8 Day Sail & Bike IJsselmeer

Your week of sailing and cycling starts in Amsterdam. The crew welcomes you on board around 2 p.m. Once all guests have checked in, the ship sails under motor to Monnickendam or Volendam. From the port of one of these former fishing villages, a short warm-up ride leads you through the rural nature reserve of Waterland with its many villages.

A very Dutch start of the day: you cycle to a nearby, family-run cheese and clog shop for a short demonstration of cheese and clog making, and of course a cheese tasting. Continue pedaling along the dikes to Purmerend, in the heart of a polder named De Beemster, 11½ feet (3.5 meters) below sea level. It was created more than 400 years ago, when the Dutch transformed an inland lake into pasture land. Divided into a tight geometric pattern of squares and quadrants, it is recognized by UNESCO as “a creative masterpiece”.

Your next destination is Edam, a lovely town whose lanes and canals deserve a stroll. Edam is known worldwide for its cheese covered in red or yellow wax. This practical solution keeps the cheese fresh for a long time, so 17th century sailors could take it on their voyages or trade it for spices and other riches of the East. Via the main dike of the IJsselmeer you arrive at the promenade of Volendam, where the ship is docked. Later in the afternoon, the ship sails to Hoorn.

Through small rural hamlets and villages, today’s ride brings you to Enkhuizen. Pass by windmill De Krijgsman (The Warrior), the highest windmill in the province of North-Holland and one of a handful of old Dutch windmills still in use to produce flour commercially. The area is also known for its many greenhouses, where vegetables are grown. In the 17th century, Enkhuizen was one of the wealthiest cities in Holland, thanks to its harbour that shipped then-costly spices from Asia. Be astonished by the stately mansions, canals, churches and city walls that to this day reflect the city’s rich history and wealth.

In the afternoon, weather permitting, we sail across the IJsselmeer to the port of Urk. On board, you can help the captain sail the ship if you wish. Or you can simply sit back on deck and enjoy the invigorating journey, while keeping watch for marine bird life. In the evening you may stroll through the narrow streets and alleys of Urk. The houses in this  picturesque fishing village were built close to one another on elevated grounds to protect them against the water, and that is still visible today.

After breakfast, cycle along the lake on a tarmacked cycle path to the former island of Schokland. Since the reclamation of the Northeast polder (Noordoostpolder) in 1942, Schokland – just as Urk – is no longer an island. Since 1995, it belongs to the cultural heritage of UNESCO. Continue your bike ride through the polder to Vollenhove, another charming, former fishing village.

From Vollenhove, cycle paths through open countryside lead you to the small town of Blokzijl. This is where you enter the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, the largest freshwater wetland in northwestern Europe and a peaceful oasis for plants, animals and humans.

A bicycle path through the center of the park takes you far away from roads, immersing you in the tranquility of this region. Keep your eyes peeled for a fleeting kingfisher or—if you’re really lucky—an otter, the symbol of the park. You pass through Kalenberg, a village that till the fifties of the last century could be reached by boat only.

A twisting route through an agricultural landscape of narrow strip fields surrounded by dikes takes you to the town of Sint-Jansklooster and subsequently to the small city of Zwartsluis. Here you’ll get back on the ship.

Today you can enjoy a full day of sailing and relaxing on board. Again, you can help the captain sail the ship if you wish. Or you can simply sit back on deck and relax. Early afternoon the Elizabeth will arrive in Lelystad, capital of the province of Flevoland that was entirely reclaimed from the sea.

Here you can stretch your legs and visit the Batavia Werf, an extraordinary shipyard, where ships with an important maritime history are taken from oblivion and returned to their former glory. Or go shopping at Batavia Stad, an outlet center with all the famous brands.

In the morning you’ll disembark for your last half day of cycling. You’ll ride through the Oostvaardersplassen—a nature reserve on new land, left to find its own balance like nature did in old times on old land. Sections of the ride wind through forested areas, while others give you panoramic views of expansive reed beds and marshes. This is a birdwatchers’ paradise.

The ship picks you up in the small harbor of Oostvaardersdiep for the return voyage to Amsterdam. Celebrate this marvelous week around the IJsselmeer while having a farewell dinner aboard the ship.

Your tour ends today with a nice breakfast. Disembarkation afterwards 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 planned itinerary is subject to change due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons and other unforeseen circumstances. If there is low or high water and a route cannot be shipped, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety (this cannot be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal).

• The daily bike tours are individual, conducted at your own pace and without a tour leader. There are daily briefings on board and detailed bicycle maps and route notes are available. GPS tracks will be sent to you 4 weeks before the start date of the tour.
• During the days when 2 bicycle options are possible, you can make a choice for the longer or the shorter option.
• Not all mentioned highlights will be visited during the short bike option.
• In case you prefer a day of rest, you can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next town.
• On the arrival day is it possible to bring your luggage on board from 11 a.m.

PRICE REDUCTION FOR CHILDREN We will be offering a reduced rate for children on the Sail & Bike IJsselmeer tour with the Elizabeth in 2018/2019: 15% reduction for kids up to incl. 15 yrs old, only applicable when staying in the cabin with 2 adults ( triple or quadruple cabin)

Important observations for the Sail & Bike program: A little bit of adventure is a part of every Sail & Bike tour: the departure and arrival day and the location – Enkhuizen – are a certainty, 100%. For the rest, the planned daily sailing routes are partially dependent on the strength and direction of the winds and – on the Wadden Sea – high and low tide. The skipper decides the best route to be taken day by day, and discusses the options with his guests. The crew does everything in its power to enable the program to run according to plan and to offer you as fascinating, varied and active a week as possible, in which nature and culture play a major part. It is, however, also possible that departure times and the time spent on the water – and even the order of the program itself – may be adjusted. Enjoy the ride and let yourself be led by the elements! Whenever possible, various passages will be undertaken fully rigged and anyone who would like to help the crew to sail and steer the boat is welcome to do so. This is of course absolutely up to you and no sailing experience is necessary.

About this ship: Elizabeth

The stylish and beautifully appointed three-mast clipper Elizabeth was built in 1913 and boasts a plush interior design. During the painstaking renovation to become a modern passenger sailing vessel great attention was paid to retaining the original features of the characteristic Dutch flat bottom boat and creating a comfortable atmosphere. The impressive clipper Elizabeth is a very popular sailing vessel on the IJsselmeer tour.

Description of the cabins
The Elizabeth has ten twin cabins (6 m² – 65 sq.ft.), which all have been fully renovated recently. Eight cabins are situated on the lower deck, two on the upper deck. All cabins have two single beds. Some of the cabins can be booked as a three-bed or four-bed cabin (the third and fourth beds as bunks). Each cabin has an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. All cabins have central heating and a window that can be opened.

Description of the ship
On the lower deck, the Elizabeth offers a large lounge with a snug seating corner, dining area and a bar. Wi-Fi is available. On the upper deck the Elizabeth also offers a beautiful sundeck with benches and tables where you can relax on nice evenings and enjoy the scenery while sailing.

Facts about the ship
Length:            41 m (135 ft.)
Width:              7 m (22 ft.)
Sail surface:      445 m²
Crew:               4
Cabins:            10
Pass.:               35 (max.)

As this is one of the Sail & Bike IJsselmeer what cover most of the famous sights around Amsterdam and popular places is always in high demand:

June 22 fully booked ,  Sorry

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

Speptember 7 departure still open for booking