Holland / Island hopping in the Frisian islands

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1. Enkhuizen

Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board is from 2 p.m. near the beautiful center of Enkhuizen and close to the railway station. After unpacking your luggage the skipper will join you for an aperitif before giving you a rundown of what to expect on the journey, details about the ship and also about safety measures to be taken on board. In the evening take a stroll through the historical center of Enkhuizen, a quaint town that was the home of the Dutch merchant fleet during the Golden Age of The Netherlands. Enjoy your first night on board in Enkhuizen on the western bank of the lake IJsselmeer.

2. Enkuizen - Texel (25/40 km)

Today you will pedal from Enkhuizen along the quiet waters of lake IJssel up to Medemblik. This ancient little town hosts a museum dedicated to steam machines as well as a castle dating back to 1288. After the cycling tour the ship will sail further to Den Oever. Depending on the weather in the evening the ship will take the lock and sail across the Wadden Sea (part of the North Sea) to the island of Texel.

3. Oudeschild and the isle of Texel (45/50 km)

Texel, the largest of the Frisian islands, is a true cyclists’ paradise, covered in cycling trails and very low traffic. Its sandy beaches are home to a number of sea birds and seals which make this island a wild land between water and earth. You will also have the opportunity to visit Ecomare, a very interesting natural museum, situated in the middle of the National Park Dunes of Texel.

4. Oudeschild - Terschelling (5/6 hour sail)

Today will be dedicated to rest and relaxation while sailing from Texel to the isle of Terschelling. While sailing you will be able to admire seal colonies gently laid by the sea front. This island is definitely still ruled by nature featuring nice beaches facing the north sea on one side and a totally green landscape on the other side, where the Terschelling village sits protected by its famous lighthouse, dating back to 1594. 

No dinner will be served tonight, to enable you to explore the island, but you can make yourself a picnic meal or try one of the nice restaurants at Terschelling (not incl.).

5. Terschelling - Harlingen (40 km)

This island displays 70 km worth of cycling trails, running between beaches and dunes colonised by sea birds and blueberry fields. There are only four villages on this island, with their typical shops and inns which used to thrive during the whales hunting days. Later in the afternoon the ship will cross the Wadden Sea and sail to Harlingen, the most important harbor city of the Friesland province.

6. Harlingen - Makkum (50/60 km)

Today you will cycle through the beautiful wide Friesian countryside via Franeker along several rural villages to the small harbor of Makkum on the eastern bank of lake IJsselmeer. If you decide to take the longer cycling tretch, you will also visit Bolsward, one of the Eleven Friesian Cities.

7. Makkum - Stavoren - Enkhuizen (35/50 km)

From Makkum you will cycle on to Stavoren. The short tour leads you through the old trading town of Hindeloopen where the local  type of traditional decorative painting is quite renowned. Very interesting is the First Frisian Museum of Ice Skating in Hindeloopen. The longer stretch runs along several Friesian lakes and will show you a different type of landscape. From Stavoren the ship will set sail over the IJsselmeer to Enkhuizen in the late afternoon.

8. Enkhuizen

End of your tour: disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.

Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday. Issues with high and low water, as well as logistic obstacles such as officially ordered - previously not announced - repair work on locks or bridges can modify some of the daily stretches or overnight stays and may even request a transfer by bus. These decisions are only taken by the barge’s captain.