Bike & Sail the Tulips

Day 1: Amsterdam – Volendam
Day 2: Volendam – Hoorn, 14.4 mi. (24 km) | Hoorn – Enkhuizen
Day 3: Enkhuizen – Oudeschild | Sailing day
Day 4: Oudeschild – Den Helder | Wadden island of Texel, 26 or 29 mi. (43 or 48 km)
Day 5: Den Helder - St. Maartensvlothbrug | St. Maartensvlotbrug - Alkmaar, 19 or 32 mi. (32 or 53 km)
Day 6: Alkmaar – Keukenhof - Alkmaar | Full day bus excursion
Day 7: Alkmaar - Zaanse Schans, 20 or 26 mi. (33 or 43km)
Day 8: Zaanse Schans

Day 1: Amsterdam – Volendam
You will be welcomed on board between 1 pm and 2 pm. You can bring your luggage on board at 11 am, but the cabins will not yet be ready for check-in. At 2.30 p.m., the ship navigates to Volendam. Your tour leader will take this opportunity to inform the group about life onboard, the cycling itinerary, and the safety procedures. Volendam is a lovely fishing village with a scenic promenade lined with quaint shops. Upon arrival, you will have the option to take a short test ride. After enjoying a delicious dinner on board, the tour leader will take you on a walk through Volendam, a small and picturesque fishing harbor on the shores of Lake IJsselmeer.

Day 2: Volendam – Hoorn, 14.4mi. (24 km) | Hoorn – Enkhuizen
Your cycling itinerary will lead to Hoorn, the former Dutch East India Company town, which was, in the 17th century, one of the world’s foremost harbors. Along the way, you will pass Edam, which is known for its famous Edam cheese. Once an industrious shipyard and port in the 17th century, provided the port's outlet to make Edam one of the most popular cheeses in the world. Sailors took wheels of Edam on their voyages – the cheese doesn’t spoil easily and could be traded for spices and other riches of the East. Later in the afternoon, you will join the ship for an afternoon sail to Enkhuizen, an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. “The herring city” boasts a beautiful old harbor and an old town full of history.

Day 3: Enkhuizen – Oudeschild | Sailing day
This day is devoted entirely to sailing. You will even have the opportunity to participate in the actual navigation of the ship as you sail to the harbor of Oudeschild on the island of Texel. Previous sailing experience is not necessary. Of course, you are also very welcome to just relax and enjoy the sailing and scenery as you progress along the IJsselmeer. While sailing you will enjoy an extensive lunch on board. Texel is the largest of the Dutch Wadden Isles. No dinner will be served tonight, to enable you to explore the harbor. You can make yourself a picnic meal or try one of the nice restaurants in Oudeschild.

Day 4: Wadden island of Texel | Oudeschild – Den Helder, 26 or 29 mi. (43 or 48 km)
On this day, you have the freedom to choose your cycling adventure. You could opt for a shorter route or take a longer tour around the island of Texel. Either way, you'll experience the beauty of natural parks and ride through fields of blooming flowers. The journey will take you through picturesque villages and breathtaking landscapes. Along the way, you could even make a stop at the Ecomare seal sanctuary.

As you reach the end of your cycling tour, you can treat yourself to a locally-brewed beer. You deserve it after a day of cycling! Head to the small brewery near Oudeschild for a refreshing beverage. Finally, late in the afternoon, the ship will transport you back to the mainland. You'll arrive at the port of Den Helder, feeling rejuvenated and fulfilled after a day of exploration.

Day 5: Den Helder-St. Maartensvlotbrug | St. Maartensvlotbrug – Alkmaar, 19 or 32 mi. (32 or 53 km) 
As you embark on your bike tour, the initial leg will take you through the northern region of North Holland province. This area, sandwiched between the IJsselmeer and North Sea, is home to the world's largest flowering bulb field - a truly spectacular sight! But the natural wonders don't stop there. As you venture closer to Alkmaar, you'll encounter some of the most beautiful tulip fields in the country. Upon reaching the North Sea, take some time to stroll along the stunning sandy beach with lovely views. Just a stone's throw away lies the charming artist's village of Bergen. This picturesque location is definitely worth a visit. At the end of your bike ride, the ship awaits you in the historic city center of Alkmaar, renowned for its delicious Dutch cheese. The old town area boasts narrow, winding canals and stunning, well-preserved 17th-century architecture that will leave you in awe.

Day 6: Alkmaar – Keukenhof - Alkmaar | Full day bus excursionz
Experience the beauty of Holland's oldest tulip fields on an enchanting bus ride today, as you make your way to the world-renowned Keukenhof Gardens. Once you arrive, you'll have ample time to explore the most beautiful bulb park in existence. Keukenhof is renowned for being the quintessential location where spring comes to life. You will witness a breathtaking display of colors, with an astonishing seven million flowering tulips spread across an impressive 80-acre setting of traditional and modern gardening architecture. Different varieties of hyacinths, daffodils, tulips and other vibrant flowers are on display. You'll be awestruck by the magnificence of the park's flora. As the afternoon draws to a close, the bus will transport you back to Alkmaar. You'll have plenty of time to reflect on the beauty and grandeur of the Keukenhof Gardens, with memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Day 7: Alkmaar - Zaanse Schans, 20 or 26 mi. (33 or 43 km)
You start your day with a refreshing bike ride to the beautiful towns of Egmond and Limmen with yet more opportunity to marvel at the colorful tulip fields. You will visit the Hortus Bulborum, a unique garden museum that's devoted to preserving rare and historic bulbs. Over 4,000 tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other special flowers are planted here, making it a truly magnificent sight to behold. Next up, Zaanse Schans, a remarkable hamlet where locals live and work in original houses and windmills, all situated alongside the river Zaan. As you explore the tiny village, you'll come across an array of functioning windmills, with the oldest dating back to 1673. These structures were used for a range of activities, from grinding mustard seeds, spices, and paint components, to extracting plant oil and sawing wood into planks. Aside from the windmills, there's plenty to see in Zaanse Schans. Take a walk around the village and you'll discover a clock museum, an old-fashioned grocery store, a house with period furniture, a clog maker, and even a cheese farm. It's a unique experience that's not to be missed. Your ship will be docked here, ready to take you on the next leg of your adventure. 

Day 8: Zaanse Schans
Today is the official end of your tour after breakfast. Disembarkation by 9:30 am.

Day 1: Zaanse Schans - Alkmaar 
Day 2: Round trip to/from Alkmaar, 20 or 25 mi. (34 or 40 km)
Day 3: Alkmaar - Den Helder, 19 or 31 mi. (30 or 50 km)
Day 4: Den Helder - Oudeschild | Wadden Island of Texel, 26 to 29 mi. (43 to 48 km)
Day 5: Oudeschild - Enkhuizen | Sailing day
Day 6: Enkhuizen - Hoorn | Hoorn - Volendam, 14 mi. (24 km)
Day 7: Volendam - Keukenhof - Amsterdam | Full day bus excursion
Day 8: Amsterdam

Day 1: Zaanse Schans - Alkmaar
Check-in is offered between 1 and 2 pm. The ship is docked next to the Zaanse Schans, a unique hamlet where people live and work alongside original houses and windmills built next to the river Zaan. This tiny village is dominated by its operating windmills — the oldest of which was built in 1673 — and these were used for grinding mustard seeds, spices, and paint components; extracting plant oil; and for sawing wood into planks. 

Day 2: Round trip to/from Alkmaar, 20 or 25 mi. (34 or 40 km)
Today you'll discover the beautiful North Holland Dune reserve. Close by — and certainly worth a visit — is the artist’s village of Bergen. Your ship will be waiting for you near the historic city center of Alkmaar. This town is well known as a Dutch cheese city. As you wander through the streets, you’ll be amazed by the beauty of Alkmaar’s old town, with its well-preserved 17th-century buildings and narrow, winding canals.

Day 3: Alkmaar - Den Helder, 19 or 31 mi. (30 km or 50 km)
Today you can take a bike tour north of Alkmaar where you will find the most beautiful tulip fields on your way to the North Sea. The sandy beach here is one of the most wonderful to walk along in the entire Netherlands, the perfect spot for feeling the wind in your hair or simply enjoying the view. Then you will bike on through the North-Holland Dune reserve to Den Helder: this piece of land, wedged between the North Sea and the IJsselmeer boasts the world’s single biggest flowering bulb field. In one word: spectacular!

Day 4: Den Helder – Oudeschild | Wadden island of Texel: round trip from/to Oudeschild, 26 or 29 mi. (43 to 48 km)
During breakfast, the ship will sail to the island of Texel, the largest of the Dutch Wadden Isles. Today you can choose to cycle a shorter route or to take a longer tour around the island. You will cycle through delightful natural parks, and ]on Texel, you will bike through fields of blooming flowers! The signposts lead you through picturesque villages and landscapes, and to the Ecomare seal sanctuary. At the end of your cycling tour, you can enjoy a locally-brewed, well-deserved beer during a visit to the small brewery near Oudeschild.

Day 5: Oudeschild - Enkhuizen | Sailing day
Today your ship will set sail to Enkhuizen. You may lend a hand during navigation and hoisting the sails. Previous sailing experience is not at all necessary. Of course, you are also very welcome to just relax and enjoy the sailing and scenery as you progress along the IJsselmeer. While sailing you will enjoy an extensive lunch on board. In the afternoon, the ship will arrive in Enkhuizen, an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. You can spend some time exploring here.  “The herring city” boasts a beautiful old harbor and an old town full of history. No dinner will be served tonight, to enable you to explore the city. You can make yourself a picnic meal or try one of the nice restaurants in Enkhuizen.

Day 6: Enkhuizen - Hoorn | Hoorn - Volendam, 14 mi. (24 km)
In the morning you will sail the Ijsselmeer to the former Dutch East India Company town of Hoorn, which was, in the 17th century, one of the world’s foremost harbors. Your afternoon ride leads to Volendam, a small and picturesque fishing harbor on the shores of Lake IJsselmeer. Along the way, you will pass Edam, which is known for its famous Edam cheese, covered in red or yellow wax. While this adorable village is now renowned for cheese, it was once an industrious shipyard and port. That’s why, in the 17th century, the town’s specialty became one of the most popular cheeses in the world. Sailors took wheels of Edam on their voyages – the cheese doesn’t spoil easily and could be traded for spices and other riches of the East.

Day 7: Volendam - Keukenhof - Amsterdam | Full day bus excursion
Today a beautiful bus ride leads you through the oldest tulip fields of Holland to the famous Keukenhof Gardens. You will have plenty of time to discover the most beautiful bulb park in the world. Keukenhof is the place where spring is celebrated. It features an overwhelming blaze of colors: seven million flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acre setting of traditional and modern gardening architecture. You also can admire various hyacinths, daffodils, and many other vibrant flowers. In the afternoon the bus will bring you back to Amsterdam to spend a restful night here in your floating hotel.

Day 8: Amsterdam
Breakfast, end of tour, and disembarkation by 9:30 am.