Departure Dates 2008

Day 1 Sat Arrive Amsterdam Sail to Zaandam

In the afternoon you will check in to the barge, be shown your cabin and meet your fellow travellers. Whilst you are dining there is a short cruise to Zaandam

Day 2 Sun Zaandam to Alkmaar 27 miles.

Your cycling tour starts by leaving Zaandam and soon you will arrive at the open air museum village “Zaanse Schans”. This is a delightful old hamlet on the banks of the river Zaan with characteristic green wooden houses, charming stylised gardens, small hump-backed bridges, tradesmen's workshops, historic windmills and engaging little shops. This enchanting hamlet gives an excellent impression of how a typical Zaanse village must have looked like in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Apart from the cluster of windmills and houses there are also several museums, restaurants and a visitors' centre to be found, as well as the possibility of taking a boat trip on the river. Leaving Zaanse Schans your route finally leads you to Alkmaar, home to the famous Cheese Market (Fridays only).

Day 3 Mon Alkmaar to Den Helder 34 miles

Leaving Alkmaar you cycle along the North Sea beaches and through the flat “polder land” to the city and Dutch Navy port of Den Helder. Here there is a museum showing the history of the Dutch navy from the Spanish Uprising in the sixteenth century until the actions during the war in Korea and former Dutch New-Guinea. In the evening cross the Marsdiep to the island of Texel (usually with your ship), or depending on weather by ferry (ferry not included). The Marsdiep is the inlet that connects the western Wadden Sea with the North Sea.

Day 4 Tues Around Texel 16 to 41 miles.

Today you cycle around Texel, the largest of the Dutch North Sea islands. No matter what season, the diverse landscape of Texel always looks beautiful with its picturesque villages, friendly cafés and restaurants, countryside, fresh air, space and many opportunities for relaxation. Return to your ship and while you dine, (depending on weather) the barge will cruise over the salty Waddenzee to Den Oever, where the 30km long “Afsluitdijk” protects and separates the “IJsselmeer” from the “Waddenzee”.

Day 5 Wed Den Oever to Enkhuizen 19 or 31 miles.

Cycling via Medemblik, West-Friesland's smallest and oldest town. When you walk through Medemblik's centuries old centre you can still see the culture and appearance of the Golden Century. From there it is onwards to the beautiful city of Enkhuizen with the opportunity to visit the very interesting “Zuiderzeemuseum”. The Zuiderzee museum allows you to take a stroll through time, both indoors and out. In addition to a series of temporary displays in the fully renovated and extended indoor museum, you can explore exhibitions in the life of fishermen and skippers from the Zuiderzee region and the reclamation of large tracts of land by famous Dutch hydraulic engineers.

Day 6 Thur Enkhuizen to Volendam 31 miles.

Today your route takes you via Hoorn (a short stopover to see this historic town is recommended) and the cheese town of Edam. Anyone who loves cheese has heard of the town of Edam in North Holland, which is a charming small village, perfect for a stroll through narrow streets, over canals and small bridges.  Today it is difficult to believe that in the 18th century Edam was a busy whaling port with over 30 shipyards. From Edam it is on to the old fishing harbour of Volendam. In one of the fishing harbours, you will have the opportunity to taste local specialties like salted herring or smoked eel (“paling”).

Day 7 Fri Volendam to Amsterdam 22 or 31 miles.

Bike tour from Volendam to the "Waterland"-area with its countless small canals and lakes. Continue through the northern part of the "Garden of Amsterdam" to end late afternoon in Amsterdam. Spend the rest of the day in Amsterdam. A pleasant way to discover this beautiful city is by taking a canal tour.

Day 8 Sat Depart from Amsterdam.

It is the end of the tour and so it is time to say farewells, exchange contact details and make your way home.