Holland Bike & Sail - Tulip Tour (Zaanse Schans-Amsterdam)

Land Only

Day 1 Start Zaanse Schans; board Leafde fan Fryslân 

Our adventure starts in the early afternoon as you board the Leafde fan Fryslân in Zaanse Schans, a unique hamlet where people live and work alongside original houses and windmills built next to the river Zaan. This tiny village is dominated by its operating windmills — the oldest of which was built in 1673 — and these were used for grinding mustard seeds, spices, and paint components; extracting plant oil; and for sawing wood into planks. In the late afternoon, we will have the option to take a short ride.Accommodation:  Leafde fan Fryslân

Day 2 Cycle to Akmaar, visiting Egmond and the Hortus Bulborum en route

In the morning, cycle to Egmond and Limmen and here, again we have the chance to cycle through colourful tulip fields. Nearby, visit the Hortus Bulborum, a unique garden museum dedicated to the preservation of rare and historic bulbs. More than 4,000 tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other special flowers are planted here.Our ship will be waiting near the historical city centre of Alkmaar. This town is well known as a Dutch cheese city. Wander through the streets and be amazed by the beauty of Alkmaar’s old town, with its well-preserved 17th-century buildings and narrow, winding canals.Accommodation: Leafde fan Fryslân 

Day 3 Cycle north to Den Helder, stopping on the beach at the North Sea along the way

Today we cycle north of Alkmaar where we will find the most beautiful tulip fields on the way to the North Sea. The sandy beach here is one of the most wonderful to walk along in the entire Netherlands, the perfect spot for feeling the wind in your hair or simply enjoying the view. Close by — and certainly worth a visit — is the artists' village of Bergen. We will continue on and cycle through the North-Holland Dune reserve to Den Helder: this piece of land wedged between the North Sea and the IJsselmeer boasts the world’s single biggest flowering bulb field. In one word: spectacular!Please note: total distance covered this day can vary from 30 to 50 km / 19 to 31 miles depending on the cycle routes you choose.Accommodation: Leafde fan Fryslân

Day 4 Cycle around the Wadden island of Texel

During breakfast the ship will sail to the island of Texel, the largest of the Dutch Wadden Isles. Here there are various options in terms of cycling routes so you can ride as much as you want. Whichever route, cycle through delightful natural parks, and bike through fields of blooming flowers! Pass through picturesque villages and landscapes and visit the Ecomare seal sanctuary. At the end of the day, we can enjoy a locally-brewed, well-deserved, beer during a visit to the small brewery near Oudeschild.Please note: total distance covered this day can vary from 15 to 48 km / 9 to 26 miles  depending on the cycle routes you choose.Accommodation: Leafde fan Fryslân

Day 5 Sail to Enkhuizen; afternoon free to explore the town

Today we will set sail to Enkhuizen. Relax and enjoy the sailing and scenery as you progress along the IJsselmeer. In the afternoon, the ship will arrive in Enkhuizen, an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. Spend some time exploring here: “the herring city” boasts a beautiful old harbour and an old town full of history. Accommodation: Leafde fan Fryslân

Day 6 Morning sail to Hoorn; afternoon cycle to Volendam

In the morning we sail along the Ijsselmeer to the former Dutch East India Company town of Hoorn, which was, in the 17th century, one of the world’s foremost harbours. Our afternoon ride goes to Volendam, a small and picturesque fishing harbour on the shores of Lake IJsselmeer. Along the way, we’ll pass Edam, which is known for its famous Edam cheese, covered in red or yellow wax. While this adorable village is now renowned for cheese, it was once an industrious shipyard and port. That’s why, in the 17th century, the town’s specialty became one of the most popular cheeses in the world. Sailors took wheels of Edam on their voyages – the cheese doesn’t spoil easily and could be traded for spices and other riches of the East.Accommodation: Leafde fan Fryslân

Day 7 Full day visit to the famous Keukenhof Gardens

Today we’ll take a bus through the oldest tulip fields of Holland to the famous Keukenhof Gardens. There will be plenty of time here to discover the most beautiful bulb park in the world — Keukenhof is the place where spring springs. It features an overwhelming blaze of colours: seven million flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acre setting of traditional and modern gardening architecture. Here we will also find various hyacinths, daffodils, and many other vibrant flowers. In the afternoon the bus takes us back to Amsterdam where we spend our final night on the Leafde fan Fryslân.Accommodation: Leafde fan Fryslân

Day 8 Disembark until 9:30am in Amsterdam

Our adventure ends after breakfast. Disembark until 9:30am in Amsterdam.