Bike & Barge: Northern Netherlands
Explore the Dutch peninsula north of Amsterdam on this relaxed bike and barge tour that is suitable for all the family. Discover the landscape of the flat Polderland, explore the sweeping dunes and North Sea beaches and pay a visit to the pretty harbourside villages of the Ijsselmeer.
With time to enjoy Amsterdam’s many attractions and easy riding through an enchanting landscape dotted with windmills, churches and farmland, this is a cyclist’s paradise!
Itinerary
Check-in on board this afternoon. Today you can take your first short talk through the picturesque harbour and you walk through the old town.
On the second day of your trip, you will have the chance to discover the charming harbour town on the banks of IJsselmeer and its beautiful surroundings. You will live and breathe the rich and interesting history of the city as you walk through the old town with its numerous villas, canals, churches, city walls and ports. Tip: You should visit the Zuiderzee museum.
If you are interested in making a day trip to Amsterdam, then the Enkhuizen train station is within walking distance of the berth. Train connections to Amsterdam and back are every 30 minutes. Journey time approx. 1 h (ticket not incl.)
Today you are shipping over the IJsselmeer to Lemmer. You are starting your roundtrip by bike: over the Oosterzee Buren to the Tjeukemeer, further to Munnekeburen, then around the Rottige Meente over Scherpen-zel and Schoterzijl back to Lemmer with its historical old part of town and beautiful gable houses.
Tip: Optional visit of the largest still-functioning steam pumping station in the world, “Woudagemaal”.
You are going by bike to Sondeler Leien Lake, from there through the woods of Rijsterbos passing the Mokkebank (a birds’ reservation) to the Roode Klif at Stavoren. From there you are shipping to Oudeschild on the Island of Texel.
You are going on a round trip by bike on the biggest North Sea Island of the Netherlands – Texel. There are numerous alternative routes (29/32/47/70 km). Tip: We also rec-ommend you to visit the beer brewery of Texel (optional). About 6:00 pm shipping back to Den Helder.
In the morning you are cycling through the dunes to Alkmaar. It is possible for you to go on board MS SERENA in St. Maar-tensvlotburg and ship the rest of the way to Alkmaar. As an alternative, you can also start your cycling tour in St. Maartensvlot-burg.
Start off from Wormerveer and head to the open-air museum Zaanse Schans (windmills, ancient Dutch village, cheese factory, etc). From here you will continue in the direction of Volendam. On your way there you will have the chance to visit a cheese dairy in Katwoude. During your visit you will be able to see how Gouda cheese and the traditional Dutch wooden shoes are made. Via Volendam, known as a traditional fishing village with typical authentic cottages, you will cycle to Hoorn. We would recommend you taking some time to visit the historic old town with its many buildings from the 17th century (e.g. the harbour tower as well as the storage houses at the old quai)
Early in the morning shipping to Enkhuizen, After breakfast you are checking out and we are saying goodbye – have a safe journey
Route overview
Route Overview
You cycle daily about 30 to 60 km. Nearly all routes are easy to cycle. You cycle on asphalted and signposted bike paths. This beautiful journey leads along wonderful landscape and scenic villages. During the cruise of the MS Serena from one spot to the next, you are offered interesting bike tours. Those tours will be adjusted individually with the tour guide, depending on the group and their potential.
The mentioned kilometres are ca-distances. There is a daily briefing in the evening for the next day. If wished, you can cycle tours also individually, maps will be provided for that. The tours can be managed from everyone in normal shape. If you do not want to cycle you can also stay on board or make a shorter bike tour.
Total distance cycled: 264 km
Route Map (For guidance only):
Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
About the MS Serena
A comfortable river boat with restaurant and bar (air-conditioned). There is a partly roofed sun-deck with seats and store place for the bicycles.
On the whole MS SERENA comprises 35 cab-ins on the Main Deck and 18 cabins on the Promenade Deck with two-bed-cabins (approx. 8-9 sqm) with two single beds. The two Junior-Suites (approx. 12 sqm) on the Main Deck have a grandlit (lying surface 1,40 × 2,00 m). There are in total 3 single cabins (2 on the Main Deck and 1 on the Promenade Deck, 6 sqm).
All cabins have windows that can be opened on both decks, shower/WC and ventilation.
Technical data: Length 90 m. Width 9.90 m. Max. 102 passengers. 3 decks. Dutch flag and guidance.
What’s included
- Seven nights in outside cabins, shower/WC in the booked cabin category
- Standard Bike Hire
- Programme according to routing from/to Amsterdam
- Welcome cocktail
- Room cleaning every day
- Changing of towels and bed sheets if wanted
- Full board consisting of breakfast buffet, lunch or lunch package for cycle tours, coffee or tea in the afternoon, dinner
- All charges for harbours, bridges and locks
- Daily meeting for the cycling tours
- Printed instructions and detailed maps for daily individual bike tours (1 per cabin)
- Tour guide
- Languages on board: German, English
Not included
- Flights to/from the start and finish
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
- Helmets
- Water Bottles
- Travel Insurance
- Bike Insurance (unless stated)
- Welcome Meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers (unless included)
Check Availability
We have put a calendar of events together that will provide you with some inspiration of what you can expect on your holiday, and when the best time to jet off is. Now’s your chance to travel further than you can by foot and be part of a memorable and exciting two-wheel journey with us.
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