North of Holland & Friesland by Bike + Boat

open water, flat rural land, picturesque harbour towns - the "Northern tour"

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Itinerary

Please note: You can only take part in this trip if you are vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19!
As of Oct 2022, subject to change.

Feel save, book flexible: FREE rebooking up to 6 weeks prior arrival to any alternative date in 2021 - applies to bookings between May 01 and June 15 2021 , the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

Rebooking FREE OF CHARGE until 28 days prior tour start; valid for all new bookings between May 01 and ***September 15 2021***. Valid for all tour-dates 2021 – the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

Discover the enchanting provinces of North Holland and Friesland during this trip by bike and boat. Ride through the flat "Polderland", through the dunes and along the miles of sandy beaches of the North Sea coast, past historic windmills, across the North Sea island of Texel and to many beautiful harbor towns on the coast of the IJsselmeer.

Nowhere else in the world will you find a more fascinating area than the Dutch provinces with their rich traditions, romantic fishing villages and harbor towns, picturesque lakes and breathtaking views of the North Sea. During the week aboard your floating hotel "De Willemstad" you will have ample opportunity to experience typical Dutch culture in historic towns such as Alkmaar, Medemblik and Enkhuizen and on the islands of Texel and Marken, where you will cycle through the flat polder landscape reclaimed over centuries from the North Sea.

Our Tip: Book early, those bike & boat trips fill up fast!

Route

Tour profile / Level 1

Flat, asphalted bike paths and side roads, ideal for children. If you don’t want to cycle, you can stay on the house boat.

Day 1: Amsterdam – Zaandam

Individual arrival in Amsterdam. Embarkation between 2 pm and 4.30 pm. Take the opportunity to explore the city center, go shopping, take a canal tour or visit a museum. At 5 pm welcome drink and safety briefing, first dinner and tour briefing on board. During dinner the ship departs for Zaandam.

Day 2: Zaandam – Zaanse Schans – Alkmaar, approx. 44 km

The first tour takes you through small villages and the beautiful flat and green polder country. The first stop is the open-air museum "Zaanse Schans" (free entrance), an old traditional village with quaint wooden houses, a cheese dairy, a traditional clog maker and various windmills. After visiting the museum, continue cycling through the land of Leeghwater, a green, drained nature area between Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Hoorn. Visit the former whaling village De Rijp and the museum mill Schemerhorn. In Alkmaar the ship awaits you near the historic old town.

Day 3: Alkmaar – Den Helder, approx. 33-40 km

Today you can discover the beautiful North-Holland Dune reserve. This is a 5.300 hectare large forest- and dune area with its unique landscapes. In these dunes the drinking water for almost the whole province of North-Holland is gained. After a visit to the beach and artists village Bergen you will return to Alkmaar where you can visit the wonderful city center. In the afternoon the ship will sail over the North-Holland Canal to the navy harbor of Den Helder.

Day 4: Round trip North Sea island of Texel from/to ’t Horntje, approx. 34-51 km

After breakfast, you will take the large ferry (ticket included) from Den Helder to the island of Texel, where you can make a bike tour over the largest of the Dutch North Sea islands. You will cycle through meadows, dunes and beautiful nature reserves. Take a break at the North Sea beach and maybe a little swim or visit the seal sanctuary Ecomare. In the late afternoon you will take the ferry back to Den Helder. During dinner the ship sails across the Wadden Sea to the port of Den Oever.

Day 5: Round trip Stavoren, approx. 43-55 km

The ship crosses lake IJssel during breakfast to call at the port of Stavoren in the province of Friesland. Here you can decide whether you want to take a shorter or a longer cycling tour: Visit the nature area Gaasterland, roam the southern part of the famous Frisian Lake District or combine the tour. You will spend the evening in the small harbor of Stavoren, one of the eleven traditional towns of the province.

Day 6: Stavoren – Medemblik – Hoorn – Enkhuizen, approx. 39-51 km

Early in the morning the ship again crosses lake IJssel. After breakfast, you will take the short bike ride over the dike of lake IJssel directly to Enkhuizen, an old, historic town with a centuries-long shipping tradition, which has a beautiful harbor, a well-preserved historic city center and the extremely interesting "Zuiderzeemuseum", which you can visit in the afternoon. The longer bike tour will first take you to the VOC city of Hoorn, one of the most important world ports in the 17th century. Take a detour into the old town: it’s well worth it! Through some picturesque little farming villages, you will return to Enkhuizen in the afternoon. After dinner, a short walk is offered in Enkhuizen.

Day 7: Enkhuizen – Volendam – Waterland – Amsterdam, approx. 28-50 km

Early in the morning the ship sails to Volendam. On your last day of cycling, you will discover the beautiful region of "Waterland" with its countless small lakes, ditches and canals. And if you want to cycle a few extra kilometers, be sure to make a detour to the former island of Marken, and then cycle through the waterlogged landscape of Waterland back to the capital city of Amsterdam. Here you’ll have all afternoon and evening to look around Amsterdam. If you haven’t done a canal tour on the first day, for example, you can do so now.

Day 8: Amsterdam

Individual departure. Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 am.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Due to different wind and weather conditions as well as organizational necessities we reserve the right to change the route.

Please keep in mind that the ship is both your hotel and a machine that needs to be maintained and operated - both during the day and at night. Operational noise is therefore unavoidable.

Services

  • 7 nights in outside cabin of booked category

  • Full board (7x breakfast, packed lunch, 7x three-course dinner)

  • Coffee and tea daily until 4 pm

  • Welcome drink

  • Daily informational talks

  • On board tour guide (GER/EN/NL), the tour guide is on the road by bike during the day and can be reached by cell phone

  • Some short tours with the tour guide

  • ferry to the island of Texel

  • Music evening on board

  • Wi-Fi in the ship’s restaurant (data credit is not included)

  • GPS tracks

  • Detailed maps and information material per cabin 

  • Rental pannier

  • For the environment’s benefit: use of a biodegradable water bottle and compensation of the CO2 emitted by the NGO Justdiggit.

Our tip: Get your eSIM for a low-priced holiday-data package here 

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

Season / Period
Type
S1   29.03. - 05.04.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S1   05.04. - 12.04.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S2   12.04. - 19.04.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S3   19.04. - 26.04.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S4   26.04. - 03.05.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S5   03.05. - 10.05.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S5   10.05. - 17.05.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S5   17.05. - 24.05.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S5   24.05. - 31.05.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S5   31.05. - 07.06.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S5   07.06. - 14.06.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S5   14.06. - 21.06.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S5   21.06. - 28.06.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S5   28.06. - 05.07.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S4   05.07. - 12.07.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S4   12.07. - 19.07.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S4   19.07. - 26.07.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S4   26.07. - 02.08.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S4   02.08. - 09.08.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S4   09.08. - 16.08.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S4   16.08. - 23.08.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S5   23.08. - 30.08.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S5   30.08. - 06.09.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S5   06.09. - 13.09.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S4   13.09. - 20.09.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S3   20.09. - 27.09.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S2   27.09. - 04.10.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S1   04.10. - 11.10.25
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MV DE WILLEMSTAD
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S1   30.03. - 06.04.25
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MV ARKONA
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S2   13.04. - 20.04.25
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MV ARKONA
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S3   27.04. - 04.05.25
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MV ARKONA
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S4   11.05. - 18.05.25
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MV ARKONA
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S4   25.05. - 01.06.25
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MV ARKONA
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S4   08.06. - 15.06.25
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MV ARKONA
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Extras

Bicycles & Equipment
7-speed-UNISEX 91
E-bike 245
Rental helmet 10
Parking own bicycle 14
Parking own E-bike 28
   
Additional nights*
Amsterdam (dbl/sgl) 122/213
Amsterdam Arrival Saturday (dbl/sgl) 153/244
*no addidtional nights possible on following dates: April 18-20, April 25-26, May 07-10, May 19-21, June 06-08, June 21-22, June 24-25, August 29-31 and September 27-30
   
Extras
Gluten and lactose free diet (payable locally) 70
Limitation of liability (damage) rental bicycle 14
Limitaion of liability (damage) rental E-bike 28

Best - Price - Guarantee

If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!
All prices per person in EUR

Ship

Welcome on board!

On this route you can choose between the ships MV ARKONA and the MV DE WILLEMSTAD. Both are very comfortable ships who will be your swimming accommodation on your tour.

MV DE WILLEMSTAD

 

The DE WILLEMSTAD is a comfortable river cruise ship. In the salon/bar with large panoramic windows on the upper deck, you can review the day’s experiences in a pleasant way while enjoying a beer or a glass of wine. >>more

MV ARKONA

The Arkona has a modern and elegant atmosphere with a tastefully furnished lounge area with bar and a cozy restaurant on the upper deck. The spacious sun deck is partially covered and the comfortable sun loungers invite you to enjoy the passing scenery. >>more

 

Bicycle

Rental-Bicycles & equipment

The following bikes are available for rental:

  • UNISEX-touring/trekking bicycles with a comfortable, deep entrance and 7-or 8-speed-hub circuit with hand pedal brake, as well as paniers.
  • E-Bikes
  • Other bikes: children’s bike, tandem, children’s seat, bikes with back pedal... on request

Electric bikes | E-Bikes | Pedelecs

We provide you with modern quality e-bikes with 7- or 8-speed hub gears and step-by-step selectable assistance for pedalling power. The range of the battery depends on the support level, riding style, body weight and terrain.

IMPORTANT: book early, because of limited capacity!

Bicycle breakdowns

Breakdowns can happen, also when bikes are well serviced and maintained. Flats can be fixed by yourself. If there’s a difficult repair you may call the local representative. Please don’t get any repairs done on the bike without informing the tour operator/local representative and their approval.

Bringing of own bikes

Bringing your own bicycles is ony available in a limited number and a fee needs to be paid as there is not much space. Due to safety reasons you must not charge your E-Bike batteries in your cabin!

If you bring your own bicycle, please pay attention to the following aspects: You are personally responsible for your own bike on board and ashore. Protect your bike against theft on board, as well as on land with a lock. The bikes will be brought on board and from board by the crew. Due to the local conditions we cannot prevent scratches and damages on the bikes.

Please understand that we cannot accept any liability. The bikes on board are exposed to weather conditions because the parking is not covered. Please bring along your own spare material and repair kit for your bike. The fees for parking of own bikes on board you can find under prices.

Useful

Arrival - Parking - Departure

Arrival by plane

Airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
continue by train directly to Amsterdam Centraal - duration approx. 20 min. - Price approx. € 5,-

Arrival by train

Train station: Amsterdam Centraal
continue by bus Line 48 to the ship landing stage - duration approx. 15 min. - Price approx. € 2,90.

Arrival by car

Almost everywhere in Amsterdam - within the Ringweg ring road - parking is only allowed in official car parks and multi-storey car parks. Parking in the city centre of Amsterdam is now charged at around €5,-/hour. There are several car parks in the city centre. Some are connected to the parking guidance system. The blue and white signs of this system point to the next car park where there are still free spaces. Parking on yellow kerbs is prohibited. Caution: Wheel clamps (Wielklemm) may be used. Fines for parking violations are high.

Oosterdock car park
A monitored multi-storey car park right next to the Central Station (exclusively for cars up to 2.10m high). The economy rate is about € 175,- per week. No advance reservation possible. You can find more information >>here.

Centralparking.nl/Valet Parking Services
We are happy to reserve a parking space for you on request and subject to availability. On the day of arrival, your car will be picked up at the pier and returned to the ship on the day of departure. Cost per week (8 days/7 nights) - car: approx. € 185,- (payment in cash on site) >>Booking form.

For more information and other P+R parking spaces, please visit the Iamsterdam page under "Plan your trip"/"Transport"/"Parking in Amsterdam".

Embarkation

Please plan your journey accordingly to be on time for embarkation between 2 pm and 4.30 pm. Thank you for your understanding, that it is not possible to go on board before embarkation started. 

Videos

Travel stories

5,2 of 6 Stars | 8
The ride was very good organized through beautiful places and adecuaded for our level. Thank you so much! We will do it again with you...Y.W. 10/23
6,0 09.10.2023 | Yonith W. North of Holland & Friesland by Bike + Boat

Unforgettable experience

All was perfect very good boat - our cabin at the upper side was better than in any cruise. Staff very professional and servicial. Dinner- high level Gourmet. The ride was very good organized through beautiful places and adecuaded for our level. Thank ...
fae_foto_83_2023_10_09_12_00_22_1394229227.jpg fae_foto_84_2023_10_09_12_00_22_425715197.jpg
  • Accomodation 6
  • Board 6
  • Route description 6
  • On-site assistance 6
  • Route-character 6
  • Bicycle + equipment 6
  • Price-performance ratio 6
more
5,4 06.07.2022 | Francesca E. North of Holland & Friesland by Bike + Boat

We enjoy the trip but not so much dinner time

The time for dinner was too much long (2 hours minimum, and since we were on holiday we didn't like follow the same timetable every day. We ask for having dinner later one day and we were told that It was not possible. It was like and obligation to have ...
  • Accomodation 6
  • Board 4
  • Route description 6
  • On-site assistance 6
  • Route-character 6
  • Bicycle + equipment 5
  • Price-performance ratio 5
more
5,6 10.01.2020 | Robert S. North of Holland by Bike + Boat DE HOLLAND

A trip not to miss - Northern Holland on the De Holland - mid July 2019

Several years ago we had been on this trip and loved it. This time we brought our family (son, daughter-in-law and four grandsons) and they all loved it also! The ship had been refurbished with fewer cabins so they were larger and there were fewer passengers. ...
  • Accomodation 6
  • Board 6
  • Route description 6
  • On-site assistance 6
  • Route-character 6
  • Bicycle + equipment 3
  • Price-performance ratio 6
more
4,6 14.10.2019 | Breege L. North of Holland by Bike + Boat DE HOLLAND

North of Holland Tour

Our group enjoyed the holiday. The weather was very inclement which somewhat reduced our enjoyment of the designated routes. Many of the restaurants along the route were closed for the season reopening 2020. It was very difficult to get tea or coffee ...
fae_foto_83_2019_10_14_15_56_34_110137278.jpg
  • Accomodation 4
  • Board 4
  • Route description 5
  • On-site assistance 5
  • Route-character 5
  • Bicycle + equipment 5
  • Price-performance ratio 4
more
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Doris Berkovics

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 Doris Berkovics

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+43 1 4053873 - 12
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