Saturday: Amsterdam – Hoorn (by boat), cycle tour Hoorn ± 15 km.
After arrival in Amsterdam you will have the opportunity to discover the ship. The barge fsails through the locks In Amsterdam to the IJssel Lake. A beautiful cruise of appr. 4 hours takes you to the town of Hoorn. Lots of tall ships are moored in this traditional port town. In the evening we make a test ride by bike in and around Hoorn.
Sunday: Hoorn – Enkhuizen – Lemmer, Cycle tour ± 30 km.
After a fine breakfast the bike tour takes you through the real Dutch meadow landscape, past villages with names like Nibbixwoud and Hoogkarspel. In port town Enkhuizen we board again and cross the IJssel Lake to Lemmer in the province of Friesland. In the evening there is an opportunity to take a walk through this characteristic Frisian port town.
Monday: Lemmer – Blokzijl/Vollenhove, cycle tour ± 35 km.
The province of Friesland is known for its many waterways. Today’s bike trip is therefore dominated by lakes and canals, including lake ‘Tjeukemeer’. We cycle to the village of Ossenzijl, on the edge of the National Park De Weerribben. It is certainly worthwhile to go to the visitor center of this unique nature reserve. Through the Weerribben and along the canal ‘Kalenberger Gracht’ the cycling ride ends at the barge in Blokzijl / Vollenhove.
Tuesday: Blokzijl/Vollenhove – Giethoorn – Blokzijl/Vollenhove, cycle tour ± 40 km.
Today we starts cycling to the provincial town of Steenwijk. Have a short stop fr a stroll through the shopping streets of discover the extraordinary variety of shops. We cycle to Giethoorn, the Venice of the North, where all traffic goes by boat. Here you can take a cruise by ‘punter’ or by canoe. The bike tour passes lake ‘Beulaker Wijde’ and the village of Dwarsgracht before we arrive back at the barge in Blokzijl / Vollenhove.
Wednesday: Blokzijl/Vollenhove – Zwartsluis – Kampen, cycle tour ± 40 km.
A beautiful day for a bike trip along several lakes all the way to Zwartsluis. This is a lively town, situated at the crossroad of waterways, where you can relax on one of the terraces. After a crossing by ferry we cycle through Genemuiden and on top of the dike ‘Kamper Zeedijk’ to mooring place of the boat in the Hanseatic town of Kampen.
Thursday: Kampen – Elburg – Harderwijk, cycle tour ± 55 km. A stop in the beautiful fortified town of Elburg is really a ‘must’! Our bike ride continues to the town of Nunspeet, an inspiring village for artists. The cycle route over the Elspeter Heide leads to the wooded areas around the estate ‘Huis te Leuvenum’. We cycle to Harderwijk, a lively port town, the stay for the night. Just wander around in this hanseatic town and do some shopping.
Friday: Harderwijk – Spakenburg – Muiden – Amsterdam, cycle tour ± 60 km.
A morning boat trip goes to Spakenburg, a former fishing village that has a striking old port and is known for its traditional costumes. The cycle tour continues via Blaricum, through the forest and attractive heathland to the 14th-century Naarden Fortress. Along the IJssel Lake and via Muiden the cycling holiday finsishes in Amsterdam again. In the evening you may join a guided city walk or a boat trip on the Amsterdam canals.
Saturday: Amsterdam, end of bike and barge tour
Your tour leader and crew say goodbye to you today, but not before we have a last nice breakfast aboard.
(Subject to changes)
Do you prefer to cycle independently from hotel to hotel by bike? Experience the convenience of luggage transport and half board. View our cycling and hotel holiday ‘The Landscapes of the IJsselmeer’