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Embark on an exciting voyage of discovery aboard a magnificent and comfortably equipped sailing ship . The tour begins in Amsterdam and follows the IJsselmeer coast . The charming historic cities, the polder landscape, and the inland villages are connected by excellent cycling paths . Discover the old trading towns of Monnickendam, Hoorn, and Enkhuizen, remnants of the Dutch East India Company era . You will also visit many other historic towns and polders on both the western and eastern shores of the IJsselmeer.
The tour also takes you through various Dutch national parks and to the province of Overijssel . On the last day, the ship returns to Amsterdam, where you can relax on board. A short stop is included for a bike ride through the Oostvaardersplassen : a unique nature reserve where nature is left to its own devices to maintain a natural balance in the flora and fauna. If you'd like to be more active on board, you can help with navigation and hoisting the sails under the guidance of the experienced crew . Or you can simply stretch your legs, feel the wind in your hair, and enjoy the passing scenery. Since the ships are very large and sturdily built, reaching up to 55 meters in length, seasickness is virtually nonexistent.
Would you like to explore the IJsselmeer in a relaxed manner by sailing ship and bicycle? Then book your trip with the Mecklenburger Radtour!
Your cycling and sailing week begins in Amsterdam. The crew will welcome you aboard between 13:00 PM and 14:00 PM. After all guests have checked in, the ship will depart (by motor) for Monnickendam or Volendam. After dinner, you can take a short stroll through the town's historic center.
Today, the day begins in true Dutch style: You'll travel to a nearby, family-run cheese farm and clog shop. Here, you can see how cheese and typical Dutch clogs are made, and you can also sample some cheese. Then, you'll continue along the dikes to Purmerend, located in the heart of the De Be polder.emster and lies around 3,5 m below sea level. The polder was drained more than 400 years ago when the Dutch converted an inland lake into pastureland. This geometric pattern, divided into squares and quadrants, has been recognized by UNESCO as a "creative masterpiece." Your next destination is Edam, a beautiful town whose alleys and canals are worth a stroll. Edam is, of course, famous for its cheese covered in red or yellow wax. This clever method of preservation kept the cheese fresh for so long that sailors in the 17th century could take it on their voyages and trade it for spices and other treasures of the East. Crossing the main dike of the IJsselmeer, you reach Volendam's promenade, where the ship has docked. Here you have some time for a short stroll. After dinner, you can take a stroll through the historic center to help you digest it. In the late evening, the ship sails to Hoorn.
Today's bike tour takes you through rural villages to Enkhuizen. You'll pass De Krijgsman (The Warrior) windmill, the tallest windmill in North Holland and one of the few old windmills still grinding flour. This region is also known for its many greenhouses used to grow vegetables. In the 17th century, Enkhuizen was one of the richest cities in Holland thanks to the import of spices from Asia. Here, you'll find many impressive mansions, canals, churches, and city walls that still reflect the city's rich history. Weather permitting, you'll sail across the IJsselmeer in the afternoon to the traditional fishing village of Urk. On board, you can assist the captain with the sailing if you wish. Or you can simply sit back and enjoy the journey. In the evening, you can stroll through the narrow streets of the picturesque village. The houses of old Urk were built closely together on raised ground to protect them from flooding, resulting in the winding streetscape that is still visible today.
After breakfast, the Elizabeth will take you to the "new land." From Schokkerhaven, you'll begin your cycling tour along the polders. You'll cycle along the water to the former island of Schokland, which has been completely surrounded by the mainland since land reclamation. A museum documents the history of the small island, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Beautiful cycling paths lead along the former coastline. You'll continue your cycling tour through the polders to the charming, former fishing village of Vollenhove.
From Vollenhove, the cycle paths lead through open countryside to the small town of Blokzijl. This is where the Weerribben-Wieden National Park begins, home to the largest marshland in northwestern Europe. An oasis of peace for plants, animals, and people. A cycle path runs through the heart of the national park, far from the hustle and bustle, allowing you to immerse yourself completely in the tranquility of this area. With a bit of luck, you might spot a kingfisher or even an otter (the symbol of the park). The route continues through Kalenberg, a village that was only accessible by boat until the 1950s. A winding route through a rural landscape with narrow fields surrounded by dikes leads you to the beautiful town of Giethoorn, also known as the "Little Venice of the North."
Today you can enjoy a full day of sailing and make yourself comfortable on board. If you wish, you can once again assist the captain with the sailing. In the early afternoon, the Elizabeth reaches Lelystad, the capital of the province of Flevoland. Flevoland consists almost entirely of land reclaimed from the IJsselmeer. In the evening, after the ship docks in the harbor, you will enjoy a genuine captain's dinner on board.
In the morning, you can visit the Batavia Shipyard. Here, ships with an important maritime history are exhibited, restored to their former glory. Or you can head to Batavia Stad, an outlet center with many well-known brands. After breakfast, you will disembark for your final bike ride. You will cycle through the Oostvaardersplassen, a nature reserve on new land that is meant to find its own balance, as it existed in ancient times, by intervening as little as possible. Parts of this route wind through wooded areas, while others offer panoramic views of extensive grasslands and marshlands. This is a true paradise for birdwatchers. The ship awaits you in the small harbor of Oostvaardersdiep to take you back to Amsterdam. Celebrate this wonderful week around the IJsselmeer with dinner on board the ship.
The trip ends today after a final delicious breakfast. Disembarkation is by 09:30 a.m.
Our services are communicated in German and English.
| rental bike 7 speed unisex | |
|---|---|
| 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026 | 91,00 € |
| E-bike (on request, limited number) | |
|---|---|
| 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026 | 252,00 € |
| Bring your own electric bike | |
|---|---|
| 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026 | 28,00 € |
| bringing your own bike | |
|---|---|
| 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026 | 14,00 € |
| rental helmet | |
|---|---|
| 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026 | 10,00 € |
| rental bike insurance/week | |
|---|---|
| 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026 | 14,00 € |
| electric rental bike insurance/week | |
|---|---|
| 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026 | 28,00 € |
Saturdays: 06.06. to 19.09.26
Attention: This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Train: to/from Amsterdam Central Station, the pier is located near Central Station
Parking in Amsterdam
Parking in Amsterdam with Centralparking valet service.
valet parking service
A driver will be waiting for you in front of the ship to help you with your luggage. The local driver, who knows his way around vehicles, will then take your car to a parking lot with permanent camera surveillance. When you return, your car will be back in front of the ship: you can get in straight away and drive off!
2026: for €195 (8 days) you can park your vehicle (car) safely and with 2 hour security, 45 x transfer of your car is included (if booked in advance). Please note: If you have a bike rack mounted on your car and it is still attached to the car while you park, you will be charged an additional €205. You can select this option when making your reservation. If you decide to book this service on the day you start your trip, the price for valet parking is € (only possible if your trip starts and ends in Amsterdam). You will receive more information about pre-booking with your booking confirmation.
General tip for traveling by car
A comprehensive overview of parking lots can be conveniently viewed on the external website www.parkopedia.de.
The impressive clipper, built in 1913, boasts a sophisticated interior . During its careful conversion into a modern passenger sailing vessel, great attention was paid to preserving the original character of this typical Dutch flat-bottomed ship. Spacious cabins with private showers and toilets , a large saloon with a bar, and a comfortable seating area ensure a pleasant stay. The cabin area was completely redesigned and furnished in the spring of 2015. The ship offers a total of 10 guest cabins, each with two single beds . Some cabins can be booked as triple or quadruple cabins (with raised beds). Eight cabins are located on the lower deck, and two on the upper deck. All cabins have a window/porthole that can be opened.
Max. 20-35 passengers, length: 41,00 m, width 6,90 m, sail area 445 m²
deck plan
2 bed cabin
3 bed cabin
4 bed cabin
Twin bed cabin
Salon
outer deck
outer deck
Bar
Kitchen Style
Restaurant
We reserve the right to make changes for meteorological and nautical reasons!
The distance to be covered Route depends primarily on the weather and is redefined from day to day. Route changes or a change in the order of the individual stages are therefore always reserved. The skipper and his crew discuss the options with the guests on a daily basis and will do everything to offer you a varied mix of culture and nature.
The routes are almost always flat , and cycling is predominantly on cycle paths along the canals, with only occasional use of quiet side roads. You should expect varying degrees of wind .
There are bridges and causeways across the IJsselmeer that are accessible to cyclists. A well-known example is the Afsluitdijk, which separates the IJsselmeer from the North Sea. This causeway is approximately 32 kilometers long and has a cycle path that cyclists can use. The causeway offers an excellent opportunity to "cross" the IJsselmeer by bicycle. There is also the Houtribdijk , another causeway, which connects the cities of Lelystad on the Flevopolder and Enkhuizen in the province of North Holland . It, too, is suitable for cyclists.
The circular route around the IJsselmeer, also known as the " IJsselmeer Route ", is approximately 300 kilometers long . The exact distance can vary slightly depending on the chosen route and detours to various towns and attractions along the way . The route is very popular with cyclists, as it leads through beautiful scenery and connects many picturesque villages and towns in the region.
General information
Not included in the price: Cultural development tax, bed tax, arrival and departure, transfers, excursions, entrance and sightseeing fees, city maps, ferry fees, insurance, tips and personal expenses.
This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Maps presented are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect geographical reality.
