With bike and ship through Holland: Northern route

On this route you comfortably cycle along canals from Amsterdam through the flat polder areas, a former swampland that was dried up by windmills in the 17. th century. You follow the dyke of the Ijssel sea, spend a day on the island of Texel and cycle back to the phantastic city of Amsterdam. For all of you, who love the beach and the sea, this is an ideal and wonderful cycling holiday (shortest stage 35 km, longest stage 65 km).

MS Angela Esmee

The ship was comletely rebuilt in 2004. The crew is from the Netherlands and the ship is runned under Dutch flag. We can offer 33 double-cabins, each with a separated bathroom. There are no bunk beds except in 3-bed or 4-bed rooms. Each cabin has a window, central heating and air conditioning. The ship has a big sun deck (partially with covered seats), and a large comfortable parlour with bar and restaurant.

1. day  Amsterdam Arrival

Embarkment on board between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Departure at 6:30. While you enjoy your dinner the Angela Esmee brings you to Zaandam.

2. day  Alkmaar about 35 km

Ready for the first stage? Enjoy the ride through the ‚Het Twiske‘ nature preserve and to the village museum of Zaanse Schans, where mustard, spices, colours and oils are still grinded like hundreds of years ago. Have a look at old windmills and watch how different handcrafts were carried out in former times.
At the end of today's stage you reach Alkmaar.

3. day  Den Helder about 55 km

Your leave Alkmaar and along the beach you cycle in a complelety flat polder area to the naval port of Den Helder. A ferry (not included/about EUR 8,-) or the Angela Esmme brings you to the isle of Texel.

4. day  Texel about 65 km

Today you discover Texel island. Cycle through beautiful nature preserves or take a day off and spend it on the beach. In the evening you take a ferry across the mudflat to den Oever. Den Oever is located at the western end of the dyke separating the North sea from the Ijssel sea.

5. day  Enkhuizen about 45 km

All along the dyke of the Ijssel sea you go south until you reach the small seaport of Medemblik and later ride on to the Hanseatic city of Enkhuizen. Visit the beautiful historic city and the Zuidersee museum - it's worth it!

6. day  Volendam about 49 km

Your first stop on the way to Volendam should be the Hanseatic city of Hoorn, where you might go for a walk through the worth seeing harbour scenery. Only few kilometers north of Volendam Edam is located, worldwide famous for it's cheese. Today's final destination is the old fishing harbour of Volendam. Here you should try some "Paling" (smoked eel) or "Matjes" (salted herring).

7. day  Amsterdam 35 to 50 km

Today you cycle along small lakes and canals of the waterland area straight to Amsterdam Harbour. Enjoy the afternoon and the evening in the beautiful, multicultural, bubbly historic city. Amsterdam for sure is one of the most interesting capitals in Europe!

8. day  Amsterdam depart

You holiday ends leaving the ship after breakfast abaout 10 a.m.