Jump to content
Jump to footer
Book now
To the online version

Boat and Sailing Lake IJssel | Elizabeth

Ijsselmeer and National parks MS Elizabeth

Sail & Bike along the coast of the IJsselmeer. Once a salty sea, now the largest sweetwater lake in all of Holland! Discover this unique part of the Netherlands aboard a magnificent and comfortably furnished sailing ship, and while riding excellent cycle paths and tracks. Sailing experience is not necessary. Just a desire to give it a go.

Up until 1932, the IJsselmeer was an inland sea called the Zuiderzee. Since the Middle Ages, the area played a major role in the economic development of the Netherlands, but was also often severely flooded. A 32 kilometer long dike, finished in 1932, put an end to the flooding and turned the salty sea into a sweetwater lake. Along its banks many picturesque, historical harbour and trading towns, centuries-old polders (fields of reclaimed land below sea level) and beautiful inland villages are still witness to a rich seafaring past. The IJsselmeer’s now sweet water is home to a huge diversity of birds, plants and fish.

You will visit many of those historical towns and polders on both the western and eastern banks of the IJsselmeer. The tour also leads you through various Dutch national parks and gets you as far as the province of Overijssel. On the final day the ship sails back to Amsterdam, while you can relax on board. We do stop for a last short bike ride though: through the Oostvaardersplassen—a nature reserve known for its rewilding, meaning that the area is left alone to create its own natural balance of animal and plant life.

Easy
Boat and Bike
8 Days / 7 Nights
Self-guided tour

Itinerary

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, you can take a nice stroll through the historic center after dinner.

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 the ship will bring you to the “new land”. From Schokkerhaven your bicycle tour through the polder begins. Cycle 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 lovely town of Giethoorn, known as “small Venice of the North”.

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. The captain sails the ship out of the narrow channels toward open water. Early afternoon the Elizabeth will arrive in Lelystad, capital of the province of Flevoland that was entirely reclaimed from the sea. After docking, the ship serves a real captain’s dinner.

In the morning you can 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.

After these optional visits you depart 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.

  • Cycling route distances in the travel program are approximate.
  • On some days you can choose between a longer and a shorter cycling route. Please note that on the shorter routes you may not be able to visit all the highlights mentioned.
  • If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, you’re welcome to stay on board and relax while the ship cruises to the next landing place.
  • The tour itinerary and route are subject to possible changes due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons, or other unforeseen events.
  • On the arrival day, you can leave your luggage on board the ship from 11.00 am.
  • Detailed cycling maps, route tips and a GPS app are available for individually cycling.

 

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 – Amsterdam – are a certainty, 100%. For the rest, the planned daily sailing routes are partially dependent on the strength and direction of the winds. 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.

Charakteristik

Easy

Holland is a paradise for cyclists. The routes are flat and suitable for leisure cyclists.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Extras

Services

Included services

  • 7 nights in outside cabins in the booked cabin category
  • Program as per itinerary from/to Enkhuizen
  • All port, bridge and lock fees
  • Welcome drink
  • Daily cabin cleaning, change of bed linen and towels as required
  • Full board: 7x breakfast buffet, 6x packed lunch for bike tours or lunch snack, 6x coffee and tea in the afternoon, 7x 3-course dinner
  • Daily bike tour briefing
  • Route book for individual tours 1x per cabin
  • GPS data for the cycle tours
  • On-board tour guide

Services not included

  • Arrival and departure
  • parking fees
  • transfers
  • Bike rental
  • Entrance fees and excursions
  • City maps
  • ferry fees
  • Tips, drinks and personal expenses, travel ins
Extras
  • Embarkation: from 13:00 and 14:00
  • Disembarkation: After breakfast until 09:30.
  • Rental bikes on board: Smooth-running 7-speed unisex touring bikes from Velo de Ville with hand and coaster brakes or freewheel and pannier bag. 7-speed Velo de Ville electric bikes with freewheel and pannier bag (limited number - early booking required). Please state your height when booking. Bringing your own bike: Due to the limited space on the sun deck, bringing your own bike is only possible on request and only to a limited extent.
  • Cycle tours: Guided or individual. A cycle tour guide (two cycle tour guides for groups of 18 or more) is available for a guided cycle tour every day. If there are two cycle tour guides on board, on some days you can choose between short or long routes or between faster and slower cycling. Please note: Not all the places/sights mentioned are visited during the shorter tours. Maps are available on board for individual bike tours (only available on board). All kilometers mentioned are approximate distances of the recommended bike tours
  • On-board language: English, German and Dutch
  • Cycle routes/level of difficulty: Pleasure cycling - the quality of the cycle paths is excellent, so this trip is also suitable for cyclists with a basic level of fitness
    Vacation luggage: We recommend good rainwear and a cycling helmet, 

  • 7-speed electric bikes from Velo de Ville with freewheel and pannier bag (limited)
  • Vacation luggage: We recommend good rainwear, cycle helmet, sun hat and sports shoes.
  • Timetable and program subject to change: Subject to change without notice.If, for example, a route cannot be sailed due to low water, high water or bad weather, the captain reserves the right to change the route for your safety (this is not a reason for withdrawal free of charge).
  • Travel documents: EU nationals (with no special circumstances, e.g. dual citizenship, primary residence abroad or provisionally issued travel documents) require a valid identity card or passport for this trip, which must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip.If you have another nationality or several nationalities or if you have to comply with special legal regulations, please contact your local consulate for information on the relevant visa and entry requirements.
  • This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Further information

Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

 

 

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Britta Krefeldt
Give us a call
+49 441 48597 21
Write a message
Send an e-mail

You might also be interested in

Follow us on our website and discover many beautiful regions...

You now receive special conditions when you book a trip.