Sail & Bike

Holland Tulip Tour · Holland

From 1369 €

Islandhopping
Cycling Tours
Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour | Guided bike tour on the Ijsselmeer

Route
from Zaandam / to Amsterdam

Duration
8 days /
7 nights

Distance
approx.
175 km

Level 1 - 2

Level 1
Easy cycling tours suitable for islandhoppers who are confident on their bikes but prefer riding on flatter terrain (15-30km and 200 elevation meters per day).

Level 1 - 2
Easy to moderate cycling tours through hilly terrain suitable for islandhoppers who have a good basic level of fitness (20-35km and up to 200-400 elevation meters per day).

Level 2
Moderate cycling tours through hilly terrain suitable for islandhoppers who cycle regularly and feel comfortable with longer climbs (25-40km and 300-500 elevation meters per day).

Level 2 -3
Moderate to demanding cycling tours through hilly to mountainous terrain suitable for islandhoppers who like a challenge (30-50km and 400-700 elevation meters per day).

Level 3
Demanding cycling tours through hilly and mountainous terrain suitable for islandhoppers who can take on steeper climbs (30-60km and 400-800 elevation meter per day).

Colourful tulip fields, beaches, and picturesque harbour towns of the Ijsselmeer

Experience springtime at its most colourful in Holland. Explore Dutch landscapes by bike and from the water by sailing ship on our Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour. Breath in the wonderful smell of tulips as we cycle through the countryside and feel the sea breeze as we sail across the Wadden Sea and the Ijsselmeer while enjoying the comfort and camaraderie on board the beautiful sailing ship. During this enchanting Sail & Bike tour, we discover the famous Keukenhof Gardens, known for its hundreds of thousands of blooming tulips, but we also visit historical cities such as Alkmaar and Enkhuizen, true gems yet undiscovered by mass tourism. As we sail across the Ijsselmeer to Enkhuizen and Hoorn, you are welcome to lend a hand with navigation and hoisting the sails under the instruction of the experienced crew.

This is a
Partnertour

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Highlights

Nature: a visit to the most beautiful bulb park in the world – the Kaukenhof Garden

Culture: immerse yourself in Dutch history in the open air museum of Zaanse Schans

Activity: aside from cycling, take part in hoisting the sails on board a traditional sailing ship

Culinary: Poffertjes and Stroopwafel are "lekker" dutch specialities

Souvenir: Dutch cheese and Appelstroop

Itinerary

Zaanse Schans - Amsterdam
Amsterdam - Zaanse Schans

You are welcome to check in between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., where your crew will welcome with coffee and tea. The ship is docked next to the Zaanse Schans, a unique hamletyou hamletwhere people live and work alongside original houses and windmills built next to thewhere theriver Zaan. This tiny village is dominated by its operating windmills — the oldest ofriver ofwhich was built in 1673 — and these were used for grinding mustard seeds, spices, andwhich andpaint components; extracting plant oil; and for sawing wood into planks.

Today you can discover the beautiful North-Holland Dune reserve. This is a a5.300 hectare large forest- and dune area with its unique landscapes. In these dunes the5.300 thedrinking water for almost the whole province of North-Holland is gained. After a visit todrinking tothe beach and artists village Bergen you will return to Alkmaar where you can visit thethe thewonderful city center.

Today we head out on a cycle tour through the north of Alkmaar and past the most beautiful tulip fields on the way up to the North Sea. The sandy beach here is one of the most wonderful beaches to walk along in the entire country, the perfect spot to feel the wind in your hair or simply to enjoy the view. Close by, and certainly worth a visit, is the artist’s village of Bergen. Afterwards, we cycle on 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 biggest single flowering bulb field. To describe it in one word: spectacular!

During breakfast, the ship sails to the island of Texel, the largest of the Dutch Wadden Isles. Today there is a choice between a shorter or a longer tour around the island. As we cycle through delightful natural parks, we find more fields of blooming flowers! The signposts lead us through picturesque villages and beautiful landscapes to the “Ecomare” seal sanctuary. At the end of the cycling tour, there is time to enjoy a locally brewed and well-deserved beer during our visit to a small brewery near Oudeschild.

Today there is a full day of sailing and relaxing on board to look forward to as we set sail towards Enkhuizen. You are welcome to lend a hand with navigation and the hoisting of the sails. Absolutely no previous sailing experience is required. Otherwise feel free to simply sit back on deck, relax and enjoy the scenery as we sail through the Ijsselmeer. During the crossing we enjoy a delicious lunch on board. In the afternoon, we arrive in Enkhuizen, an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. Here there is plenty of time to explore “the herring city”, which boasts a beautiful old harbour and an old town brimming with history. No dinner is served this evening, allowing you to explore the city and choose where you would like to eat whether that be a picnic meal or one of the wonderful restaurants.

In the morning, the ship sails along the coast of the Ijsselmeer to the former Dutch East India Company town of Hoorn, which was one of the world’s leading harbours during the 17th century. The afternoon ride leads to Volendam, a small, picturesque fishing harbour on the shores of the Ijsselmeer. Along the way, you pass Edam, which is known for its famous red/yellow wax covered Edam cheese. While this charming village is now renowned for cheese, it was once a trading town with a successful ship building industry and a busy port. It is thanks to this that the town’s speciality became one of the most popular chesses in the world: As the cheese doesn’t spoil easily, sailors took wheels of Edam on their voyages, trading it for spices and other riches of the East.

Today you enjoy a bus ride through spectacular landscapes, the oldest tulip fields in Holland, and to the Keukenhof Gardens. Once here, there is plenty of time to discover the most beautiful bulb park in the world — Keukenhof is where spring becomes a superlative of itself. The gardens are a kaleidoscope of colour with seven million flowering tulips covering a magnificent 80 acre stretch of land featuring both traditional and modern garden design. Besides the tulips there are various hyacinths, daffodils, and many other bright flowers to enjoy. In the afternoon, the bus takes you back to Amsterdam to spend a peaceful night in your floating hotel.

Your trip ends with a delicious breakfast followed by disembarkation until 9.30 am. Individual trip home or extended stay in Amsterdam.

You are welcome to check in on board between 1 pm and 2 pm, where your crew will welcome you with coffee and tea. At 2.30 pm, the ship leaves the harbor. While the ship sails to Volendam, your tour leader will stoke your anticipation by telling you about the tour, the cycling and safety procedures. Upon arrival, you will have the option to take a little test ride. After enjoying a delicious dinner on board, the tour leader will take you on a walk through Volendam, a small and picturesque fishing harbor on the shores of the IJsselmeer.

On this first cycling day, a tasty breakfast will be followed by a bike tour to Hoorn, the former Dutch East India Company town, which was, in the 17 century, one of the the world’s most important harbors. Along the way, you will 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 industrial 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. Later in the afternoon you will join the ship for an afternoon sail to Enkhuizen, an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. You can spend some time exploring here - “the herring city” boasts a beautiful old harbor and an old town full of history.

Today your ship will set sail to the harbor of Oudeschild on the island of Texel. You may lend a hand during navigation and hoisting the sails. Previous sailing experience is not at all necessary. Of course, you are also very welcome to just relax and enjoy the sailing and scenery as you navigate the IJsselmeer. While sailing you will enjoy an extensive lunch on board. In the afternoon, the ship will arrive in Oudeschild on the island of Texel, the largest of the Dutch Wadden Isles. No dinner will be served tonight, to enable you to explore the harbor. You can make yourself a picnic meal or try one of the nice restaurants of Oudeschild.

Today you can choose to cycle a shorter route or to take a longer tour around the island. You will cycle through delightful natural parks, and through fields of blooming flowers! The signposts will lead you through picturesque villages and landscapes, and even to the Ecomare seal sanctuary. At the end of your cycling tour, you can enjoy a locally-brewed, well-deserved beer during a visit to the small brewery near Oudeschild.In the late afternoon, the ship will take you back to the mainland, to the port of Den Helder.

The first part of your bike tour leads through the northern part of the province of North Holland. 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! But also closerto Alkmaar you will find the most beautiful tulip fields on your 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 artist’s village of Bergen. The ship will be waiting for you in the historical city center of Alkmaar. This town is well known as a Dutch cheese city. As you wander through the streets, you’ll be amazed by the beauty of Alkmaar’s old town, with its well-preserved 17th-century buildings and narrow, winding canals.

Today a beautiful bus ride leads you through the oldest tulip fields of Holland to the famous Keukenhof Gardens. You will have plenty of time to discover the most famous bulb park in the world — Keukenhof is the place where spring springs. It features an overwhelming blaze of colors: seven million flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acre setting of traditional and modern garden architecture. You can also admire various hyacinths, daffodils, and many other vibrant flowers. In the afternoon the bus will bring you back to Alkmaar.

In the morning, you will bike to Egmond and Limmen and here, again you have the chance to bike through colorful tulip fields. Nearby, you will 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. Your next destination is Zaanse Schans, a unique hamlet where people live and work alongside traditional 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 used for grinding mustard seeds, spices, and paint components; extracting plant oils and as sawmills. As you walk through the village, you will see a clock museum, an old-fashioned grocery store, a house with period furniture, a clog maker and a cheese farm. You will find your shipped docked here.

Your trip ends with a delicious breakfast followed by disembarkation until 9.30 am. Individual trip home or extended stay in Zaanse Schans or Amsterdam.

Accommodation

Mare Fan Fryslan (Tall Ships)

The Mare fan Fryslan is the epitome of luxury sailing in the Netherlands. Built as a cargo vessel under the name Neptunia, she was later rebuilt as a passenger ship in 2007 and has sailed as a three-mast schooner through Dutch waters with enthusiastic guests on board ever since.

Below deck, you will find the saloon with its great atmosphere along with the comfortable guest cabins. The saloon leads to the wheelhouse and bar, which offer a great view over the front deck and passing landscapes.

The ships’ deck offers plenty of seating, an outdoor bar and BBQ, the helm stand, a whirlpool and…

Leafde Fan Fryslan (Tall Ships)

The impressive three-mast barkentine, Leafe fan Fryslan, was originally a freight ship on the Baltic Sea. In 2006, it was converted into a luxury three-mast passenger ship. The luxury vessel hosts comfortable guest cabins and a classy interior.

The saloon, in nautical flair, is where the meals are served and beverages can be ordered at the accompanying bar. The on-board library allows guests to browse through a selection of novels, whilst enjoying their favorite drop. The wheelhouse also has a leisurely sofa corner: it is here and on deck that you have the best views over the water.

Sailing…

Services, Dates & Prices

The below calendar lists the basic cruise price per person. The final cruise price depends on cabin type, cabin occupancy and any additional optional services. The prices for additional optional services are listed below the travel calendar. The green checkmark indicates that the trip is secured.

Time Period	Tour	Country	Accommodation	Route	Availability	Price from The final price is dependent on the type of cabin, the number of guests staying in the cabin and any additional services booked.
April 2024
21.04. Comfirmed departure 21.04. – 28.04.	Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour	Holland	Leafde Fan Fryslan	Amsterdam bis Zaanse Schans	fully booked	1369,00 €	on waiting list
28.04. Comfirmed departure 28.04. – 05.05.	Sail & Bike Holland Tulip Tour	Holland	Leafde Fan Fryslan	Zaanse Schans bis Amsterdam	fully booked	1369,00 €	on waiting list

8-day trip on a tall ship with crew
7 nights in a twin cabin with shower/toilet
Welcome drink
7 x breakfast, 5 x packed lunch during bike tours/1 x lunch on board, 6 x dinner/1 x packed dinner
Daily briefings and daily guided cycling tours
Short walking tours as described in the itinerary
Full day bus excursion (incl. Keukenhof gardens)
Bed linen and towels (change of towels on request); cabin cleaning
Wi-Fi/WLAN connection available onboard
Daily complimentary coffee and tea on board

Journey to/from Amsterdam or Zaanse Schans
Transfer to/from the ship in Amsterdam or Zaanse Schans
Parking fee (own car etc.)
Beverages on board (tally sheet, to be paid to the captain)
Beach towel for use away from ship (please bring your own if needed)
Beverages & meals ashore
Entrance fees & excursions
Fees for ferries
Rental bike or E-bike
Rental helmet
Personal (travel) insurances
Tips for crew and tour guides

Surcharge: Double cabin for single use	50% of the basic tour price
Rental bike with pannier	Hybrid bicycle: 90 euro/week E-bike: 232 euro/week (on request, limited availability)
Limitation of liability (damage) Rental bike	Rental hybrid bike: 10 euro/week Rental e-bike: 25 euro/week
Rental helmet (payment with booking)	10 euro/week
Onboard space for own bicycle (only a limited number of spaces are available; reservation with booking)	10 euro/week
Onboard space + charge station for own e-bike (only a limited number of spaces available; reservation with booking)	25 euro/week
Parking Amsterdam (Valet Parking)	Prices on request

If this is your third or more Islandhopping tour booked directly with us, you will receive our SEA-YOU-AGAIN discount for your next tour in 2025.

As this tour is operated by a third party partner, not all regular Islandhopping discount offers apply.

Arrival - How to get there

Port of Embarkation

Your embarkation harbour will vary between Amsterdam and Zaanse Schans, dependig on the direction of the tour. Please check your booking confirmation for the harbour relevant to your tour.

Embarkation takes place between 1 pm and 2 pm and a welcome tea or coffee from the crew. The ship leaves the harbour at 2.30 pm.

Please do not forget to bring your passport or ID-card.

Arrival by plane

The best international airport to use for this trip is Schiphol. Amsterdam Schipol Airport (AMS) is accessible from virtually all major airports in Europe.

Your flight can be organized as soon as we have confirmed that your tour is taking place.

From the airport to the harbour

It’s very easy to find public transport at Schiphol Airport with the train, buses and taxis just a 3-minute walk from the terminal. Simply collect your bags, head to the arrival’s hall, and follow the signs. Trains run regularly and only take about 20 minutes from the airport to Amsterdam Centraal. You can buy a ticket in the central arrival hall at the airport.

From the central station to the harbour

The ship’s location at Pontsteiger is situated about 1.2 mi./2 km from the Central Station. You can catch a bus from the Centraal Station to the ship’s location (approx. 4 minutes). To do so you must get on City Bus 48 (GVB) from Centraal Station (exit: IJ-side), direction Houthavens.

Then get off at bus stop Houtmankade. From here it is a 5-minute walk to the ship. On Saturdays, the busses depart every 15 minutes. The price is around 3 € (one way). You can buy a 1-hour ticket from the driver.

Arrival by car

Address for Navigation System:

Pontsteiger, 1013 AH Amsterdam, Netherlands

If you are planning on travelling to Amsterdam by car, be sure to organise a safe parking place for the week.

The best and easiest way to organise a secure parking place is to make a reservation with us (in cooperation with our partner Boat Bike Tours). The benefits of doing so are a guaranteed and secure parking spot at a favourable rate. Furthermore, the parking place is close to the ship so you will not need to use public transport or taxi to return to the ship after parking.

Parking recommendations in Amsterdam

A – Valet Parking – Centralparking.nl
Only available with reservation in advance. For payment, please follow the instructions mentioned in the confirmation. Price: 145 € – 8 days (as off 2019).

How does the Centralparking Parking Service work?

Drive to the ship, where you will meet the Valet Parking driver. They will help you with your luggage.
The driver will take your car to the covered parking lot with 24/7 camera surveillance.
On day of departure, your car will be waiting for you at the harbour near the ship so that you can drive home immediately after disembarkation.

B – Parking Centrum Oosterdok
Centrum Oosterdok is the cheapest long-term possibility for parking in the centre of Amsterdam. This parking garage is only accessible for cars with a maximum height of 2.10 m.

Parking Centrum Oosterdok offers a total of 1,355 parking spots in a brand new, clean building with video surveillance and is situated close to Amsterdam Centraal Station. The rate for long-term parking is 20 € per 24 hours. You pay between 140 to 160 € per week (depending on the time of your arrival/departure).

Address for navigation:

Oosterdoksstraat 150, 1011 DK, Amsterdam

Embarkation
by plane
Airport - Harbour
by train
by car
Parking

Important information

Due to our international audience all Islandhopping tours are conducted bilingually, in English and German.

The planned itinerary is subject to change due to nautical, technical, meteorological reasons, or any other unforeseen circumstances. Should the conditions render a planned sailing route unsafe, the captain reserves the right to change course. While some adventure and spontaneity are to be expected in every Sail & Bike tour, the departure and arrival days and location (Amsterdam) are fixed. For the rest of the time, the captain decides day by day on the best route and discusses the options with his guests. The crew do whatever they can to run the program according to plan and to offer you a fascinating, varied, and active week, in which both nature and culture play a major part. It is however possible that departure times, the time spent on the water, and even the order of the program itself will have to be adjusted. So, enjoy the experience and the adventure and let the elements lead the way! Wherever possible, the ship will sail under full sail. You are more than welcome to help the crew sail and steer the ship. No sailing experience is required.

Hybrid Bike Level 1 - 2

Tours of low to moderate difficulty with mostly flat stages ranging from 17.5 mi. to 33 mi./28 km to 53 km in length. All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours. Long and steep ascents are extremely rare; however, some routes do lead through hilly countryside with regular ascents and descents. There may be times that you must cycle into a strong headwind. The daily cycle tours are led by a multi-lingual tour guide. When there are two cycle routes possible, the guide will lead either the short or long tour after consultation with the group. Please note that on the shorter tours, not all the above-mentioned highlights can be visited. There are maps and route note available on board, which you are welcome to use if you would like to cycle alone. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend on board the ship instead of taking a planned cycle tour.

On most of our Bike & Boat tours you can choose between a hybrid bike and an e-bike. However, the guided group pace is based on the speed of the hybrid bike cyclists. Those who rent an e-bike on a hybrid bike tour are asked to show consideration for those who ride without electronic assistance. Hybrid bike cyclists need more breaks and more time to cycle the hills. We thank you for your understanding.

Helmets are mandatory on our bike tours. It is advised to bring your own, well fitted, helmet with you as our rental helmet numbers are limited (reservation required).

We believe that only children with a good physical condition and previous bicycle tour experience and a minimum age of 10 are able to master the cycle tours with their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1.50 m (5 ft.) for hybrid bikes.

For the best tour experience with children, we recommend our Multi-Adventure tours in Croatia or Greece. We are convinced that these itineraries provide the best all-round experience for each individual family member when travelling as a family.

You are welcome to bring your own private bike with you on this tour. If you are planning on bringing your own bike, please inform us of the category type (hybrid bike/e-bike). If you bring your own bikes, an additional fee will be charged for storage of your bikes on board.

Liability disclaimer:

If you bring your private bike, you do so at your own risk. The owner of the boat, the crew, the tour guides, and the tour operator will not be held liable for any damages to the bike or for the theft thereof which may occur during your time on tour.

If you do not bring your own bike, you can rent a hybrid bike or e-bike along with a pannier bag for the duration of the Sail & Bike tour. Except for the time when the (e-)bike is on the deck of ship, you are responsible and liable for your rental bike and accessories for the duration of the rental period. This means you should always lock your bicycle when it is parked on land, and you take the pannier bag with you. It is of great importance that you pay attention to and follow the instructions given by the tour leader where and how to park your bike. In case of damage to or theft of the bike, the costs will be charged to you.

Please note: For safety reasons, we do not allow the use the rental (e-) bikes for self-arranged bike rides in Amsterdam.

Please bring your personal belongings in foldable travel bags. Please avoid hard protective cases. They will be too heavy to store within your cabin.

This tour includes full board (7x breakfast, 6 x packed lunch, 7x dinner).

Please do not forget that the ship is your hotel as well as a machine, which has to be maintained and operated – day and night. A certain level of noise is therefore inevitable.

All of the tours listed in Holland are operated by a partner tour operator and so can vary in comparison to traditional Islandhopping tours

As this tour is operated in cooperation with a partner tour operator, the cancelation conditions vary to those of Radurlaub Zeitreisen GmbH (Islandhopping). You can withdraw from the travel contract up until the beginning of the trip. Cancellation is valid when your written statement reaches us.

More than 60 days prior to beginning the trip: 20 %
59 – 42 days prior to beginning the trip: 30 %
41 – 28 days prior to beginning the trip: 60 %
27 – 1 days prior to beginning the trip: 90 %

If you cancel on the starting day of the trip or if you do not appear for the start of the trip, we charge the full trip price. If you miss the start of the trip or are prevented from traveling due to incomplete travel documents, this will be considered a cancellation.

Reservation changes are handled the same way as cancellations. We charge a 50 € fee for changes made to your reservation 28 days or more before the beginning of the trip. Any later changes (if possible) will need to be handled as a cancellation and new registration. Cancellation and reservation change fees are due immediately.