Flat, asphalted bike paths and side roads, ideal for children. If you don’t want to cycle, you can stay on the house boat.

Individual Arrival. Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board bettween 2 and 5 p.m. Take the opportunity to go shopping or explore downtown Amsterdam, world famous for its canals, its quirky ‘leaning’ buildings, museums, the Anne Frank House, the Waterlooplein Flea Market, the Dam Square in the historical center and heart of the city. A canal tour is a unique way to see the capital of Holland from another side. Welcome meeting, cocktail, dinner and first briefing on board. First night on board in Amsterdam.

The first bike trip of this tour takes you via small villages through the beautiful flat and green polder landscape. The first stop is at the Zaanse Schans open air museum (free entry) with its traditional Old Dutch wooden houses, windmills and the cheese- and clog factory. After this visit you will cycle through the “Land of Leeghwater”, a green polder area between Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Hoorn. Stroll through the former whaler’s village De Rijp and pass by the windmills of Schermerhorn. Your cycling tour ends in the historical centre of Alkmaar. All bicycles will be parked and stored safely and monitored in Alkmaar. At the end of the afternoon a coach will bring you back to “De Holland” in Enkhuizen, a beautiful 17th century town at the banks of the lake IJsselmeer with a rich cultural and maritime tradition.

After breakfast a coach will bring you back to Alkmaar, where today’s bike tour starts. Today you can discover the beautiful coastal area of North-Holland: an approx. 70 km (45 miles) long strip with forest, heathland and sand dunes and of course the wide sandy beaches of the North Sea. On the route — and certainly worth a visit — is the artist’s village of Bergen. Then you will bike all the way through the dunes and along the coast and beaches northward, to the navy harbour of Den Helder. There is a 17 km (10.5 mi.) shorter option if you do not cycle to Den Helder, but to Schagen instead, and take the train (limited capacity for bicycles - approx. 30 min. - train tickets approx. € 13.00 not included) to Den Helder. After dinner visit and guided tour (incl.) of the light ship museum in Den Helder. Night on board in Den Helder.

During breakfast De Holland will cross the Marsdiep, a deep tide-race between Den Helder and Texel Island to the harbor of Oudeschild.**
You will quickly understand why the island of Texel is a favorite destination for many tourists as you cycle around this enchanting Dutch island. Charming villages, beautiful beaches and areas of natural importance are crisscrossed by a network of cycling tracks, making all areas of the island easily accessible. Swim at one of the wide sandy beaches, visit the seal sanctuary "Ecomare" and/or cycle the beautiful "Thijsse-route" (with signposting, approx. 25 miles) through picturesque villages and landscapes. At the end of your cycling tour you can enjoy a locally brewed beer during a visit to the small brewery in the harbor of Oudeschild. In the evening the Angela Esmee will return to Den Oever on the mainland. The highlight of the evening will be a night of live music on board.

The vessel will cross the large inland lake IJsselmeer to sail to Stavoren in the Province of Friesland. You can opt for a shorter or longer cycling tour: discover the nature area of Gaasterland or explore a part of the wide lake district, that Friesland is well-known for. You can also combine both options. Night in Stavoren, one of the famous 11 cities of Friesland.

Sail to Medemblik during breakfast. Take the short pedaling from Medemblik along the IJsselmeer (former "Zuiderzee") coast directly to Enkhuizen, where you can spend the afternoon. Enkhuizen is an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. The "herring city" boasts a beautiful old harbor, an historical old town center and the very interesting "Zuiderzeemuseum". If you prefer a longer cycling tour, ride from Medemblik to the former Dutch East India Company town of Hoorn, in the 17th century one of the world’s leading harbors and name giver of Cape Horn. Enjoy your lunch break and make a short stroll of the old city. Continue by bike through some picturesque rural villages to Enkhuizen. In the evening you can enjoy a short city walking tour.

During breakfast the ship will sail to Volendam. Your final day of cycling will lead you through the beautiful area of ‘Waterland’ with its hundreds of small lakes and tiny canals. Recommended (extra miles) is a detour to the former island of Marken, to continue through the water shaped region of Waterland back to the Dutch capital city of Amsterdam. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy everything Amsterdam has to offer. If you didn’t go for a canal tour on the first day, you will have the opportunity to do so today.

Individual departure. Disembarkation after breakfast.

Due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements we reserve the right to make changes of routing and program. In case of unfavorable weather conditions, the captain may decide to sail to Texel on Monday evening or not at all: in the latter case you can reach Texel by ferry (price approx. 5 € not incl.).