Daily itinerary for the self guided Northern Netherlands route

Day 1 Saturday: Individual arrival at Amsterdam, Sailing from Amsterdam to Hoorn

Check-in on board in the afternoon. Embarkation at 3 pm. Maybe you will take some time for exploring the city of Amsterdam and a shopping tour. At 5:30 pm MS SERENA will leave Amsterdam for Hoorn with its historical old part of town.

Day 2: Hoorn to Enkhuizen 26 km / 16 miles

Hoorn is an ancient city in which you can still find many buildings dating back to the 17^th century (e.g. the Regentur of Westfriesland – today a museum -, the town’s scales at the Rodesteen, the harbour tower as well as the storage houses at the old quai). Today you are cycling from Hoorn to Enkhuizen. Tip: you should visit the Zuiderzeemuseum.

Day 3: Sailing from Enkhuizen to Lemmer – Cycling from Lemmer and back, 45 km /28 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 km /21 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,  70 km /44 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: Cycling from Den Helder via Sint Maartensvlotbrug to Alkmaar, 55 km /34 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: Sailing from Alkmaar to Wormerveer – Cycle from Wormerveer to Amsterdam 28 km /18 miles

In the morning you have the opportunity to visit the cheese market in Alkmaar (ca. Apr. to Sept). At midday we are shipping to Wormerveer from where you should cycling to the open-air museum Zaanse Schans (windmills, ancient Dutch village, cheese factory, etc.). You are cycling through the recreational area Twiske to Amsterdam. Tip: In the afternoon you should take part in a “Grachtenrundfahrt” (shipping on the channels of Amsterdam in small boats).

Day 8 Saturday: Departure from Amsterdam – End of the boat and bike trip

After breakfast checkout until 9:00 am and we are saying goodbye – have a safe journey.

MS Serena barge

FACILITIES

A comfortable river boat with nice saloon, bar, restaurant (air-conditioned) and relaxed atmosphere. Dutch flag and captaincy.

TECHNICAL INFOS:

Launched: 1935 renovated in 2011

Length: 90 m
Wide: 9,90 m

Crew:10

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

CATERING

The catering consists of 7- full board. The cook is a crew member and prepares the breakfast and the 3-course dinners. The cyclists can prepare lunch packages for the excursions. For those who want to stay on board light lunch will be served.

LANGUAGES ON BOARD

German, English

Dates and prices for 2022

What services are included in the self-guided bicycle route?