Northern Shores & the IJssel Lake

Holiday Itinerary

This holiday follows Holland’s excellent cycle paths with some sections on roads.

Day 1: Join your boat in Amsterdam from 14:00 and enjoy dinner as you cruise to Zaandam at 18:30.

Day 2: Cycle to Zaanse Schans open-air museum with its traditional wooden houses and windmills. In the evening enjoy an optional guided walking tour of Alkmaar (28 miles).

Day 3: Cycle towards the North Sea, then follow the sandy beaches, dunes and flat coastal terrain to the port of Den Helder. In the evening sail to the island of Texel (37 ½ miles).

Day 4: Enjoy a circular ride around Texel, stopping at the beautiful beaches, passing picturesque villages and visiting the memorable seal sanctuary. Rejoin the barge and sail back to the mainland (16 or 41 miles).

Day 5: Cycle from Medemblik along the coast of the IJssel Lake to the harbour town of Enkhuizen. Visit the impressive Zuiderzee museum with its reconstructed workshops and houses before enjoying an evening guided walk (19 or 31 miles).

Day 6: Cycle via the historical town of Hoorn and the cheese farm of Edam to the fishing harbour of Volendam, known for its smoked eel and salted herring (31 miles).

Day 7: Your last cycle heads through the beautiful ‘Waterland’ region to Amsterdam. You may wish to detour to the former island of Marken (22 or 31 miles).

Day 8: Departure after breakfast.

Bicycles

You will be provided with a 7-gear bicycle, pannier bag and lock.

Your guide

This holiday is self-guided but there is an English speaking guide on board who runs daily briefings about the routes and can provide further information if required.