Bike and Sail in Holland

After your arrival in Amsterdam, the crew will be waiting for you on your ship between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. After all guests are on board, let's cast off, because you are already sailing in the afternoon of your Holland bike and saili trip to Monnickendam. On the bike you go for a first short exploration tour through the nature reserve Waterland.

This day, you could call typically Dutch. First, you'll cycle to a family farm for a short demonstration of cheese and clog making. Then, you'll ride through the small village of Purmerend, which is 3.5 meters below sea level. The next destination is Edam, world famous for its wax-covered cheese. Your ship will be waiting for you in Volendam. Here you still have enough time to explore the traditional fishing village, because the ship leaves the harbour late in the evening towards Hoor.

After breakfast you disembark and cycle leisurely through rural hamlets and villages. You will meet the highest windmill in North Holland. Did you know that this is still in use today to produce flour? The destination of today's cycling tour of your bike and sail trip in Holland is Enkhuizen. Thanks to its harbour, the more than 1000-year-old town was one of the richest in Holland, as ships from Asia unloaded expensive spices here. Stately mansions, churches and city walls are witnesses of the former wealth. In the afternoon you will cross the IJsselmeer and sail to Urk, a traditional fishing village.

After breakfast you leave the IJsselmeer for the time being and cycle east. Today you will cycle along the Ketelmeer to the former island of Schokland, which was once enclosed by the Zuiderzee. Erosion threatened the island and in the 19th century the last inhabitants left Schokland, which has been completely surrounded by the mainland since land reclamation. Many descendants of the islanders today bear the surname Schokker. You will then continue cycling along the former coastline of the Zuiderzee. Also in the destination of today's stage, the charming village of Vollenhove, you may encounter Schokker.

In the morning you cycle to the small town of Blokzijl, where the National Park Weerribben-Wieden begins. Lakes, meadows and swamp forests alternate in the largest peat bog area in northwestern Europe. An important habitat for numerous animal and plant species. With a little luck, you may even spot an otter at work. Continue cycling through fields surrounded by dikes to Zwartsluis.

Your feet will not pedal today, you will cover the distance to the city of Lelystad by sailing ship. If you want, you can help the captain sailing on the IJsselmeer or relax on deck. How the sailing ships looked in the 17th century, you can experience in Lelystad on the example of the Batavia. The real East Indiaman sank off Australia in 1629. In the local Batavia shipyard, a replica was created in ten years of work and can also be visited here.

Today, on the last stage of the bike and sail tour in Holland, you will drive through a true nature's paradise. The paths wind partly through wooded areas, partly they offer you a wide panoramic view over vast marshes. Stop and observe the numerous birds that have settled here. Relaxed, you will then go back on board and back to the port of Amsterdam.

After breakfast your bike and sail trip in Holland is unfortunately already over. Now it is time to say goodbye to Elizabeth and the crew. We wish you a safe journey home!