Holland’s Northern Coast Boat & Bike Tour
Boat & Bike • 7 nights
VISITING: The Netherlands
Overview
Why we love this tour
Relax and enjoy the scenery or help to raise the sails on a sailing ship
Pristine nature reserves of mudflats, migratory birds, sand dunes and wetlands
Pretty fishing harbours, seal sanctuary, unspoiled sandy beaches and a traditional brewery
Traffic-free cycle paths, well-marked tracks and easy terrain.
Save £50 per person in our January Sale
Guiding
Distance
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Formerly known as our Frisian Sea tour, fall into the gentle pace of coastal life as you experience the windswept archipelago and lakeside harbour towns of the Netherlands' northern coast. Cycle with screeching gulls overhead, riding along well-marked coastal paths and sleeping on a choice of two sailing ships: the tastefully furnished Mare Fan Fryslan or the stylish Wapen Fan Fryslan.
As you cycle along the shores of Holland’s largest lake, stop off at pretty harbour towns to visit a working windmill or try sauerkraut and fresh fish. North Holland’s pristine nature and wild sand dunes are a highlight of this trip and the best place to experience these are on the beautiful Frisian Islands. As you sail across the sea, look out for seals on the sandbar and spot black-winged stilts, spoonbills and black-backed gulls. The traditional brewery on Texel island is a particularly good place for a break and look forward to traffic-free cycling on the smallest island of Vlieland.
January Sale: Save £50 per person when you book between 01 and 31 January 2025, subject to availability. £50 discount applies to adults only (18 years and over) and is not combinable with any offer except Refer a Friend or Two Tour discount. £50pp discount is not included in website prices and will be deducted after booking. A minimum £100pp deposit is required at time of booking.
The Trip
Route
Itinerary
or click on individual days
Accommodation
Mare fan Fryslan
View full details of the Mare fan Fryslan.
The Mare Fan Fryslan was built in 1960 and completely renovated in 2006. She is a beautiful three-masted schooner and offers an air-conditioned saloon and restaurant and a bar, which has large, panoramic windows and is equipped with a music system and TV.
There are 12 lower deck comfortable twin cabins, one premium twin cabin with a small sitting area and a flat screen TV and one cabin with bunk beds. The twin cabins and premium twin can also take a 3rd bed if required. All cabins have a private shower and toilet and air-con.
The upper deck has an outdoor bar, jacuzzi and seating area. When in harbour, free wi-fi connection is available throughout the ship.
Mare Fan Fryslan
Wapen Fan Fryslan
View full details of the Wapen fan Fryslan.
The Wapen Fan Fryslan is a two-masted schooner built in 1965 and completely renovated in 2003. On board of this marvellous vessel you will immediately notice its warm and luxurious atmosphere.
All 12 spacious cabins have twin beds that can be transformed into a double bed and can take a 3rd bed if required. Each cabin has a shower and toilet, plus a porthole which can be opened.
On deck, there is a large saloon/restaurant and stylish bar and seating area, offering panoramic views across the water. The deck has a small bar with draught beer taps and a Jacuzzi and the middle deck and sun decks offer plenty of seating for outdoor dining, relaxing and sunbathing.
Wapen Fan Fryslan
Leafde fan Fryslân
View full details of the Leafde fan Fryslan.
The three-masted barquentine Leafde fan Fryslân had it's first voyage in 2018. 10 twin bed cabins, some of which can can be made into a 3 bed if required, 1 smaller twin cabin, 1 junior suite and 1 single cabin provide impressive accomodation on board. Each cabin has a an en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet as well as a porthole that can be opened.
Your food on board will be served in the nautical styled restaurant, after which you can relax in the lounge found on the upper deck which boasts large panoramic windows, a TV and bar. Dont forget your swimming stuff if you fancy a dip in the jacuzzi!
Passengers 25-27 max.
For 2024 departures the ship will be extended by 14 meters, below deck 3 new cabins will be added and 4 suites (with a double glass door and small balcony) will be added on the upper deck. The ship will have a maximum of 38 guests.
Leafde fan Fryslân
What's included
Price includes
7 nights accommodation aboard a premium class boat
Board basis: Full board including breakfast, packed lunch on 5 cycling days (1 lunch on board) and 6 three course dinners
Services of an English speaking on-board guide with daily briefings of the bike tours
Maps and route information (1 per cabin) - GPS tracks available
Welcome meeting and drink on the first evening
Local contact number for assistance
Daily cabin cleaning
Daily coffee and tea
Water bottle
Price excludes
Flights and transfers
Entrance fees & excursions
Ferry fees
Drinks & tips on board
Bike hire
Special dietary requests - see below
1 dinner on Terschelling for 2025 departures
Bike hire and extras
Bike hire
Bikes come with a pannier, a small repair kit, and lock all included at no extra cost when you hire a bike
Hybrid bike
E-bike
Bringing own bike
Bringing own E-bike (includes a charge station)
Other Extras
Helmet
Helmet hire
Board upgrade
Gluten or lactose free diet (65 Euros payable locally) - please select if applicable
:
Friendly service with expert knowledge
Easy to book and pay online
Full financial protection
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about this tour. Simply click on a question to reveal the answer.
Take the train (NS) from Enkhuizen to Amsterdam central station and Fly or Eurostar from Amsterdam.
Your days will involve gentle riding, mainly on flat terrain and with minimal effort required. Easy cycling holidays are suitable for most people whether you are a regular cyclist or not, however we recommend at least a few practice rides before your holiday!
We are always on hand to offer advice, so please give us a call if you wish to chat about the tour’s grading.
For Boat & Bike tours the boat will generally keep to the advertised itinerary, however the captain may have to adapt the itinerary due to the river or sea conditions.
There is limited space in the cabins, so pack light and take a soft suitcase.
Yes, you can relax on the boat or explore when you arrive at each destination instead of cycling.
Please advise us of any special requirements (vegetarian, gluten-free or lactose free-diet) at time of booking. We will notify the boat operator in advance (supplement on board for a gluten-free or lactose free-diet). Understandably, kitchen galley space is limited and not large enough to guarantee that the food can be prepared completely separately to cater for coeliacs. Vegan diets can sadly not be catered for.
Although there is no organised group, self-guided guests regularly find they come across their fellow passengers along the route during the day and may even get together to form their own cycling groups.
Your on-board Tour Leader provides daily briefings ahead of the next day's ride. These are always beneficial, including information on the local area, main sights, and tips on good places to stop en route.
Absolutely! Boat & Bike tours are very sociable and a good choice for single travellers wishing to mix with other guests and share your common interest of cycling.