Pearls of the Netherlands

Islands of Holland (bike and boat)

Tour Description: Guided

The Dutch Shallows, the largest nature reserve in Holland. The ever changing domain of land, sea, fishermen, seals and birds. What could be more enjoyable than sailing over the Wadden Sea and cycling on the West Frisian islands? Come and find out yourself.

Our boat will bring you to two of the most beautiful West Frisian islands, Texel and Terschelling, as well as the former island Wieringen. Breathe in the fresh air on the windswept beaches, cycle through forest and dunes, visit the old villages and harbours, and enjoy the exceptional beauty of this part of The Netherlands. The interaction of the light on the sea, the land and the air makes a tour through this part of The Netherlands an unforgettable experience. Every island has its own history, atmosphere and culinary challenges. You do one or two cycling trips on each island. Short and long bike trips are always possible, but of course you can also decide to visit the beach or go for a walk.

The guide rides along with you every day, choosing the long or the short route depending on the wishes of the group. However, you can fill in the day yourself using the route descriptions.

Tour Description: Self-guided

The Dutch Shallows, the largest nature reserve in Holland. The ever changing domain of land, sea, fishermen, seals and birds. What could be more enjoyable than sailing over the Wadden Sea and cycling on the West Frisian islands? Come and find out yourself.

Our boat will bring you to two of the most beautiful West Frisian islands, Texel and Terschelling, as well as the former island Wieringen. Breathe in the fresh air on the windswept beaches, cycle through forest and dunes, visit the old villages and harbours, and enjoy the exceptional beauty of this part of The Netherlands. The interaction of the light on the sea, the land and the air makes a tour through this part of The Netherlands an unforgettable experience. Every island has its own history, atmosphere and culinary challenges. You do one or two cycling trips on each island. Short and long bike trips are always possible, but of course you can also decide to visit the beach or go for a walk.

The guide rides along with you every day, choosing the long or the short route depending on the wishes of the group. However, you can fill in the day yourself using the route descriptions.

Highlights: Guided

• The Dutch Shallows  
• Wadden Sea and islands  
• Beaches and dunes

Highlights: Self-guided

• The Dutch Shallows  
• Wadden Sea and islands  
• Beaches and dunes

Daily Program: Guided

Day 1: Stavoren (12miles/20 km)
You can put your luggage away in your cabin and then enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the guide, skipper and crew and of course your fellow passengers. The bicycles are distributed and you can make a round tour from Stavoren.

Stavoren was once a famous and prosperous Hanseatic town. The statue of the legendary “Lady of Stavoren” at the entrance to the harbor reminds visitors of this fact. The saga about this lady goes like this: a rich merchant‟s widow lived in a house in Stavoren with gold floors and silver walls. She owned more ships than all the other merchants of the town together and grew richer every day. In spite of her great wealth she was still not satisfied: she wanted to have the most precious thing on earth. She therefore ordered a captain to go find and get it for her.

After a long search the captain returned from Danzig with his holds full of wheat, which seemed to him more valuable than gold. However, this was not what the lady thought. She furiously asked him: 'On which side did you load the grain?' 'On starboard side.' 'Then throw it into the sea on port side!' A passer-by heard her say this and told her she had better not have this done; should she ever be reduced to beggary she would definitely find wheat more valuable than gold. She then took off her gold ring from her finger and threw it far into the sea, adding: 'I poor? How dare you? This ring will return to my hand before I am ever left a pauper!' Then one day one of her servants brought her a fish for dinner. When cutting the fish on her plate she hit on something hard; it was her own gold ring. From then on the tide started to turn for the lady. Eventually her life ended in poverty. The Vrouwenzand (Lady's Sand), a sandbank near Stavoren, is the place where people say the valuable cargo was thrown overboard. A grain-like vegetation is said to grow there - without any grains of corns in the ears.

Stavoren was a member town of the German Hanseatic League. This was a powerful association of trading towns that negotiated with the kings of Norway, Sweden and Denmark on behalf of the different member towns and tried to ensure that these nobles kept their promises. Currently Stavoren is the busiest water sport area in Friesland thanks to its good location on the IJsselmeer and a good water connection with the Frisian lakes that are so well-visited, especially in the summer. In the evening you dine on board, after which the plan for the next day and the routine for the rest of the week are explained.
Overnight in Stavoren.

Day 2: Stavoren – sailing to Den Oever, round trip Wieringen (12-24miles/20-40 km)
After sailing over the IJsselmeer you berth at Wieringen, an area that was an island for many centuries. Over 150,000 years ago the Norwegian glaciers pushed up the boulder clay and other material to a great height, thus creating the hilly isle of Wieringen. The Vikings regarded the island as a safe place to bury a silver treasure here. The original inhabitants lived off the land and off the sea, or off both. 

They developed a culture of their own on the island. Wieringen has a slightly undulating appearance, the roads are winding and the variety of wild flowers, bushes and trees make Wieringen even more friendly. The main colors on Wieringen are green (the meadows and roads lined with hedges), blue (the skies) and black-and-white (the contented cows in the fields).

The typical farms with their 'dakschoorstienen' (unique type of chimneys on the roofs) are characteristic for Wieringen. The winding Hoelmer Wierdijk reminds us of the days when seaweed cutting was a normal job. The seaweed was left to dry and then used as a filling for mattresses, but also to build dikes.

The past gets an extra dimension when you pay a visit to one of the old small cemeteries (e.g. the one in Stroe) or when you walk into an old church such as Michael's Church in Oosterland. In this church you can still see the sword of Bloys of Treslong, the 'watergeus' ('sea beggar') and pirate who paid a visit to Wieringen in 1572.

It is certain that several mediaeval villages around Wieringen have disappeared over time (north of Wieringen, now Waddenzee; on the western side, now Anna Paulowna Polder and Wieringerwaard; and south of Wieringen, now Wieringermeer Polder). In the southern part of the Wieringermeer the remains have been found of the mediaeval village of Gonsende or Gawijzend, of which it is known to have been swallowed by the sea around 1350.

Without any doubt there once were more villages and one of them, maybe even the largest, was called Grebbe. The location most mentioned for its position is Balgzand, in the Waddenzee, halfway between Wieringen and Den Helder. Other sources claim a place north of Vatrop on the Breehorn to have been Grebbe. Up to this day potsherds from the Middle Ages are found in this part of the Waddenzee.

On your bike you can do a round, clockwise trip from Den Oever over the former island and see all the aspects. You will also ride through the polder area bordering Wieringen. This area contrasts strikingly with Wieringen: vast farmlands, but also forests planted in areas where the seabed was not fertile enough.
Overnight in Wierlingen.

Day 3: Den Oever – sailing to Texel, round trip Texel (24-37miles/40-60 km)
The isle of Texel, which is one municipality, is the largest of the Dutch Waddeneilanden (Wadden islands). The average length of Texel is twenty kilometers and the average width eight kilometers.

The first inhabitants of Texel may date from the Middle Stone Age (80,000-45,000 BC). In 1415 the island was granted a municipal charter, which made it the largest official city of the country, in the matter of surface.

Texel is highly appreciated by bird-watchers. In springtime about 80 different types of birds breed here, mainly in the dune areas, and all in all about 300 different species have been found on Texel. As early as in the 16th and 17th centuries the Texel sheep's cheese was well-known abroad. This was not only the usual white cheese but in particular a special, green cheese. The cheese was green as a result of the juice of boiled sheep droppings, which was stirred through the milk. However, because of hygienic reasons this was forbidden by the Dutch Food Inspection Department in 1930.

Texel is the most northerly place in Europe where spoonbills breed. These elegant white birds feel at home on the island due to the absence of their greatest enemy; the fox. The largest spoonbill colony in the Netherlands is located in the nature reserve De Geul. These beautiful birds can be watched from nearby here, from the early spring onwards.
Overnight in Texel.

Day 4: Texel (24-37miles/40-60 km)
A tour around this island with its numerous cycle tracks is well worth the effort. The largest village on the island is Den Burg, which has a rural character with its circles of roads around the old church. You will find most of the shops on the island in this village. The local museum gives a good impression of island life and is housed in a building dating from 1599.

De Koog, one of the oldest villages, is the principal bathing resort and is only a stone's throw from the widest beach on the island. The nature centre nearby is a rescue centre for seals and gives a lot of information about the flora and fauna to be found on Texel.

De Cocksdorp, the northernmost village, is entered through a tunnel of interlocking tree branches, which gives it a unique character. If you cycle to the most extreme northerly tip of the island you may be able to see Vlieland, the next island making up the chain of Wadden islands. On the way up north you can pay a visit to the Slufter, a nature reserve open to the sea and the rhythm of the tides.

The villages of Den Hoorn, Oosterend and De Waal have escaped modern architectural influences and are all officially protected. In Den Hoorn some of the old 'Commandeurs' dwellings have been preserved. These were the houses belonging to the captains of the whaling ships that sailed from Texel. Texel's oldest church is situated in Oosterend. In an old barn in De Waal there is a farm museum called the Wagenmuseum (cart museum). De Waal already existed in the 12th century and was on the coastline until 1613. Then the Waalenburg Polder was drained and since then De Waal has been in the centre of the island.

Oudeschild used to be the main port of entry for Texel, but in 1962 a ferry connection was established between the mainland and the southernmost tip of the island ('t Horntje). Nowadays only fishing boats, sailing boats and boats working on marine engineering projects use the picturesque harbor of Oudeschild. Here too, the maritime museum is housed in two old granaries and next to this museum you can find the Juttersmuseum (Beachcombers' Museum) in a shed originally used for storing sea ware. If the weather is fine you might like to combine a cycling tour of the island with a nice rest on one of the wide, clean and very peaceful beaches.
Overnight in Texel.

Day 5: Texel, sailing to Terschelling (12-24 miles/20-40 km)
Terschelling is the second largest Wadden island and has a lot to offer in the way of beach, natural beauty, landscape, attractions, museums and cycle paths; it is certainly worthwhile spending two days here to ride around.

On both days you ride a route that shows you all sides of the island: the wide dunes area with access to the beaches, the sheltered area behind the dunes, the cheerful villages with various attractions, the quiet, expansive polders and the Waddendijkpad (Wadden dike path) with fantastic views of the Wadden. The "kooibosjes‟ (cage woods) are typical of Terschelling: small primaeval forests between boggy meadows and plots of alder thickets.

The valuable nature reserve the Bosplaat or Boschplaat sits on the eastern part of Terschelling and is nearly ten kilometres in length. The reserve originated after a 'stuifdijjk' ('drifting dike') was made here between 1932 and 1936, thus permanently connecting a formerly separate sandbank with Terschelling. A rich mudflat vegetation grew up on the sand bar, with wide stretches of sea lavender (Limonium Vulgare), 'zeealsem' (Seriphidium Maritimum, a plant similar to sagebrush), Atriplex Pedunculatus and many other salt-loving plants. Many birds nest on the Boschplaat, such as the spoonbill, great tern, northern tern, common tern, little tern, the lesser black-blacked gull, great black- blacked gull, herring gull, common gull, great cormorant and other types of birds. The Boschplaat has been given the status of European Nature Reserve.

In the dunes you come across the cranberry. This plant, originally from America, came to the island when a barrel containing the berries was washed ashore in 1845. The locals still call the cranberry 'Pieter Sipkes heather', after the finder of the berry, Pieter Sipkes Cupido. The cranberry ran wild and was discovered by botanist Fransiscus Holtema in 1868 in a hollow in the dunes called Studentenplak. Terschelling is the birthplace of Willem Barentsz who attempted to discover India in 1596 via the North Pole; on his third attempt he got stuck and had to spend the winter on Nova Zembla. The famous lighthouse (the oldest in The Netherlands) is the Brandaris, built in 1594 to replace the St. Brandariskapel (St Brandaris Chapel) that was swallowed up by the sea.

Terschelling has a very active choir life. Art-lovers especially like the island because of the annual theatre festival 'Oerol'. This festival was started in 1981 by Joop Mulder, in those days owner of the 'Stoep' pub in Midsland. By now Oerol has developed into one of the biggest theatre festivals on location in Europe.
Overnight in Terschelling.

Day 6: Terschelling, round trip (12-24miles/20-40 km)
When talking about the 'Wadden' (the Flats) we usually refer to the Waddenzee, the mudflat area of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark and the row of islands belonging to this area. But 'wadden' or mudflats literally means stretches of land outside the dikes that are flooded at high tide – which indeed is the case for the Wadden. The Waddenzee is the largest mudflat area in the world. Off the African west coast there is also a mudflat area, but this is much smaller in size than the Dutch Flats. The flats continuously change as great amounts of sand are moved with the tides from one place to another. They have a large variety of flora and fauna.

Proportionally a large part of the water in the flats comes from the North Sea, but partly it is from the discharge of the rivers Eems, Elbe and Weser and from the IJsselmeer. The area does not only consist of water, but also of sandbanks, marshes and gullies. The gullies are the lower-lying parts that are always under water. The parts of the flats that are mostly above the water level are called 'kwelders', tidal marshes. The actual flat is located between the mainland and the Wadden islands.

The enormous force of the water sweeps parts of the island away on the west coasts of the Wadden islands, whereas new land is added on the eastern sides. In other words, the islands move, which has resulted in their nickname of 'walking islands'. The rich variety of life forms a unique ecosystem, with vegetable plankton and zoo plankton, seals and many species of fish and birds. This ecosystem had a food chain of its own and any disturbance of the food chain, whether created by man or by natural disasters, would have great effects on the whole ecosystem of the flats. At low tide it is possible to go walking on the mud flats, in particular in late spring, in summer and in autumn. Accompanied by a guide there is a wide range of routes that can be taken.
Overnight in Terschelling.

Day 7: Terschelling – sailing to Makkum, cycling to Stavoren (20-27miles/33-45 km)
After visiting the oldest earthenware factory in The Netherlands, the 'Koninklijke Tichelaar Makkum', known worldwide for its earthenware and tiles, you cycle over narrow paths and roads right through the Frisian country 'De Greidhoek' (the meadow area): large expanses of pasture land with cows, birds and hay-making farmers and here and there a lonely farmhouse. On your way you pass two compact old towns with rich trade histories, Workum and Hindeloopen. Both places offer several interesting museums and attractions and in the summer it is pleasantly busy here. Take the time to have a good look around.

Workum used to be a thriving harbour town. The two canals in the centre of town have been filled in and now form a lovely marketplace. There is a earthenware factory here too, that still supplies the real Frisian farm earthenware in green and brown.

The Jopie Huisman Museum is a special museum. Jopie Huisman was born in 1922 in the town of Workum. In his daily life he was a rag-and-bone man, but at the same time he improved himself on producing realistic paintings. His subjects always had something to do with his main job. Rags, old shoes and other discarded things were depicted by him in an arresting way. acquaintances. Huisman never sold his Besides he also made portraits of people among his paintings, but would give them away to people who he thought deserved them! In 1986 he founded his own museum in his place of birth, Workum. He died in 2000.

You continue on to Hindeloopen. Hindeloopen is situated on a peninsula in the former Zuiderzee and is very well-known for its woodcutting and painting crafts, its beautiful captains‟ homes and traditional costume. Hindeloopen is great to visit on foot. You cross narrow bridges and walk through small passageways.

After Hindeloopen you first ride along the dike, later through pasture land, until familiar territory appears: Stavoren. This is where your bike trip ends.
Overnight in Stavoren.

Day 8: Stavoren
End of the trip, after breakfast.

Daily Program: Self-guided

Dates: Guided

Dates: Self-guided

Route Map: Guided

Route Map: Self-guided

Packages and Prices: Guided

Tour package (guided)
Standard plus (cabins with private shower/toilet; bunk beds)
Per person, double occupancy €710 Single cabin supplement (1 person/1 cabin) €230 Bike rentals Hybrid touring bike €60 Electrically assisted bike €120 Tandem bike €110 Children's bike €45 Child's seat €15 Tag-along €45 Trailer €85 Equipment included free with all rentals €0 Third person sharing cabin with two adults Tour package €680 Children's rates (sharing cabin with at least one adult) Ages 3-11 €497 Ages 2 and under €0

Packages and Prices: Self-guided

Included Services: Guided

• All nights on board (incl. bed clothes, 2 towels)
• Breakfast and dinner on board
• Lunch packages when on the road
• Coffee and tea on board
• Tour guide
• Route information
• Road book
• Ferry fares on the route

Included Services: Self-guided

Boats: Guided

Anna Antal
The Anna Antal is a former barge which was converted into a luxury motor passenger ship in the winter of 1994-95. The Anna Antal is "standard plus" and has 11 cabins each with their own shower, washbasin, toilet and central heating. There are 3 x 4-berth cabins and 8 x 2-berth cabins. All cabins have bunk beds. The maximum capacity on our Bike & Barge tours for individual clients is 22 passengers. The Anna Antal is pleasant for a day’s stay and it has a cozy bar. 

Boats: Self-guided

Anna Antal
The Anna Antal is a former barge which was converted into a luxury motor passenger ship in the winter of 1994-95. The Anna Antal is "standard plus" and has 11 cabins each with their own shower, washbasin, toilet and central heating. There are 3 x 4-berth cabins and 8 x 2-berth cabins. All cabins have bunk beds. The maximum capacity on our Bike & Barge tours for individual clients is 22 passengers. The Anna Antal is pleasant for a day’s stay and it has a cozy bar. 

Surface and Terrain: Guided

Surface and Terrain: Self-guided

How To Get There: Guided

Tour start and end
Nearest Airport:

• Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)

Nearest train station:

• Stavoren 

How To Get There: Self-guided

Tour start and end
Nearest Airport:

• Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)

Nearest train station:

• Stavoren 

More about Holland: Guided

From the famed canals and impressive art collections of Amsterdam and attractions of Rotterdam to the tulip fields carpeting the lush countryside, Holland packs a considerable punch for such a small country. Outside of the large cities, visitors can revisit the Middle Ages through its remaining castles and grand estates. Other highlights of the Dutch countryside include the marshlands, wetlands, and beaches. The walled towns of Holland’s trade and commerce routes are delightful to explore, and the maritime tradition of this coastal land is still seen in its quaint harbor towns.

Dutch tulips are iconic – a symbol of Holland. Mid-March through mid-May transforms the already beautiful countryside into a sea of reds, pinks, purples, and yellows. Another charming symbol of the country, Holland's many windmills are scattered across the landscape and make for postcard-perfect scenery.

More on bicycling in Holland> 

View all Holland bike tours >

More about Holland: Self-guided

From the famed canals and impressive art collections of Amsterdam and attractions of Rotterdam to the tulip fields carpeting the lush countryside, Holland packs a considerable punch for such a small country. Outside of the large cities, visitors can revisit the Middle Ages through its remaining castles and grand estates. Other highlights of the Dutch countryside include the marshlands, wetlands, and beaches. The walled towns of Holland’s trade and commerce routes are delightful to explore, and the maritime tradition of this coastal land is still seen in its quaint harbor towns.

Dutch tulips are iconic – a symbol of Holland. Mid-March through mid-May transforms the already beautiful countryside into a sea of reds, pinks, purples, and yellows. Another charming symbol of the country, Holland's many windmills are scattered across the landscape and make for postcard-perfect scenery.

More on bicycling in Holland> 

View all Holland bike tours >

Tour Company Background: Cycletours Holidays: Guided

Cycletours Holidays originated in 1987 as a seperate division, specializing in Bike & Barge Holidays, especially designed for the overseas tourist wanting to discover Holland. Cycletours Holidays was the first company to offer trips such as these, combining regular cycling tours with overnight stays on a ship, serving as hotel and luggage transport all-in-one!

Cycletours Holiday's strengths are excellent service, we have staff with more then 15 year's experience with Bike and Barge Holidays, good quality for a reasonable price
We hope to welcome you soon on one of our Bike & Barge or Bed & Bike Holidays!

Tour Company Background: Cycletours Holidays: Self-guided

Cycletours Holidays originated in 1987 as a seperate division, specializing in Bike & Barge Holidays, especially designed for the overseas tourist wanting to discover Holland. Cycletours Holidays was the first company to offer trips such as these, combining regular cycling tours with overnight stays on a ship, serving as hotel and luggage transport all-in-one!

Cycletours Holiday's strengths are excellent service, we have staff with more then 15 year's experience with Bike and Barge Holidays, good quality for a reasonable price
We hope to welcome you soon on one of our Bike & Barge or Bed & Bike Holidays!

Terms and Conditions: Cycletours Holidays: Guided

Charge for Changes
If after booking a trip, you wish to make changes, bear in mind that you can be billed a surcharge to cover the costs of changes, This amounts to € 14,-. According to the ANVR terms and conditions, changes can generally be made up to 28 days prior to the departure date.

Cancellation conditions according to BikeToursDirect

• Until 60 days before day of departure: € 65
• 59-45 days before the day of departure: € 135
• 44-30 days before the day of departure: € 270
• 29 days before the day of departure- no show: 100% of the fare
  (Different conditions apply to group reservations/chartering a ship)

The conditions of all tours act on the Dutch jurisdiction. Any liability of the tour operator (the transporter) is limited to the amounts of the concerned insurance-company(s) of the tour operator / the transporter is (are) willing to pay, taken into account the maximum overages. The parties agree that the Dutch law applies to this agreement. Any conflicts arising out of this contract will be brought solely before a competent judge in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Cycle Tours Holland Travel Agreement
A travel agreement is reached with the traveler's acceptance of our offer. Acceptance can take place either directly through us or via the intermediary service of a booking office. As soon as you make a reservation, your accommodations will be arranged. When these arrangements have been settled, you'll receive word from us and thereupon, the invoice will be sent.

A confirmation of your booking together with the invoice will be sent within 72 hours. Travel documents will be sent via e-mail 3 weeks prior to departure. When booking more than 2 months before departure, payment in terms is possible. Deposit is 15% of the total amount. Second payment needs to be done at least 6 weeks prior to departure.

Travel Conditions
Cycletours is a member of the General Dutch Association of Tour operators (ANVR). This association publishes the ANVR-travel condition that includes the rights and duties of both the tour operator and the participant. These conditions are available upon request.

Travel Conditions 
Cycletours is a member of the General Dutch Association of Tour operators (ANVR). This association publishes the ANVR-travel condition that includes the rights and duties of both the tour operator and the participant. These conditions are available upon request.

Cancellation of the tour
Cycletours Holland reserves the right to cancel tours with fewer than 12 participants up to 21 days prior to the date of departure.

Terms and Conditions: Cycletours Holidays: Self-guided

Charge for Changes
If after booking a trip, you wish to make changes, bear in mind that you can be billed a surcharge to cover the costs of changes, This amounts to € 14,-. According to the ANVR terms and conditions, changes can generally be made up to 28 days prior to the departure date.

Cancellation conditions according to BikeToursDirect

• Until 60 days before day of departure: € 65
• 59-45 days before the day of departure: € 135
• 44-30 days before the day of departure: € 270
• 29 days before the day of departure- no show: 100% of the fare
  (Different conditions apply to group reservations/chartering a ship)

The conditions of all tours act on the Dutch jurisdiction. Any liability of the tour operator (the transporter) is limited to the amounts of the concerned insurance-company(s) of the tour operator / the transporter is (are) willing to pay, taken into account the maximum overages. The parties agree that the Dutch law applies to this agreement. Any conflicts arising out of this contract will be brought solely before a competent judge in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Cycle Tours Holland Travel Agreement
A travel agreement is reached with the traveler's acceptance of our offer. Acceptance can take place either directly through us or via the intermediary service of a booking office. As soon as you make a reservation, your accommodations will be arranged. When these arrangements have been settled, you'll receive word from us and thereupon, the invoice will be sent.

A confirmation of your booking together with the invoice will be sent within 72 hours. Travel documents will be sent via e-mail 3 weeks prior to departure. When booking more than 2 months before departure, payment in terms is possible. Deposit is 15% of the total amount. Second payment needs to be done at least 6 weeks prior to departure.

Travel Conditions
Cycletours is a member of the General Dutch Association of Tour operators (ANVR). This association publishes the ANVR-travel condition that includes the rights and duties of both the tour operator and the participant. These conditions are available upon request.

Travel Conditions 
Cycletours is a member of the General Dutch Association of Tour operators (ANVR). This association publishes the ANVR-travel condition that includes the rights and duties of both the tour operator and the participant. These conditions are available upon request.

Cancellation of the tour
Cycletours Holland reserves the right to cancel tours with fewer than 12 participants up to 21 days prior to the date of departure.