Lake Ijssel bike and boat tour with children

Itinerary of the barge and bike tour around lake Ijssel for families

Day 1 Saturday: Amsterdam – Lake Ijssel – 10 km/6 miles

From Amsterdam, your boatel sails through the locks to the IJssel Lake. The sailing trip to Hoorn takes approximately 4 hours and you’ll see several traditional sailing ships on the way. In the evening there’s a test ride on your bike in and around Hoorn.

Day 2: Lake Ijssel coastline cycling – 20 km/13 miles

By bike we continue along the coastline of the IJssel Lake. In Enkhuizen you’ll visit the Zuiderzee museum. In this open air museum you will get a nice impression about everyday life in former days in the fisherman’s villages around the old ‘Zuiderzee’. In the afternoon the barge crosses the Ijssel lake to Urk in the province of Flevoland.

Day 3: Sailing to Blokzijl, cycling – 22 km/14 miles and canoe trip in the nature reserve Weeribben

During the barge trip to Blokzijl you can see lots of smaller and bigger boats. In the afternoon we’ll give it a try ourselves: on the program is an adventurous canoe trip through to reedlands of the nature reserve the Weerribben-Wieden. Towards there and from there we go by bike, we sleep in Blokzijl. Here beautiful thatched farms line the water. They were built on islands, as it were, and you can only reach them via small bridges or by crossing the water.

Day 4: Giethoorn – Zwaartsluis – 25 km/16 miles

The area called North-West Overijssel is spotted with little lakes surrounded by reedland and meadows. A visit to the village of Dwarsgracht is one of the highlights of today. Our destination today is the famous water village of Giethoorn, where in old days all transportation used to go by ship. We may recommend the rental of a so-called ‘whisper boat’ and steer it yourself through the canals! We stay overnight in Zwartsluis.

Day 5: Elburg – Harderwijk – 30 km/19 miles

A sailing trip over lakes and canals takes you to the protected fortified town of Elburg. Here you disembark and after a visit you start cycling cross the woodlands of the Veluwe to the hanseatic town of Harderwijk.

Day 6: Day for relax

Today you make your own plans. Ideas for spending the day in Harderwijk are: a visit to attraction park Walibi World, the dolphin show in the Dolfinarium, a day at the beach at the Lake ‘Veluwemeer’, a visit to a swimming pool or shopping in down-town Harderwijk.

Day 7: Sailing trip to Almere-Haven and bike to Muiden – 25 km/16 miles

By barge you head for Almere-Haven, an attractive ‘new’ town. Then by bike to Muiden, Schellingwoude and back to the ship in the centre of Amsterdam. In the evening you may wish to join the guide for a walk through the centre or you may (on your own account) go for a round trip of the Amsterdam canals.

Day 8: Amsterdam – End of bike and barge trip or extension

After breakfast your guide and the crew will say goodbye and your holiday has ended.

Ship Amsterdam

This ship is ideal accommodation for sailing holidays with a large group. At 37m and 5.5 wide she can accommodate a total 36 passengers. A class D economy barge provided with cabins and bunk beds. Shared showers and toilets.The view from the spacious living room is superb, and when weather permits the sun deck offers a well sheltered sitting area. All two person cabins together with two hygienic sanitary sections you find on the lower deck. As an extra the Amsterdam houses a small ships bar, where in the evenings you can enjoy a drink.

Ship Vita Nova

The VITA NOVA, originally named the Tijdgeest and built and launched in 1913. It plied for trade in and around Holland carrying various types of cargos in the winter and pleasure passengers in the summer. The first passengers were members of the Christian church and had to sleep in hammocks slung between the decks. The present owners took over the boat in 1996 and after a major refit it has plied for the pleasure routes ever since. A class D Economy Barge provided with cabins and bunk beds. Shared showers and toilets her 24 cabins can accommodate 45 people.

Ship Amicitia

The Amicitia is a pleasant class D economy barge at 34m long by 5m wide and can accommodate 38 people in 17 cabins. 16 of the cabins have 2 single bunks and 1 cabin has 4 bunks. Each cabin has it’s own wash stand. There are 5 toilets and 5 showers aboard. The fully equipped bar specialises in group entertainment.

What´s included in the bike and barge tour for families?