oever - Stavoren | South-west Friesland, round trip from/to Stavoren, 27 or 34 miles (43 or 55 km)
Day 6: Stavoren - Medemblik | Medemblik - Hoorn - Enkhuizen, 19 or 31 miles (30 or 50 km)
Day 7: Enkhuizen - Volendam | Volendam - Waterland - Amsterdam (Approx. 35 or 50 km/22 or 31 mi.)
Day 8: Amsterdam

Day 1: Embarkation: Amsterdam
Embarkation and check-in between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in Amsterdam. Take the opportunity to go shopping, to explore downtown Amsterdam, to make a canal cruise or to visit a museum. At 5 p.m. welcome drink and safety instructions, dinner, and first briefing on board. During dinner, a short cruise to Zaandam.

Day 2:  Zaandam - Zaanse Schans - Alkmaar, 27 mi. (44 km)
The first cycling trip of this tour takes you via small villages through the beautiful flat and green polder landscape. The first stop is at the Zaanse Schans open air museum (free entry) with its traditional Old Dutch wooden houses, windmills, and the cheese- and clog factory. After this visit you will cycle through the “Land of Leeghwater”, a green polder area between Amsterdam, Alkmaar, and Hoorn. Stroll through the former whaler’s village De Rijp and pass by the windmills of Schermerhorn. Your ship will be waiting for you near the historical city center of Alkmaar.

Day 3: Dune tour, Alkmaar - Alkmaar, 20 or 25 mi. (33 or 40 km) | Alkmaar - Den Helder*
Today you can discover the beautiful North-Holland Dune reserve. This is a 5.300 hectare large forest- and dune area with its unique landscapes. In these dunes, the drinking water for almost the whole province of North Holland is gained. After a visit to the beach and artists village Bergen you will return to Alkmaar where you can visit the wonderful city center. In the afternoon the ship will sail over the North-Holland Canal to the navy harbor of Den Helder.

Day 4: Ferry to North Sea island of Texel: cycling round trips from ‘t Horntje (several options from 15 km/9 mi. to 65 km/41 mi.) | Den Helder – Den Oever
After breakfast, you’ll take a 20-minute ferry ride (ticket included) from Den Helder to the isle of Texel, where you can make beautiful cycling tours on the largest of the Dutch North Sea Isles. Ride through meadows, nature parks, and dunes to small villages and have the opportunity for a stop and some bathing at the sandy North Sea beach, or visit the “Ecomare” seal sanctuary. In the late afternoon, you will return by ferry to Den Helder. During dinner, your ship will sail to Den Oever.

Day 5: Den Oever - Stavoren | South-west Friesland, round trip from/to Stavoren, 27 or 34 miles (43 or 55 km)
The vessel will cross the large inland lake IJsselmeer to sail to Stavoren in the Province of Friesland. You can opt for a shorter or longer cycling tour: discover the nature area of Gaasterland or explore a part of the wide lake district that Friesland is well-known for. You can also combine both options. Night in the small harbor of Stavoren, one of the famous traditional 11 cities of Friesland.

Day 6: Stavoren - Medemblik | Medemblik - Hoorn - Enkhuizen, 19 or 31 miles (30 or 50 km)
The ship will cross the IJsselmeer again during breakfast. Take the short cycling trip from Medemblik along the IJsselmeer coast directly to Enkhuizen, where you can spend the afternoon. Enkhuizen is an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. The “herring city” boasts a beautiful old harbor, a historical old town center and the very interesting Zuiderzeemuseum. If you prefer a longer cycling tour, ride from Medemblik to the former Dutch East India Company town of Hoorn, in the 17th century one of the world’s leading harbors. Enjoy your lunch break and make a short stroll in the old city center. Continue by bicycle to Enkhuizen via some picturesque rural villages. In the evening you can join a short city walk.

Day 7: Enkhuizen - Volendam | Volendam - Waterland - Amsterdam (Approx. 35 or 50 km/22 or 31 mi.)
During breakfast, the ship will sail to Volendam. Your final day of cycling will lead you through the beautiful area of Waterland, with its hundreds of small lakes and tiny canals. Near Volendam, you will have the opportunity to visit a cheese farm. Recommended (extra cycling miles) is a tour to the former island of Marken, to continue through the water-shaped region of Waterland back to the Dutch capital city of Amsterdam. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy everything Amsterdam has to offer. If you didn’t go for a canal cruise on the first day, you can do so today.

Day 8: Amsterdam
After breakfast, disembarkation, and the end of the tour.

Average biking distance per day 35 to 55 km

Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam | Check-in from 3:30-4:30 | Merlijn sails for Zaandam
Day 2: Zaandam – Alkmaar
Day 3: Alkmaar – Den Helder
Day 4: Den Helder - Texel
Day 5: Texel – Wadden Sea – Stavoren
Day 6: Stavoren – Lemmer – Urk
Day 7: Urk – Lelystad – Amsterdam
Day 8: Amsterdam | Disembarkation following breakfast, by 9am

Day 1: Amsterdam – Zaandam
Check in: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM. After boarding, the Merlijn will set sail for Zaandam where there is an overnight stay. We’ll present you with a welcome drink and introduce the crew. We will also provide information on the tour, the ship, and offer you a safety briefing. During dinner we will arrive in Zaandam. In the evening there will be time for a city walk through Zaandam.

Day 2: Zaandam – Alkmaar
After your first breakfast on board, you can try out your bike and do some sightseeing in ‘de Zaanse Schans’, which is famous for its open-air museum and windmills, and you might want to visit one of the mills. You will get the experience of the real ancient Dutch history. Afterwards the bike tour gets underway, and you will cycle to Alkmaar, along the rest of the Zaanse Schans, leading you through an attractive Dutch landscape. After dinner we offer you an evening stroll through this pretty city, well known for its open-air-cheese-market, unfortunately on Fridays only.

Day 3: Alkmaar – Den Helder
Today’s bike tour leads you through a part of the Netherlands that we call ‘Dutch nature at its purest’, meadows, canals, farm houses and more. Your tour ends in Den Helder, the most northern part of the province ‘North-Holland’, where we will stay overnight.

Day 4: Den Helder - Texel
While you enjoy your breakfast, Captain steers the Merlijn to the isle of Texel. We will sail very close to open sea, if you look very carefully; you can see England. Arrived in Texel you will have the opportunity to cycle this island. Here are dunes, beaches and lots of great bike paths. You will have the chance to visit a cheese farm today or tomorrow and if you want to take a break from cycling you will definitely enjoy the nature and the sea. There are many local dishes on the island. Tonight you will enjoy this local cuisine while having dinner in one of the many restaurants here.

Day 5: Texel – Wadden Sea – Stavoren
This morning we will stay longer on the island of Texel, so you will be able to cycle more on this beautiful island. Early afternoon we will sail across the Wadden Sea to Stavoren. The Wadden Sea sailing gives you a stunning view on the shallow body of water with tidal flats and wetlands. It has a high biological diversity and is an important area for both breeding and migrating birds. It is also possible you will be able to spot some seals. Early evening we will arrive in Stavoren. Enjoy your stroll through this ancient harbor city with many monuments to see.

Day 6: Stavoren – Lemmer – Urk
Your bike tour starts in Stavoren and takes you through the charming landscape of province ‘Friesland’ - with lots of small canals and lakes - to Lemmer. Here you will board the Merlijn and together we sail to Urk, a formerly fisher village with a lot of history, your evening walk through this village after dinner will be very interesting to you.           

Day 7: Urk – Lelystad – Amsterdam
Early morning we motor from Urk to Lelystad, along the coast of our new land. Your bike tour of today will be in the ‘new land’, our youngest province called Flevoland. Once this was the ‘Zuiderzee’, an open sea. Flevoland has been reclaimed in the sixties and has become the 12th province of the Netherlands. After you board the Merlijn again, we  have a wonderful afternoon of cruising. Have that last drink or finally read that book you brought! This evening there will be a farewell dinner and the last night on board.

Day 8: Amsterdam
Breakfast, check out and departure.
Extend your stay in Holland and reserve some time to explore the city, you might want to go on a ride through the canals, or you may want to visit the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh museum.

*On the above boats, it is possible to do the tour as self-guided with route descriptions. Please specify at the time of booking if you wish to do this. Maps are available for a small, additional fee. Ask us for details.

Day 1: Boarding in Amsterdam by pm; optional cycling, 9 mi. (15 km)
Day 2: Amsterdam - Volendam, 29 mi. (46 km)
Day 3: Hoorn - Enkhuizen, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Enkhuizen - Medemblik, sailing to Texel, 23 mi. (35 km)
Day 5: Texel, roundtrip, 22/30/41 mi. (35/48/62 km)
Day 6: Texel - sail to Den Helder and cycle to Alkmaar, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 7: Alkmaar – Zaanse Schans - Amsterdam, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 8: Departure

*All distances are approximate. The above-planned itinerary is subject to change, even on very short notice, due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, docking location changes, lock repairs,  etc.

Day 1: Boarding in Amsterdam by 4 pm; optional cycling, 9 mi. (20 km)
Boarding begins between 3 & 4 pm. The mooring location in Amsterdam is the Oosterdok, near the Nemo Science Museum.  Please be prompt and plan on having completed your embarkation by 4 pm. You can bring your luggage on board at noon but the cabins will not be ready for check-in.  When you arrive onboard, you can put your baggage away in your cabin and then enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is a great time to become acquainted with the guide, skipper, crew, and of course, your fellow passengers. The bicycles are distributed and straight from the moorings of the boat, you can have a short bike trip through quiet parts of town. If time permits, you can also bike outside the city.

Amsterdam first saw the light of day as a simple village at the mouth of the Amstel River but expanded rapidly with its famous rings of canals in the Golden Age (18th century). The palace on the Dam Square is sometimes called the 8th wonder of the world because it is built on 13,659 piles. Amsterdam, as we know it today, is famous for being able to cater to all tastes, including lovers of diamonds. In the evening, you dine on board. During the meal, the plans for the rest of the week are discussed.

Day 2: Amsterdam -  Volendam, sailing to Hoorn, 29 mi. (46 km)
 Amsterdam will be very quiet as you begin to cycle. A ferry takes you to the Amsterdam Noord quarter and soon you will be cycling through the rural area of Waterland. In this soggy peatland, the houses and villages are barely above the level of the water. You will visit the former Isle of Marken. It was not until 1957 that this island was connected to the mainland by a dike and it has retained its own particular character. The inhabitants are the only ones allowed to use their cars, so Marken can only be visited on foot or by bike. The route continues to the historic village of Monnickendam, which received its municipal charter in 1355.  Gouwzee dike to Volendam is next on the agenda. Originally Volendam was a small fishing community. Practically all its inhabitants used to wear their distinctive and picturesque traditional costumes. Volendam started as a settlement when Edam dug its new, shorter waterway to the Zuiderzee in the 14th century. The old harbor became superfluous, a new dike was built and soon farmers and fishermen settled down. In the second half of the 15th century, a new village came into being: Volendam. From Volendam, you sail in a northerly direction towards the city of Hoorn. Hoorn was a major trading town in the 17th century. From here ships sailed for the Dutch East Indies, (now Indonesia), America, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean. The most beautiful gable is in the former town hall; the Statenpoort which houses an interesting museum with paintings and exhibits concerning the V.O.C. The V.O.C. (United East Indies Dutch Trading Company) was a very powerful almost monopolistic trading company in the 17th century. During the evening walk, you will have the opportunity to get a good impression of this beautiful city with its rich past. 

Day 3: Hoorn - Enkhuizen, 28 mi. (45 km)
You continue on the dike with a wonderful view over the Markermeer on your right and West-Frisian villages on your left-hand side. The recently (1976) built dike from Enkhuizen to Lelystad (in the Noordoostpolder) appears on the horizon. This was meant to be a polder dike for a huge new polder: the Markerwaard. However, the plans were never executed. The environment and fresh water supply became more important. So today the dike is there, but no polder…
The trip for today ends in Enkhuizen, a town that came into existence when two adjoining villages joined. You can end your day with a visit to the Zuiderzeemuseum. This museum showcases the history of everyday life around the Zuiderzee until the middle of the 20th century. 

Day 4: Enkhuizen - Medemblik, sailing to Texel, 23 mi. (35 km)
If you haven't visited the Zuiderzeemuseum yesterday you'll have some time for a visit this morning. This museum, which consists of an indoor and outdoor part, shows you the history of everyday life around the Zuiderzee until the middle of the 20th century. The cycling route begins over the dike of the IJsselmeer, but we leave it to ride through a nature reserve and then some of the characteristic villages of West Friesland. Medemblik comes into view, one of the old Zuiderzee harbors with an illustrious past and a castle dating from the 13th century. You take a break here, and if you wish, you can board the boat.

After Medemblik, the route goes through a polder, Wieringermeer, which was created at the same time as the famous Afsluitdijk in 1932. This created new land out of the old Zuiderzee and turned the inland sea (IJsselmeer) into the largest sweet water basin in The Netherlands.

The food crisis resulting from the 1st World War created a need for more agricultural land so, in 1927, work on the Wieringermeer commenced. The dikes and pumping stations were built in the open sea. The polder itself was reclaimed during a period of mass unemployment and most of the work for preparing the land for agricultural use was done by hand and horsepower.

Halfway over the polder, you can step onboard again or otherwise ride through a forest to the fishing town of Den Oever. Sail by boat over the Wadden Sea to the harbor of the island of Texel.

Day 5: Texel, roundtrip, 22/30/41 mi. (35/48/62 km)
Today you could if you would like, you can visit the beach or take a bike ride on the island of Texel. There are numerous bicycle paths here. In the north, you have the nature reserve ‘de Slufter’, with an open connection to the sea.

The largest village on the island is Den Burg, which could easily be the prototype of the typical Dutch town with its circle of canals around an old church. You will find most of the shops on the island in this village. The local museum is a good representation of island life and is housed in a building dating from 1599. De Koog is the principal bathing resort and is only a stone's throw away from the widest beach on the island. As well as a nature center, which has a lot of information about the flora and fauna to be found on Texel, De Koog has a rescue center for seals.

Cocksdorp is entered through a tunnel of interlocking tree branches, which give it a unique character. If you cycle to the most extreme northerly tip of the island you may be able to see Vlieland, the next island making up the chain of Wadden islands. This part of the island is called the Slufter, a nature reserve open to the sea and the rhythm of the tides.

The villages of Den Doorn, Oosterend, and de Waal have escaped modern architectural influences and are now officially protected. In Den Hoorn, some of the old 'Commandeurs' dwellings have been preserved. These were the houses belonging to the captains of the whaling ships that sailed from Texel. The oldest church is situated in Oosterend. In clear weather, you can see the neighboring island Vlieland. Oudeschild, where the boat is moored, was the entrance port of the island until 1962.

Day 6: Texel - sail to Den Helder and cycle to Alkmaar, 37 mi. (60 km)
The ship takes you back to the mainland, where you disembark in the city of Den Helder, the Dutch naval port, situated at the mouth of the Noord-Hollandskanaal or further south at the canal. Today you ride through the dunes (the dunes between Schoorl and Bergen have the highest dunes in The Netherlands) and over the Hondsbossche Zeewering (seawall) with its spectacular view over the North Sea. On your left, you will see the dunes, and on your right, the sweep of a 5 km long dike keeping the sea at bay. This was at once time all dunes. However, in 1421, in what is known as the St Elizabeth's Floods, the dunes were swept away along with the village of Hondsbossche. The dike replacing the dunes is called the Hondsbossche Sea Dike. If the weather allows you to cross to the island of Texel, you will head straight for Den Helder. Otherwise, you will take a leisurely tour around the land bounded by the dikes. This part of the country, known as the Kop van Noord Holland (head of North Holland), is well known for bulb growing with the town of Anna Paulowna at its center. The bulbs bloom in April and May.

The stage ends in Alkmaar, which boasts almost four hundred buildings on the monument list, and typical Old-Dutch canals and harbor. Alkmaar is often called the cheese town as the weighing and selling of cheese in the 'Waag' (weighing house) was a popular activity in the past.

Day 7: Alkmaar – Zaanse Schans - Amsterdam, 37 mi. (60 km)
The last stage of the week takes you through the ‘droogmakerij’ land with the 17th-century towns of Schermerhorn, Graft and De Rijp. You will visit the world-famous hamlet and open-air museum of Zaanse Schans in Zaandam. A unique place where people live and work, with original houses and windmills from the river Zaan area.

The last stretch of the trip takes you through ’t Twiske (the Twiske) Leisure Park. Since the beginning of the Christian era, the peat region around the Zaan had been used for cattle grazing. In the peatland, ditches were dug to help to drain the land. The dried peat was used as fuel. Once you are back at the barge in Amsterdam it is time to take leave of your bikes. In the afternoon there is still some time to go into town and after dinner, you may want to finish off your trip by going on a city walk or taking a trip on one of Amsterdam’s canal boats.

Day 8: Amsterdam - Day of departure
Breakfast as usual, and departure by 10 AM.

Day 1: Enkhuizen
Day 2: Enkhuizen, 18 -23 mi. (28 - 36 km)
Day 3: Enkhuizen - Lemmer | Lemmer roundtrip, 20 - 28 mi. (32 - 45 km)
Day 4: Lemmer - Stavoren | Stavoren - Oudeschild (Island of Texel), 21 or 30 mi. (33 - 48 km)
Day 5: Island of Texel | Oudeschild - Den Helder, 19 - 31 mi. (31 - 49 km)
Day 6: Den Helder - Sint Maartensvlotbrug - Alkmaar, 21 - 24 mi. (27 - 57 km)
Day 7: Alkmaar - Wormerveer | Wormerveer - Hoorn, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 8: Departure

Parts in italics are covered by the ship. A knowledgeable and multilingual tour leader is available onboard. He/she will provide you with all the necessary tour information during daily briefings. You will cycle the tours independently, at your own pace, with the help of a detailed cycling map, GPS tracks, and printed route notes. 

Day 1: Enkhuizen
Check-in on board in the afternoon. 

Day 2: Enkhuizen, 18 -23 mi. (28 - 36 km)
Today you will discover the pretty harbor town on the banks of the IJsselmeer and its beautiful surroundings.
The city's rich history can still be felt during a walk through the old town with its numerous villas, canals, churches, city walls, and ports. Tip: You should visit the Zuiderzee Museum. If you would like to make a day trip to Amsterdam: The Enkhuizen train station is within walking distance of the berth. There are train connections to Amsterdam and back every 30 minutes. Journey time approx. 1 h (ticket not incl.)

Day 3: Enkhuizen - Lemmer | Lemmer roundtrip, 20 - 28 mi. (32 - 45 km)
By ship, you will navigate the IJsselmeer to Lemmer and then begin your loop bike ride over the Oosterzee Buren to the Tjeukemeer, further to Munnekeburen, then around the Rottige Meente over Scherpenzel and Schoterzijl back to Lemmer with its historical old town and the beautiful gable houses. Suggested is a  visit to the world's largest still-functioning steam pumping station, “Woudagemaal.”

Day 4: Lemmer - Stavoren | Stavoren - Oudeschild (Island of Texel), 21 mi. (33 km)
You cycle today to Sondeler Leien Lake and from there through the woods of Rijsterbos passing the Mokkebank (a birds’ reservation) to the Roode Klif at Stavoren. Back on board, you navigate to Oudeschild on the Island of Texel.

Day 5: Island of Texel | Oudeschild - Den Helder, 19 - 31 mi. (31 - 49 km)
Today you will enjoy a loop ride on the biggest North Sea Island of the Netherlands - Texel. There are many distances to choose from today (29, 32, 47, or 70 km). At about 6 pm, back on board the ship, you will navigate to Den Helder.

Day 6: Den Helder - Sint Maartensvlotbrug - Alkmaar, 16 or 34 mi. (25 or 55 km)
In the morning your cycle route leads through the dunes to Alkmaar. If you prefer a shorter ride, It is possible to board the Serena in St. Maartensvlotburg and ship the rest of the way to Alkmaar. As an alternative, you wait to start cycling tour in St. Maartensvlotburg.

Day 7: Alkmaar - Wormerveer | Wormerveer - Hoorn, 34 mi. (55 km)
In the morning you start from Wormerveer to the open-air museum Zaanse Schans (windmills, ancient Dutch village, cheese factory, etc.) and then continue in the direction of Volendam. On the way, you can visit a cheese dairy in Katwoude. Here you can see how Gouda cheese and traditional Dutch wooden shoes are made. Via Volendam, known as a traditional fishing village with typical authentic cottages, you cycle to Hoorn. Be sure to visit the historic old town with its many buildings from the 17th century (e.g., the harbor tower and the storage houses at the old quai).

Day 8: Departure
Disembarkation by 9 am.