The Tulip Route on board the sailing boat Leafde Fan Fryslân

Experience a boat trip on board the sailing ship Leafde Fan Fryslân in the Netherlands on the Tulip Route. This trip can be done from Zaanse Schans or Amsterdam (see information tab).
This route with its exceptional landscapes is accessible to all cyclists. A cycling trip in the Netherlands is a must for all cycling lovers.
Day 1 - Zaanse Schans to Alkmaar
Boarding of the Leafde Fan Fryslân between 1 and 2 pm. You will be welcomed by the crew with coffee and tea. The sailboat is moored next to Zaanse Schans, a village known for its original windmills built next to the river Zaan. The oldest working windmill was built in 1673. The inhabitants used them to grind mustard seeds, spices and paint components, to extract vegetable oil and to saw wood.
After visiting Zaanse, the sailboat will sail towards Alkmaar. During this cruise through the Dutch countryside, you will enjoy a first dinner at sea.
Day 2 - Tour around Alkmaar - 34 ot 40 km
Today you will discover the North-Holland dune reserve. This is an area of 5,300 hectares of forest and dunes with a unique landscape. The dunes are the source of drinking water for almost all of Northern Holland. After a visit to the beach and the village of Bergen, you will go to Alkmaar to enjoy the city center.
Day 3 - Alkmaar to Den Helder - 30 or 50 km
Your bike ride takes you north from Alkmaar through the most beautiful tulip fields to the North Sea. You arrive at one of the most beautiful beaches in the Netherlands. Nearby, you can visit the village of Bergen. You will then drive through the North Holland Dune Reserve towards Den Helder: a piece of land wedged between the North Sea and the IJsselmeer that is home to the largest field of flower bulbs in the world.
Day 4 - Den Helder to Oudeschild / Texel Island - 43 or 48 km
During breakfast, the sailboat will sail to the island of Texel, the largest of the Dutch islands. Today, choose the size of your route to discover the island of Texel. You will pass through beautiful nature parks and fields of flowers! The markers guide you through picturesque villages to the Ecomare seal sanctuary. At the end of your bike ride, you can enjoy a well-deserved local beer in the small brewery near Oudeschild.
Day 5 - Oudeschild to Enkhuizen - sailing day
Today, the Leafde Fan Fryslân will set sail for Enkhuizen. You will be able to help with the navigation and the hoisting of the sails. Previous sailing experience is not necessary. You can also relax and enjoy the sailing and the landscape along the IJsselmeer.
During the sailing, you will enjoy a hearty lunch on board.
In the afternoon, the ship will dock in Enkhuizen, an old town with centuries of maritime tradition. Take time to explore the "city of herrings" with its beautiful harbor and historic downtown.
No dinner will be served tonight, so you can explore the town. You can pack a picnic lunch or dine in one of Enkhuizen's lovely restaurants.
Day 6 - Enkhuizen to Hoorn / Hoorn - Volendam - 24 km
In the morning we drive along the Ijsselmeer to the former Dutch East India Company town of Hoorn, which in the 17th century was one of the world's first ports. In the afternoon, you will reach Volendam, a small picturesque fishing port on the shores of Lake IJsselmeer. On the way, you will pass through Edam, a town known for its famous cheese, covered with red or yellow wax.
Sailors used to take wheels of Edam cheese with them on their voyages to trade for spices and other riches from the Orient.
Day 7 - Volendam to Keukenhof - Amsterdam / bus trip
Today, a bus ride will take you through the oldest tulip fields in Holland to the famous Keukenhof Gardens. You will discover the most beautiful bulb park in the world. It presents a firework display of color: seven million tulips in bloom in a magnificent 80 acres of traditional and modern garden architecture. You can also admire a diverse array of hyacinths, daffodils and many other flowers.
In the afternoon, the bus will take you back to Amsterdam for a restful night on board the sailboat.
Day 8 - Amsterdam
Your trip on the Tulip Route ends after breakfast. You can disembark until 9:30 am.
Sailing holidays give you a taste of adventure. The planned sailing routes depend in part on the strength and direction of the wind. The skipper decides day by day on the best route to take, and you are included in the discussions. The crew does its utmost to follow the program and give you a unique experience throughout this fascinating week. Departure times and time at sea, as well as the order of excursions, may vary. Let the wind and the sea carry you along!