North Sea & IJsselmeer by Bike + Boat | Guided

from/to Amsterdam

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Itinerary

Please note: You can only take part in this trip if you are vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19!
As of Oct 2022, subject to change.

Feel save, book flexible: FREE rebooking up to 6 weeks prior arrival to any alternative date in 2021 - applies to bookings between May 01 and June 15 2021 , the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

Rebooking FREE OF CHARGE until 28 days prior tour start; valid for all new bookings between May 01 and ***September 15 2021***. Valid for all tour-dates 2021 – the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

On this 8-day bike and boat trip, you will explore the diversity of North Holland’s coast and the landscapes around the Ijsselmeer. Starting in Amsterdam, you will cycle and sail through polder landscapes, past windmills, long sandy beaches and through the dune areas of the North Sea coast. After a detour to the island of Texel, you return to the mainland in the direction of the IJsselmeer. The IJsselmeer is an inland sea, but used to be part of the North Sea before it was separated from the North Sea by a huge dyke. Today it is home to idyllic fishing villages and picturesque harbor towns. 

Always accompanied by your boutique ship Flora, Gandalf or Sarah, this cycle tour offers the perfect opportunity to experience North Holland while enjoying the comfort of a floating hotel.

Our Tip: Book early, those bike & boat trips fill up fast!

Route

Tour profile / Level 1

Flat, well-prepared bike paths and side roads - well suited for children!

Day 1: Amsterdam – Zaandam – Zaanse Schans, approx. 8 km

Embarkation and check-in from 14:00, where the crew will welcome you on board in the city center of Amsterdam. Around 15:00, the ship will sail to Zaandam, where you will embark on your first cycle tour to the Zaanse Schans open-air museum.

Day 2: Zaanse Schans – Alkmaar, approx. 29-40 km

From Zaanse Schas, you cycle through the polder area ’Land des Leeghwater’ to the former whaling village of De Rijp. You then cycle past the windmills of Schermerhorn towards Alkmaar, where your boat is already waiting for you.

Day 3: Alkmaar – St. Maartensvlotbrug – Den Helder – Texel, approx. 30-53 km

The day starts with a tour to the North Sea, where you can explore the impressive dune area of North Holland. In Den Helder you will meet your ship, which will take you across the Wadden Sea to the island of Texel, weather permitting (alternative crossing the next day).

Day 4: Texel Island round tour/ Texel – Medemblik, approx. 43-48 km

If the weather conditions prevented the ship from crossing the previous day, there is the option of taking the ferry to the island of Texel today. Once there, you will cycle through nature reserves, charming landscapes and picturesque villages. Tip: Plan a stop at the seal sanctuary and the Ecomare nature museum! In the afternoon, return to the mainland by boat or ferry.

Day 5: Medemblik – Enkhuizen, approx. 39-51 km

Today the tour takes you along the coast of the IJsselmeer to Enkhuizen. Both the famous inland sea and the town of Enkhuizen have their own charm and invite you to linger. In Enkhuizen for example, visit the historic harbor or the old city center. Dinner is not included today - take the opportunity to try out one of the nice restaurants in town!

Day 6: Enkhuizen – Hoorn, approx. 23-35 km

Today’s route takes you to Hoorn, the former city of the Dutch East India Company. In the 17th century, Hoorn was considered one of the most important ports in the world. Nowadays you can explore the city on foot and marvel at the historic old town.

Day 7: Hoorn – Volendam – Amsterdam, approx. 23-45 km

After breakfast, your ship arrives in Volendam. Your last cycle tour starts from here. You cycle back to Amsterdam through the impressive Waterland, which is criss-crossed by canals and small lakes. The afternoon is at your disposal - take a stroll through the city and explore the many sights of Amsterdam!

Day 8: Amsterdam

End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 am.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Due to varying wind and weather conditions as well as organizational necessities, we reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary.

Please keep in mind that the ship is both your hotel and a machine that needs to be maintained and operated - both during the day and at night. Operational noise is therefore unavoidable.

Services

  • 7 nights in outside cabin of the booked category 

  • Full board (7x breakfast, packed lunch for bike tours, 6x three-course dinner)

  • Coffee and tea on board

  • Welcome drink

  • Use of bed linen and towels

  • Daily cabin cleaning

  • Fully guided bike tours

  • Rental pannier

  • Ferry and Waterbus fees

  • WIFI (limited data)

  • GPS tracks

  • Detailed maps and information material per cabin

  • For the environment’s benefit: use of a biodegradable water bottle and compensation of the CO2 emitted by the NGO Justdiggit.

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type
    S2   07.06. - 14.06.25
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    MV GANDALF
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    S2   19.07. - 26.07.25
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    MV GANDALF
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    S2   26.07. - 02.08.25
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    MV GANDALF
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    Extras

    Bicycles & Equipment
    7-speed (SARAH and GANDALF) 91
    24-speed (FLORA) 91
    E-Bike 245
    own bike/own E-bike 14/28
    Rental helmet 10
    Rental bike disclaimer 14
    Rental bike disclaimer E-Bike 28
       
    Additional nights*
    Amsterdam (dbl/sgl) 122/213
    Amsterdam Arrival Saturday (dbl/sgl) 153/244
    *no addidtional nights possible on following dates: April 18-20, April 25-26, May 07-10, May 19-21, June 06-08, June 21-22, June 24-25, August 29-31 and September 27-30
       
    Other extras
    Gluten free or lactose free diet 70

     

    Info: 3-bed cabins are just available for 2 adults and 1 child up to 15,99 years. 3 adults are not possible!

    Best - Price - Guarantee

    If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!
    All prices per person in EUR

    Ship

    Welcome on board!

    Our three ships convince with comfort and a pleasant atmosphere - let Flora, Gandalf and Sarah enchant you!

    MV FLORA

    The Flora is a small, cozy and comfortable passenger ship that has been successfully sailing the Green Heart of Holland Tour for several years.
    The nostalgically furnished salon with bar has a quaint atmosphere and serves as a dining and lounge area. WLAN (Wi-Fi) is available. The sun deck is a great place to enjoy the evenings on board and during the cruise you can let the landscape glide by. >>more

    MV GANDALF

    The Gandalf is a small and comfortable passenger barge. The ship, owned and operated by skipper Hans Petrus, sails under Dutch flag has been sailing in various areas in The Netherlands and Belgium for many years. The crew will do their best to make you feel at home. >>more

    MV SARAH

    The Sarah, with her length of 45 meters and width of 6.6 meters, is a comfortable and cozy passenger barge. During the conversion of the barge from cargo vessel to passenger barge, the owners of the Sarah decided to choose quality instead of quantity. The Sarah is spaciously built for a small group of passengers of max. 20-22 passengers and offers an attractive, "feels-like-to-be-at-home" atmosphere. >>more

    Bicycle

    Rental-Bicycles & equipment

    The following bikes are available for rent:

    • 7-speed touring bikes (available on SARAH and GANDALF)
    • 24-speed touring bikes (FLORA)
    • E-Bikes (all ships)

    Electric bikes | E-Bikes | Pedelecs

    We provide you with modern quality e-bikes with 7- or 8-speed hub gears and step-by-step selectable assistance for pedalling power. The range of the battery depends on the support level, riding style, body weight and terrain.

    IMPORTANT: book early, because of limited capacity!

    Bicycle breakdowns

    Breakdowns can happen, also when bikes are well serviced and maintained. Flats can be fixed by yourself. If there’s a difficult repair you may call the local representative. Please don’t get any repairs done on the bike without informing the tour operator/local representative and their approval.

    Bringing of own bikes

    Bringing your own bicycles on the boats is ony available in a limited number and a fee needs to be paid as there is not much space. Due to safety reasons you must not charge your E-Bike batteries in your cabin!

    If you bring your own bicycle, please pay attention to the following aspects: You are personally responsible for your own bike on board and ashore. Protect your bike against theft on board, as well as on land with a lock. The bikes will be brought on board and from board by the crew. Due to the local conditions we cannot prevent scratches and damages on the bikes.

    Please understand that we cannot accept any liability. The bikes on board are exposed to weather conditions because the parking is not covered. Please bring along your own spare material and repair kit for your bike. The fees for parking of own bikes on board you can find under prices.

    Useful

    Arrival - Parking - Departure

    Arrival by plane

    Airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) 
    From airport per train to Amsterdam Centraal - duration approx. 20 min. - costs approx. € 6,-.

    Arrival by train

    Train station: Amsterdam Centraal (near the docking station) For details see your final travel documents.

    Taxi from Trainstation to docking station approx. 5min and € 15,-

    Arrival by car

    Almost everywhere in Amsterdam - within the Ringweg ring road - parking is only allowed in official car parks and multi-storey car parks. Parking in the city centre of Amsterdam is now charged at around €5,-/hour. There are several car parks in the city centre. Some are connected to the parking guidance system. The blue and white signs of this system point to the next car park where there are still free spaces. Parking on yellow kerbs is prohibited. Caution: Wheel clamps (Wielklemm) may be used. Fines for parking violations are high.

    Oosterdock car park
    A monitored multi-storey car park right next to the Central Station (exclusively for cars up to 2.10 m high). The economy rate is about € 275,- per week. No advance reservation possible. You can find more information >>here.

    Centralparking.nl/Valet Parking Services
    We are happy to reserve a parking space for you on request and subject to availability. On the day of arrival, your car will be picked up at the pier and returned to the ship on the day of departure. Cost per week (8 days/7 nights) - car: approx. € 185,- (payment in cash on site) >>booking-form.

    For more information and other P+R parking spaces, please visit the Iamsterdam page under "Plan your trip" / "Transport" / "Parking in Amsterdam".

    Additional Information

    Diet: (i.e.: lactosefree, glutenfree) possible on request, supplement € 65,- payable locally. (except vegan diet)
    Must be booked at least 14 days prior to departure.

    3-bed cabin just possible for max. 2 adults and one child up to 15,99 years!

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    Doris Berkovics

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     Doris Berkovics

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    +43 1 4053873 - 12
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