Itinerary
Cycling Tour by Bike & Barge "North-Holland, Friesland and Isle of Texel"
8 days / 7 nights | Ship: MS Rigoretto | 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.
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.
The province of Friesland, with its unique lake landscape, numerous rivers and canals, is a true paradise for cyclists. The tranquillity and vastness of nature is omnipresent and perfect for a bike & boat experience.
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 Rigoletto
Route
Day 1: Individual arrival at Enkhuizen
Check-in on board in the afternoon. Perhaps you take a first short walk through the pretty harbour town with its charming old town.
Day 2: Cycling from Enkhuizen to Hoorn
cycle tour: approx. 20 – 26 km
Begin your day by discovering the pretty harbour town on the banks of the Ijsselmeer. 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 Zuiderzeemuseum. You then set off on your first cycle tour to Hoorn. Look forward to 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).
Day 3: Shipping from Hoorn to Lemmer – Cycling from Lemmer and back
cycle tour: approx. 33 – 44 km
In the morning you are shipping across the IJsselmeer to Lemmer in the province of Friesland. Lemmer is known for its historic old town and pretty gabled houses. Start your roundtrip b bike via Oosterzee Buren to the Tjeukemeer and via Munnekeburen, Scherpenzeel and Schoterzijl back to Lemmer. The longer tour also takes you around the Rottige Meenthe and Brandemeer nature reserve. Tip: Visit the largest steam pumping station in the world, "Woudagemaal", which is still in operation.
Day 4: Cycling from Lemmer to Stavoren
Cycle tour: approx. 32 – 41 km – Shipping from Stavoren to Harlingen
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 Harlingen. The Frisian town is known for its magnificent warehouses and patrician homes, canals and bridges, for its tidal harbour Noorderhaven and for its many café terraces and stores.
Day 5: Cycling from Harlingen and back
cycle tour: approx. 40 – 50 km – Shipping from Harlingen to Oudeschild (Island of Texel)
Another varied cycle tour around Harlingen is waiting for you. Enjoy the sweeping views and the beautiful nature of the province of Friesland. At around 16:00, your ship departs and you cross over to the North Sea island of Texel.
Day 6: Island of Texel – Cycle tour from Oudeschild and back
cycle tour: approx. 29 – 49 km, 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 28/35/48. About 5:00 pm shipping to Den Helder.
Day 7: Cycling from Den Helder to Medemblik
cycle tour: approx. 55 km – Shipping from Medemblik to Enkhuizen
You cycle south through the dunes to Callantshoeg with one of the most beautiful beaches in the Netherlands. Then you turn eastwards via the picturesque dyke village of Oudesluis, which was once a landing place for the ships of the Dutch East India Company, and Kolhorn, formerly also a port on the Zuiderzee and now surrounded by meadows, to Medemblik, the oldest town in West Friesland and the IJsselmeer with a beautiful town center and many cosy restaurants and cafés.
Day 8: 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.
Map
Ship MS Rigoletto
MS Rigoletto
The MS RIGOLETTO is a very cozy and well-kept riverboat with a pleasant salon, bar, reception, on-board store, small library and restaurant where you can enjoy your meals. The appealing interior design is characterized by a tasteful colour scheme paired with wood and brass. Large panoramic windows in the lounge allow beautiful views of the passing landscapes. All public areas are air-conditioned. Partially covered sun deck with seating, outdoor bar and space for the bicycles.
Cabins:
57 all together, friendly and comfortably furnished with shower/WC, hairdryer, on-board telephone, TV/radio, safe and air conditioning. All cabins on both decks have a large panoramic window, of which the upper part can be opened.
25 x 2-bed-cabins on the main deck and 28 x 2-bed-cabins on the upper deck. All 2-bed-cabins are approx. 11.5 m2 in size and are equipped with two pullman beds (can be stowed away during the day for greater comfort on request). On the upper deck there are also 2 x 1-bed cabins (approx. 8 m2) with a pullman bed, 1 x 3-bed cabin (approx. 12 m2) with two foldaway beds and a pullman bed and 1 x junior suite (approx. 22 m2) with a double bed and a small seating area with two armchairs.
Technical data:
Registry Switzerland | Length 105 m | Width 10,50 m | Draft 1,50 m | Number of Crew ca. 20 | Passengers max. 113
Travel Dates & Prices 2025
MS Rigoletto – Bike and Barge North Holland, Friesland and Texel
Travel Dates and Prices 2025 per Person
Please click at the travel data to open the request form.
Travel Dates
Prices 2025 per Person in €
S. 1
S. 2
S. 3
S. 4
Twin Main Deck
799,-
899,-
999,-
1149,-
Twin Upper Deck
949,-
1049,-
1149,-
1299,-
Juniorsuite Upper Deck
1199,-
1299,-
1399,-
1549,-
3-bed Upper Deck
849,-
949,-
1049,-
1199,-
1-bed Upper Deck
1249,-
1349,-
1449,-
1649,-
Season 1
Oct 04
Season 2
Apr 12, Sep 20, Sep 27
Season 3
Apr 19, Apr 26, Sep 06, Sep 13
Season 4
May 03 - Aug 30
Optional services / Notes
Cycle hire (7 gears)
89,- €
E-Bike hire
199,- €
Bring your own bike / e-bike (on request)
39,- €
Twin for single use
+40%
- Kabinen zur Alleinnutzung sind nur begrenzt verfügbar.
- Minimum number of participants: 50
Included
- Seven nights in outside cabins with private facilities in the booked cabin category
- Program according to routing from/to Enkhuizen
- All charges for harbours, bridges and locks
- Room cleaning every day, changing of towels and bed cloths as necessary
- Welcome-Drink
- Full board consisting of 7x breakfast, 6x lunch snack on board (non-cyclists) or lunch package for cycle tours, 7x 3-course-dinner
- Coffee and tea facilities (24h)
- Daily meeting for the cycle tours
- Printed instructions and detailed maps for daily individual bike tours (1 per cabin)
- GPS tracks
- Onboard tour guide
Not included: Journey to and from Enkhuizen, shuttles, bike rentals, entrance fees and excursions, city maps, ferry fees, travel insurances, parking fees, tips, drinks on board.
Bicycles on board
7-gear-Unisex-trekking bikes und 8-gear-E-Bikes (brand: Velo de Ville - special SE-Tours edition)
With hand brake and pedal brake or hand brakes only (subject to availability, please indicate as a non-binding customer request by the booking)
Pannier bag and rental bike insurance included.
E-Bikes on a limited number only
Please indicate your body height by the booking
Own bikes
On request only – due to lack of space on sun deck. E-bikes exclusively with removable battery pack We exclude any liability for loss, theft and damage - this also applies to damage caused by transportation from shore to ship or vice versa.
Cycle tours
All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours. When a guest does not want to cycle one day, she/he can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next harbour. The bike tours are individual, at your own pace, without a tour guide, but with daily briefings on board and detailed bicycle maps and directions. Nearly all cycle tours can be classified as being easy.
Excursions
We offer a small excursion program, that can be booked directly on board at the cruise director only. You will get a brief description together with your travel documents. Depending on the number of participants some excursions could be carried out in 2 languages (German/ English).
Schedule and program changes Basically
We reserve the right to make changes of routing and program. If there is low or high water and a route cannot be shipped, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety (this cannot be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal). Same applies to previously unknown administrative orders of lock or bridge repairs.
Arrival and parking
Arriving by train
By train via Amsterdam to the railway station in Enkhuizen. The ships are moored very close to the main railway station at the Gependam in Enkhuizen.
Arrival by car
Parking in Enkhuizen: Free parking at the train station in Enkhuizen, located directly at the harbor, within walking distance of the berth.
