Day 1 Saturday: Amsterdam – Individual arrival – Monnickendam or Volendam

Your week of sailing and cycling starts in Amsterdam. The crew welcomes you on board around 2 p.m. 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, you can take a nice stroll through the historic center after dinner.

On the arrival day, you can leave your luggage on board the ship from 11.00 am.

Day 2: Monnickendam/Volendam – Volendam – Hoorn 32 km/19 miles or 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 – Urk 28 km / 17 miles or 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 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. 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 bird life. 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.

Day 4: Urk – Vollenhoven 37 km / 23 miles

After breakfast the ship will bring you to the “new land”. From Schokkerhaven your bicycle tour through the polder begins. Cycle 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.

Day 5: Vollenhoven – Giethoorn 37 km / 22 miles or 49 km / 30 miles

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 center of the park takes you far away from roads, immersing you in the tranquility 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”.

Day 6: 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. The captain sails the ship out of the narrow channels toward open water. Early afternoon the Elizabeth will arrive in Lelystad, capital of the province of Flevoland that was entirely reclaimed from the sea. After docking, you’ll enjoy a real captain’s dinner.

Day 7: Lelystad – Blocq van Kuffeler – Amsterdam 20 km / 12 miles or 29 km / 18 miles

In the morning you can 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 center with all the famous brands.

After these optional visits you depart for your last half day of cycling. 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.

Sailing boat Elizabeth

The impressive clipper Elizabeth was built in 1913 and has been converted into a passenger sailing vessel. Great attention was paid to retaining the original features of the characteristic Dutch flat bottom boat. There is a large salon with a sitting area, a restaurant section and a bar. The 10 cabins are neat, clean and quite spacious, and they all have a private bathroom. Some of the cabins can be booked as a three-bed or four-bed cabin (the 3^rd and 4^th beds are bunks). On sailing days it’s really great to be outside – nose in the wind and your eyes on the horizon.

The stylish and beautifully appointed three-mast clipper Elizabeth was built in 1913 and boasts a plush interior design. During the painstaking renovation to become a modern passenger sailing vessel great attention was paid to retaining the original features of the characteristic Dutch flat bottom boat and creating a comfortable atmosphere. The impressive clipper Elizabeth is a very popular sailing vessel on the IJsselmeer tour.

TECHNICAL INFOS:

Length: 41 m (135 ft.)
Width: 7 m (22 ft.)
Sail surface: 445 m²
Crew: 4
Cabins: 10
Pass.: 32 (max.)

THE CABINS

The Elizabeth 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 shower, toilet and basin. All cabins have central heating and a window that can be opened.

LANGUAGES ON BOARD

German, English, Dutch

Departures on the following Saturdays:
June 10, 17 and 24
July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
August 5, 12, 19 and 26
Sept. 2 and 9

15% reduction for kids up to incl. 15 yrs old, only applicable when staying in the cabin with 2 adults ( triple or quadruple cabin)

Season B = Sept. 9
Season A = All other dates