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A unique bike and boat holiday cruising and cycling the charming landscapes and waterways of Northern Holland. Cycle through the original polders of Leeghwater, cross the Marsdiep channel to Texel Island and explore the historic towns of Alkmaar, Hoorn and Enkhuizen. Easy cycling suitable for all.
This is a land of polders, windmills, long sandy beaches, rolling dunes and cosy fishing villages. Yes, you’ll get a taste of the big city in the Dutch capital, but you’ll also discover another side of Holland, visiting the famous cheese-making town of Alkmaar and the old harbour cities of Medemblik, Enkhuizen, Hoorn and Volendam.
Enkhuizen
The terrain in northern Holland is overwhelmingly flat, and this cycling tour is suitable for anyone. You’ll follow quiet back-roads as well as canal and riverside cycle paths. Most days offer shorter and longer routes so this is good choice for mixed ability groups. Also, as your floating hotel moves with you each day, it’s also possible to skip a day if the mood takes you and relax on board.
The captain reserves the right to make changes to the planned route due to changing wind, tide and weather conditions, and where required by organizational necessities.
On most days you can choose between a longer and shorter ride. It is also possible to stay on board if you prefer and enjoy a leisurely cruise to the next mooring point.
Check-in is between 2pm-4.30pm. At 5pm there is a welcome drink and safety briefing where you will meet the crew and your fellow travellers. During dinner the boat slips her moorings and cruises out of Amsterdam to Zaandam just outside the city where we moor for the night
After breakfast we disembark for our first cycle ride. The destination is the Zaanse Schans, a fascinating open-air museum complete with traditional wooden houses, working windmills and traditional arts & crafts. After exploring the museum, cycle on through the green, polder landscape punctuated by tiny villages and windmills. This is the Land of Leegwater where, in the 17th century, scientist Jan Leeghwater devised a revolutionary system for reclaiming land using a system of windmills. Visit a former whaler’s villlage De Rijp and pass the windmill of Schermerhorn. The boat is waiting for us near the beautiful old town of Alkmaar.
Our second day’s ride is a delightful route to discover the North-Holland Dune reserve which supplies the drinking water for most of the province of North-Holland. Then on to the beach and artists town of Bergen before returning to Alkmaar. During the afternoon the boat cruises north to the naval port of Den Helder, the northern-most town on mainland Holland, where she moors for the night.
After breakfast we take a 20 minute ferry ride (included) across to the isle of Texel. After disembarking in the tiny port of Oudeschild we begin our ride around the island. Charming villages, deserted beaches and a network of wonderful cycle paths characterise this idyllic little place and there are a number of routes to choose from. In the late afternoon we catch the ferry back to the mainland and re-board our boat in Den Helder for a short cruise to Den Oever where the impressive, 20 mile long Afsluit Dyke separates the North Sea from the IJssel Lake. We moor in Den Oever for the night.
The day starts with a breakfast cruise across the IJssel Lake to the province of Friesland. The IJssel Lake was created in 1932 when a 20 mile breakwater was built between the provinces of North Holland and Friesland. Occupying 1100 km², it is the largest freshwater lake in western Europe. The boat moors in the small port of Stavoren and after disembarking you can choose between a long or a short ride or a combination of the two. The shorter ride leads you on a gentle, circular route through the untouched beauty of the Gaasterland nature park while the longer option leads you through the extensive and equally beautiful lake district. The boat remains moored in Stavoren for the night.
During breakfast we will cruise back across the IJssel Lake to the pleasant little port of Medemblik. Here once again we can choose between a long and a short route. The shorter ride leads us along a scenic, lakeside cycle path directly to the beautiful town of Enkhuizen. The longer route also finishes in Enkhuizen but first heads south, via a succession of small villages to Hoorn, erstwhile home port of the powerful Dutch East India Company. In the evening we can enjoy a short, guided walking tour of Enkhuizen.
During breakfast we cruise south to Volendam where we disembark with the bikes. For our last day of cycling we’ll venture into the ‘Waterland’ area of Holland, aptly named, as it is a network of canals linking a myriad of small lakes. We also recommend adding on a short detour to pedal out along the breakwater to the former island of Marken. We then enjoy a leisurely ride back into Amsterdam along canal-side cycle paths for a last night aboard moored close to the city-centre.
After breakfast it’s time to disembark, by 9.30 am, and head for home or your next adventure.
Regular bikes provided are modern alloy framed models with 7 speeds. The bikes come equipped with pannier, lock and a repair kit with pump.
Electric bikes are also available.
Smaller framed bikes for children, tag-a-longs and child seats are also available on request at time of booking.
We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons, alternatively helmets are available for rent at the time of booking.
The De Willemstad was completely renovated in 2017/18. She has 48 cabins distributed over two decks.
The upper deck features 8 suites ( approx 15㎡ / 161 sq. ft) equipped with French balcony and floor to ceiling sliding glass doors, two single beds that can be set together to make a queen bed, and a small seating area. The upper deck also features 16 twin bedded cabins (approx. 10㎡ / 108 sq.ft) equipped with two separate, single beds and panoramic windows that can be opened.
The lower deck offers 24 twin cabins total (approx. 10㎡ / 108 sq.ft) with two separate single beds and a large window with an upper hinged window that can be opened for ventilation
All cabins feature TV, mini-safe, air conditioning and private bathroom with shower, toilet and hairdryer.
Other facilities on board include a spacious salon with panoramic windows, an air conditioned restaurant deck, there is a large lounge with restaurant and bar with panoramic windows to enjoy the passing scenery. Outside there is a partially covered sun deck with chairs and sun loungers to relax in the fresh air. Wi-Fi is available on board for a fee (payable locally).
Dietary requirements: If you have special dietary requirements, it is important you indicate this when you book or enquire about it before you book.
Vegetarian meals are always available, but we need to know in advance. In all other cases we will need to check if it is possible. In some cases a fee for preparing special meals will be charged. This mainly applies to lactose or gluten-free meals and is €70 and is to be paid when you board. Unfortunately vegan meals are not offered. This is because the kitchen on the ship is not large enough to guarantee that the food can be prepared completely vegan. The available space on board is limited, so the chefs cannot store the necessary tools and supplies to prepare vegan food.
Daily complimentary coffee and tea is available until 4 pm
The Arkona was refurbished in 2017/18 and has 47 well-appointed cabins arranged over two decks.
The lower deck has 33 twin cabins. The upper deck has 12 twin cabins and 2 single cabins. The cabins occupy (11 m²). The upper deck twin cabins feature floor to ceiling windows while the two singles feature slightly smaller, panoramic windows. The lower deck cabins feature non-opening windows.
All cabins have individual climate control system, TV, wardrobe, mini-safe, hair dryer and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and basin.
Outside there is a partially covered sun deck with chairs and sun loungers to relax in the fresh air. Wi-Fi is available in the bar/lounge area. A limited amount of data is included (once used you are required to purchase additional data online).
Fly to Amsterdam or take the Eurostar.
Research flights from the UK here.
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