The Netherlands on its Northern Route

On neat bike trails, this trip leads you from Amsterdam along contemplative watersides and through even polderlands, a former lake and swampland-area, only drained in the 17th century with the construction of the typical windmills. Follow the bike trail along the shore of the Ijsselmeer and spend a day on the island Texel. Then, find your way back to Amsterdam via Alkmaar. A wonderful trip for anyone who likes water and beaches.

MS SERENA

A comfortable river cruiser with restaurant, saloon, air-conditioned bar and lift will be your home during this trip. The sundeck is partly canopied and offers beautiful spots to sit down as well as facilities to park your bikes. The MS Serena wears the Dutch flag. It provides enough room for a maximum of 108 passengers and measures 90 metres in length and 9,90 metres in breadth. A total of 39 two-bed-cabins are situated on the main deck (18) and on the promenade deck (18). All of them measure 8-9 square metres and are equipped with two single beds, shower and toilet and ventilation system. The windows can be opened in all cabins. All meals served on board are prepared with fresh ingredients. You will be enjoying simple but high quality meals.

1. day  Arriving in Amsterdam

Embarkment between 3p.m. and 6p.m. We recommend a cruise around the beautiful Grachten in the meantime between boarding and departure. Your „Dinner-cruise“ starts at 6.30p.m. and takes you to the neat historical Old Town of Hoorn

2. day  Enkhuizen 30 km

Begin your day with a beautiful roundtrip through the worthwhile Old Town of Hoorn, supplying a special charm with many 17th century buildings. Visit the regent’s seat of Western Frisia, serving as a museum today, then the neat harbour tower and do not miss the warehouses at the old quay. Small bike trails take to Enkhuizen afterwards. The town centre there has been completely restored, so that you will be marvelling at the beauty of the historical centre with Southern Church and Western Church as well as at the great number of magnificent town residencies. You might even have enough time left to visit the great Zuiderzeemuseum.

3. day  Roundtrip to Lemmer 45 km

On a relaxing boat trip on the Ijsselmeer you will reach Lemmer (depending on the weather conditions) still in the morning. Today’s bike trails constitute a round trip starting and ending in Lemmer. On your way lie Ossterzee Buren, the Tjeukemeer and the Rottige Meente. Once you get to Lemmer again, there will be time to discover the historical Old Town with its neat gabled houses.

4. day  Stavoren/ Island Texel 30 km

A great stage lies ahead of you today. You will cycle from Lemmer to Sandeler Leijen Lake to follow small trails through the green woods of Rijsterbos. Your ears will be spoilt while crossing the bird sanctuary Mokkebank. Afterwards, the wind guides your way to the Roode Klif, you will reach the coastside resort Stavoren in no time. Your swimming home will already be awaiting you here to take you on a romantic boat trip to Oudeschild on the island of Texel.

5. day  Texel island up to 65 km

What a magnificent day, what a beautiful island! Today’s route leads over the Thijsseroute, about 45km long, it is a very well signposted roundtrip for bikes. Follow the trails through picturesque villages along the mudflats and steep dunes. If you are interested, you may plan to stop at the station for seal raising EcoMare. In the evening, the ship takes you to Den Helder.

6. day  Alkmaar 25–55 km

Today, you will find your way through wide dunes to Alkmaar, with a picturesque Old Town and a fish market and nice gabled houses. You will have the choice to either end your tour after about 25 km in St. Maartensvlotbrug and to spend the last 30 km on the boat, in order to reach Alkmaar in a relaxed atmosphere. You can alternatively start your route in St. Maartensvlotbrug to cycle to Alkmaar. No matter which choice you make, it will be a magnificent day!

7. day  Amsterdam 28 km

In the morning, you will have the unique chance to visit the most famous and most spectacular cheese market in Alkmaar. Around noon, the ship takes you on a magnificent trip from Alkmaar to Wormerveer. From here, you will cycle to the open-air museum Zaanse Schans. An ancient Dutch village, a cheese dairy, a shipyard, a clog workshop, a bakery museum, the Zaanse clockmuseum and the world’s only color mill wait for your visit. From here, the bike trail leads to Amsterdam crossing the local recreation area Twiske.

8. day  Departing from Amsterdam

Debarkation after breakfast until 10.00a.m.