Dutch Island Hopping by Sail Bike & Sail – Wapen fan Fryslan

Fancy trying out your sea-legs then? As the ship hoists its sails to head up the great inland expanse of water now known as the IJsselmeer (formerly the ‘Zuidersee’) towards Den Oever, you can either choose to stay on board or take to two wheels to coast along the IJsselmeer edge through the gentle lowland landscapes. If you opt to pedal the polders, be sure to look out for steam trams en route carrying passengers to and from Medemblik. Today as well as being the home of the Dutch Steam Engine Museum, the little town is regular host to important sailing events. Back in 1517, 4000 invading pirates raised the town to the ground, but with its churches, town hall and number of houses dating from the 17^th and 18^th centuries, it makes for a pleasant place to prop up the bike and go for a wander. Finally continue along the coast to Den Oever where the great Afsluitdijk – the series of sluices which discharge the IJsselmeer inot the Wadden Sea – stretches out across the waters. Don’t miss the 17^th century, wooden smock windmill ‘De Hoop’ in the centre of town, before getting back on board the Wapen fan Fryslân for an evening sail across the Wadden Sea to the island of Texel (weather permitting).

Overnight mooring – Den Oever or Oudeschilde on the Island of Texel

Miles 24  Kms  40

With its beautiful beaches and nature reserves, Texel is the ideal place to let your bike wheels go gently round on a circular tour of a length to suit both your interests and your energy levels. Follow at leisure the Thijsse cycle route, named after the nature lover who worked on the Illustrated Flora of the Netherlands. Pass by the daffodil bulb fields and white towered church of Den Hoorn. Discover Den Burg with its monuments and medieval origins or head to ‘Ecomare’, the island’s fascinating seal sanctuary. Back at Oudeschild, you’ll want to make time to sample the local ales at the little brewery, before settling back on the schooner Wapen fan Fryslân which waits for you in the harbour.

Overnight mooring – Oudeschild.

Miles  24 Kms 40

Time to give those two wheels a rest and take to the waters of the North Sea today when the tide and weather are on side and head northwards to the island of Terschelling – a unique journey through the sand-bars of the Wadden Sea where seals bask in the sunshine. Enjoy nature at its most exhilarating in the sun, sea and stiff breeze, before the square tower of the 400 year old ‘Brandaris’ lighthouse comes into view and the schooner finally finds harbour in West Terschelling on the island which is dotted with picturesque villages between its stretch of polder and sand dunes.

Overnight mooring – Terschelling.

Swap your sea-legs for cycle legs – the bike is beckoning as the very best way to explore this magically natural island. With over 70 km of cycle paths, four delightful villages and countless wildlife encounters in this very special landscape, Terschelling is a paradise for two wheel tourers and ‘twitchers’ alike. Even if you’re not big on birdwatching, be sure to take your binoculars to the ‘Boschplaat’ heathland nature reserve to spot ducks, spoonbills, black-winged stilts and great black-backed gulls, as well as all sorts of butterflies and fascinating flora – it reveals an amazing side of this island life. Bike up to Midsland, taking in a world of shoreline, tidal marshes and forests, and look out for farmhouses producing delicious ice-creams and tempting cheeses, or try the local speciality here – cranberries. When you’ve had your fill, the Wapen fan Fryslân is waiting to welcome you back on board at West Terschelling, on this the second biggest of the West Frisian Islands.

Overnight mooring – West Terschelling.

Miles  24 Kms 40

With the weather and tides hopefully in the great schooner’s favour, the aim today is to point the bow towards the smallest island on the tour, Vlieland. It’s a fascinating car-free world that’s home to only just over a thousand people and which has just one village to its name – so absolutely ideal for exploration by bike at your leisure. There’s no need to saddle up to reach the beach though as it’s only 100m from the harbour itself, so set to and scale the ‘Vuurboetsduin’ – the dune that’s the highest point of the island and drink in the impressive view out over the string of West Frisian Islands, the mudflats and the North Sea.

If tide or weather conditions regrettably make the journey to Vlieland not possible, then the Wapen fan Fryslân will sail to the south-western part of the Province of Friesland. Here there is a scenic circular cycle tour available between Makkum and Stavoren – details and distances to be confirmed at the time.

Overnight mooring – Oost Vlieland  or southwest coast of Province of Friesland

Leaving island life or the Province of Friesland behind, the schooner takes to the waters for the return journey to Enkuizen. Time to feel the wind in your hair, taste the salt on your lips and enjoy some fantastic sailing before your feet touch dry land again in Enkhuizen.

Overnight mooring – Enkhuizen.

Following your final breakfast on board your floating home, why not get your final Dutch sea bearings in Enkhuizen’s Zuidersee Museum which tells the story of the waters you have sailed. Alternatively you might wish to stay a while longer in Holland and perhaps take in Amsterdam before your onward journey.

Extra nights in hotel accommodation can be booked to allow more time to explore at your leisure.