La Frise et le lac d'Ijssel by bike and boat - Liza Marleen

Friesland and Lake Ijssel by bike and boat

Your cycling trip in Holland begins with crossing the IJsselmeer and ancient South Sea to reach the Friesland region. Here, the calm environment attracts sailors but also cyclists. Nature surrounds you between countryside, picturesque and historic villages and ports around the IJsselmeer.
You reach the city of Amsterdam after having visited Hoorn, Stavoren or Enkhuizen.
Lake Ijssel and Friesland offer exceptional natural landscapes and the Liza Marleen, your barge will introduce you to a new way of traveling that you will not soon forget.

Points of interest during the stay:

• The Frisian towns of Stavoren and Sneek
• Zuiderzee museum
• Amsterdam
• Sail aboard the Liza Marleen

Day 1: Amsterdam

You are expected aboard the Liza Marleen at 2 p.m. The boat leaves the port in the direction of Lelystad. You can make a first 15 km bike tour for a first discovery of the region.

Day 2: Lelystad - Sneek / 45 km

The Liza Marleen leaves the port of Lelystad and crosses the Ijsselmeer to reach Lemmer. Your cycling route starts here to reach Sneek through the wooded Gaasterland region. Visit the village of Balk then reach the beautiful town of Ijlst, with its low houses and lime trees.
You ride along a waterway through lush green landscapes bordered by alders and willows.
Sneek is the water sports capital of Friesland, it has several canals and the famous Watergate.

Day 3: Sneek - Leeuwarden / 40 km

Your cycling trip through Holland continues towards Boazum and the stunning Romanesque architecture of St. Maartenskerk's Church.
On your bike tour, you can admire the picturesque Slachtedijk dike winding through the landscape. You end your stage in the capital of Friesland, Leeuwarden. It is a typical Dutch town with narrow streets, canals and pretty brick houses. Join the Liza Marleen for the night.

Day 4: Leeuwarden - Makkum / 45 km

Enter the flat country out of the town of Leeuwarden by bike. The stage takes you to Franeker, the old university town. Take time to visit the famous 17th century planetarium of Eise Eisinga. Crossing beautiful Dutch villages leads you to Makkum, famous for its pottery. You might want to take a detour to see Harlingen harbor.
Your boat is waiting for you in Makkum.

Day 5: Makkum - Stavoren / 40 km

 
Leave Makkum after your breakfast and join Workum then Hindeloopen on the banks of the Ijsselmeer. The city is famous for having preserved its old traditions. You may still hear the song of the sailors echoing through the narrow streets of the city.
After touring Hindeloopen, you will cycle to the historic harbor town of Stavoren for the evening and night.

Day 6: Stavoren - Hoorn / 30 km

Start your day with a cruise on Lake Ijssel towards Enkhuizen in the province of North Holland. You can walk along the 16th century fortress and admire its many historical monuments. Take the time to visit the Zuiderzee Museum. Then cycle along the Ijsselmeer dike to Hoorn, a beautiful harbor town.

Day 7: Hoorn - Amsterdam / 45 km

Your cycling trip in the Frisian country continues with a first navigation stage to reach Volendam. Continue your discoveries by bike to Monnickendam then Marken, pretty picturesque towns.
You then enter the Waterland region where the buildings are at the same level as the sea.
The stage ends in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, which worships the little queen. Take the time to stroll through this beautiful city with its elaborate system of canals and narrow gabled houses.

Day 8: End of the cycling trip around the lakes and historic towns of Friesland

Your stay ends after breakfast at 10 a.m.

General Information:

• 8 days and 7 nights
• Level of comfort of the boat : Comfort
• Children rates : contact us
• Languages spoken on board : English and Dutch

Dates:
 
Departure from Amsterdam on Saturdays 24/06, 01/07, 08/07, 15/07, 22/07, 29/07, 12/08, 19/08 and 26/08

• Low season: 01/07, 08/07, 15/07, 22/07, 29/07
• High season: 24/06, 19/08 and 26/08

Included :

• Full board stay (picnic lunch)
• coffee and tea on board
• tour guide
• at least 3 city walks
• Free Wi-Fi (limited to the deck and lounge)
• road book in English on site
• gps tracks on request 

Not included :

• Transport to the place of departure
• Personal expenses
• Visits

The options :

• VTC or VAE rental (helmet included)
• Bike theft insurance (for rented bikes)
• cancellation insurance
• Additional night (s) at the start or end of the tour in a hotel in Amsterdam

Level :
 
1 2 3 4 5 6
 
Ground :
 
Flat, very smooth roads and paths. 90% program on cycle paths.
 
Weather :
 
Contrary to popular belief, the temperature in the Netherlands is similar to the temperature in France. Near the coast, the climate is sometimes windy.
 
Technicality:
 
- 0 to 49 km of hiking per day, or 3 to 4 hours of cycling.
- Easy to follow route. No difficulties, accessible to all.
 
Bibliography:
 
Guide and maps of the Netherlands on cartovelo.fr
 
The participants :
 
On board you will meet an international community of all ages, men, women, singles and couples with children. We offer you on this boat 20 to 26 places in cabins of 2 and 3 people.
 
Support:
 
Here are the people responsible for your bike and boat holidays:
On board, the captain and his boy. They are responsible for the smooth running of the vacation on the boat, and take the boat from stage to stage. The cook prepares the meals.
Participants are accompanied by a guide. This will help you in the event of a breakdown, advise you on the route to follow and give you the necessary tourist information. He or she is multilingual.
 
Meals :
 
Breakfasts: on the boat you will find a hearty, Dutch breakfast, fit for a cyclist.
Lunches: after breakfast, you will prepare a “lunch” yourself (sandwiches, fruits, snacks, drinks).
Snack: after the daily trip, you will find, when you arrive on the boat, various drinks such as tea and coffee prepared for your return, with a cake.
Dinners: 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.
 
The bike :
 
At the start, on Saturday afternoon, a bike corresponding to your size will be assigned to you. After a test ride, you will sign a receipt. The bike (VTC: 21-speed bike) will be at your disposal all week until Friday afternoon, when the bike is handed over.
 
The bikes will be fitted with saddlebags as well as an anti-theft device, a container and a tire repair kit. If you prefer a 7-speed bike, please let us know (this must be specified when booking). It will not be possible to order a bicycle once on the boat.
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. Don't forget your anti-theft. The return of your bike will be at your expense.
 
Transport :
 
By train: The departure towns for the bike and boat tours are served by the railway.
Amsterdam train station is very well connected: several trains run to and from France daily.
The Thalys is the fastest.
By plane: AMSTERDAM international airport.
 
Your vehicle:
 
We strongly advise against parking cars on the streets of Amsterdam. You have the possibility of reserving a place in a guarded car park in the city.
 
Cancellation insurance :
 
In order to guarantee the reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance.

Boat description : click here.