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Head to the Netherlands’ North Sea coast for a bike and boat cycling holiday around the quiet and serene Wadden Islands. Sail from island to island on a lovely old schooner, disembarking each day for leisurely cycle rides ride along quiet lanes and cycle paths to pristine sand dunes, light-houses and friendly coastal villages.
You’ll be sailing on a traditional-style schooner, with comfortable en suite cabins and a luxurious wood-panelled saloon, panoramic viewing deck and attentive crew to help you make the most of your voyage. The crew will be happy to show you the ropes (literally) and let you help sail the boat if you are interested.
The tour starts in the historic port of Enkhuizen on the mainland, then you’ll cast off to sail across the Wadden Sea to Texel, the largest and best known of the Wadden Islands. Here you can choose from a network of routes, and can even circle the whole island in a day, visiting the seal banks and sandy beaches of this offshore haven of calm and peacefulness.
Next up you’ll navigate north through the Wadden sandbanks to the island of Terschelling home to an array of wildlife and seabirds. Your boat will then make its way to Friesland, stopping in the charming ports of Harlingen and Makkum. The pleasant rides through the unspoilt Frisian countryside are bound to live long in the memory. Finally the boat completes its circle back to the port of Enkhuizen
The cycling is easy and leisurely, matching the pace of life on the islands. The Netherlands has great infrastructure for biking, with miles and miles of clearly marked, well-paved cycle paths, so the rides will be a real pleasure and suitable for all abilities.
The cycling is leisurely, matching the pace of life on the islands you’ll be visiting. The Netherlands has great infrastructure for biking, with miles and miles of clearly marked, well-paved cycle paths, so the rides will be a real pleasure and suitable for all abilities.
The captain reserves the right to make changes to the planned route due to changing wind, tide and weather conditions, and where required by organisational necessities.
It's always possible to have a day off from cycling and enjoy a leisurely cruise to the next overnight stop if that appeals.
On arrival in Enkhuizen make your way to the harbour and check into your cabin on your sailing ship. Embarkation and check-in is from 2pm. Once everyone is on-board, the skipper gets everyone together for an aperitif and a rundown on the ship, safety and how the the coming week will unfold. After dinner go ashore for a leisurely evening stroll around the beautiful old town that was once home to the Dutch merchant fleet in Holland’s Golden Age.
Your ship will cast off from historic Enkhuizen, and you have the choice to stay on-board and enjoy a sail up the IJsselmeer coast or disembark and make the journey by bike through the beautiful polder landscape to Medemblik. From Medemblik the ship sails further up the coast to Den Oever. If the weather is favourable the ship passes through the lock, from the IJsselmeer into the Wadden Sea, and sails across to Texel Island. Alternatively, you’ll spend the night on the mainland and make the journey the next day.
Texel, the largest of the Wadden Islands, is a cyclist’s paradise, and today you have a choice of routes. A round trip of the island is well recommended, along quiet, well-signposted paths. It takes you to many of Texel’s pretty fishing villages as you pass some extremely picturesque coastal landscape. Don’t miss the seal sanctuary “Ecomare” and traditional beer brewery at Oudeschild. The ship remains moored in Oudeschild overnight.
A day off from riding today and a chance to relax and watch the coastal scenery as you sail from Texel to the long, thin island of Terschelling. The route takes you north through the Wadden Sea sandbanks, where there’s a good chance of spotting seals basking. You’ll arrive in the afternoon, weather permitting. No dinner is served on-board tonight to enable you to explore this beautiful island. Try one of the nice restaurants in Terschelling (not included).
Today you explore Terschelling by bike with a cycling distance of your choice. The island has some 70 km of tracks and paths to choose from, which connect its four pristine coastal villages. You can also visit the historic Brandaris lighthouse and the island’s landscape of heath, sand dunes and mud flats. Terschelling is also home to large colonies of birds and you’re likely to spot black winged stilts, spoonbills and black-backed gulls along the way. In the late afternoon the ship will cross the Wadden Sea and sail to Harlingen on the mainland. The largest harbour town in Friesland, Harlingen has a bustling town quay that is a pleasant place to explore by bike or on foot.
The route today leads you inland to the town of Franeker where we recommend a visit to the famous planeterium of 18th century astronomer, Eise Eisinga. The shorter option then leads you through open countryside, via several small villages, to Makkum where the boat is waiting for you. A bolt-on detour option also takes in the town of Bolsward, which features in the famous, but now rarely held, Eleven Frisian Cities ice skating race.
After breakfast you mount up for the last time and cycle south along the shore of the IJsselmeer Lake to the town of Stavoren. Along the way you’ll pass through the old trading town of Hindeloopen where we recommend a stop at the First Frisian Museum of Ice Skating. From Stavoren the boat sails back across the IJsselmeer Lake to Enkhuizen where you enjoy your final evening meal with your crew and fellow passengers.
After breakfast on board it’s time to disembark, by 9.30am, 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.
We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons. Alternatively, rental helmets are available for rent. These must be pre-booked at the time of booking the trip.
In 1965 the Wapen Fan Fryslân was launched as a freight ship and in 2003 she was completely renovated and transformed into a sailing passenger ship.She offers, on the lower deck, 12 comfortable cabins (8,5 m²), each with two separate single beds which can be set together. Cabins have en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. All cabins have ventilation, central heating and two portholes of which one can be opened. Furthermore, you will find a mini safe in each cabin.
On the lower deck, there is a large lounge/restaurant, which is characterized by its luxurious appearance and flexible furnishing. From here you can reach the large wheelhouse; An intimate, stylish bar and seating area, Wi-fi is available. The large picture windows offer wonderful views.
She has an outdoor café and a Jacuzzi on the afterdeck, as well as various sitting areas where you can enjoy meals outdoors. On the sundeck, there is plenty of space and seating including deck chairs.
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.
The sailing ship Mare fan Fryslân was built in 1960 as a freight ship. It was completely renovated in 2006 and since 2007 it has been used as a very comfortable, beautiful, almost extravagant, three-mast schooner on Dutch waters.
She offers, on the lower deck, 14 comfortable cabins. 12 twin cabins (9 m²) with two single beds which can be set together, 1 Junior suite (11 m²) with two single beds which can be set together and a small sitting area with a flat screen TV and 1 single cabins (6 m²). In all the two-bed cabins a Pullman bed/fold-down bed can be arranged. Cabins have en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basins. They are also equipped with a mini-safe, a hairdryer and have ventilation, central heating and portholes that can be opened.
On the lower deck, there is a comfortable and convivial air-conditioned wood-panelled saloon where meals are taken. From here you reach the wheelhouse on the upper deck, with bar, TV and music system complete with large panoramic window to enjoy the wonderful views.
On the wooden upper deck, there is ample seating as well as an outdoor bar, a grill and a Jacuzzi. When moored up in a harbour there is free Wi-Fi throughout the ship.
The meals on board are substantial and healthy. Breakfast will be served as a buffet and during breakfast you may make your own packed picnic lunch for your bike tour. In the evening the chef serves an appetizing dinner.
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 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.
The imposing, three masted barquentine Leafde Fan Fryslân. The interior of this comfortable ship can best be described as refined.
She offers, on the lower deck, 10 well-appointed twin cabins (10 m²), with two single beds, which can be set together in most cabins as well as one ‘eco twin cabin’ which is quite ‘compact’ (9 m²)and 1 single cabin (8 m²). There is also one junior suite (12 m²)with a small sitting area.
On the upper deck there are four spacious suites (15 m²) with additional seating area
All cabins feature en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. They also have ventilation, heating, portholes and a hatch that can be opened. Furthermore, in each cabin you will find a hairdryer and a mini safe.
On the lower deck you will find the restaurant in nautical style, where the meals are taken. The wheel house on the upper deck offers a cosy lounge which is equipped with large panoramic windows, a well-appointed seating area , TV and a well equipped bar. Wi-Fi is available. The best views over the water are available here and on the deck, where you can also have a seat when the weather is nice.
Fly to Amsterdam or take the Eurostar train. Then take the train to Enkhuizen.
Research Eurostar from UK here.
Research trains in Holland here.
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