Tour Around Ijssel Lake

Day to day itinerary of the boat & bike trip

Day 1 Saturday: Amsterdam – Individual arrival – Monnickendam or Volendam 10km / 6 miles warm-up cycle 😉

Your week of sailing and cycling starts in Amsterdam. The crew welcomes you on board between 13:00 and 14:00. 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.

Day 2: Monnickendam/Volendam – Volendam – Hoorn 51 km/31 miles

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, then onto 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. After dinner, let the historical city center lure you out for a walk. Later in the evening, the ship sails to Hoorn.

Day 3: Hoorn – Enkhuizen 39 km / 24 miles

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 producing 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.

Day 4: Enkhuizen – Stavoren | Stavoren loop  37 km / 23 miles

Weather permitting, we sail across the IJsselmeer to the port of Stavoren in Friesland. On board, 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 and bird life. Upon arrival a bike tour is planned that first takes you to Hindeloopen, a picturesque and lively fishing village. From there you go to Workum, home to the Jopie Huisman Museum. This museum is dedicated to the work and life of the Frisian realist painter Jopie Huisman, whose work is very much loved by the Dutch.

Day 5: Stavoren – Lemmer  40 km / 25 miles

Following the dike along the IJsselmeer to Gaasterland, renowned for its sandy heights that are over 32.8 feet (10 meters) high. The name Gaasterland derives from gaasten, the Frisian word for these elliptically shaped heights. They were formed during the Ice Age, when boulder clay from Scandinavia was deposited on this terrain. Leaving the dike, you enter the Rijsterbos, a 300-year-old forest. Through this wooded area you ride to the town of Balk and along the tree-lined river Luts, that flows through the center of town. Shortly afterward, you’ll arrive at the fortress city of Sloten. With less than 800 inhabitants, it is one of the smallest cities in The Netherlands. The last stretch of today’s tour brings you to the fishing port of Lemmer, where the ship moors for the night. Dinner will be served on board. An after dinner stroll into town is definitely worth your while.

Day 6: Lemmer – Zwartsluis 51 km / 32 miles

From Lemmer, cycle paths through open polder countryside and a forested area lead you to the small town of Ossenzijl. 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.  Your morning ride ends with lunch in Kalenberg, a village that till the fifties of the last century could be reached only by boat. Once out of the park, the extremely pretty town of Blokzijl invites you to stop and take a good look around. A twisting route through an agricultural landscape of narrow strip fields surrounded by dikes takes you first to the town of Sint-Jansklooster and subsequently to the small city of Zwartsluis.

Day 7: Zwartsluis – Lelystad | Lelystad – Blocq van Kuffeler 39 km / 24 miles Blocq van Kuffeler – Amsterdam

The day starts with approximately four hours of sailing to Lelystad, capital of the province of Flevoland that was entirely reclaimed from the sea.. 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.

Day 8: Amsterdam – End of trip or extension

Your tour ends today with a nice breakfast. Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.

WAPEN FAN FRYSLÂN

At 55m long, the WAPEN FAN FRYSLÂN is the largest two-master schooner on the Dutch waterways. Originally launched as a freight ship, used throughout the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.  On board of this marvellous ship you will immediately notice its warm atmosphere. On deck there is a large pilothouse with a cosy and stylish bar and seating area. The panorama windows offer a perfect all around view of the water.

TECHNICAL INFOS:

Launched: 1965 (a sailing passenger ship since 2003 refit)
Length: 55 m
Wide: 7.2 m

THE CABINS

The 12  rooms are 10m² with two 90x200cm beds equipped with shower/WC.

THE DECKS

The aft-deck has a bar with draught beer taps and a Jacuzzi and on the middle deck there are various sitting areas. There is room to enjoy a lovely meal outdoors.

THE DINER

The large salon/restaurant, is characterised by its cosy appearance and flexible furnishing.

LANGUAGES ON BOARD

German, English, Dutch

LEAFDE FAN FRYSLÂN

The Leafde fan Fryslan is a luxurious three-masted barquentine  and can comfortably carry 25 (maximum 30) guests with a sail surface of 760 m² (approx. 2,500 sq.ft.). The best views over the water are available from the stern deck, where you can also have a seat when the weather is nice.

TECHNICAL INFOS:

Refitted : 2017/2018
Length: 48 m
Wide: 7.2 m

THE CABINS

The ship has 12 (10m²) well-appointed twin cabins with two separate beds, and one single cabin. All cabins have an en-suite bathroom with shower, basin and toilet. 8 double-cabins offer fold-away beds for a third occupant and 4 purely double occupancy.

THE DECKS

The wheelhouse is equipped with a well-appointed seating area and the best views over the water are available here and on deck.

THE DINER

The interior of this luxury ship can best be described as refined. Sumptuous meals are carefully prepared in the restaurant and the ship’s full-service, cosy bar is fully stocked.

LANGUAGES ON BOARD

German, English, Dutch

Dates and Prices 2020

This vacation is available from May 9 – June 13 [May 30, June 6] and July 4 – 25. Dates listed in black are open for booking. If marked in red they’re fully booked, in blue there are 2 or fewer bookings available. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions, we’re happy to answer any queries you may have.

Prices shown for all dates except May 9, which carries a discount of about 100€.