Itinerary

Cycling Tour by Bike & Boat "North-Holland"

8 days / 7 nights | Ship: MS Serena | Self guided bike tours

Flat countryside up to the horizon, windmills, canals (Grachten) and cycling, that are the Netherlands. And there is so much more. Discover the Netherlands in a unique way on an 8-days-journey by bike and boat. Well-built cycle paths as well as wide and extensive waterways guarantee an unforgettable holiday. Throughout the day you are cycling on your own through the beautiful landscapes in Rembrandt’s and Van Gogh’s country and in the late afternoon your swimming hotel MS SERENA will be at your disposal. And if you don’t like to cycle every day, you can stay on board and enjoy the passing countryside.
The Province of the Northern Netherlands: The Dutch province of the North Netherlands is situated on a peninsula between the North Sea and the IJsselmeer (IJssel Sea). The Northern Netherlands were founded due to the separation of the north and south of the Netherlands in 1840. Discover the folklore and tradition in the flat Polderland, on the North Sea and in romantic ports. You are travelling through a former lake and marsh region that has been drained by the help of windmills since the 17th century. Experience varying, typically Dutch Polder-countryside, dunes and North Sea beaches, the North Sea island Texel and many picturesque harbour villages on the coast of the IJsselmeer.

Highlights of this bike and boat trip

✔ Picturesque harbour towns along the IJsselmeer

✔ Dunes and Norh Sea beaches

✔ Flat green polderlandscapes

✔ The comfortable bike-cruise ship MS Serena

Route

Day 1: Individual arrival at Enkhuizen

Check-in on board in the afternoon. Perhaps you take a first short walk through the pretty harbor town with its charming old town.

Day 2: Cycling from Enkhuizen and back  (Cycling 29–36 km / 17–22 miles)

Today you will discover the pretty harbor town on the banks of the IJsselmeer and its beautiful surroundings. The rich history of the city 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: Shipping from Enkhuizen to Lemmer – Cycling from Lemmer and back (Cycling 33–41 km / 20–27 miles)

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 Scherpenzel and Schoterzijl back to Lemmer with its historical old part of town and beautiful gable houses. Tip: visit of the largest still-functioning steam pumping station in the world, “Woudagemaal”.

Day 4: Cycling from Lemmer to Stavoren (Cycling 32–41 km / 20–27 miles) Shipping from Stavoren to Oudeschild (Island of Texel)

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.

Day 5: Island of Texel - Cycle tour from Oudeschild and back (Cycling 29–49 km / 19–28 miles) Shipping from Oudeschild to Den Helder

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). About 5:00 pm shipping back to Den Helder.

Day 6: Cycling from Den Helder via Sint Maartensvlotbrug to Alkmaar (Cycling 27–57 km / 15–34 miles) 

In the morning you are cycling through the dunes to Alkmaar. It is possible to board MS SERENA in St. Maartensvlotburg already and ship the rest of the way to Alkmaar. As an alternative, you can also start your cycling tour in St. Maartensvlotburg.

Day 7: Shipping from Alkmaar to Wormerveer – Cycling from Wormerveer to Hoorn (Cycling 55 km / 34 miles)

In the morning you start from Wormerveer to the open-air museum Zaanse Schans (windmills, ancient Dutch village, cheese factory, etc). After your visit you will continue in the direction of Volendam. On the way you have the opportunity to visit a cheese dairy in Katwoude. Here you can 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 cycle to Hoorn. For a short visit of 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) you should take some time.

Day 8: Shipping to Enkhuizen

Early in the morning shipping to Enkhuizen. Checkout until 9:00 am and we are saying goodbye – have a safe journey.

Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only.