Around the IJsselmeer

Day 1: Arrival in Kampen
Day 2: Kampen - Harderwijk, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 3: Harderwijk - Weesp, 36 mi.  (58 km)
Day 4: Weesp - Marken. By ferry Marken - Volendam. Volendam - Edam, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Edam -  Enkhuizen, 27 mi. (44 km)
Day 6: Enkhuizen - Stavoren by ferry. Stavoren - Lemmer, 27 mi. or 34 mi. ( 43 or 56 km)
Day 7: Lemmer - Giethoorn, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 8: Giethoorn - Kampen, 23 mi.  (37 km)
Day 9: Departure from Kampen

All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Arrival in Kampen
Kampen is one of the towns that formed the former Hanseatic League, a trade community from around the 12th to 16th  century. From Amsterdam, there is a good train connection to reach this lovely historic town in the eastern part of the Netherlands.

Accommodation: Boetiek Hotel Kampen, Kampen

Day 2: Kampen - Harderwijk (42 km)
On this day, our local representative will meet with you in the lobby of your hotel, hand out rental equipment, and instruct you thoroughly regarding your upcoming ride. Today’s highlight is Elburg, a fortified city with lots of 16th and 17th-century houses. After having visited Elburg, you will ride on to Harderwijk, where you’ll spend the night in the historic city center.

Accommodation: Baars, Harderwijk

Day 3: Harderwijk - Weesp (58 km)
Today is the longest ride of the tour but a lovely one which can easily be combined with other activities. Close to Harderwijk, you can relax on the beach. In the fishing village Spakenburg, where people still wear traditional Dutch costumes, you can eat some fine fresh fish. You will bike through lovely forest areas and heath lands before you will visit the historic fortified village of Naarden. At the end of the ride, the route leads through one of the oldest nature reserves in Holland, Naardermeer, up to the historic town of Weesp, just east of Amsterdam.

Accommodation: Hart van Weesp, Weesp

Day 4: Weesp - Marken. By ferry Marken - Volendam. Volendam - Edam (40 km)
First, you will pass the medieval Muiderslot Castle, built in 1280 AD. Here, it’s hard to imagine that you are only 15 kilometers away from the dazzling city of Amsterdam. Via former fishing villages such as Durgerdam and Uitdam, you will reach the former island of Marken, where some inhabitants still dress in traditional garb. In Marken, you will take the ferry to Volendam, a well-known tourist attraction. Your hotel in picturesque Edam is only a few kilometers away.

Accommodation: De Fortuna, Edam

Day 5: Edam -  Enkhuizen (44 km)
The most obvious association with the name ‘Edam’ is its cheese. For centuries, the well-known round Edam cheeses have been sent from this town to all corners of the world. The cheese market, once again restored to its place of honor, is enacted weekly during the summer months. And nearby cheese warehouses keep alive the memory of a colorful past. From Edam, the tour goes north over a beautiful dike with great views on the green polder as well as the blue lake. Halfway you will pass the historic town of Hoorn, a jewel to enjoy. Finally over the dike again up to Enkhuizen where you will stay.  Enkhuizen, is known to have one of the most beautiful harbors in the Netherlands.

Accommodation: Port van Cleve, Enkhuizen

Day 6: Enkhuizen - Stavoren by ferry. Stavoren - Lemmer ( 43 or 56 km)
In the morning, you will cross the Ijsselmeer by ferry, and on the other side, you will get to know another area of Holland, namely Friesland. Friesland is famous for its many lakes and its beautiful old cities. Hindeloopen is highly recommended and has great architecture. Quiet and small bike paths alongside the great blue lakes will bring you in the forest near Balk and finally by the lovely village of Sloten towards the UNESCO steamingmill of Lemmer. Your hotel is just nearby.

Accommodation: Hotel Lemmer, Lemmer

Day 7: Lemmer - Giethoorn (47 km)
What a great day ahead as one of the most impressive rides you can imagine awaits. A beautiful National Park is situated halfway between Lemmer and Giethoorn. It is called the Weerribben and Wieden National Park. This park is a marshland with many small islands, creeks, and lakes. Of course, the route takes you straight through the park. Giethoorn our Dutch Venice will be the highlight of the day and it’s a must to rent a boat at the hotel to explore all the creeks yourself.

Accommodation: Harmonie, Giethoorn

Day 8: Giethoorn - Kampen (37 km)
The first part of today’s tour takes you straight through the ‘Beulaker-en Belterwijde’, an area that is named after two great lakes. Many protected birds live in this region, as well as rare water-loving mammals such as beavers and otters. By leaving the lake district you will arrive in Kampen once again and you have finished the Golden Circle.

Accommodation: Boetiek Hotel Kampen, Kampen

Day 9: Departure from Kampen
Departure following breakfast

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Excellent 3 to 4-star hotels. In the itinerary, you will find the name of the preferred hotel but your final hotel list will be based on availability. If the preferred hotel is not available, you will be accommodated in an establishment of equal standard.

Bicycles

Hybrid bike

Your bicycle will be prepared for your arrival, taking into account your gender, height, personal requirements, and your accessory reservation. The rental bikes available are 8-speed multi-geared adult bikes, in both men's and ladies' models, and are manufactured by Koga. Their top-class aluminum hybrid models are built according to our own critical standards and specifications and are the best rental bikes you will find in Holland. Included with the bike rental:

• A toolkit
• Tire repair kit
• Mini-pump
• Cable-lock
• Water bottle
• Breakdown assistance

Electric bike

The Bosch Active Line Plus mid-drive motor offers optimum service life and reliability. The seamless integration of strength, rotation, and speed sensors results in spectacular intuitive support. The E-bike is provided with 400Wh Li-ion batteries with the longest life cycle available and supports your daily bike trip without any problem. Charging is only necessary at night.

Road bike

Also available are Giant road bikes. They are lightweight and have either aluminum or carbon frames. Together with high-quality Shimano components and different types of cleat pedals, these road bikes are suitable for long-distance riding.

Children’s bikes and accessories

A wide range of bikes and trailers are available and suitable for children of all ages.

Bike Assortment	Age
Child trailer	1-3 years
Child seat	2-4 years
Trailer bike/tag along	4-6 years
Follow me	7-8 years
Child tandem	3-8 years
20" child bike	7-8 years
24 " child bike	8-11 years
26 " child bike	11-13 years