Cycling to historic harbour towns, green polder scenery and former islands on the Ijsselmeer. Take with bikes an exciting discovery tour on a stylish and beautifully appointed sailing ship. Your boat and bike tour starts in Amsterdam and takes you along the Ijsselmeer coast. The charming historic towns, the polders and the villages of the interior are connected by excellent cycle paths. In Monnickendam, Hoorn and Enkhuizen you’ll discover the old trading towns from the era of the Dutch East India Company.
In collaboration with: Kootstra Schiffsreisen GmbH.
Bike and Boat IJsselmeer
On the Ijsselmeer’s eastern shore you can visit the provinces of Friesland and Flevoland with the former islands of Urk and Schokland. On the final day, wind and weather permitting, you set off under full sail again for Amsterdam. Here you have plenty of time to enjoy an evening seeing the sights of the capital.
Highlights along Lake IJssel
Sail & Bike along the coast of Lake IJssel
Once a salty sea, now the largest sweetwater lake in all of Holland
Cycling can be done on your own or by joining a tour leader
Historic harbour towns, green polder scenery and former islands
Your week of sailing and cycling starts in Amsterdam. The crew welcomes you on board around 2 P.M. Once all guests have checked in, the ship sails under motor to Monnickendam. From the port of this former fishing village, a short warm-up ride leads you through the rural nature reserve of Waterland with its many villages. (Testride: 10 km/6 miles)
Day 2: Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn
32 km
A very Dutch start of the day: you cycle to a nearby, family-run cheese and clog shop for a short demonstration of cheese and clog making, and of course a cheese tasting. Continue pedaling along the dikes to Purmerend, in the heart of a polder named De Beemster, 11½ feet (3.5 meters) below sea level. Divided into a tight geometric pattern of squares and quadrants, it is recognized by UNESCO as "a creative masterpiece". Your next destination is Edam, a lovely town whose lanes and canals deserve a stroll. Edam is known worldwide for its cheese covered in red or yellow wax. Via the main dike of the IJsselmeer you arrive at the promenade of Volendam, where the ship is docked. You will have some time on your own to check out the souvenir shops. After dinner, let the historical city center lure you into a digestive walk. Later in the evening, the ship sails to Hoorn. (32 km/19 miles or 51 km/31 miles)
Day 3: Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk
28 km
Through small rural hamlets and villages, today's ride brings you to Enkhuizen. Pass by windmill De Krijgsman (The Warrior), the highest windmill in the province of North-Holland and one of a handful of old Dutch windmills still in use to produce flour commercially. In the 17th century, Enkhuizen was one of the wealthiest cities in Holland, thanks to its harbour that shipped then-costly spices from Asia. Be astonished by the stately mansions, canals, churches and city walls that to this day reflect the city's rich history and wealth. In the afternoon, weather permitting, we sail across the IJsselmeer to the port of Urk. On board, you can help the captain sail the ship if you wish. In the evening you may stroll through the narrow streets and alleys of Urk. The houses in this picturesque fishing village were built close to one another on elevated grounds to protect them against the water, and that is still visible today. (28 km/17 miles or 39 km/24 miles)
Day 4: Urk - Vollenhove
37 km
After breakfast, cycle along the lake on a tarmacked cycle path to the former island of Schokland. Since the reclamation of the Northeast polder (Noordoostpolder) in 1942, Schokland – just as Urk – is no longer an island. Since 1995, it belongs to the cultural heritage of UNESCO. Continue your bike ride through the polder to Vollenhove, another charming, former fishing village. (37 km/23 miles)
Day 5: Vollenhove - Giethoorn
37 km
From Vollenhove, cycle paths through open countryside lead you to the small town of Blokzijl. This is where you enter the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, the largest freshwater wetland in northwestern Europe and a peaceful oasis for plants, animals and humans. A bicycle path through the center of the park takes you far away from roads, immersing you in the tranquility of this region. Keep your eyes peeled for a fleeting kingfisher or—if you're really lucky—an otter, the symbol of the park. You pass through Kalenberg, a village that till the fifties of the last century could be reached by boat only. A twisting route through an agricultural landscape of narrow strip fields surrounded by dikes takes you to the town of Sint-Jansklooster and subsequently to the small city of Giethoorn. Here you'll get back on the ship. (37 km/22 miles or 49 km /30 miles)
Day 6: Giethoorn - Lelystad
Today you can enjoy a full day of sailing and relaxing on board. Again, you can help the captain sail the ship if you wish. Or you can simply sit back on deck and relax. Early afternoon the ship will arrive in Lelystad, capital of the province of Flevoland that was entirely reclaimed from the sea. Here you can stretch your legs and visit the Batavia Werf, an extraordinary shipyard, where ships with an important maritime history are taken from oblivion and returned to their former glory. Or go shopping at Batavia Stad, an outlet center with all the famous brands.
Day 7: Lelystad – Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam
20 km
In the morning you'll disembark for your last half day of cycling. You'll ride through the Oostvaardersplassen—a nature reserve on new land, left to find its own balance like nature did in old times on old land. Sections of the ride wind through forested areas, while others give you panoramic views of expansive reed beds and marshes. This is a birdwatchers' paradise. The ship picks you up in the small harbor of Oostvaardersdiep for the return voyage to Amsterdam. Celebrate this marvelous week around the IJsselmeer while having a farewell dinner aboard the ship. (20 km/12 miles or 29 km/18 miles)
Day 8: Amsterdam
Your tour ends today with a nice breakfast. Disembarkation afterwards until 9.30 AM.
Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only. The tour operator and the captain of the ship reserve the right to change the routes and programme due to nautical, technical or other reasons including weather conditions.
Prices
Elizabeth
Twin Cabin
Single Cabin
Triple Cabin
Quadruple Cabin
Price per person €
Euro
Euro
Euro
Euro
Saturday 10-06-2023
1219,00
1793,00
1169,00
1119,00
Saturday 17-06-2023
1219,00
1793,00
1169,00
1119,00
Saturday 24-06-2023
1219,00
1793,00
1169,00
1119,00
Saturday 01-07-2023
1219,00
1793,00
1169,00
1119,00
Saturday 08-07-2023
1219,00
1793,00
1169,00
1119,00
Saturday 15-07-2003
1219,00
1793,00
1169,00
1119,00
Saturday 22-07-2023
1219,00
1793,00
1169,00
1119,00
Saturday 29-07-2023
1219,00
1793,00
1169,00
1119,00
Saturday 05-08-2023
1219,00
1793,00
1169,00
1119,00
Saturday 12-08-2023
1219,00
1793,00
1169,00
1119,00
Saturday 19-08-2023
1219,00
1793,00
1169,00
1119,00
Saturday 26-08-2023
1219,00
1793,00
1169,00
1119,00
Saturday 02-09-2023
1219,00
1793,00
1169,00
1119,00
Saturday 09-09-2023
1069,00
1568,00
1019,00
969,00
Accommodation
Elizabeth The stylish and beautifully appointed three-mast clipper Elizabeth was built in 1913 and boasts a plush interior design. During the painstaking renovation to become a modern passenger sailing vessel great attention was paid to retaining the original features of the characteristic Dutch flat bottom boat and creating a comfortable atmosphere. The impressive clipper Elizabeth is a very popular sailing vessel on the IJsselmeer tour.
Description of the cabins: The Elizabeth has ten twin cabins (6 m² – 65 sq.ft.), which all have been fully renovated recently. Eight cabins are situated on the lower deck, two on the upper deck. All cabins have two single beds. Some of the cabins can be booked as a three-bed or four-bed cabin (the third and fourth beds as bunks). Each cabin has an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. All cabins have central heating and a window that can be opened.
Description of the ship: On the lower deck, the Elizabeth offers a large lounge with a snug seating corner, dining area and a bar. Wi-Fi is available. On the upper deck the Elizabeth also offers a beautiful sundeck with benches and tables where you can relax on nice evenings and enjoy the scenery while sailing.
Practical info
Tour information The cycle routes are on sealed cycle paths, farm roads and along secondary roads with little traffic. There are no significant gradients.
Minimum number of participants: 10 individuals up to 4 weeks before departure
We would ask guests with food intolerances or allergies to inform us when booking. The chef will be happy to comply with your wishes. On some ships this may incur an extra charge, depending on your dietary requirements. There is no extra charge for vegetarian meals.
Included
Seven nights' accommodation in the cabin class booked with shower and lavatory
Full board (7 x breakfast, 6 x lunch or packed lunch, 7 x three course dinner)
Coffee and tea on board till 4 PM
Bedding and bed linen
Hand towels (replaced as required)
Cleaning of the cabin once a week
Welcome drink
Tour guide on board, daily briefing of bike trips by the crew.
For guests who stay on board: lunchtime snack, tea and coffee in the afternoon.
All port and lock fees
Maps and route description, one set per cabin.GPS tracks
Use of a waterproof pannier bag
Wi-Fi
Not included
Coffee and tea on board after 4 PM
Drinks on board
Rental of bike or E-Bike
Rental bike helmet
Personal (travel) insurances
Gratuities (at your discretion)
Entrance fees & excursions
Fees for ferries
Transfers to/from the docking place in Amsterdam
Parking fees
Rental bicycle: € 90 per week Rental E-Bike: € 195 per week (only on request, limited number available) Helmets*: A helmet can be rented for € 10 per week, only on prior reservation and payment. * In the Netherlands bikers are not obligated by law to wear a bike helmet. Bike helmets are not available on board.
It's possible to purchase an optional limitation of liability for damage and loss of your rented bicycle or e-bike: Limitation of liability (damage) rental bicycle € 10/tour Limitation of liability (damage) rental e-bike € 25/tour
The bicycles on board are unisex city bikes of the brand Gazelle Chamonix and of the brand Velo de Ville C100, both with lightweight frames and normal mount (ladies model), with easy-to-handle Shimano 7 gears, hand brakes, 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 for smaller persons. For large gentlemen (from 1.90 m and above) we have a few traditional men’s models (with a horizontal bar) available. The e-bike is a Velo de Ville CEB 200 with Nexus 7 gears, 4 support levels and hand breaks only (or a comparable brand/model). E-bikes available (on request, limited stock, pending availability). Other bikes (children's bikes, tandems etc.) can only be rented on request and in exceptional cases.
You can also bring your own bicycles or e-bikes, but there is only a limited number of spaces for your own bikes available on board. For a small fee, you can book a parking space for a normal bike or a parking and charging station for an e-bike. Parking own bicycle: € 10 per week (only a limited number of parking places available) Parking + charge station own E-Bike: € 25 per week (only a limited number of parking places available) However, the crew or tour operator is in no way responsible for any damage, loss or theft of such bicycles.
For safety reasons, it is not possible to charge the batteries of your own electric bikes in the cabin. The crew will inform you on board where you can safely charge your batteries. The ship's crew and tour operator are not liable for any damage, loss or theft of their own bicycles or e-bikes.
Arrival by airplane or train: Airport: Amsterdam Schiphol. From here to Amsterdam’s main station (Amsterdam Centraal) a train leaves every 10 minutes (approx. 4.90 €). Arrival by car: Parking in Amsterdam-Oosterdok underground car park near the station for approx. € 20 for 24 hours, but only for cars up to 2.1 metres high. You cannot reserve parking spaces. Centralparking, secure parking can be reserved in advance for approx. 150.– € per week including pick-up service. A valet will bring your car from the vessel to the underground car park and back to the vessel on the day of your departure.
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Dutch Bike Tours uses cookies to manage the website, to show you personalized content and to manage business goals. Below you can find more information on how we use cookies. You can accept all cookies, select them individually or reject them all. To learn more about our cookie policy, you can visit the dedicated page at any time.