1
introductory
Activities
  • self guided cycle
Accommodation
  • 7 nights in a twin share cabin
Meals
  • 7 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: NHL

Trip highlights

  • Discovering the north of the Netherlands by bike and on foot from Amsterdam all the way to the North Sea
  • Visiting Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum with historical windmills and traditional Dutchhouses and Alkmaar, home to a traditional cheese market
  • Exploring interesting towns and cities such as Marken, famous for its boat harbour and Amsterdam with its vibrant nightlife and canals
  • Enjoying the camaraderie of your fellow passengers aboard a comfortable barge

Discover the Dutch provinces of North Holland and Friesland on a unique bike and barge journey, immersing yourself in the heart of Dutch culture and heritage. Over the course of a week, you'll cycle through the flat, green polder landscapes—stunning expanses of land reclaimed from the sea over centuries—and along serene coastal paths. Pedal past idyllic farm villages, scenic North Sea beaches, and towering dunes, and explore the bicycle-friendly island of Texel. Highlights include the open-air museum at Zaanse Schans, Alkmaar’s historic centre, and the picturesque harbour towns of Medemblik, Enkhuizen, Hoorn, and Volendam. You'll also cross Lake IJsselmeer to Stavoren in Friesland and visit Amsterdam with its iconic canals. Enjoy a truly Dutch experience of cycling, history, and scenic beauty in one remarkable holiday aboard the comfortable De Willemstad barge.

Countries:

The Netherlands

Starting Point:

Amsterdam

Finishing Point:

Amsterdam

Carbon Footprint

101kg of CO2-e PP per day

(710kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Embarkation and check-in at the barge is between 2 - 3:30pm in Amsterdam. At 3.50pm the boat will leave the harbour. There will be a welcome drink and safety briefing on board followed by dinner on board.

Meals:  D

The first cycling journey takes you via small villages through the beautiful flat and green polder landscape typical of this area of northern Holland. The first stop is at the Zaanse Schans open air museum (free entry) with its traditional Old Dutch wooden houses, windmills and the cheese and clog factory. After spending some time visiting this site you will cycle through the “Land of Leeghwater”, a green polder area between Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Hoorn. Stroll through the former whaler’s village De Rijp and pass by the windmills of Schermerhorn. The barge will be waiting for you near the historical city centre of Alkmaar.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you can discover the beautiful North Holland Dune reserve. This is a 5.300 hectare forest and dune area with unique landscapes. In these dunes the drinking water for almost the whole province of North Holland is sourced. After a visit to the beach and artists village Bergen, return to Alkmaar where you can visit the pretty city centre. In the afternoon the barge sails along the North-Holland Canal to the navy harbour of Den Helder.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast you’ll take a 20-minute ferry ride (ticket included) from Den Helder to ‘t Horntje the isle of Texel, where you'll enjoy an interesting loop cycle on the largest of the Dutch North Sea Isles. Ride through meadows, nature parks and dunes to small villages and have the opportunity for a swim at a sandy North Sea beach, or visit the “Ecomare” seal sanctuary. In the late afternoon you will return by ferry to Den Helder.

Meals:  B,L,D

The barge crosses the large inland lake IJsselmeer and we cruise to Stavoren in the province of Friesland. You can opt for a shorter or longer cycling tour: discover the nature area of Gaasterland or explore a part of the wider lake district, that Friesland is known for. You can also combine both options. Overnight in the small harbour of Stavoren, one of the famous traditional 'eleven cities of Friesland'.

Meals:  B,L,D

The barge will cross back to the other side of IJsselmeer during breakfast. Take a short cycling trip from Medemblik along the IJsselmeer coast directly to Enkhuizen, where you can spend the afternoon. Enkhuizen is an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. The “herring city” boasts a beautiful old harbour, a historical old town centre and the very interesting Zuiderzee museum. If you prefer a longer cycle, ride from Medemblik to the former Dutch East India Company town of Hoorn, in the 17th century one of the world’s leading harbours. Enjoy your lunch break and have a short stroll in the old city centre. Continue by bike to Enkhuizen via some picturesque rural villages. In the evening you can join a short city walk.

Meals:  B,L,D

During breakfast the barge will sail to Volendam. The final day of cycling will lead you through the beautiful area of Waterland, with its hundreds of small lakes and tiny canals. Near Volendam you will have the opportunity to visit a cheese farm. Recommended (extra cycling miles) is a tour to the former island of Marken, to continue through the water shaped region of Waterland back to the Dutch capital city of Amsterdam. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy everything Amsterdam has to offer. If you didn’t go for a canal cruise on the first day, you can do so today.

Meals:  B,L,D

Trip concludes, disembarkation is after breakfast by 9.30 a.m.

Meals:  B

Inclusions

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 7 dinners (does not include drinks)
  • Continental breakfasts are served and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. At breakfast you will prepare your packed lunch for the day which will be sandwiches, fruit & juice. If you choose not to cycle on a particular day, the crew will serve lunch on board. Dinner will consist of three courses inclusive of either a pasta, vegetarian or meat dish.
  • 7 nights accommodation aboard a Deluxe category barge with ensuite facilities on a twin share basis. The trip price is based on a standard twin cabin below deck - supplement applies for other cabin categories (upper twin cabin, upper deck suite, upper deck single cabin (limited), or single use of twin cabin on either deck). We do not match clients together so if you are travelling solo you will need to book a single or single use cabin (limited and on a request basis).
  • Rental bike with helmet, biodegradable water bottle and pannier (e-bike available on request - supplement applies)
  • Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening
  • Experienced multilingual tour leader for daily briefings (while the trip is self guided, the tour leader also cycles the tour and is available during the day to assist if required)
  • Information pack including route notes & maps (one set per cabin), navigational app with GPS tracks
  • Several city walking tours
  • Linen and change of towels as required
  • Daily cabin cleaning
  • Tea and coffee during breakfast and after the cycling tours til 4pm
  • Semi guided cycle tours - cyclists navigate independently along a set route. The guide will also cycle.
  • Ferry ticket to Texel on day 4
  • Live music onboard
  • Carbon offset
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to and from Amsterdam docking location
  • Meals not mentioned as included
  • Drinks including water at dinner, coffee and tea after 4pm and other items of a personal nature
  • Catering for special diets (except Vegetarian). A supplement is payable for example lactose or gluten free diets - EUR70pp (subject to change) paid locally on board. Note: vegan diets cannot be catered for on this trip.
  • Entrance fees and excursions not listed as included
  • Transfers not listed as included
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Tips - while tipping is not obligatory, it is customary to offer a tip if the tour leader and crew have done a good job. As a guide we would recommend EUR30-60 per person (to be distributed between the guide/s, captain and crew).
  • Bike insurance. Optional bike insurance is available (Limitation of Liability for damage), fee applies, must be prepaid - ask our team
  • Fees for ferries and Waterbus (except the Texel Ferry)
  • WIFI - a fee applies, payable onboard if required - allow approx. eur10 for the week
  • Items of a personal nature

Bike information

Standard Bike

During the trip you will be provided with a 7 speed unisex (low bar) city bike with handbrakes, a gel-saddle (height adjustable), a lock on the frame and pannier bag. All bikes have 28 inch wheels. Some smaller frames are available on board. There are also a few bikes with a horizontal bar available (from 1.90m). Helmet rental is included.

Electric Bike

An electric bike is available on request (limited supply). A supplement applies, see below.

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists. Minimum age for e-bike rental is 12 years and a minimum height requirement is 150cm / 4ft11in.

Suitability

introductory

1

GRADE 1 - Daily cycling distances from 28 to 55km (17.5 to 34.5mi). As with all of our cycling programs, wind and poor weather could make the trip grade change. Should you not wish to cycle you are welcome to stay onboard. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos, visit a museum or enjoy the market places in many of the interesting towns visited. It is considered suitable for children, as long as they have road sense, are familiar with the workings of a bike (gear change etc) and are comfortable cycling alongside moving vehicles at times. Electric bikes are available for a supplement and when used will ensure the cycling is comfortable for less physical cyclists - however it is still essential that you are comfortable cycling on roads and in light traffic in variable weather conditions. E-bikes are fabulous for taking some of the effort out of cycling however they are heavier than normal bikes which is a consideration when lifting them up the kerb etc. *For safety reasons, we highly recommend that cycle helmets are worn during cycle sections.

Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been exploring the world on foot for over five decades, and our passion for walking runs deep. Having hiked nearly every corner of Europe, we take pride in sharing the joy, freedom and perspective that only travelling on foot can bring, all with the exceptional service and care our travellers know us for.

Great Value & Quality

Our trips offer excellent value for money, with everything you need for a seamless walking holiday. Each package includes detailed route notes, maps and navigation app, luggage transfers, and comfortable locally run accommodation. We take care of the planning, so you can simply enjoy the walk.

Self-Guided Specialists

We've been operating self-guided active holidays since 1973, taking care of every detail so you can relax and explore at your own pace. With many walking and hiking tours departing daily, you'll enjoy the freedom and flexibility to travel when it suits you.