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Sailing and Cycling Itinerary: Soeverein 2012

Take a trip back in time and discover the Dutch 'Golden Age'. Cycle through flat green polders, along old dikes and through idyllic towns. Daily destinations are to some of the most beautiful ports from the heyday of Holland's economy and culture, such as Enkhuizen, Hoorn or Medemblik, but also to small villages and former Zuiderzee islands that through land reclamation are now part of the mainland. You will sleep on the Soeverein, a 3-master built in the style of the East Indiamen merchant ships of the 17th Century. From the big upper deck you have a magnificent view out over the water and the coastline. Below deck there are comfortable sleeping cabins, a professional kitchen and a large lounge to make your stay on board a pleasure.
Gerard, Denise and their crew are our hosts during this week-long tour. Daily programmes are flexible allowing you to choose from among tours of different lengths for that particular day. Or you may choose to just relax and enjoy the day's sail on board or take part assisting the crew.

Itinerary

Day 1. Saturday Bataviahaven Lelystad

4-6pm. Embarking on the Soeverein in Bataviahaven in Lelystad. The Batavia Shipyards with full-scale replicas of two impressive East India Company ships are nearby. If shopping is more your thing: Holland's biggest outlet shopping mall is also within walking distance. Around 7pm, we will have dinner together on board the Soeverein. Afterwards, the crew will be introduced and information will be given about the ship and the trip.

Day 2. Sunday Lelystad - Urk: former Zuiderzee islands

From Lelystad, the Soeverein sails across the Ijsselmeer to Urk. Since the draining of the Noordoost polders, several former Zuiderzee islands are now part of the mainland. The harbour town of Urk is the first former Zuiderzee island we visit. Worth seeing here is the fishing harbour and the historical town centre. You might even see some of the Urk citizens in traditional costume. We will go by bike to the second former island of Schokland which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. The open-air museum in Middelbhourst brings the history of the island to life. Also worth seeing are the works of contemporary sculptors there.
Sailing: ca. 4 hours – Cycling: ca. 38 km

Day 3. Monday. Urk – Stavoren: Frisian lakes and villages.

After breakfast we sail from Urk to Stavoren in Friesland. Typical for Friesland are the lakes and the agriculture activities. The land between the lakes consists largely of grass meadows. This makes the Frisian lake territory an excellent place for cycling tours. The route leads you to Molwerum, Koudum and Galamadammen, situated between the lakes 'De Morra' and 'De Fluessen'. From this point you have a great view across the water. The cycling tour follows the dyke near the nature reserve 'De Voegelhoek'. Through the villages Hemelum and Bakhuizen, the smallest Frisian fisher's place Laaxum you cycle back to Stavoren. Stavoren is the oldest city in Friesland and scene of the action of the folk tale of the Lady of Stavoren. The tale is a reminder of the rise and fall of maritime wealth once enjoyed by the town and its merchants.
Sailing: ca. 4 hours – Cycling: ca. 30 km

Day 4. Tuesday. Stavoren – Enkhuizen en Medemblik: historical harbour towns of the 'Golden Age'.

In the morning we set sail from Stavoren to Enkhuizen. Under the guidance of the crew, you can help set the sails, steer the ship or learn how to read a nautical chart. There will be a midday snack on board. Then there's cycling from Enkhuizen across the old Zuiderzee dike to Medemblik, the oldest Westfriesian town wheretoday you can explore historical houses, street cafes, small museums or Schloss Radboud. Return by way of the green polders via Oppendoes, Oosthuis and Lutjebroek. After dinner, enjoy a long stroll through Enkhuizen.
Sailing: ca. 3,5 hours – Cycling: Enkhuizen-Medemblik: ca. 21 km; return ca. 28 km.

Day 5. Wednesday Enkhuizen – Hoorn: polders, dikes and windmills.

The Soeverein sails in the morning for about two hours from Enkhuizen to the historical Ijsselmeer town of Hoorn. You have the choice of completing this leg of the trip by ship or by bike across the old Zuiderzee dike (ca. 24 km). Sailors and cyclers then meet up for lunch on board. Afterwards, it's back on the bikes for a ride through the splendid Westfriesian landscape in the direction of Obdam, Ursem, de Goorn and across the dike via Scharwoude back to Hoorn (ca. 42 km). Touring Hoorn, you see many monuments from the days of the East India Company which had a subsidiary here.
Sailing Enkhuizen – Hoorn: ca. 2 hours | cycling ca. 42 km or Cycling tour Enkhuizen – Hoorn 24 km plus 42 km.

Day 6. Thursday. Volendam, the pearl of the Zuiderzee / Graft and de Rijp: villages from the time of Jan Adriaansz Leeghwater

The ship sails in the morning from Hoorn to Volendam, with a swing around the island of Marken. Your choice of programme: – Sail from Hoorn to Volendam. Lunch on board; afterwards a short cycling tour from Volendam to Monnickendam (ca. 22 km), Edam (ca. 10 km) or Marken (ca. 40 km). Or: – Cycling tour from Hoorn via Schermerhorn, Grootschermer, Graft, de Rijp and Edam to Volendam (ca. 46 km). In de Rijp, take a walk back through the 17th Century. Sailors and fishermen formerly lived in the houses with wooden gables. Lunch on board or a packed lunch for those on the road. Those who still have energy after this tour for more discovery trips, can also visit Monnickendam, Edam or Marken – or take a comfortable ride on the ferry from Volendam to the picturesque island of Marken (bikes can be taken along). Marken is also a former island that today is linked to the mainland by a dike. There is something for everyone in Volendam: a lively harbour scene with souvenir shops, fish shops and cafes, idyllic side streets, an eel smoke-house that is worth seeing, modern yachts and traditional sailboats in the harbour.
Sailing: ca. 3 hours – cycling tour to Edam ca. 10 km, to Monnickendam ca. 22 km or to Marken ca. 40 km (all distances are there and back) or Cycling tour Hoorn – Volendam ca. 46 km

Day 7. Friday. Volendam - Lelystad: Oostvaardersplassen

After breakfast on board, we sail for about 4 hours back from Volendam to Lelystad. The cycling tour of this day takes you through a unique region: the Nature Reserve Oostvaardersplassen. Since its reclamation from the freshwater lake IJsselmeer, the vegetation of this wetland below sea level has rapidly developed by natural succession. Oostvaardersplassen is home to a large variety of bird species. Also heck cattle, red deer and konik horses live here in wild herds.
Sailing: ca. 4 hours

Day 8. Saturday: Lelystad

Ca. 10am disembarking after breakfast and departure home

(We reserve the right to change the routes and programme.)

Parking in Lelystad: secure parking on Museumweg (ca. 5,- Euro per day)
Arrival by train: the F bus runs every 15 minutes from Lelystad station to Bataviahaven. Bus stop: Bataviastad.