8 Day Northern Tour of Holland <<->> 8 Dagen Noord Holland tour

Embarkation and check-in from 2 PM in Amsterdam. Take the opportunity to go shopping, to explore downtown Amsterdam, to make a canal cruise or to visit a museum Welcome drink, dinner and first briefing on board. First night on board in Amsterdam.

The first cycling trip of this tour takes you via small villages through the beautiful flat and green polder landscape. The first stop is at the Zaanse Schans open air museum (free entry) with its traditional Old Dutch wooden houses, windmills and the cheese- and clog factory. After this visit you will cycle through the “Land of Leeghwater”, a green polder area between Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Hoorn. Stroll through the former whaler’s village De Rijp and pass by the windmills of Schermerhorn. Your ship De Holland will be waiting for you near the historical city centre of Alkmaar.

Today you can discover the beautiful North-Holland Dune reserve. This is a 5.300 hectare large forest- and dune area with its unique landscapes. In these dunes the drinking water for almost the whole province of North-Holland is gained. After a visit to the beach and artists village Bergen you will return to Alkmaar where you can visit the wonderful city centre. In the afternoon De Holland will sail over the North-Holland Canal to the navy harbor of Den Helder.

During breakfast De Holland will sail to the isle of Texel, where you can make a tour on the largest of the Dutch Northsea Isles. You will cycle through beautiful natural parks and have the opportunity for a stop and some bathing at the beach. Suggestion: cycle the beautiful “Thijsse-route” (with signposting, approx. 40 km/25 mi.) through picturesque villages and landscapes and visit the seal sanctuary “Ecomare” At the end of your cycling tour you can enjoy a locally brewed beer during a visit to the small brewery near Oudeschild. During dinner De Holland will return to the mainland and sail to Den Oever.

* In case of unfavorable weather conditions, the captain may decide to sail to Texel on Monday evening or not at all: in the latter case you can reach Texel by ferry (price approx. € 5 pp, not incl.).

The vessel will cross the large inland lake IJsselmeer to sail to Stavoren in the Province of Friesland. You can opt for a shorter or longer cycling tour: discover the nature area of Gaasterland or explore a part of the wide lake district, that Friesland is well-known for. You can also combine both options. Night in the small harbor of Stavoren, one of the famous traditional 11 cities of Friesland.

De Holland will cross the IJsselmeer again during breakfast. Take the short cycling trip from Medemblik along the IJsselmeer coast directly to Enkhuizen, where you can spend the afternoon. Enkhuizen is an old city with many centuries of maritime tradition. The “herring city” boasts a beautiful old harbor, a historical old town centre and the very interesting Zuiderzeemuseum. If you prefer a longer cycling tour, ride from Medemblik to the former Dutch East India Company town of Hoorn, in the 17th century one of the world’s leading harbors. Enjoy your lunch break and make a short stroll in the old city centre. Continue by bicycle to Enkhuizen via some picturesque rural villages. In the evening you can join a short city walk.

During breakfast the ship will sail to Volendam. Your final day of cycling will lead you through the beautiful area of Waterland, with its hundreds of small lakes and tiny canals. Near Volendam you will have the opportunity to visit a cheese farm. Recommended (extra cycling miles) is a tour to the former island of Marken, to continue through the water shaped region of Waterland back to the Dutch capital city of Amsterdam. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy everything Amsterdam has to offer. If you didn’t go for a canal cruise on the first day, you can do so today.

End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m..

Parts that are printed in italics parts will be covered by the ship.

All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours. The tour details are barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons.

A knowledgeable and multilingual tour leader is available on board. He/she will provide you with all necessary tour information during daily briefings. You will cycle the tours independently, at your own pace, with the help of a detailed cycling map, GPS-tracks and printed route notes (available on board). The tour leader will also be cycling the daily tours and can – for assistance – be reached on his/her mobile phone in cases of emergency or technical breakdown of the bicycle. During days when several bicycle options are possible, not all mentioned highlights can be visited during the shorter cycling options.

If you don’t feel like cycling for a day (or more) you are welcome to relax and stay on board while the ship is sailing. But please note: lunch will not be served on board. So you can enjoy your packed lunch. On the arrival (first) day it is possible to put your luggage on board from 11:00 a.m..

* In case of unfavorable weather conditions, the captain may decide to sail to Texel on Monday evening or not at all: in the latter case you can reach Texel by ferry (price approx. € 5 pp, not incl.).

About this ship: De Holland

De Holland is a medium-sized cozy river cruise ship, built in 1952 and extended by 16 meters in 2012. In the winter of 2017/2018 the ship has been completely refitted: new marshalling, spacious and more luxurious cabins and a full restyle of the interior. The ship sails under Dutch flag and management and has always been very popular and appropriate for the Northern and the Southern Tours of Holland.

Description of the cabins
The lower deck has 24 twin cabins (10 m² – 108 sq.ft.). Three “regular” twin cabins in the front have two separate beds, set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches) and an additional fold away bunk bed as optional third bed. Three twin cabins and eighteen “superior” twin cabins have two separate beds, set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches). The difference between twin and superior twin cabins on the lower deck is their location in relation to engine room, stairs and salon. All lower deck cabins have a window (80 x 40 cm – 31 x 16 inches) that – for safety reasons – cannot be opened.

The upper deck offers nine identical superior twin cabins (10 m² – 108 sq.ft.) and one suite (13 m² – 140 sq.ft.), all with two separate beds set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches). All upper deck cabins and the suite have a “French Balcony” (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors) instead of a regular window.

On previous request, in most cabins beds, normally set as hotel-style beds, can be arranged as two separate single beds.

All 34 cabins aboard De Holland have an individual climate control system, digital TV, mini-safe, small wardrobe, hair dryer, 230V sockets and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. The suite has the same amenities as the superior twin cabins but is larger.

Description of the ship
De Holland has a large salon with large panoramic windows on the upper deck that combines the restaurant, bar and a lounge area. Wi-Fi is available. On the partially roofed sun deck, chairs and sun loungers invite for a stay. Here you can relax and have a drink and enjoy the scenery while sailing.  Bicycles will be stored on a separate part of the sun deck.

Facts about the ship
Length:            78,3 m (257 ft.)
Width:             7,3 m (24 ft.)
Crew:               11
Cabins:            34
Pass.:               71 (max.)

Disclaimer
Situation on January 23, 2018, subject to modifications during the construction period.

As this is one of the Northern Tour of Holland Tours what cover most of the famous sights around Amsterdam and popular places is always in high demand:

April 6 departure still open for booking

April 13  fully booked , Sorry

April 20 fully booked , Sorry

April 27 has still limited availibilty

May 4 departure still open for booking

May 11 has still limited availibilty

May 18 fully booked , Sorry

May 25 fully booked , Sorry

June 1 has still limited availibilty

June 8 departure still open for booking

June 15 departure still open for booking

June 22  departure still open for booking

June 29 departure still open for booking

July 6 departure still open for booking

July 13 departure still open for booking

July 20 departure still open for booking

July 27 departure still open for booking

August 3 departure still open for booking

August 10  departure still open for booking

August 17  departure still open for booking

August 24  departure still open for booking

August 31 departure still open for booking

September 7 fully booked ,  Sorry

September 14 departure still open for booking

September 21 departure still open for booking

September 28 departure still open for booking

AVAILABILITY-It is always popular in high demands

As this is one of thesouthern-tour-holland,what cover most of the famous sights around Amsterdam and popular places is always in high demand
departure still open for booking-Blue