Sail & Bike to Picturesque Villages and Nature Reserves
7 nights from €1280
3.25
Discovering Holland’s gems from Amsterdam to Giethoorn and back
Sail and bike along the coast of the Ijsselmeer, once a salty sea, now the largest sweetwater lake in all of Holland! Discover this unique part of the Netherlands aboard a magnificent and comfortably furnished sailing ship and riding excellent cycle paths and tracks. Cycling can be done on your own or by joining a tour leader, whichever you desire.
Up until 1932, the IJsselmeer was an inland sea called the Zuiderzee. Since the Middle Ages, the area played a major role in the economic development of the Netherlands, but was also often severely flooded. A 32-kilometer long dike, finished in 1932, put an end to the flooding and turned the salty sea into a sweetwater lake. Along its banks many picturesque, historical harbours and trading towns, centuries-old polders (fields of reclaimed land below sea level), and beautiful inland villages are still witness to a rich seafaring past. The Ijsselmeer’s now sweet water is home to a huge diversity of birds, plants and fish.
You will visit many of the historical towns and polders on both the western and eastern banks of the IJsselmeer. The tour also leads you through various Dutch national parks and gets you as far as the province of Overijssel. On the final day, the ship sails back to Amsterdam while you relax on board. The tour does stop for a last short bike ride through the Oostvaardersplassen—a nature reserve known for its rewilding, meaning that the area is left alone to create its own natural balance of animal and plant life.
If you feel up to the challenge, you may – instructed by the experienced crew – lend a hand during navigating and raising of the sails on board your ship. Of course, you are just as welcome to relax and enjoy the fresh air, sailing, and scenery.
Daily Program
Day 1: Arrival to Amsterdam | Cruise to Monnickendam/Volendam
Your week of sailing and cycling starts in Amsterdam. The crew welcomes you on board at 2:00pm. Once all guests have checked in, the ship sails under motor to Volendam. From the port of one of these former fishing villages, a short warm-up ride leads you through the rural nature reserve of Waterland with its many villages.
Overnight in Volendam.
Day 2: Cycle Monnickendam/Volendam loop | Cruise Monnickendam/Volendam – Hoorn
19 miles/32 km or 31 miles/51 km
A very Dutch start of the day: you cycle to a nearby, family-run cheese and clog shop for a short demonstration of cheese and clog making, and of course a cheese tasting. Continue pedaling along the dikes to Purmerend, in the heart of a polder named De Beemster, 11½ feet (3.5 meters) below sea level. It was created more than 400 years ago, when the Dutch transformed an inland lake into pasture land. Divided into a tight geometric pattern of squares and quadrants, it is recognized by UNESCO as “a creative masterpiece.”
Your next destination is Edam, a lovely town whose lanes and canals deserve a stroll. Edam is known worldwide for its cheese covered in red or yellow wax. This practical solution keeps the cheese fresh for a long time, so 17th-century sailors could take it on their voyages or trade it for spices and other riches of the East.
Via the main dike of the IJsselmeer you arrive at the promenade of Volendam, where the ship is docked. Later in the evening, the ship sails to Hoorn.
Overnight in Hoorn.
Day 3: Cycle Hoorn – Enkhuizen| Cruise Enkhuizen – Urk
17 miles/28 km or 24 miles/39 km
Through small rural hamlets and villages, today’s ride brings you to Enkhuizen. Pass by windmill De Krijgsman (The Warrior), the highest windmill in the province of North-Holland and one of a handful of old Dutch windmills still in use to produce flour commercially. The area is also known for its many greenhouses, where vegetables are grown.
In the 17th century, Enkhuizen was one of the wealthiest cities in Holland, thanks to its harbor that shipped then-costly spices from Asia. Be astonished by the stately mansions, canals, churches and city walls that to this day reflect the city’s rich history and wealth.
This afternoon, we sail across the IJsselmeer to the port of Urk. Today, you may have the opportunity to assist the captain in sailing the ship! Or you can simply relax on deck, enjoy the journey, and watch the marine life. After arriving in Urk, you can stroll through the narrow streets and alleys. The houses of this picturesque village were built close to one another on elevated grounds to help protect them against the water levels.
Overnight in Urk.
Day 4: Urk - Vollenhove
23 miles/37 km
After breakfast, the ship will bring you to the "new land" of Schokkerhaven, where your bike tour through the polder begins. Cycle on a paved path to the former island of Schokland. Since the reclamation of the Northeast polder in 1942, Schokland - just as Urk - is no longer an island. This former island was added as an UNESCO cultural heritage site in 1995. Your bike ride will continue to Vollenhove, another charming, former fishing village.
Overnight in Vollenhove.
Day 5: Vollenhove - Giethoorn
22 miles/37km or 30 miles/49 km
From Vollenhove, you will cycle along paths through open countryside leading you to the small town of Blokzijl. Entering the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, the largest freshwater wetland in northwestern Europe and a peaceful oasis for plants, animals, and humans alike. The path takes you through the center of the park and far away from roads, immersing you in the tranquility of the region. Keep your eyes peeled for kingfisher or an otter (the symbol of the park)!
As you continue cycling, you pass through Kalenberg, a village that could only be reached by boat until the 1950s! A twisting route will then take you through an agricultural landscape of narrow strip fields surrounded by dikes and into the lovely town of Giethoorn, known as the "small Venice of the North".
Overnight in Giethoorn.
Day 6: Cruise Giethoorn - Lelystad
Today you can enjoy a full day of sailing and relaxing on board. You will have another opportunity to help the captain sail as the ship sails out of the narrow channels toward open water. By early afternoon, the Elizabeth will arrive in Lelystad, capital of the province of Flevoland that was entirely reclaimed from the sea. After docking, enjoy the evening at the Captain's Dinner.
Overnight in Lelystad.
Day 7: Cycle Lelystad – Blocq van Kuffeler | Cruise Blocq van Kuffeler – Amsterdam
12 miles/20 km or 18 miles/29 km
In the morning, you can visit the Batavia Werf, an extraordinary shipyard, where ships with an important maritime history are taken from oblivion and returned to their former glory. You may also visit the outlet center of Batavia Stad, know for all of the famous brands.
After these options visits, you’ll disembark for your last half-day of cycling. You’ll ride through the Oostvaardersplassen—a nature reserve on new land left to find its own balance like nature did in old times on old land. Sections of the ride wind through forested areas, while others give you panoramic views of expansive reed beds and marshes. This is a birdwatchers’ paradise.
The ship picks you up in the small harbor of Oostvaardersdiep for the return voyage to Amsterdam. Celebrate this marvelous week around the Ijsselmeer while having a farewell dinner aboard the ship.
Overnight in Amsterdam.
Day 8: Amsterdam
After breakfast: End of the tour and disembarkation by 9:30am.
Boats
Elizabeth
10 cabins, 2 decks, 1 tour The Elizabeth, a three-mast clipper, was built in 1913. Tastefully refurbished to become a modern sailing vessel, the ship still retains many of its original features. The boat sails the…
Bikes
Touring Bicycle
Hybrid Velo de Ville C100, Hybrid Gazelle Chamonix (or similar)
- Aluminum unisex frame
- 7 Speed Shimano Nexus gearing
- 28-inch wheels
- V brakes
- VDV gel city saddle
- Impac Streetpac tires
Electric Bicycle
Ebike Velo de Ville CEB 200 (or similar)
- Shimano 7-speed gearing
- Battery - Wh 400
- Display - Bosch Intuvia, Bosch Purion
- Motor speed - max. 25 km / h
- Motor version - Bosch Active line
- Brake - Hydraulic rim brake
Accessories
- Pannier bag
- Helmet rental available onboard (€10 fee)
- Pump & repair kit available
Bicycle rental is included in the tour price. You are permitted to bring your own bicycle/e-bike (a discount will then be applied) but there is a very limited amount of space onboard. A parking place for a normal bicycle or a parking and charge station for an e-bike can be requested for a small additional fee. The crew or tour operators are not responsible for any damage, loss, or theft of a guest's own bicycle or e-bike.
Other bikes (e.g. bikes with back pedal brakes, children’s bikes, “slip streamers”, tandems, etc.) and rear child seats may be possible upon request and are in very limited numbers.
*NOTE: E-bikes feature a small electrical engine and battery that assist and ease your pedaling but you still have to pedal yourself. While riding an e-bike can greatly contribute to the enjoyment of your trip, it is not intended for untrained cyclists as it is not easy to handle such a bike. The engine and battery make the bike much heavier than a regular bike and it also accelerates faster. Handling it well requires good basic cycling skills and confidence. You are permitted to bring your own e-bike but there is a very limited amount of space onboard. A parking and charge station for an e-bike can be requested for a small additional fee. The crew or tour operators are not responsible for any damage, loss, or theft of a guest's own e-bike. For safety reasons it is no longer possible to charge the batteries of your own e-bikes in the cabin. The crew will inform you where on deck/ on board you can recharge your battery.
Surface and terrain
The terrain is flat and the cycle paths are mostly concrete or paved roads. Some days will include riding on hard-packed trails. If a guest does not wish to cycle, he/she can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next harbor.
How to get there
Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Nearest train station: Amsterdam Centraal Station
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Reviews
- ★★★★★ Stephen Friedman
Nice trip with some areas for improvement
The itinerary and sights were beautiful. The Elizabeth is a beautiful ship. The engagement of the captain and integration of the tour group left something to be desired.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 8
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
- ★★★★★ Ronald Schwarcz
Extremely disappointing.
The ship was terrible. Our cabin was so small that it could not accommodate two people comfortably. Also, the ventilation was poor and it was always warm and muggy. There was inadequate seating on the deck. No comfortable chaises or stairs. The Captain did not communicate well or do anything help the travelers meet and mingle. It was especially frustrating as my friend and I were the only Americans and there were no native born English speaking traveling. Unlike all other trips we were on, nothing was done to provide us information about the villages we docked at. The captain or crew did not offer to take us into towns and show us around or even recommend bars or other places to visit. There were no daily information sheets, recommendation or even maps. We were completely on our own. The food was marginal at best. The dinner portions were small. Must dinner wasn’t an”event”, everyone was in and out in around 40 minutes. In general the amenities were totally lacking. We believe that the most Americans would not be satisfied with the Sail and Bike tours offered by Bike Boat Tours. On our ship, the crew were friendly and worked hard, but it seemed that they were understaffed. As it seems that they were working a very tight budget. We only had meat was the dinner entree one night and that was at the BBQ. Two nights we had vegetarian main course. We were never taught anything about sailing except helping pulling ropes to raise and lower sails. I could go on and on, but, I will end by saying that the ship was not comfortable and nothing was done to help the travelers fully enjoy the experience.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
BikeTours.com staff reply from bozena_kusovac
Dear Ronald,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback regarding your recent sail and bike tour experience with us. We sincerely appreciate your insights as they help us understand areas where we can improve and enhance the overall experience for our guests.
We're truly sorry to hear that your cabin did not meet your expectations in terms of size and ventilation. It's not a "standard" barge and is more of a converted Sailing Ship. It has this character, but it's still very clean and accommodating.
Additionally, we regret that you found the seating and amenities on the deck inadequate. We strive to offer a relaxing and enjoyable environment for our travellers, and thus offering the total of 8 beanbags, and an additional beacon on deck.
Communication and interaction among travelers are crucial aspects of any journey, and we apologize if you felt there was a lack of communication or opportunities to mingle. Captain feels uncomfortable about the way you perceived this trip, as he did his best to facilitate connection among guests for a more enriching experience.Our culinary offerings are important to us, and we're disappointed to learn that the food did not meet your expectations. We're committed to reviewing and improving our menu selections and dining experience to deliver a more satisfying culinary journey for our guests. In the case of this tour, we are inclining towards the food that is simple, in its pure forms, but very tasty.
We appreciate your recognition of our hardworking and friendly crew. Rest assured, we'll take your feedback about the crew workload into consideration to ensure that our crew can provide exceptional service to all guests on board.
Once again, thank you for bringing these concerns to our attention. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future and provide a much-improved experience that addresses the areas you've highlighted.
Best,
Customer Service
BikeTours.com
- ★★★★★ Sharon Johnson
Sail and bike to picturesque villages and nature reserved
Great experience on a tall ship sailing vessel. Food was average. Crew was very good but English translations on biking details was lacking.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
- ★★★★★ HeidiLang
This was an awesome trip!
The ship ('t Wapen fan Fryslan) was incredibly beautiful! Cabins were small as expected, but clean and comfortable. Bathrooms were sufficient and everything worked well. The crew was incredible! The Captain (and ship owner) is the most pleasant, calm, confident and capable seaman I have ever met (we are sailors, too) and really seems to care about his guests and that they have a good time and everything is safe. He was an awesome host! It is obvious that he puts a great deal of work and love into his ship, and everyone seemed to acknowledge, appreciate and respect that. And the captain owns the sweetest dog!
Our itinerary changed during the first few days, but it was fine. The biking was easy and some paths took us through beautiful farm country, through some nature parks and forests, and through some lovely little villages and towns. We are not hard-fast bikers, but we were able to keep up with the pack. You do have to cross some roadways, and some can be busy, but everything worked out well for our group. Also being a sailing tour, we sailed on some of the days and the ship is absolutely gorgeous under sail! The first mate was so helpful and instructed us as to what to do so we could help raise, lower and trim the sails. Oh, and yes, there is a Jacuzzi on board that was opened on some of the nights when we were docked at port. Luxury!
Meals were awesome as well! Good wholesome food elegantly prepared and presented! It was obvious that the chef took pride in the meals she prepared. Everything was delicious, and even my son, who is quite picky, ate most everything and was pleased with the meals! One night, the chef even put on a barbecue on the deck with many varieties of meats, each one specially marinated, with several side dishes. It takes an enormous effort to pull that off on a sailboat, where everything must be toted up and down between the galley and the deck. (Note: Guests who have preferences are advised on the website to arrange special dietary requests in advance. We did not feel it was necessary, and we were fine. The Dutch do not necessarily have salads at each meal, but meals are well balanced and there are ample vegetables served!)
Can't say enough about this trip! THE BEST!!- What was the date of your tour?
- May 18
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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