Daily itinerary for the self guided Northern Netherlands route

Day 1: Individual arrival at Enkhuizen

Check-in on board in the afternoon. Perhaps you take a first short walk through the pretty harbor town with its charming old town.

Day 2: Cycling from Enkhuizen and back, 28 – 36 km / 17 – 22 miles

Today you will discover the pretty harbor town on the banks of the IJsselmeer and its beautiful surroundings. The rich history of the city can still be felt during a walk through the old town with its numerous villas, canals, churches, city walls and ports. Tip: You should visit the Zuiderzee museum.

If you would like to make a day trip to Amsterdam: The Enkhuizen train station is within walking distance of the berth. There are train connections to Amsterdam and back every 30 minutes. Journey time approx. 1 h (ticket not incl.)

Day 3: Enkhuizen to Lemmer – Cycling from Lemmer and back, 32 – 42 km / 20 – 26 miles

Today you are shipping over the IJsselmeer to Lemmer. You are starting your roundtrip by bike: over the Oosterzee Buren to the Tjeukemeer, further to Munnekeburen, then around the Rottige Meente over Scherpenzel and Schoterzijl back to Lemmer with its historical old part of town and beautiful gable houses. Tip: Visit of the largest still-functioning steam pumping station in the world, “Woudagemaal”.

Day 4: Lemmer to Stavoren 33 – 48 km /21 – 30 miles – Sailing from Stavoren to Oudeschild Island of Texel

You are going by bike to Sondeler Leien Lake, from there through the woods of Rijsterbos passing the Mokkebank (a birds’ reservation) to the Roode Klif at Stavoren. From there you are shipping to Oudeschild on the Island of Texel.

Day 5: Island of Texel – Cycle tour from Oudeschild and back,  31 – 49 km / 19 – 30 miles, Sailing from Oudeschild to Den Helder

You are going on a round trip by bike on the biggest North Sea Island of the Netherlands – Texel. There are numerous alternative routes (29/32/47/70 km). About 6:00 pm shipping back to Den Helder.

Day 6: Den Helder via Sint Maartensvlotbrug to Alkmaar, 27 – 57 km / 17 –  35 miles

In the morning you are cycling through the dunes to Alkmaar. It is possible for you to go on board MS SERENA in St. Maartensvlotburg and ship the rest of the way to Alkmaar. As an alternative, you can also start your cycling tour in St. Maartensvlotburg.

Day 7: Shipping from Alkmaar to Wormerveer – Cycling from Wormerveer to Hoorn, 55 km / 34 miles

In the morning you start from Wormerveer to the open-air museum Zaanse Schans (windmills, ancient Dutch village, cheese factory, etc). After your visit you will continue in the direction of Volendam. On the way you have the opportunity to visit a cheese dairy in Katwoude. Here you can see how Gouda cheese and the traditional Dutch wooden shoes are made. Via Volendam, known as a traditional fishing village with typical authentic cottages, you cycle to Hoorn. For a short visit of the historic old town with its many buildings from the 17th century (e.g. the harbour tower as well as the storage houses at the old quai) you should take some time.

Day 8 Saturday: Shipping to Enkhuizen. End of tour or extention.

Early in the morning shipping to Enkhuizen. Checkout until 9:00 am and we are saying goodbye – have a safe journey.

MS Serena barge

A comfortable river boat with nice saloon, bar and restaurant (air-conditioned).  Partly roofed sun deck with seats and storage for bikes. Length 90 m, breadth 9,90 m, maximum space for 99 guests, Dutch flag and captaincy. 33 cabins on main deck and 18 cabins on promenade deck.

TECHNICAL INFOS:

• Beds: 99
• Cabinsize: 6 – 12 m²
• Crew: 10
• Length: 90 m
• Width: 9,90m
• Draught: 1,70 m
• Launched: 1935 renovated in 2011

THE CABINS

The cabins are equipped with shower/WC, TV, window and ventilation system. 33 cabins on main deck and 18 cabins on promenade deck accommodate in total 99 beds. The twin-bedded cabins on both decks are equipped with two separate beds and have a size of 8 – 9 sqm. The two junior suites on the main deck are equipped with a queen-size bed (grand lit, 1, 40 x 2 m) and have a size of 12 sqm.

THE DECKS

 Partly roofed sun deck with seats and storage for bikes

LANGUAGES ON BOARD

German, English

Season A
Every Saturday from April 15th to 29th and September 9th and 16th

Season B
Every Saturday from May 6th to September 2nd