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Holland IJsselmeer lake classic old ship Sail & Bike Tour (E)
Does it get any better than this? Combine a week of sailing and living onboard a classic clipper built-in 1913 on Holland’s lake IJsselmeer with cycling touring to a long list of historic towns and villages. There really is no better way for anyone interested in sailing and cycling to explore what is a truly historic, beautiful and fascinating part of the world!
Your exciting tour of discovery on a stylish and beautifully appointed sailing clipper starts and finishes in Amsterdam and takes you along large sections of the IJsselmeer coast over the course of a week of sailing and cycling. Lake IJsselmeer was created in 1933 when the 32km long “Afsluitdijk” (Enclosure dike) was constructed as part of the larger Zuiderzee land reclamation project. The construction of the Afsluitdijk across the Zuiderzee (a saltwater inlet of the North Sea) resulted in the saltwater inlet becoming the freshwater lake IJsselmeer. Today the many historic towns and the villages on the IJsselmeer are testament to a time when ships from the Dutch East India Company sailed from here to source their precious cargos of spices from across the seas. The entire region is crisscrossed by excellent cycle paths that you can pedal along to discover the charm of towns such as Monnickendam, Hoorn and Enkhuizen.
On the eastern shore of the IJsselmeer you will visit the provinces of Friesland and Flevoland and the former islands of Urk and Schokland. On the final day of your tour, wind and weather permitting, you will experience the thrill of sailing under full sail as you return to Amsterdam where you will have plenty of time to enjoy a last evening exploring the beautiful and exciting capital of The Netherlands.
The sailing ship 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 a shower, toilet and basin. All cabins have central heating and a window that can be opened. On the lower deck, the ship offers a large lounge with a snug seating corner, dining area and a bar. Wi-Fi is available. On the upper deck offers a beautiful sundeck with benches and tables where you can relax on nice evenings and enjoy the scenery while sailing
A little bit of adventure is a part of every Sail & Bike tour: the departure and arrival day and the location – Enkhuizen – are a certainty, 100%. For the rest, the planned daily sailing routes are partially dependent on the strength and direction of the winds and – on the Wadden Sea – high and low tide. The skipper decides the best route to be taken day by day, and discusses the options with his guests. The crew does everything in its power to enable the program to run according to plan and to offer you as fascinating, varied and active a week as possible, in which nature and culture play a major part. It is, however, also possible that departure times and the time spent on the water – and even the program itself – may be adjusted. Enjoy the ride and let yourself be led by the elements! Whenever possible, various passages will be undertaken fully rigged and anyone who would like to help the crew to sail and steer the boat is welcome to do so. This is of course absolutely up to you and no sailing experience is necessary.
If you would like to rent a bike (91 EUR), e-bike (245 EUR) or helmet (10 EUR), please contact our office when you book: [email protected]
Slow Tours offers other Sail & Bike tours in Europe
Amsterdam – Monnickendam / Volendam
Your week of sailing and cycling starts in Amsterdam. The crew welcomes you on board around 2pm. Once all guests have checked in, the ship sails under motor to Monnickendam or Volendam. From the port of one of these former fishing villages, a short warm-up ride leads you through the rural nature reserve of Waterland with its many villages.
Monnickendam / Volendam | Volendam – Hoorn 32 km or 51km
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 pedalling along the dikes to Purmerend, in the heart of a polder named De Beemster, 11½ feet (3.5 metres) below sea level. It was created more than 400 years ago, when the Dutch transformed an inland lake into pasture land. 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. This practical solution keeps the cheese fresh for a long time, so 17th-century sailors could take it on their voyages or trade it for spices and other riches of the East. Via the main dike of the IJsselmeer, you arrive at the promenade of Volendam, where the ship is docked. Later in the afternoon, the ship sails to Hoorn.
Hoorn – Enkhuizen | Enkhuizen – Urk 28km or 39km
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. The area is also known for its many greenhouses, where vegetables are grown. 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. Onboard, you can help the captain sail the ship if you wish. Or you can simply sit back on deck and enjoy the invigorating journey, while keeping watch for marine birdlife. 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.
Urk – Vollenhove 37km
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.
Vollenhove – Giethoorn 37km or 49km
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 centre of the park takes you far away from roads, immersing you in the tranquillity 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 lovely town of Giethoorn, known as “small Venice of the North”.
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 centre with all the famous brands.
Lelystad – Blocq van Kuffeler | Blocq van Kuffeler – Amsterdam 20km or 29km
In the morning you’ll disembark for your last half-day of cycling. You’ll ride through the Oostvaardersplasse — 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 bird watchers’ paradise. The ship picks you up in the small harbour of Oostvaardersdiep for the return voyage to Amsterdam. Celebrate this marvellous week around the IJsselmeer while having a farewell dinner aboard the ship.
Amsterdam
Your tour ends today with a nice breakfast. Disembarkation afterwards until 9.30 a.m
The planned itinerary is subject to change due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons and other unforeseen circumstances. If there is low or high water and a route cannot be shipped, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety (this cannot be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal).
Tours marked with are special prices.
| Start | End | Max. No. Guests | Accommodation | Price p.p. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 07 2025 | Jun 14 2025 | 24 | Single rooms | 1,979€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,319€ | |||||
| Jun 14 2025 | Jun 21 2025 | 24 | Single rooms | 1,979€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,319€ | |||||
| Jun 21 2025 | Jun 28 2025 | 24 | Single rooms | 1,979€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,319€ | |||||
| Jun 28 2025 | Jul 05 2025 | 24 | Single rooms | 1,979€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,319€ | |||||
| Jul 05 2025 | Jul 12 2025 | 24 | Single rooms | 1,979€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,319€ | |||||
| Jul 12 2025 | Jul 19 2025 | 24 | Single rooms | 1,979€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,319€ | |||||
| Jul 19 2025 | Jul 26 2025 | 24 | Single rooms | 1,979€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,319€ | |||||
| Jul 26 2025 | Aug 02 2025 | 24 | Single rooms | 1,979€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,319€ | |||||
| Aug 02 2025 | Aug 09 2025 | 24 | Single rooms | 1,979€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,319€ | |||||
| Aug 09 2025 | Aug 16 2025 | 24 | Single rooms | 1,979€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,319€ | |||||
| Aug 30 2025 | Sep 06 2025 | 24 | Single rooms | 1,979€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,319€ | |||||
| Sep 06 2025 | Sep 13 2025 | 24 | Single rooms | 1,979€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,319€ | |||||
| Sep 13 2025 | Sep 20 2025 | 24 | Single rooms | 1,799€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,199€ | |||||
| Sep 20 2025 | Sep 27 2025 | 24 | Single rooms | 1,799€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,199€ |
If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.
Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote
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