A scenic bike and boat tour in the North of Holland

Experience the ultimate bike and boat adventure as you journey through the Netherlands aboard the Merlijn. Starting and ending in Amsterdam, you'll witness the bustling canals, historic architecture, and vibrant culture of the iconic Dutch capital. From there, you'll hop on your bicycle and cycle through the charming ‘de Zaanse Schans’ area and the scenic Dutch countryside to Alkmaar, known for its cheese market. Continue exploring by biking through Friesland’s picturesque landscapes before hitting the highlight of the trip: the Island of Texel. Here you can explore dunes, beaches, and charming villages.

This unique combination of cycling and cruising allows you to immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes, rich history, and captivating culture of Holland in a truly unforgettable way!

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Highlights

• The historic Zaanse Schans open-air museum
• The beaches and fortresses of Den Helder
• Sailing Through the Wadden Sea
• The Island of Texel
• Amsterdam, the iconic Dutch capital

Daily program

The average biking distance per day ranges from 22 to 34 miles (35 to 55 km)

Day 1: Amsterdam - Zaandam
The Merlijn awaits in Amsterdam between 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM for boarding. A short cruise will bring you to Zaandam where you'll spend the first night. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted with a welcome drink and introduced to the crew. You'll get an overview of the tour, details about the ship, and a safety briefing. Dinner will be served while en route to Zaandam. Afterward, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the city on a leisurely evening walk.

Day 2: Zaandam - Alkmaar
Following your inaugural breakfast aboard, you’ll have the chance to hop on your bike and explore "de Zaanse Schans". This charming area is renowned for its open-air museum and iconic windmills—consider visiting one for a taste of authentic Dutch heritage. Once you've soaked up the history, your bike tour will commence, taking you through picturesque Dutch countryside on your way to Alkmaar. After enjoying dinner, take a relaxing evening walk through Alkmaar, a city famous for its open-air cheese market (only held on Fridays).

Day 3: Alkmaar - Den Helder
Today is a treat as your bike tour leads you through "Dutch nature at its purest". You'll cycle past meadows, canals, farmhouses, and much more. In Den Helder, the northernmost part of the province of North Holland, you'll see beaches, fortresses, and forests, and experience a fascinating history.

Day 4: Den Helder - Texel
While enjoying a sailing breakfast, the Merlijn heads towards the isle of Texel. You will be very close to open sea, and if you look carefully, you might see England! While the boat might move a little more with the waves, rest assured what is waiting for you in Texel is worth it! Here you will see stunning dunes, beaches, and tons of great bike paths. The island's charming villages and tranquil environment offer a peaceful retreat while you pedal. You will even have a chance to visit a cheese farm today or tomorrow, and if you'd rather take a break from biking why not enjoy some of the hiking trails? Don't forget to taste some of the local delicacies!

Day 5: Texel - Wadden Sea - Stavoren
The morning is spent on Texel Island, so get ready for more coastal cycling! In the afternoon, the Merlijn will sail across the Wadden Sea to Stavoren. Sailing through the Wadden Sea offers breathtaking vistas of its shallow waters, tidal flats, and wetlands. This ecologically rich area supports a wide array of bird species, serving as a crucial habitat for both nesting and migratory birds, and you might even catch a glimpse of some seals. By early evening, you'll reach Stavoren where you'll spend the night.

Day 6: Stavoren - Urk
Today's bike tour starts in Stavoren and takes you through the gorgeous landscapes of Friesland. Being on a bike and boat tour in Friesland is very special, considering innumerable lakes, canals, and waterways make it ideal for exploring aboard the Merlijn. In the afternoon you will sail to Urk, a former fishing village with a lot of history. Be sure to take an evening stroll through the tranquil streets after dinner!

Day 7: Urk - Amsterdam
You'll set off early in the morning, leaving the Harbor of Urk behind to cruise across the IJsselmeer to the next spot. Today’s bike tour takes you through Flevoland, the newest province in the Netherlands, which was reclaimed from the Zuiderzee back in the '60s. After getting back on the Merlijn, enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruise. This is a perfect time for sipping a final drink or catching up on that book you brought. Tonight will be your final dinner on board the Merlijn.

Day 8: Amsterdam
Departure takes place after breakfast.

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Dates

Prices

Included services

• 7 nights accommodation in climate-controlled cabin aboard the Merlijn
• Welcome drink
• 7 x breakfast buffet, 6 x packed lunch, 6 x three-course dinners
• Unlimited coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water
• A selection of sodas, wines (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and beers on tap and from the bottle (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
• Supply of bedding, towels, facial tissues, hand soap, shampoo, sewing kit, vanity kit, bathrobe & slippers
• Daily cabin cleaning
• Tour guide and daily tour briefing
• 11-speed bicycle, which includes a waterproof pannier, towel, and helmet
• Harbour, lock, and canal fees
• Ferry costs on the bike tours
• Visit to a cheese farm

Tour Company

Map

Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.

Surface and terrain

The terrain is flat and the cycle paths are mostly concrete or paved roads. If guests don’t want to cycle a day (or more) then can relax and stay on board while the ship is sailing.

How to get there

Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Nearest train station: Amsterdam Centraal

It's a short distance from the train station to the pier via taxi.

Tips on getting to and from your tour