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Northern Holland by Bike + Boat SERENA

North Holland and Friesland

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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.

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.

 

 

Our Tip: If you book until 60 days prior to arrival you get a 5% discount!

Route

Tour profile / Level 1

Flat, asphalted bike paths and side roads. Also ideal for children.

Itinerary June 06 - Oct. 03 (except Aug. 15)

Day 1: Amsterdam

Individual arrival to Amsterdam. Embarkation in the afternoon between 3 and 4:30 p.m. Maybe you will take some time for exploring the city of Amsterdam and a shopping tour. At 5:30 p.m. MS SERENA will leave Amsterdam for Hoorn with its historical old part of town.

Day 2: Hoorn - Enkhuizen, approx. 20 - 26 km

Hoorn is an ancient city in which you can still find many buildings dating back to the 17th century (e.g. the Regentur of Westfriesland – today a museum -, the town’s scales at the Rodesteen, the harbour tower as well as the storage houses at the old quai). Today you are cycling from Hoorn to Enkhuizen. Tip: you should visit the Zuiderzeemuseum (optional).

Day 3: Around  Lemmer, approx. 32 - 45  km

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.

Day 4: Lemmer - Stavoren, approx. 33 km

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, approx. up to 70 km

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). Tip: We also recommend you to visit the beer brewery of Texel (optional). About 6:00 p.m. shipping back to Den Helder.

Day 6: Den Helder - Sint Maartensvlotbrug - Alkmaar, approx. 25 - 55 km

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

Day 7: Wormerveer - Amsterdam, approx. 35 km

In the morning you have the opportunity to visit the cheese market in Alkmaar (ca. April to Sept). At midday we are shipping to Wormerveer from where you are cycling to the open air museum Zaanse Schans (windmills, ancient Dutch village, cheese factory, etc. – entrance fee is not included). You are cycling through the recreational area Twiske to Amsterdam. Tip: In the evening you have the opportunity to take part in a “Grachtenrundfahrt”. (shipping on the channels of Amsterdam in small boats, optional)

Day 8: Amsterdam

Individual departure. Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.00 a.m.

 

Modified Itinerary March 28 - May 30 (closed lock in Zaandam)

Day 1: Amsterdam

Individual arrival to Amsterdam. Embarkation in the afternoon between 3 and 4:30 p.m. Maybe you will take some time for exploring the city of Amsterdam and a shopping tour. At 5:30 p.m. MS SERENA will leave Amsterdam for Hoorn with its historical old part of town.

Day 2: Hoorn - Enkhuizen, approx. 20 - 26 km

Hoorn is an ancient city in which you can still find many buildings dating back to the 17th century (e.g. the Regentur of Westfriesland – today a museum -, the town’s scales at the Rodesteen, the harbour tower as well as the storage houses at the old quai). Today you are cycling from Hoorn to Enkhuizen. Tip: you should visit the Zuiderzeemuseum (optional).

Day 3: Around  Lemmer, approx. 32 - 45  km

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.

Day 4: Lemmer - Stavoren, approx. 33 km

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, approx. up to 70 km

Discover the beautiful West Frisian island. 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). In the late afternoon shipping to Medemblik.

Day 6: Medemblik - Hoorn, approx. 24 - 38 km

Today’s destination of your cycle tour is once again the magnificent town of Hoorn. The past of the mighty East Indian Company, which maintained trade relations with Asian countries in the 17th and 18th centuries, can still be seen everywhere.

Day 7: Zaandam - Amsterdam, approx. 25 km

Early in the morning shipping from Hoorn to Zaandam. Start of your cycle tour. Don’t miss a visit to the Zaanse Schans open-air museum (windmills, old Dutch village, cheese dairy, etc.). Through the local recreation area "Twiske" you cycle comfortably back to Amsterdam.

Day 8: Amsterdam

Individual departure. Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.00 a.m.

Important Information:

Due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements we reserve the right to make changes of routing and program.

Services

Included Services:

  • 7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities
     
  • fullboard (breakfast, packed lunch, dinner)
     
  • coffee or tea in the afternoon
     
  • welcome drink
     
  • daily meeting for cycling tours
     
  • tour guide on board
     
  • room cleaning every day
     
  • changing of towels and bed cloths if wanted
     
  • all charges for harbours, bridges and locks
     
  • GPS
     
  • maps and information material per cabin

 

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type

    Extras

    Discounts for children
    0 - 12,99 years  -20% on the tourprice up from 1 full paying person
    (3rd bed not available)
     
    Bicycle & equipment
    7-speed-bike UNISEX (back pedal brake) 75
    E-bike 165
       
    Additional night Amsterdam 3-4*
    S1* (dbl/sgl) 89/154
    S1* arrival Saturday (dbl/sgl) 113/200
    S2* (dbl/sgl) 93/160
    S2* arrival Saturday (dbl/sgl) 117/209

    *S1: March, April, May, June, September, October
    *S2: July, August

    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 aboard the MV SERENA!

    The MV SERENA is a comfortable river boat with restaurant and bar (air-conditioned). There is a partly roofed sundeck with seats and store place for the bicycles.

    Technical data

    Capacity: 99 people
    Length: 90m
    Width: 9,90m
    Height: 7,40m
    Draft: 1,65m
    Decks: 3

    Cabins

    33 cabins on the main deck, 18 cabins on the upper deck.

    • The 2-bed-cabins on both decks are about  8-9 sqm with two single beds.
    • The two Junior-Suites (approx. 12 sqm) on the main deck have a grandlit (lying surface 1,40 x 2,00 m).
    • There are in total 3 single cabins (2 on the main deck and 1 on the upper deck, 6 sqm).

    All cabins on both decks have windows that can be opened, shower/toilet and ventilation.

    Catering

    The catering consists of 7 x full board. The chef on board is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and the 3-course dinner.

    The cyclists can prepare lunch packages for the cycle tours. For those who want to stay on board, a lunch snack will be served on board.

    Languages on Board

    German, English

    Bicycle

    Bicycles inclusive panniers

    Touring bikes

    Our bikes are state-of-the-art quality bikes based on proven brand quality of the bicycle manufactory Velo de Ville. All Velo de Ville bikes use only braking systems from renowned manufacturers such as Magura or Shimano. Minimum body height for our rental bikes: 1.50 m

    The following rental bikes (including pannier) are available for you:

    • 7-speed UNISEX touring bikes
    • 8-speed E-bikes

    E-bikes | Electrical bikes | Pedeclecs

    We provide you with modern quality e-bikes (pedelecs) with Nexus 8-speed hub gears, gradually selectable aid of pedaling power, puncture-proof tires and deep UNISEX comfort entry. The electric bikes from Velo de Ville are equipped exclusively with Bosch mid-mounted motors and fully integrated 500 Wh Bosch batteries. The design of the batteries allows them to almost disappear into the frame. This gives you better weight distribution and a low center of gravity without missing the convenience of easy entry. You save your battery by starting with as low a support as possible and increasing as needed. Please note that with the newer models of our e-bikes it is not possible to attach handlebar bags due to the additional fixed speedometers and wider handlebars.

    IMPORTANT: Please reserve ebikes early, as they are only available in very limited numbers.

    Breakdowns

    Bicycle 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 touroperator/local representative and their approval.

    Own Bikes

    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.

    Useful

    ARRIVAL - PARKING - DEPARTURE

    ARRIVAL BY PLANE

    Airport:
    Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
    per train to Amsterdam Centraal - duration approx. 20 min. - costs approx. € 5.

    ARRIVAL BY TRAIN

    Train station:
    Amsterdam Centraal (near the docking station)

    Some docking locations are in 5-10-minute walking distance from the main station (f.e.: Tolhuis/Buiksloterweg:please take the pedestrian ferry “Buiksloterweg”, departure in front of the main station exit to the water side).

    For some docks, we recommend to take a taxi from the main staion Amsterdam Centraal (exit city centre).

    You will receive the detailled describtion with the travel documents.

    ARRIVAL BY CAR

    Parking:

    Parking Oosterdok: economy fare approx.€ 20/day

    or

    Valet Parking Services
    costs about € 145/week. (payable in advance, reservation necessary, latest by 2 weeks prior departure)
    Your car will be picked up on arrival day at the docking station and will be brought to the parking place.
    You can download the application form HERE and return it to us per mail, fax or e-mail to office@radreisen.at

    More information for  P+R-places you can find under www.iamsterdam.com/en

    EMBARKATION

    Embarkation is between 3 and 4:30 p.m.
    Due to organizational reasons it is not possible to go on board earlier.

    PARTICIPANTS

    Minimum: 50 persons
    Maximum: 99 persons

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    Diet: (i.e.: lactosefree, glutenfree) possible on request, supplement € 25, payable locally.
    (except vegan cost)
    Must be booked at least 14 days prior to departure.

    Videos

    Travel stories

    5,3 of 6 Stars | 13
    We had a great holiday.  The boat was comfortable, food good and the bikes excellent.  The cycle routes were well thought out and there were some wonderful rides.  We were the only English speakers on the tour but this didn’t matter as the tour guides, hotel manager and rest of the crew made us very welcome. H.R. 04/19
    5.2 03.05.2022 | Stephen M. Discover North Holland by Bike + Boat MV SERENA

    At Last!

    Overall: What a joy to be back in The Netherlands on a bike and boat tour in the spring time! Highlights Towns of Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Lemmer, Sloten and Stavoren visited on this tour. The natural world: trees in blossom, spring flowers, water ...
    • Overall satisfaction 5
    • Booking handling 5
    • Travel documents 6
    • Information at the beginning of the tour 6
    • Accomodation 5
    • Board 6
    • Route description 5
    • On-site assistance 4
    • Route-character 5
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 5
    more
    5.1 01.05.2022 | Stephen M. Discover North Holland by Bike + Boat MV SERENA

    Another round!

    Overall: While it embodies the modern — just look at the startling architecture in its bigger towns and cities — wherever you go in the Netherlands, history abounds. Even much of the countryside is the result of the centuries-old battle ...
    • Overall satisfaction 5
    • Booking handling 5
    • Travel documents 6
    • Information at the beginning of the tour 6
    • Accomodation 5
    • Board 6
    • Route description 5
    • On-site assistance 4
    • Route-character 5
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 4
    more
    6 30.09.2019 | David O. Northern Holland by Bike + Boat SERENA

    Review of holiday tour on MS Serena in Holland

    We had a fantastic holiday. The food was amazing, the staff, tour guide, the tour chief and the captain were all most helpful and friendly. Any small problems were dealt with immediately and the only hiccups were out of the control of the staff. Only ...
    • Overall satisfaction 6
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Information at the beginning of the tour 6
    • Accomodation 6
    • Board 6
    • Route description 6
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 6
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 6
    more
    5.5 08.04.2019 | Helen R. Northern Holland by Bike + Boat SERENA

    Excellent trip!

    We had a great holiday. The boat was comfortable, food good and the bikes excellent. The cycle routes were well thought out and there were some wonderful rides. We were the only English speakers on the tour but this didn?t matter as the tour guides, ...
    • Overall satisfaction 6
    • Booking handling 5
    • Travel documents 4
    • Information at the beginning of the tour 6
    • Accomodation 5
    • Board 5
    • Route description 6
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 6
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 6
    more
    load more travel stories
    Doris Berkovics

    Happy to advise you:

     Doris Berkovics

    Any questions left?

    +43 1 4053873 - 12
    Contact form

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