Double Dutch – Bike & Boat North Holland’s Coast & Countryside – De Willemstad

A day to be out in the open on your bike . So best head out along the cycle paths from Amsterdam, through green Waterland and Twiske to none other than the ‘Zaanse Schans’ itself  – Holland’s renowned open air museum, celebrating the rich heritage of the area around the Zaan River reclaimed since the 17^th century. Visit the ‘specerijenmolen’ (spice mill) or one of the other five wooden windmills set on the river bank, or check out the many barns, gabled farmhouses and mini-museums showcasing traditional skills from a local cooper’s to a clog or cheese makers workshop and a from a pewter foundry to baker’s or distillery. Pedal on to explore the land of Leeghwater’s legacies. The 17th century scientist is attributed with inventing the system of ‘reclaiming’ land from the sea by pumping out the water, so be sure to expect plenty of canals and iconic scenery along the way as you cycle off to the former whalers’ village of De Rijp and past the windmills of Schermerhorn. Your ship will be waiting for you near the historic city centre of Alkmaar.

Overnight mooring – Alkmaar

Miles  27  Kms  44

Time to explore the unique dune and forest landscapes on a circular day ride from Alkmaar. The Noord-Holland dune reserve is a massive 5,300 hectares and an area of natural beauty which has inspired artists for centuries. On a more practical level, it’s also the source of all Noord-Holland’s drinking water ! Visit the beach and continue on to the ‘artists’ village’ of Bergen, before returning towards Alkmaar perhaps for some delicious refreshments as the historic centre is renowned for its famous ‘Waagplein’ with its cheese market and National Beer Museum. In the afternoon, De Holland or De Willemstad will travel down the North Holland Canal to the naval port of Den Helder.

Overnight mooring – Den Helder

Miles  20-25  Kms  33-40

Another gentle journey, this time as you enjoy breakfast in your floating restaurant. De Holland will be crossing the ‘Marsdiep’ channel over to the island of Texel to moor at Oudeschild. 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 music on board your floating accommodation accompanies you on the cruise back to the mainland for an overnight moored at Den Oever.

(Please note:  depending on weather conditions, the Captain may decide to make the crossing to Texel on the evening of day three. If however conditions are unfavourable for this crossing by barge, your floating accommodation will remain moored at Den Helder and the island can be reached by taking the ferry).

Overnight mooring – Den Oever

Miles  9-41  Kms  15-65

Start the day with a cruise across the great inland expanse of water now known as the IJsselmeer, formerly the ‘Zuidersee’, to the Province of Friesland and the harbour town of Stavoren. Look out for the town’s legendary medieval lady  – her statue (complete with pointy hat!) stands looking out across the town in the main square; her tale is one warning against greed and lack of charity. But look forward to a day full of natural riches as you saddle up and explore the green pastures of Gaasterland. Friesian cows are all part of the scenery of course and the beautiful lakes of this delightfully rural corner of Holland are quite breath-taking.

Overnight mooring – Stavoren

Miles  27-34  Kms  43-55

A cruise over breakfast delivers you to Medemblik, home to the Dutch Steam Engine Museum and there are steam tram rides between the ‘golden age’ towns of Medemblik, Enkhuisen and Hoorn. Take to two wheels though and choose to pedal close to the ‘coastline’ of the IJsselmeer all the way to the ‘herring city’ of Enkhuizen, or maybe take a longer cycling tour via the ‘Dutch Golden Age’ town of Hoorn – the former Dutch East India Company harbour which lent its name to Cape Horn.

Renowned for its pinnacle-topped, 16^th century ‘Hoofdtoren’ clock tower on the quayside and lines of gabled houses – after Amsterdam and Maastricht, Hoorn has the largest number of them in Holland! – the town is a real historic treat. Either way, there are plenty of picturesque villages en route to charming Enkhuizen, a place equally steeped in maritime traditions, where you’ll not want to miss the Zuiderzee Museum to bring you up to speed on all the local history. Finally meet up with the De Holland or De Willemstad moored on the quayside, to relax before you enjoy an evening’s walking tour of the city (included in tour price).

Overnight mooring – Enkhuizen

Miles  19-31  Kms  30-50

Another breakfast cruise – this time down to Volendam, a rather fishy sort of place famous for both smoked eels and salted herrings where you’ll want to explore the old fishing harbour.  With hundreds of small lakes and kilometres of canals, there are no prizes for guessing why the area between Volendam and Amsterdam answers to the name of ‘Waterland’. Cycling here along the thin tracts of land between the regular pools and waterways makes for a unique landscape experience. Visit Monnickendam, another of the IJsselmeer harbour towns dating back to the Middle Ages which found fortune in the 1600s, or detour to see the wooden houses and lines of little boats at the one-time island of Marken, now connected to the mainland by a causeway. Enjoy the afternoon and evening in Amsterdam before your final night on board your floating hotel.

Overnight mooring – Amsterdam

Miles  22-31  Kms  35-50

Following your final breakfast on board, it’s time to put your feet firmly back on dry land, but if you’d like to stay on a little longer, extra nights in hotel accommodation can be booked to allow more time to explore the vibrant city culture of Amsterdam at your leisure.