IJsselmeer Sail & Bike: Lakes, Wildlife & National Parks

Welcome aboard! Your adventure begins in the heart of Amsterdam, where you’ll check in to your sailing ship from 2:00 p.m. The crew will greet you, help you settle into your cabin, and introduce the week ahead. Once all guests are on board, the ship departs (under motor) and cruises out of the bustling capital towards either Monnickendam or Volendam, two picturesque fishing towns on the Markermeer.

Enjoy your first dinner aboard as the cityscape fades into open water. After docking, take an early evening walk through the charming harbourside streets — lined with gabled houses, small shops and sailboats gently bobbing in the marina. Both towns offer a quiet and authentic Dutch welcome.

Fuel up with breakfast before hopping on your bike for the first full day of exploration. You'll begin with a visit to a traditional Dutch farm, where local cheese and wooden clogs are still made the old-fashioned way. It’s a great opportunity to meet the farmers and sample their wares.

Next, cycle through the UNESCO-listed Beemster Polder, a stunning example of Dutch land reclamation from the 1600s. Flat, geometric fields bordered by canals reflect a perfectly engineered landscape. Continue to Edam, a charming town world-famous for its cheese but also home to historic houses, quiet canals and flower-lined streets.

Pedal along the dike that follows the coastline of the IJsselmeer to Hoorn, once a powerful trading town during the Dutch Golden Age. Upon arrival, explore the lively harbour, old warehouses, and central square. Don’t miss the impressive 17th-century facades and museums that tell the story of Dutch maritime expansion.

Back on board, relax with dinner and perhaps a stroll along the waterfront before turning in for the night.

This morning, cycle from Hoorn through the rural countryside dotted with orchards and tulip fields in spring. Stop at windmill De Krijgsman, the tallest traditional windmill in North Holland, where you’ll learn about the milling process and its importance in Dutch agriculture.

Continue on to Enkhuizen, another historical harbour town with strong ties to the Dutch East India Company. The town is rich in maritime history, and you may wish to visit the Zuiderzee Museum, which brings the heritage of the inland sea to life with an open-air village and historic buildings.

In the afternoon, board your ship and set sail across the IJsselmeer to the quaint village of Urk. Once an island in the open sea, Urk is now connected to the mainland thanks to land reclamation. Wander through its narrow alleys and alleys, which were built in a haphazard pattern evidence of its once water-bound isolation. Local fishermen still bring in their daily catch, giving this harbour a working charm.

Today’s ride takes you deep into Flevoland, the youngest province in the Netherlands, made entirely from land reclaimed from the sea. Begin cycling near Schokkerhaven, and stop at Schokland, a former island now sitting high on a mound above the flat landscape. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site that tells the story of the ongoing Dutch battle with the sea.

Continue across the wide-open polders toward Vollenhove, a charming village once known as the “City of Palaces” due to the stately homes built by noble families in the 17th century. You’ll notice a different vibe here, quiet lanes, green spaces, and reminders of its days as a fishing hub. Enjoy a peaceful evening in town or relax on deck as the sun sets over the harbour.

One of the most scenic cycling days on the tour! You’ll ride past Blokzijl, with its beautiful canal and old trading houses, and into the heart of Weerribben-Wieden National Park. This unique landscape of wetlands, lakes, and peat bogs is a haven for wildlife and offers a serene ride along quiet trails and narrow dikes.

Stop at local villages such as Kalenberg, accessible only by water until recent decades, and continue on to Giethoorn, where cars are replaced by boats. Known as “the Venice of the North,” it’s a peaceful village of thatched-roof houses, narrow canals and wooden bridges, straight out of a fairytale. You’ll have time to explore the village on foot, or even rent a small boat if you wish!

Take the day off from cycling and enjoy a leisurely sailing journey. As the ship departs the calm inland waterways and returns to the open water of the IJsselmeer, sit back on deck with a coffee or join the crew in helping raise the sails, a fun and interactive way to experience the Dutch maritime tradition.

Arrive in Lelystad, the capital of Flevoland, in the early afternoon. This modern city is built on what was once the seabed. Optional activities include visiting the Batavia Shipyard, where you can see a full-scale replica of a 17th-century Dutch East India ship, or take time for a little shopping at the Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet nearby.

Tonight, enjoy a festive captain’s dinner with the crew and your fellow travellers, a perfect way to celebrate your Dutch sailing adventure.

Your final cycling day takes you through the Oostvaardersplassen, one of Europe’s most ambitious nature reserves. Once scheduled for industrial development, the area was instead transformed into a rewilding zone with wild horses, deer, and hundreds of bird species. Cycle along quiet nature paths with bird hides and expansive views of reed beds and lakes.

The ride ends in Blocq van Kuffeler or Oostvaardersdiep, where you’ll rejoin the ship for the final sail back to Amsterdam. Toast the week with a last dinner on board and enjoy your final evening in the Dutch capital.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your crew and fellow cyclists. Disembarkation is by 9:30 a.m., leaving you plenty of time to explore more of Amsterdam on your own or head to the airport for your onward journey.