Bike and boat on Tulip tour - Mare Fan Fryslân 2025

The Netherlands by bike and the Tulip Route aboard the sailing ship Mare Fan Fryslân

Discovering the Tulip Route in the Netherlands by bike and sailboat will give you a unique experience. This bike and boat trip in Holland invites you to discover the tulip blooming in springtime from the city of Amsterdam or from Zaanse Schans (see departure dates in the information tab). You will have the pleasure of admiring the Keukenhof gardens and the polders while passing through picturesque towns and villages. 

 
Points of interest of the trip in Holland : 

• Keukenhof Gardens
• Amsterdam
• the Ijsselmeer lake
• Alkmaar and Enkhuizen 
• the polders

Day 1 - Zaanse Schans / Alkmaar

Embarkation on the sailing ship between 1 and 2 pm, where your crew will welcome you with coffee and tea. The ship is moored next to Zaanse Schans, a unique hamlet where people live and work next to original houses and windmills built next to the river Zaan. This tiny village is dominated by its working windmills, the oldest of which was built in 1673. They were used to grind mustard seeds, spices and paint components, to extract vegetable oil and to saw wood into boards.

After visiting the village, your boat will sail to Alkmaar. During this cruise through the Dutch countryside, you will enjoy a first dinner at sea.

Day 2 - Around Alkmaar - 34 or 40 km

Today you can discover the beautiful dune reserve of North-Holland. This is an area of 5,300 hectares of forest and dunes with a unique landscape. It is from these dunes that the drinking water for almost the entire province of North Holland is drawn. After a visit to the beach and the artists' village of Bergen, you will return to Alkmaar where you can visit the beautiful city center.

Day 3 - Alkmaar - Den Helder - 30 or 50 km

Today you can take a bike ride north of Alkmaar where you will find the most beautiful tulip fields on your way to the North Sea. The sandy beach is one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands, the perfect place to feel the wind in your hair or just enjoy the view. Nearby, the artists' village of Bergen is worth a visit. Then you'll drive through the North Holland Dune Reserve to Den Helder: that piece of land wedged between the North Sea and the IJsselmeer that is home to the largest field of flower bulbs in the world.

In a word: spectacular!

Day 4 - Den Helder - Oudeschild / Texel Island - 43 or 46 km

During breakfast, the sailboat will sail to the island of Texel, the largest of the Dutch islands. Today, you can make a shorter or longer trip around the island of Texel. You will pass through charming nature parks, and even on Texel, you will cycle through fields of flowers! The markers lead you through picturesque villages and landscapes, and to the Ecomare seal sanctuary. At the end of your bike ride, you can enjoy a well-deserved local beer during a visit to the small brewery near Oudeschild.

Day 5 - Oudeschild - Enkhuizen - full day sailing

Today, your ship 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 at all necessary. Of course, you are also welcome to relax and enjoy the sailing and the scenery along the IJsselmeer.

During the sailing, you will enjoy a hearty lunch on board. In the afternoon, the boat will arrive in Enkhuizen, an old town with centuries of maritime tradition. You can spend some time exploring this town; the "city of herrings" has a beautiful harbor and a historic city center.
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 - Hoorn / Hoorn - Volendam - 24 km

In the morning you will join the ship 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 travel to Volendam, a small picturesque fishing port on the shores of Lake IJsselmeer. On the way, you will pass through Edam, which is known for its famous Edam cheese, covered with red or yellow wax.
Sailors took wheels of Edam cheese with them on their voyages - the cheese does not spoil easily and could be exchanged for spices and other riches from the East.

Day 7 - Volendam - Keukenhof - Amsterdam / Full day bus trip

Today, a beautiful bus ride will take you through the oldest tulip fields in Holland to the famous Keukenhof gardens. You will have plenty of time to discover the most beautiful bulb park in the world. It features a firework display of color: seven million tulips in bloom in a magnificent 80 acres of traditional and modern garden architecture. You will also see a diverse array of hyacinths, daffodils and many other bright flowers.
In the afternoon, the bus will take you back to Amsterdam for a restful night in your floating hotel.

Day 8 - Amsterdam

End of your trip on the Tulip Route. After breakfast, you can disembark until 9:30 am

Day 1 - Amsterdam to Volendam  

 You are expected on the sailing boat Mare Fan Fryslân between 1 and 2 pm. The crew will welcome you with coffee and tea.
At 14:30 the ship leaves the port of Amsterdam for Volendam, the guide will give you the necessary information about the trip, cycling and safety procedures in the Netherlands.
In the late afternoon, you can try out your bike for a ride. After your dinner on board, you will follow the guide for a walk through the center of Volendam which borders the Ijsselmer lake.

Day 2 - Volendam to Hoorn (24 km) - sailing between Hoorn and Enkhuizen 

On this first day of cycling in Holland, a hearty breakfast will be followed by a cycling tour to Hoorn, which in the 17th century was one of the world's leading ports.
On the way, you can visit Edam and taste its famous cheese, covered with red or yellow wax.
If this beautiful village is famous for its cheese, it was also once a very active port. Sailors used to take wheels of Edam cheese on their voyages to trade for spices and other oriental riches.
Later in the afternoon, you will join the Mare Fan Fryslân to sail to Enkhuizen, a town with centuries of maritime tradition. You can explore the "city of herring", its old harbor and the historic city center.

Day 3 - Enkhuizen to Oudeschild - full day sailing

Today, the sailboat will set sail for the port of Oudeschild on the island of Texel. You can help with the navigation and the hoisting of the sails. No previous sailing experience is necessary. Of course, you can also relax and enjoy the scenery along the IJsselmeer. During the trip, you will enjoy a hearty lunch on board.

In the afternoon, the ship will arrive in Oudeschild on the Texel Island, the largest of the Dutch Wadden Isles.

No dinner will be served to enable you to explore the harbor. You can make yourself a picnic meal or thry one of the nice restaurants of Oudeschild.

Day 4 - Oudeschild to Den Helder | Texel Wadden Island: round trip (43 km to 48 km)

This stage invites you to discover the island of Texel by bike by choosing a short or longer route. You will cross charming natural parks and many flowery fields! The cycling markers guide you through picturesque fields and villages to the Ecomare seal sanctuary. At the end of the cycling stage, you can taste a well-deserved local beer by visiting the small brewery near Oudeschild.
In the late afternoon, the sailboat will take you back to the port of Den Helder.

Day 5 - Sailing from Den Helder to St. Maartensvlotburg - St. Maartensvolburg to Alkmaar by bike (32 or 53 km)

Head for North Holland in Den Helder. This piece of land between the North Sea and the IJsselmeer is home to the largest field of flower bulbs in the world! 
Near Alkmaar, you can see the beautiful tulip fields towards the North Sea. The sandy beach is one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands. Nearby, you can visit the village of Bergen. 
The sailboat will be moored in the historic center of Alkmaar. You will be charmed by the beauty of Alkmaar's old town, with its well-preserved 17th century buildings and narrow, winding canals.
 

Day 6 - Alkmaar - Keukenhof - Alkmaar - Full day bus trip

Today, a trip down through Holland's oldest tulip fields takes you to the famous Keukenhof garden, the most beautiful bulb park in the world. It offers a firework display of color with its seven million blooming tulips in a magnificent architectural ensemble of traditional and modern gardening. A diverse array of hyacinths, daffodils and many other bright flowers completes this magical setting. In the afternoon, the bus will take you back to Alkmaar where the sailboat is waiting for you.

Day 7 - Alkmaar to Zaanse Schans (33 or 43 km)

In the morning, you will cycle towards Egmond and Limmen through colorful tulip fields. Nearby, you will visit the Hortus Bulborum, a unique museum-garden dedicated to the preservation of rare and historical bulbs. 
Over 4,000 tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other special flowers are planted here. You then proceed to Zaanse Schans, a unique hamlet famous for its windmills built on the banks of the river Zaan. This tiny village is dominated by its working windmills - the oldest was built in 1673. They were used to grind mustard seeds, spices and paint components, extract vegetable oil and saw wood into boards. You will find your ship docked here.
 

Day 8 - End of cycling trip in Zaanse Schans

End of your bike and boat trip on the Tulip Route. After breakfast you can disembark until 9:30 am.

Description : click here

General information :

• 8 days and 7 nights
• Comfort level of the barge : Comfort
• Spoken languages on board : English 
• Child prices : please contact us

Dates 2025 :

• Departure from Zaanse Schans on Saturdays 12/04 and 26/04 (high season)
• Departure from Amsterdam on Saturday 05/04 (low season)

Included :

• Full board stay: 7 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches, 1 lunch on board, 6 3-course dinners dinners on board and 1 picnic dinner
• coffee, tea, welcome drink
• sheets and towels
• daily cabin cleaning
• guided tour
• 1 bus excursion including a visit to the Keukenhof park
• waterproof bags
• road-book and maps
• wifi

Not included :

• Transport to the place of departure
• Personal expenses
• Visits
• Fees for ferries
• Parking

Options :

• Bike rental
• Helmet
• Parking for own bikes (mandatory if no rented bike)
• Theft insurance for rented bikes
• Cancellation insurance

Level :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

Flat, very smooth roads and paths. 

Weather :

Contrary to popular belief, the temperature in the Netherlands is similar to the temperature in France. Near the coast, the weather is sometimes windy.

Technicality :

0 to 53 km of cycling per day, or about 3 to 5 hours of cycling. Easy route. No difficulties, accessible for anyone.

Bibliography :

- Guide and maps about the Netherlands on cartovelo.fr

Participants :

On board, you will meet an international community of all ages, men, women, singles and couples with children. We offer boats with 80 places maximum in cabins of 2 and 3 people. The boat offers 41 places maximum in 14 cabins.

Accompaniment :

People responsible for your bike and boat holidays are : 
On board, the captain and his mate. They are responsible for the smooth running of the vacation on the boat, and bring the boat from stage to stage. The cook prepares the meals.
The tour is without a guide, a morning briefing on the tour will present you the route each day.

Meals :

Breakfast : on board, you will find a and dutch breakfast.
Lunch : after the breakfast, you will prepare by yourself a “packed lunch” (sandwich, fruit, snack, drinks).
Snack : after the daily route, you will find, when you arrive on the boat, various drinks such as tea and coffee prepared for your return.
Dinner : at least three very good quality dishes. After dinner, you will have a choice of coffee and tea.
Other drinks, such as wine, beer, lemonade and mineral water, are not included but can be purchased on board at a reasonable price.

Bike :

At the beginning, on Saturday afternoon, a bike corresponding to your height, will be assigned to you. After a test ride, you will sign a receipt. The bike (21-speed bike) will be at your disposal all week until Friday afternoon, when the bike is handed over. The bike will be fitted with panniers.
If you take your own bike, it cannot be insured against theft by our company, you will have to make the necessary arrangements with your usual insurer. Do not forget your bike lock. The return of your bike will be at your expense.

Transport : Geographic location

By train : the departure towns for the bike and boat tours are served by the railway.

By plane : AMSTERDAM international airport.

Your vehicle : 

We strongly advise against parking cars on the streets of Amsterdam. Information on guarded parking lots in the city can be found on the following website : parkingcentrumoosterdok.nl.

Cancellation insurance :

In order to guarantee the refund of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more, please click here.