Offers

Sailing trips

Northern Europe - Netherlands

Overview

Netherlands

Cycling & sailing

Route A:
Zaanse Schans – Den Helder – Oudeschild - Texel - Oudeschild – Enkhuizen – Hoorn  – Volendam – Keukenhof – Amsterdam (all day bus excursion)

Route B:
Amsterdam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen – Oudeschild - Texel - Oudeschild - Den Helder - St. Maartensvlotbrug - Alkmaar - Keukenhof - Alkmaar - Zaanse Schans

Fare from 1.199 EUR

Weekly departures on Saturday and Sunday,
Season April - May

 

Experience the magic of Holland in spring
with the Sailing and Cycling Tulip Tour!

Discover a unique journey through breathtaking landscapes on land and water. You cycle through blooming tulip fields and enchanting flower regions, including the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens and the historic Hortus Bulborum. Immerse yourself in the charm of Alkmaar, Enkhuizen and the idyllic island of Texel and discover picturesque polder landscapes and picturesque harbor towns. 

On board the elegant sailing yachts Leafde fan Fryslân or Mare fan Fryslân, enjoy the freedom to relax, enjoy gourmet meals or try your hand at sailing under expert guidance. On the daily cycling routes, tailored to your pace and led by professional guides, you will discover the cultural highlights of the Netherlands, quiet cycle paths and breathtaking views of the coast. Your ship serves as a floating hotel and offers the perfect blend of adventure, comfort and camaraderie.

Click here for our other cycling and sailing trips on the IJsselmeer and Wadden Sea.

Itinerary

Netherlands

Cycling & sailing

Itinerary Zaanse Schans - Amsterdam, bookable in opposite direction too!

Day 1: Zaanse Schans – Alkmaar 
Check-in is open from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., where the crew will warmly greet you with coffee and tea. The ship is moored beside the Zaanse Schans, a charming hamlet where traditional windmills and historic houses line the banks of the Zaan River. This picturesque village, with its working windmills dating back as far as 1673, offers a glimpse into Dutch craftsmanship, showcasing mills once used for grinding spices, mustard seeds, and pigments, extracting plant oil, and sawing timber. After exploring the Zaanse Schans, the ship sets sail for Alkmaar. As you glide through the tranquil Dutch countryside, you'll enjoy your first onboard dinner, accompanied by the serene beauty of the flat landscapes.

Day 2: Dune tour, round trip from/to Alkmaar (34 km/ 20 miles or 40 km/ 25 miles)
Today you explore the stunning North Holland Dune Reserve, a vast 5,300-hectare expanse of forest and dunes offering a landscape unlike any other. This unique area also serves as the primary source of drinking water for the entire province of North Holland. After a relaxing visit to the beach and the charming artists' village of Bergen, you'll return to Alkmaar, where the picturesque city center awaits, brimming with history and charm.

Day 3: Alkmaar – Den Helder
Set out on a bike tour north of Alkmaar, where breathtaking tulip fields guide your way to the North Sea. The sandy beach here is among the most stunning in the Netherlands, perfect for a leisurely walk, soaking in the views, or feeling the refreshing sea breeze.
Nearby, the artistic village of Bergen invites exploration with its unique charm. Your journey continues through the North Holland Dune Reserve to Den Helder, home to the world's largest flowering bulb field—a truly spectacular sight that will leave you in awe. (19 mi. or 31 mi.)

Day 4: Den Helder – Oudeschild | Round trip wadden island of Texel
While you enjoy breakfast, the ship will sail to Texel, the largest of the Dutch Wadden Islands. Today offers the choice of a shorter cycling route or a more extensive tour around the island. Ride through scenic natural parks, vibrant flower fields, and charming villages, with signposted paths guiding you to highlights like the Ecomare seal sanctuary. Conclude your adventure with a visit to a small brewery near Oudeschild, where you can savor a well-earned locally brewed beer. (29 mi. / 26 mi.)

Day 5: Oudeschild – Enkhuizen | Sailing day
Today you set sail for Enkhuizen, offering the chance to join the crew in navigating and hoisting the sails—no prior experience needed! Alternatively, you can simply unwind and enjoy the serene views as you glide across the IJsselmeer. A delicious lunch will be served on board during the journey. In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Enkhuizen, a historic city with a rich maritime heritage. Known as “the herring city,” it features a charming old harbor and a picturesque town center steeped in history. Dinner is not provided this evening, giving you the freedom to explore local restaurants or prepare a picnic to enjoy in this delightful setting.

Day 6: Enkhuizen – Hoorn | Hoorn – Volendam
In the morning, sail along the IJsselmeer to the historic town of Hoorn, a former Dutch East India Company hub and one of the world’s leading harbors in the 17th century. In the afternoon, cycle to Volendam, a charming fishing village on the shores of Lake IJsselmeer. Along the route, you’ll pass through Edam, famed for its iconic cheese wrapped in red or yellow wax. Once a bustling shipyard and port, Edam became known for its durable cheese, a favorite among sailors who carried it on long voyages to trade for spices and treasures from the East. (14 miles)

Day 7: Volendam – Keukenhof – Amsterdam | Full day bus excursion
Enjoy a scenic bus ride through Holland’s oldest tulip fields to the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens. Known as the ultimate celebration of spring, Keukenhof dazzles with seven million blooming tulips set amidst 80 acres of stunning traditional and modern landscape designs. You’ll also encounter vibrant hyacinths, daffodils, and countless other floral delights. In the afternoon, the bus will return you to Amsterdam, where you can unwind for the evening aboard your floating hotel.

Day 8: Amsterdam
End of your bike and sail Tulip tour, you disembark until 9.30 a.m. after breakfast.

Ships & cabins

Netherlands

Cycling & sailing

SV Wapen fan Fryslân

With a length of 55 meters, the Wapen fan Fryslân is the largest two-masted schooner in the Netherlands. Originally built in 1965 as a cargo ship, she mainly sailed the waters of the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. In 2003, a comprehensive refit of the ship began, transforming it into an elegant sailing passenger ship. Today, the ship offers its guests numerous leisure options and creates an atmosphere that seduces with a touch of luxurious comfort. The Wapen fan Fryslân regularly sails the Wadden Sea Tour.

Click here for the detailed Wapen fan Fryslân ship page

On the lower deck of the Wapen van Fryslân you'll find a spacious lounge restaurant that offers a luxurious atmosphere with versatile seating. From the spacious wheelhouse you enter a cozy and stylish bar with a comfortable lounge. The panoramic windows offer breathtaking views of the water. Wi-Fi is available everywhere. On the aft deck there is an outdoor café with a beer tap and a hot tub, while the middle deck offers various seating areas perfect for enjoying an al fresco meal and admiring the beautiful scenery while sailing.

Cabins

On the lower deck, the Wapen fan Fryslân offers 12 identical twin cabins (8.5 m² / 91 sq. ft.), each furnished with two separate single beds that can be joined together, as well as a fold-out bed that can serve as a third bed if required. Each cabin is equipped with its own bathroom, featuring a shower, toilet, and washbasin.
All cabins have ventilation, central heating, and two portholes, one of which can be opened. Additionally, a mini safe is provided in each cabin.

SV Leafde fan Fryslân

The magnificent sailing ship Leafde fan Fryslân embarked on her maiden voyage for sailing and cycling tours in spring 2018.
In the winter of 2023-24, the ship underwent a remarkable conversion: it was split in half and extended by an additional 14-meter section. A fourth mast was also added, making the Leafde fan Fryslân the only Dutch  four-masted schooner.
The interior of the ship exudes refined luxury and offers its guests an exceptional experience. The Leafde fan Fryslân offers guided sailing and cycling tours during the tulip season, the premium tour Islandhopping Netherlands and non-guided tours of the Frisian Wadden Sea during the summer months.

Click here for the detailed Leafde fan Fryslân ship page

On the lower deck you will find the nautical-style restaurant, where you will be served carefully prepared, sumptuous meals. In the wheelhouse on the upper deck, a cozy lounge with large panoramic windows, a well-equipped seating area, a TV and a well-stocked bar invites you to relax. Here and during nice weather on deck, where you can also sit or enjoy the jacuzzi, you have the best view over the water. Wi-Fi is available.

Cabins

The Leafde fan Fryslân has 16 well-equipped cabins on the lower deck:

  • Twelve twin cabins (10 m²).
  • One smaller twin cabin (9 m²) with two single beds or one double bed.
  • One junior suite (12 m²) with two single beds twith two single beds or one double bed and a small sitting area and two single cabins (7 m²).
  • Two of the twin cabins can be booked as triple cabins (the third bed as a bunk bed).

On the upper deck there are 4 splendid suites (18 m²) with two separate beds next to each other as hotel beds (200 x 160 cm), a cozy sitting area, a TV, a double glass door and a small private balcony.

All cabins/suites have their own bathroom with shower, toilet and sink, air conditioning, hairdryer, mini-safe and 230-volt socket. The cabins have portholes and/or a hatch that can be opened.

SV Wapen fan Fryslân

The Mare fan Fryslân was originally built in 1960 as a cargo ship and was extensively rebuilt and renovated in 2006.
Since 2007, she has been an extremely comfortable and elegant three-masted schooner that enriches the Dutch waters. The sails can be operated both manually and electrically, combining traditional seafaring with modern technology. 

The Mare fan Fryslân is specially designed for the popular tours in the Wadden Sea.

Click here for the detailed Mare fan Fryslân ship page

The lower deck of the Mare fan Fryslân houses a cozy, wood-panelled saloon/restaurant area with a stylish atmosphere. From there you can access the wheelhouse on the upper deck, which has a spacious seating area, a well-equipped bar, a music and video system and a TV. You can enjoy a wonderful view of the water through the large windows around the room. Wi-Fi is available. The wooden outdoor deck offers plenty of seating, a steering position, an outdoor bar with a beer tap and barbecue as well as a whirlpool. There is also space for bicycles. When the weather is fine, you can relax here and enjoy the view to the full during the trip.

Cabins

There are 14 comfortable cabins on the lower deck:

  • Twelve two-person cabins (9 M²) with two separate beds that can be pushed together.
  • One junior suite (11 m²) with two separate beds that can be pushed together and a small sitting area.
  • One single cabin (6 M²).

In all twin cabins, an additional folding bed can be provided on request. Each cabin is equipped with a shower, WC and washbasin. In addition, all cabins have ventilation, heating and portholes that can be opened. A hairdryer and mini safe are also available in each cabin.

FAQ & Services

Netherlands

Cycling & sailing

The crew on the Mare fan Fryslân and Wapen fan Fryslân consists of 4 people each: the captain, a sailor, a cook and the on-board service. All of them speak German, Dutch and English and will be happy to help you at any time with questions about the ship, bike tours and other practical matters.

The crew on the Leafde fan Fryslân and Wapen fan Fryslân consists of 5 people.

  • 8 days/7 nights  
  • 7 x breakfast, 5 x packed lunches for bike tours, 1 x three-course dinner on board
  • 6 x 3-course dinner on board & 1 x picnic meal
  • Coffee and tea on board, welcome drink  
  • Use of bed linen and towels  
  • Cabin cleaning 1x per day  
  • Daily program briefings by the crew  
  • Fully guided bike tours, some short walking tours, full day bus excursion including Keukenhof Gardens
  • Maps and GPS tracks  
  • Use of a waterproof bag for you bike
  • Biodegradable water bottle  
  • Wifi
  • The CO2 emitted during this trip is offset by the non-profit organization Justdiggit.
  • Drinks
  • Bike or e-bike rental, helmet rental, bike space rental if you bring your own bike
  • Personal insurance, bike insurance
  • Tips (at own discretion)
  • Entrance fees & excursions
  • Fees for ferries
  • Transfers to/from the landing stage Parking fees
     

On board the Mare van Fryslân and Leafde van Fryslân, most crew members and tour guides speak German and English, some speak Dutch, Italian or French. The daily route briefings are held in German and English.

The ships are equipped with Wi-Fi and you will receive a free data package every day. If you need more data, you can purchase additional packages online. Please note that the Wi-Fi is operated via a mobile network and may be slower than the fixed network you are used to at home.
 


If you are dissatisfied with the service on board, please inform the crew immediately, do not wait until the end of the trip. This will give them the opportunity to improve the service. However, if you are completely satisfied, you are welcome to show this with a tip. The amount is at your discretion.
 

Smoking is not permitted on board due to legal safety regulations. All passenger areas on the ship are non-smoking areas.
 


Individual bike tours are offered. You will receive a detailed cycling map and we will suggest a route for you. You can decide for yourself which route you want to take and at what pace you want to explore the surroundings, there is no tour guide and you can also skip tours. Every evening, the crew will explain the next day's route and give you helpful tips. In an emergency, you can contact the ship by telephone at any time and the crew will help you solve your problem.
 

The bike tours on most cycle and boat trips are easy, as the landscape is very flat. This means that the routes are also suitable for less fit people. The daily distances are between 25 and 60 km, although on some days there are options to extend or shorten the tours. If you simply want to relax for a day in between, make yourself comfortable on board.

For trips with higher fitness requirements, the route lengths are adjusted accordingly. You will find more detailed information in the respective tour descriptions.

For individual cycle tours, you will receive information material and maps for the daily cycle tours, which will be explained in advance by the on-board tour guide. 

Your ship usually docks in or near the center of your destination so that you can take a stroll through the city in the evening.
 

In the morning there is a rich cyclists' breakfast, usually in buffet form. Here you can put together a packed lunch consisting of sandwiches, fruit, a snack and a drink. After breakfast or after a stage by boat, you go ashore and start your cycle tour. The daily routes are planned so that there is enough time for sightseeing and breaks.
In the afternoon or evening, you rejoin the ship at an agreed meeting point and are welcomed on board with coffee and tea. In the evening, the chef serves a three-course meal or a buffet. Drinks are available at the ship's bar.
 


The bikes on board are unisex city bikes with a low entry and an upright and comfortable seating position:

  • lightweight aluminum frame,
  • responsive Shimano roller brakes (hand brakes),
  • Shimano 7-speed gears, adjustable Selle Royal gel saddle,
  • easy-to-operate frame lock
  • Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tires.

All this makes it a light, stable and reliable bike. There are three different frame sizes, please let us know your height when booking. Each rental bike has a removable pannier, an air pump and a repair kit on board, the use of which is included in the rental price.

E-bikes:
It is important that you are a safe cyclist and know how an electric bike works before you start your bike tour. The e-bike is an Azor Steps equipped with Nexus 7-speed gears and hand brakes. The Shimano crank motor (400 WH) offers 4 levels of assistance. The e-bikes have a comfortable gel saddle and a frame lock (or comparable brand / similar model).
 

Services included:

  • Cycling and sailing trip 8 days/7 nights  
  • 7 x breakfast, 5 x packed lunches for bike tours, 1 x three-course lunch on board
  • 6 x 3-course dinner on board & 1 x picnic meal
  • Coffee and tea on board, welcome drink  
  • Use of bed linen and towels  
  • Cabin cleaning 1x per day  
  • Daily program briefings by the crew  
  • Fully guided bike tours, some short walking tours, full day bus excursion including Keukenhof Gardens
  • Maps and GPS tracks  
  • Use of a waterproof pannier bag  
  • Biodegradable water bottle  
  • Wifi
  • The CO2 emitted during this trip is offset by the non-profit organization Justdiggit.

Not included are the arrival and departure to an from Amsterdam or Zaanse Schans, travel insurance, additional drinks on board and entrance fees.
Rental e-bike: 245€ per week (only a limited number of e-bikes available; therefore only on prior request/booking)Helmets: You can rent a helmet for 10€ per week, but only if reserved and paid for at the time of booking.
Limitation of liability (damage) Rental bike 14€/week (only bookable in advance)
Limitation of liability (damage) rental e-bike 28€/week (only bookable in advance)
Parking space for own bike: 14€/trip (only a limited number of parking spaces available, therefore only on prior request/booking)
Parking space + charging station own e-bike: 28€/trip (only a limited number of parking spaces available, therefore only on prior request/booking)

Arrival
Take the train to Amsterdam Centraal (central station). From there the berth is close. Car drivers can park their vehicle in the Oosterdok parking garage near the station (€37.50 for 24 hrs - as of August 2022). Exclusively for cars up to 2.10 meters high. Reservation not possible. Alternative: AMSTERPARK, guarded parking by prior reservation for 150 € per week incl. pick-up service. Your car will be driven by a chauffeur from the ship to the parking garage and back to the ship on the day of departure. Detailed information will be received with the travel information.

Embarkation is at Pontsteiger Amsterdam or Zaanse Schans from 1 pm, disembarkation is also there at 9:30 am.

The rental bikes on the boat are mainly unisex touring or trekking bikes with a normal 28 mm frame (ladies' models e.g. from Gazelle Chamonix and Velo de Ville C100), 7-speed hub gears with hand brakes and panniers.

The e-bikes are from the Velo de Ville CEB 200 brand, have 4 levels of assistance, hand brakes (no coaster brake), 7-speed gears and a range of approx. 60-65 km with a normal riding style.

General notes
The minimum number of participants on the trip is 18. The cycling tours are undertaken at your own risk. Routes are subject to change. The bike routes are on paved bike paths, over dikes, farm roads and along secondary roads with little traffic. Generally, the terrain is flat, with slight inclines only in the area of dikes as well as bridges. The total distance of the bike tour is 212 km. 

The bike tours are individual - and not guided - tours. It is possible to join the tour guide, if she is cycling with you, or to form a group with fellow travelers. During sightseeing tours, explanations are generally given in Dutch, German and English. German is also spoken in the clog workshop mentioned above.
Each traveler gets their personal bike according to their height.

Cancellation fees are calculated as follows:

- In case of cancellation after conclusion of the agreement, but longer than (exclusive) the 84th calendar day
 before the day of start of the package travel: 20% of the travel sum;
- In case of cancellation between the 84th (inclusive) calendar day until (exclusive) the 42nd calendar day
 before the day of start of the package travel: 30% of the travel sum;
- In case of cancellation between the 42nd (inclusive) calendar day until (exclusive) the 28th calendar day
 before the day of start of the package travel: 60% of the travel sum;
- In case of cancellation between the 28th (inclusive) calendar day until (inclusive) the last calendar day
 before the day of start of the package travel: 90% of the travel sum;
- In case of cancellation on the day of start of the package travel or later (incl. “no-show”): the full travel sum.

In this context, the travel sum is defined as the price published by or on behalf of the organiser, excluding reservation
costs and insurance premiums.

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