By Bike and Boat through Friesland

Your round trip by bike and ship in Friesland begins in the tranquil town of Enkhuizen. In the afternoon, the crew of your ship will welcome you. After the welcome, you will leave Enkhuizen and cross the IJsselmeer in the direction of Friesland. With Stavoren you will reach your destination for the day. Immediately after arrival, visit the landmark at the harbor - the statue of the Vrouwe van Stavoren. Find out on the spot what legend surrounds her. Or how about a first bike ride through the town?

Nearly climb-free you cycle on your first stage near the IJsselmeer coast towards the north. On the way, a first stop in Hindeloopen is worthwhile. Decorative house gables, wooden bridges and the harbor give the small town a very special atmosphere. Continue via Workum, also worth seeing, to Makkum, your overnight stop today. Visit the Koninklijke Tichelaar, the oldest earthenware factory in the Netherlands, or relax on the sandy beach.

In the morning we go through locks on the Wadden Sea. The crossing to the island of Terschelling takes about four hours. Enjoy the crossing to the second largest of the West Frisian Islands and let the North Sea wind blow around your nose. With a little luck you can observe seals on the way. On Terschelling you will then have plenty of time to go exploring. Cycle to the kilometer-long sandy beach, pay a visit to the Brandaris lighthouse and sample the cranberry products originating from the island.

Early in the morning you will take the ship back to the mainland. The harbor town of Harlingen is your first destination. Stroll through the canal-lined city center before you hop on your bike and head east, inland. First destination is Franeker. Visit the Eisinga Planetarium. It dates back to the 18th century and is the oldest functioning planetarium in the world. Continue cycling to Leeuwarden, the capital of Friesland. The leaning De Oldehove - the city's landmark - will immediately catch your eye.

On today's stage of your journey by bike and boat through Friesland you will first cycle to the National Park De Alde Feanen. The area, characterized by moors, swamp forests, heaths and water areas, is quite wonderful for discovering plants, observing animals and simply enjoying the panoramic view. With almost no climbing, you will pass fields and meadows to your destination for the day, Grou. The place is a center of the Dutch water sports.

From tranquil Grou, it goes through wide landscapes on quiet bike routes to Sneek. Friesland's second largest city has the country's largest marina and is popular with water sports enthusiasts. Stroll through the picturesque Waterpoort, a 17th-century water gate. It is the only one of its kind in the Netherlands. Also worth a visit is the Friesian Maritime Museum, which gives you insights into the history of Friesland's shipping.

The last stage of your journey by bike and boat through Friesland takes you back to Stavoren. On the way, a stopover in Heeg is a good idea. Thanks to its location, the small, charming town once had good trade relations with other Frisian towns. The lively trade in eel also took place far beyond the national border, as far as London. Once you arrive in Stavoren, you can explore the harbor again. Don't the colorful houses remind you a little of the harbor in Copenhagen? With the ship it goes back to Enkhuizen.

After breakfast your journey by bike and ship through Friesland already ends. Disembarkation takes place around 09:30. Afterwards you start your individual departure.