Northern Holland: Coastal Dunes, Windmills & Historic Harbours | Bike & Boat

Welcome On Board & Industrial Windmills

Arrive in Amsterdam for embarkation and check-in at 2:00 p.m., where the crew welcomes you aboard your boutique floating hotel. Around 3:00 p.m., the barge sets sail toward Zaandam. Once docked, hop on your bicycle for an introductory warm-up ride led by your tour leader to the famous Zaanse Schans open-air museum. Marvel at the historic collection of working industrial windmills, traditional green wooden houses, and artisan cheese and clog factories before returning to the ship for dinner.

• 🌟 Daily Highlight: Watching historic wooden windmills turn against the sky at Zaanse Schans on your first evening ride.
• ⚓ Overnight: Zaandam

Polders, Whaling History & Schermerhorn Windmills

Set off from Zaanse Schans into the historic "Land of Leeghwater," a vast green polder area reclaimed from the sea in the 17th century. Cycle along quiet dikes to the picture-perfect village of De Rijp, once a prosperous whaling port surrounded by water. Pass the impressive windmills of Schermerhorn before arriving in Alkmaar, world-renowned for its historic city center, ancient canals, and centuries-old cheese market tradition.

• 🌟 Daily Highlight: Cycling through the reclaimed green polders of Leeghwater and exploring the historic center of Alkmaar.
• ⚓ Overnight: Alkmaar

Artists' Villages, Coastal Dunes & The Wadden Sea

Depart Alkmaar through the picturesque artist village of Bergen, heading directly toward the North Sea coast. Ride through the pristine North Holland Dune Reserve, a 5,300-hectare protected forest and dune sanctuary. Rejoin the ship at the naval port of Den Helder. Weather permitting, enjoy an exhilarating afternoon sail across the UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea to Texel Island, the largest of the Dutch Wadden islands.

• 🌟 Daily Highlight: Riding through the towering pine forests and golden sand dunes of the North Holland Dune Reserve.
• ⚓ Overnight: Texel Island (or Den Helder)

Island Dunes, Seal Sanctuaries & The IJsselmeer

Spend the day discovering Texel Island, a true paradise for cyclists. Cycle through tranquil nature reserves, charming sheep-farming hamlets, and wide sandy beaches. You can stop at Ecomare, the famous seal sanctuary and nature museum, or enjoy a coffee at a beachfront cafe. In the late afternoon, reboard the ship (or take the ferry) to sail across the Wadden Sea toward the mainland, mooring overnight in the historic IJsselmeer port of Medemblik.

• 🌟 Daily Highlight: Feeling the fresh salt spray while cycling Texel’s expansive coast and spotting seals at Ecomare.
• ⚓ Overnight: Medemblik

IJsselmeer Sea Dikes & The Zuiderzee Heritage

Cycle along the massive sea dike bordering IJsselmeer Lake—once part of the wild North Sea before the construction of the Afsluitdijk dam. Enjoy wide-open water views on one side and lush green polder farmland on the other. Arrive in Enkhuizen, a gorgeous Golden Age fishing port. Spend the afternoon wandering its historic harbor or visiting the famous Zuiderzeemuseum. Tonight, dinner is unincluded, giving you the freedom to dine at a local harbor restaurant of your choice.

• 🌟 Daily Highlight: Riding high atop the IJsselmeer sea dikes with sweeping views over the water.
• ⚓ Overnight: Enkhuizen

Maritime Wealth of the Dutch East India Company

Enjoy a relaxed, shorter cycling stage today following the curved coastline of the IJsselmeer. Your destination is Hoorn, one of the most powerful and wealthy harbors of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in the 17th century. Arrive early in the afternoon to admire the grand merchant mansions, historic warehouses, and the 16th-century Hoofdtoren harbor tower.

• 🌟 Daily Highlight: Exploring the grand 17th-century maritime architecture and cobblestone streets of historic Hoorn.
• ⚓ Overnight: Hoorn

Fishing Villages, Waterland & Return to the Capital

Wake up as the ship sails to the famous fishing village of Volendam. Saddle up for your final cycling leg through the enchanting Waterland region, a landscape dotted with hundreds of small lakes, peat bogs, and winding canals. Pass through traditional wooden fishing hamlets before riding back into Amsterdam. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring the UNESCO-listed canal ring, visiting world-class museums, or doing some last-minute shopping.

• 🌟 Daily Highlight: Gliding through the quiet, water-framed meadows of Waterland on your final ride into Amsterdam.
• ⚓ Overnight: Amsterdam