Route from Zaandam / to Amsterdam Duration 8 days /7 nights Distance approx.175 km Level 1 - 2 Level 1 Easy cycling tours suitable for islandhoppers who are confident on their bikes but prefer riding on flatter terrain (15-30km and 200 elevation meters per day). Level 1 - 2 Easy to moderate cycling tours through hilly terrain suitable for islandhoppers who have a good basic level of fitness (20-35km and up to 200-400 elevation meters per day). Level 2 Moderate cycling tours through hilly terrain suitable for islandhoppers who cycle regularly and feel comfortable with longer climbs (25-40km and 300-500 elevation meters per day). Level 2 -3 Moderate to demanding cycling tours through hilly to mountainous terrain suitable for islandhoppers who like a challenge (30-50km and 400-700 elevation meters per day). Level 3 Demanding cycling tours through hilly and mountainous terrain suitable for islandhoppers who can take on steeper climbs (30-60km and 400-800 elevation meter per day). Share via ... E-Mail Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Copy Link
Colourful tulip fields, beaches, and picturesque harbour towns of the Ijsselmeer Experience springtime at its most colourful in Holland. Explore Dutch landscapes by bike and from the water by sailing ship on our Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour. Breath in the wonderful smell of tulips as we cycle through the countryside and feel the sea breeze as we sail across the Wadden Sea and the Ijsselmeer while enjoying the comfort and camaraderie on board the beautiful sailing ship. During this enchanting Sail & Bike tour, we discover the famous Keukenhof Gardens, known for its hundreds of thousands of blooming tulips, but we also visit historical cities such as Alkmaar and Enkhuizen, true gems yet undiscovered by mass tourism. As we sail across the Ijsselmeer to Enkhuizen and Hoorn, you are welcome to lend a hand with navigation and hoisting the sails under the instruction of the experienced crew. Book Now Highlights Nature: a visit to the most beautiful bulb park in the world – the Kaukenhof Garden Culture: immerse yourself in Dutch history in the open air museum of Zaanse Schans Activity: aside from cycling, take part in hoisting the sails on board a traditional sailing ship Culinary: Poffertjes and Stroopwafel are "lekker" dutch specialities Souvenir: Dutch cheese and Appelstroop
Itinerary Accommodation Rental Bikes Dates & Prices Journey Things to note Itinerary Zaanse Schans - Amsterdam Amsterdam - Zaanse Schans image/svg+xml Texel Vlıeland Terschellıng Ameland MARKERMEER IJSSELMEER WADDENZEE Noord - Holland Flevoland Noorderhaaks Friesland Den Oever Medemblik Enkhuizen Amsterdam Hoorn Keukenhof Alkmaar Zaanse Schans Den Helder Oudeschild Volendam Edam Zaandam St. Maartensvlotbrug LelystadAirport (LEY) AmsterdamAirport (AMS) LelystadAirport (LEY) AmsterdamAirport (AMS) UnitedKingdom France Germany Belgium Luxembourg Nether-lands United Kingdom France Germany Belgium Luxembourg Netherlands 1st Day Zaanse Schans - Alkmaar You are welcome to check in between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., where your crew will welcome with coffee and tea. The ship is docked next to the Zaanse Schans, a unique hamletyou hamletwhere people live and work alongside original houses and windmills built next to thewhere theriver Zaan. This tiny village is dominated by its operating windmills — the oldest ofriver ofwhich was built in 1673 — and these were used for grinding mustard seeds, spices, andwhich andpaint components; extracting plant oil; and for sawing wood into planks. 2nd Day Alkmaar – Alkmaar( 33km/20mi. or 40 km /25 mi) Today you can discover the beautiful North-Holland Dune reserve. This is a a5.300 hectare large forest- and dune area with its unique landscapes. In these dunes the5.300 thedrinking water for almost the whole province of North-Holland is gained. After a visit todrinking tothe beach and artists village Bergen you will return to Alkmaar where you can visit thethe thewonderful city center. 3rd Day Alkmaar – Den Helder(aprx. 19 or 33 mi./30 or 53 km) Today we head out on a cycle tour through the north of Alkmaar and past the most beautiful tulip fields on the way up to the North Sea. The sandy beach here is one of the most wonderful beaches to walk along in the entire country, the perfect spot to feel the wind in your hair or simply to enjoy the view. Close by, and certainly worth a visit, is the artist’s village of Bergen. Afterwards, we cycle on through the North-Holland Dune reserve to Den Helder. This piece of land wedged between the North Sea and the Ijsselmeer boasts the world’s biggest single flowering bulb field. To describe it in one word: spectacular! 4th Day Den Helder – Wadden island of Texel(aprx. 26 – 29 mi./43 – 48 km) During breakfast, the ship sails to the island of Texel, the largest of the Dutch Wadden Isles. Today there is a choice between a shorter or a longer tour around the island. As we cycle through delightful natural parks, we find more fields of blooming flowers! The signposts lead us through picturesque villages and beautiful landscapes to the “Ecomare” seal sanctuary. At the end of the cycling tour, there is time to enjoy a locally brewed and well-deserved beer during our visit to a small brewery near Oudeschild. 5th Day Oudeschild - Enkhuizen(Sailing day) Today there is a full day of sailing and relaxing on board to look forward to as we set sail towards Enkhuizen. You are welcome to lend a hand with navigation and the hoisting of the sails. Absolutely no previous sailing experience is required. Otherwise feel free to simply sit back on deck, relax and enjoy the scenery as we sail through the Ijsselmeer. During the crossing we enjoy a delicious lunch on board. In the afternoon, we arrive in Enkhuizen, an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. Here there is plenty of time to explore “the herring city”, which boasts a beautiful old harbour and an old town brimming with history. No dinner is served this evening, allowing you to explore the city and choose where you would like to eat whether that be a picnic meal or one of the wonderful restaurants. 6th Day Enkhuizen – Hoorn / Hoorn – Volendam (aprx. 20 mi./28 km) In the morning, the ship sails along the coast of the Ijsselmeer to the former Dutch East India Company town of Hoorn, which was one of the world’s leading harbours during the 17th century. The afternoon ride leads to Volendam, a small, picturesque fishing harbour on the shores of the Ijsselmeer. Along the way, you pass Edam, which is known for its famous red/yellow wax covered Edam cheese. While this charming village is now renowned for cheese, it was once a trading town with a successful ship building industry and a busy port. It is thanks to this that the town’s speciality became one of the most popular chesses in the world: As the cheese doesn’t spoil easily, sailors took wheels of Edam on their voyages, trading it for spices and other riches of the East. 7th Day Volendam – Keukenhof - Amsterdam(Full day bus excursion) Today you enjoy a bus ride through spectacular landscapes, the oldest tulip fields in Holland, and to the Keukenhof Gardens. Once here, there is plenty of time to discover the most beautiful bulb park in the world — Keukenhof is where spring becomes a superlative of itself. The gardens are a kaleidoscope of colour with seven million flowering tulips covering a magnificent 80 acre stretch of land featuring both traditional and modern garden design. Besides the tulips there are various hyacinths, daffodils, and many other bright flowers to enjoy. In the afternoon, the bus takes you back to Amsterdam to spend a peaceful night in your floating hotel. 8th Day Amsterdam(Disembarkation) Your trip ends with a delicious breakfast followed by disembarkation until 9.30 am. Individual trip home or extended stay in Amsterdam. image/svg+xml Texel Vlıeland Terschellıng Ameland MARKERMEER IJSSELMEER WADDENZEE Noord - Holland Flevoland Noorderhaaks Friesland Den Oever Medemblik Enkhuizen Amsterdam Hoorn Keukenhof Alkmaar Zaanse Schans Den Helder Oudeschild Volendam Edam Zaandam St. Maartensvlotbrug Wormerveer LelystadAirport (LEY) AmsterdamAirport (AMS) LelystadAirport (LEY) AmsterdamAirport (AMS) UnitedKingdom France Germany Belgium Luxembourg Nether-lands NETHERLANDS 1st Day Amsterdam (Embarkation) - Volendam You are welcome to check in on board between 1 pm and 2 pm, where your crew will welcome you with coffee and tea. At 2.30 pm, the ship leaves the harbor. While the ship sails to Volendam, your tour leader will stoke your anticipation by telling you about the tour, the cycling and safety procedures. Upon arrival, you will have the option to take a little test ride. After enjoying a delicious dinner on board, the tour leader will take you on a walk through Volendam, a small and picturesque fishing harbor on the shores of the IJsselmeer. 2nd Day Volendam – Hoorn (aprx. 20 mi./28 km) - Enkhuizen On this first cycling day, a tasty breakfast will be followed by a bike tour to Hoorn, the former Dutch East India Company town, which was, in the 17 century, one of the the world’s most important harbors. Along the way, you will pass Edam, which is known for its famous Edam cheese, covered in red or yellow wax. While this adorable village is now renowned for cheese, it was once an industrial shipyard and port. That’s why, in the 17th century, the town’s specialty became one of the most popular cheeses in the world. Sailors took wheels of Edam on their voyages – the cheese doesn’t spoil easily and could be traded for spices and other riches of the East. Later in the afternoon you will join the ship for an afternoon sail to Enkhuizen, an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. You can spend some time exploring here - “the herring city” boasts a beautiful old harbor and an old town full of history. 3rd Day Enkhuizen – Oudeschild (Sailing day) Today your ship will set sail to the harbor of Oudeschild on the island of Texel. You may lend a hand during navigation and hoisting the sails. Previous sailing experience is not at all necessary. Of course, you are also very welcome to just relax and enjoy the sailing and scenery as you navigate the IJsselmeer. While sailing you will enjoy an extensive lunch on board. In the afternoon, the ship will arrive in Oudeschild on the island of Texel, the largest of the Dutch Wadden Isles. No dinner will be served tonight, to enable you to explore the harbor. You can make yourself a picnic meal or try one of the nice restaurants of Oudeschild. 4th Day Oudeschild – Den Helder – Island Texel (29 mi./43 km or 26 mi/48 km) Today you can choose to cycle a shorter route or to take a longer tour around the island. You will cycle through delightful natural parks, and through fields of blooming flowers! The signposts will lead you through picturesque villages and landscapes, and even to the Ecomare seal sanctuary. At the end of your cycling tour, you can enjoy a locally-brewed, well-deserved beer during a visit to the small brewery near Oudeschild.In the late afternoon, the ship will take you back to the mainland, to the port of Den Helder. 5th Day Den Helder – St. Maartensvlotburg – Alkmaar (21 mi./33 km or 31 mi./50 km) The first part of your bike tour leads through the northern part of the province of North Holland. This piece of land wedged between the North Sea and the IJsselmeer boasts the world’s single biggest flowering bulb field. In one word: spectacular! But also closerto Alkmaar you will find the most beautiful tulip fields on your way to the North Sea. The sandy beach here is one of the most wonderful to walk along in the entire Netherlands the perfect spot for feeling the wind in your hair or simply enjoying the view. Close by —and certainly worth a visit — is the artist’s village of Bergen. The ship will be waiting for you in the historical city center of Alkmaar. This town is well known as a Dutch cheese city. As you wander through the streets, you’ll be amazed by the beauty of Alkmaar’s old town, with its well-preserved 17th-century buildings and narrow, winding canals. 6th Day Alkmaar – Keukenhof – Alkmaar(Bus excursion) Today a beautiful bus ride leads you through the oldest tulip fields of Holland to the famous Keukenhof Gardens. You will have plenty of time to discover the most famous bulb park in the world — Keukenhof is the place where spring springs. It features an overwhelming blaze of colors: seven million flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acre setting of traditional and modern garden architecture. You can also admire various hyacinths, daffodils, and many other vibrant flowers. In the afternoon the bus will bring you back to Alkmaar. 7th Day Alkmaar – Zaanse Schans (27 mi./42 km) In the morning, you will bike to Egmond and Limmen and here, again you have the chance to bike through colorful tulip fields. Nearby, you will visit the Hortus Bulborum, a unique garden museum dedicated to the preservation of rare and historic bulbs. More than 4,000 tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other special flowers are planted here. Your next destination is Zaanse Schans, a unique hamlet where people live and work alongside traditional houses and windmills built next to the river Zaan. This tiny village is dominated by its operating windmills — the oldest of which was built in 1673 — and used for grinding mustard seeds, spices, and paint components; extracting plant oils and as sawmills. As you walk through the village, you will see a clock museum, an old-fashioned grocery store, a house with period furniture, a clog maker and a cheese farm. You will find your shipped docked here. 8th Day Zaanse Schans (Disembarkation) Your trip ends with a delicious breakfast followed by disembarkation until 9.30 am. Individual trip home or extended stay in Zaanse Schans or Amsterdam. Accommodation Mare Fan Fryslan (Tall Ships) The Mare fan Fryslan is the epitome of luxury sailing in the Netherlands. Built as a cargo vessel under the name Neptunia, she was later rebuilt as a passenger ship in 2007 and has sailed as a three-mast schooner through Dutch waters with enthusiastic guests on board ever since. Below deck, you will find the saloon with its great atmosphere along with the comfortable guest cabins. The saloon leads to the wheelhouse and bar, which offer a great view over the front deck and passing landscapes. The ships’ deck offers plenty of seating, an outdoor bar and BBQ, the helm stand, a whirlpool and… Read More Leafde Fan Fryslan (Tall Ships) The impressive three-mast barkentine, Leafe fan Fryslan, was originally a freight ship on the Baltic Sea. In 2006, it was converted into a luxury three-mast passenger ship. The luxury vessel hosts comfortable guest cabins and a classy interior. The saloon, in nautical flair, is where the meals are served and beverages can be ordered at the accompanying bar. The on-board library allows guests to browse through a selection of novels, whilst enjoying their favorite drop. The wheelhouse also has a leisurely sofa corner: it is here and on deck that you have the best views over the water. Sailing… Read More Mare Fan Fryslan Leafde Fan Fryslan Rental Bikes Rental bikes Boat Bike Tours The rental bikes on board are unisex bicycles with a low bar and a comfortable upright sitting position. They are locally produced and specially made by the Dutch quality manufacturer Azor. The bikes are equipped with drum brakes and a Shimano hub gear system. A waterproof bike bag is also provided. Watch You-Tube Video for more details:… Read More Touring bikes The touring bikes have a lightweight aluminum frame and are furnished with highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds and a gel seat whose height can be adjusted. Attached to the frame is an easy-to-use lock and the wheels carry puncture-resistant tires.… E-bikes The rental e-bikes have highly-responsive handbrakes and a minimum of seven speeds. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame and special anti-puncture tires.… Taking your own bicycle It is possible to take your own bike or e-bike with you, as long as it doesn’t have mirrors or other elements that stick out. There’s only limited space available on board for guests’ bikes. You can reserve a place for your bike for a small fee. Boat Bike tours is not responsible for damage to your bike or for theft.… rental bikes Touring bikes E-bikes Private bikes Services, Dates & Prices The below calendar lists the basic cruise price per person. The final cruise price depends on cabin type, cabin occupancy and any additional optional services. The prices for additional optional services are listed below the travel calendar. The green checkmark indicates that the trip is secured. Time Period Tour Country Accommodation Route Availability Price from The final price is dependent on the type of cabin, the number of guests staying in the cabin and any additional services booked. April 2025 13.04. Comfirmed departure 13.04. – 20.04. Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour Netherlands Leafde fan Fryslân Zaanse Schans bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger available 1499,00 € To Booking 05.04. Comfirmed departure 05.04. – 12.04. Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour Netherlands Wapen fan Fryslân Zaanse Schans bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger available 1299,00 € To Booking 05.04. Comfirmed departure 05.04. – 12.04. Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour Netherlands Mare fan Fryslân Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Zaanse Schans available 1299,00 € To Booking 12.04. Comfirmed departure 12.04. – 19.04. Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour Netherlands Mare fan Fryslân Zaanse Schans bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger available 1399,00 € To Booking 06.04. Comfirmed departure 06.04. – 13.04. Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour Netherlands Leafde fan Fryslân Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Zaanse Schans available 1299,00 € To Booking 26.04. Comfirmed departure 26.04. – 03.05. Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour Netherlands Mare fan Fryslân Zaanse Schans bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger available 1399,00 € To Booking 20.04. Comfirmed departure 20.04. – 27.04. Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour Netherlands Leafde fan Fryslân Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Zaanse Schans < 3 Cabins left 1499,00 € secure last spots 19.04. Comfirmed departure 19.04. – 26.04. Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour Netherlands Mare fan Fryslân Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Zaanse Schans fully booked - on waiting list 27.04. Comfirmed departure 27.04. – 04.05. Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour Netherlands Leafde fan Fryslân Zaanse Schans bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger fully booked - on waiting list May 2025 03.05. Comfirmed departure 03.05. – 10.05. Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour Netherlands Mare fan Fryslân Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Den Helder available 1399,00 € To Booking
