Freewheel - Bike & Barge: Northern Netherlands

Bike & Barge: Northern Netherlands

Netherlands

From £475 P/P

Explore the Dutch peninsula north of Amsterdam on this relaxed bike and barge tour that is suitable for all the family. Discover the landscape of the flat Polderland, explore the sweeping dunes and North Sea beaches and pay a visit to the pretty harbourside villages of the Ijsselmeer.

With time to enjoy Amsterdam’s many attractions and easy riding through an enchanting landscape dotted with windmills, churches and farmland, this is a cyclist’s paradise!

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1: Saturday – Individual arrival at Amsterdam, Shipping from Amsterdam to Hoorn

Check-in on board in the afternoon. Maybe you will take some time for exploring the city of Amsterdam and a shopping tour. At 6:00 pm MS SERENA will leave Amsterdam for Hoorn with its historical old part of town.

Day 2: Sunday – Cycling from Hoorn to Enkhuizen, cycle tour: approx. 20 – 26 km

Hoorn is an ancient city in which you can still find many buildings dating back to the 17th century (e.g. the Regentur of Westfries-land – today a museum -, the town’s scales at the Rodesteen, the harbour tower as well as the storage houses at the old quai). To-day you are cycling from Hoorn to Enkhuizen. Tip: you should visit the Zui-derzeemuseum (optional).

Day 3: Monday – Shipping from Enkhuizen to Lemmer – Cycling from Lemmer and back, cycle tour: approx. 32 – 45 km

Today you are shipping over the IJsselmeer to Lemmer. You are starting your roundtrip by bike: over the Oosterzee Buren to the Tjeukemeer, further to Munnekeburen, then around the Rottige Meente over Scherpen-zel and Schoterzijl back to Lemmer with its historical old part of town and beautiful gable houses.

Tip: Optional visit of the largest still-functioning steam pumping station in the world, “Woudagemaal”.

Day 4: Tuesday – Cycling from Lemmer to Stavoren, Cycle tour: approx. 33 km – Shipping from Stavoren to Oudeschild (Island of Texel)

You are going by bike to Sondeler Leien Lake, from there through the woods of
Rijsterbos passing the Mokkebank (a birds’ reservation) to the Roode Klif at Stavoren. From there you are shipping to Oudeschild on the Island of Texel.

Day 5: Wednesday – Island of Texel – Cycle tour from Oudeschild and back, cycle tour: approx. up to 70 km, Shipping from Oudeschild to Den Helder

You are going on a round trip by bike on the biggest North Sea Island of the Netherlands – Texel. There are numerous alternative routes (29/32/47/70 km). Tip: We also rec-ommend you to visit the beer brewery of Texel (optional). About 6:00 pm shipping back to Den Helder.

Day 6: Thursday – Cycling from Den Helder via Sint Maartensvlotbrug to Alkmaar, cycle tour: approx. 25 to 55 km

In the morning you are cycling through the dunes to Alkmaar. It is possible for you to go on board MS SERENA in St. Maar-tensvlotburg and ship the rest of the way to Alkmaar. As an alternative, you can also start your cycling tour in St. Maartensvlot-burg.

Day 7: Friday – Shipping from Alkmaar to Wormerveer – Cycling from Wormerveer to Amsterdam, cycle tour: approx. 35 km

In the morning you have the opportunity to visit the cheese market in Alkmaar (ca. Apr. to Sept). At midday we are shipping to Wormerveer from where you are cycling to the open air museum Zaanse Schans (windmills, ancient Dutch village, cheese factory, etc. – entrance fee is not included). You are cycling through the recreational area Twiske to Amsterdam. Tip: In the evening you have the opportunity to take part in a “Grachtenrundfahrt” (shipping on the channels of Amsterdam in small boats, optional)

Day 8: Saturday

After breakfast you are checking out and we are saying goodbye – have a safe journey
Route Overview

Route Overview

You cycle daily about 30 to 60 km. Nearly all routes are easy to cycle. You cycle on asphalted and signposted bike paths. This beautiful journey leads along wonderful landscape and scenic villages. During the cruise of the MS Serena from one spot to the next, you are offered interesting bike tours. Those tours will be adjusted individually with the tour guide, depending on the group and their potential.

The mentioned kilometres are ca-distances. There is a daily briefing in the evening for the next day. If wished, you can cycle tours also individually, maps will be provided for that. The tours can be managed from everyone in normal shape. If you do not want to cycle you can also stay on board or make a shorter bike tour.

Total distance cycled: 264 km

Route Map (For guidance only):

Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.

Starting point of the cycling holiday: Amsterdam
Getting There

Getting There

We recommend flying to Amsterdam Schiphol airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.

Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.

We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.

Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.

You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.

Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
What’s Included?
What’s Included?

The Bike & Barge: Northern Netherlands cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.

Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
- Seven nights in outside cabins, shower/WC in the booked cabin category
- Programme according to routing from/to Amsterdam
- Welcome cocktail
- Room cleaning every day
- Changing of towels and bed sheets if wanted
- Full board consisting of breakfast buffet, lunch or lunch package for cycle tours, coffee or tea in the afternoon, dinner
- All charges for harbours, bridges and locks
- Daily meeting for the cycling tours
- Printed instructions and detailed maps for daily individual bike tours (1 per cabin)
- Tour guide
- Languages on board: German, English
Not Included
- Flights to/from the start and finish
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
- Helmets
- Water Bottles
- Travel Insurance
- Bike Insurance (unless stated)
- Welcome Meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers (unless included)
Bike Hire

Bike Hire

About the Rental Bikes

This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes. Quality Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres are among the components that will ensure you have an enjoyable cycle tour.

You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation while. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.

Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)

Rental Bike PLUS

E - Bike (Colour may vary)

Accessories

If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided. Please ensure you bring any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.

All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.

You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.

Gearing information available on request.

Frame Sizing

When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided, and you will need to bring your own to use.

We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!

Bike Hire Insurance

This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel, and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.

Electric Bike Hire

Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging, and assistance up to 25 km/h. They have a range of around 120 km for each full charge.

E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
Hotels

Hotels

About the MS Serena

A comfortable river boat with restaurant and bar (air-conditioned). There is a partly roofed sun-deck with seats and store place for the bicycles.

On the whole MS SERENA comprises 35 cab-ins on the Main Deck and 18 cabins on the Promenade Deck with two-bed-cabins (approx. 8-9 sqm) with two single beds. The two Junior-Suites (approx. 12 sqm) on the Main Deck have a grandlit (lying surface 1,40 × 2,00 m). There are in total 3 single cabins (2 on the Main Deck and 1 on the Promenade Deck, 6 sqm).

All cabins have windows that can be opened on both decks, shower/WC and ventilation.

Technical data: Length 90 m. Width 9.90 m. Max. 102 passengers. 3 decks. Dutch flag and guidance.

Date & Prices

You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.

Sailing Information:

Ship	Route Summary
MS Serena	North Of Holland

2022 Cycling Holiday Prices:

Season	Date Band	Arrival Day
Season A	26MAR – 02Apr I 08Oct – 15Oct	Saturday
Season B	02Apr – 09Apr I 01Oct – 08Oct	Saturday
Season C	09Apr – 16Apr I 24Sep – 01Oct	Saturday
Season D	16Apr – 23Apr I 23Apr – 30Apr I 10Sep – 17Sep I 17Sep – 24Sep	Saturday
Season E	30Apr – 10Sep	Saturday

Main Deck Twin Cabin Information:

Season	Prices per person	Arrival Day
Season A; Main Deck 2 bed	£475	Saturday
Season A: Main Deck (Single use)	£705	Saturday
Season A: Main Deck Junior Suite	£520	Saturday
Season B; Main Deck 2 bed	£565	Saturday
Season B: Main Deck (Single use)	£840	Saturday
Season B: Main Deck Junior Suite	£610	Saturday
Season C; Main Deck 2 bed	£660	Saturday
Season C: Main Deck (Single use)	£975	Saturday
Season C: Main Deck Junior Suite	£705	Saturday
Season D; Main Deck 2 bed	£705	Saturday
Season D: Main Deck (Single use)	£1045	Saturday
Season D: Main Deck Junior Suite	£750	Saturday
Season E; Main Deck 2 bed	£795	Saturday
Season E: Main Deck (Single use)	£1180	Saturday
Season E: Main Deck Junior Suite	£840	Saturday

Promenade Deck Twin Cabin Information:

Season	Prices per person	Arrival Day
Season A: Promenade Deck 2 bed	£610	Saturday
Season B: Promenade Deck 2 bed	£705	Saturday
Season C: Promenade Deck 2 bed	£795	Saturday
Season D: Promenade Deck 2 bed	£840	Saturday
Season E: Promenade Deck 2 bed	£930	Saturday

Bike Hire per person:

Bike Type	Price
Rental Bike:	£80
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£165

SE22

Date From	Date To
26 March 2022	15 October 2022

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