North Holland and Texel: MS Serena

Individual arrival in Enkhuizen. Embarkation in the afternoon. Maybe you still have time for a first short walk through the pretty historic port city with its enchanting old town.

Today you will get to know the pretty port town on the banks of the IJsselmeer and its beautiful surroundings. The rich history of the city can still be sensed today on a walk through the old town with its numerous villas, canals, churches, city walls and ports. Tip: A visit to the Zuiderzeemuseum. If you want to take a day trip to Amsterdam: Enkhuizen train station is within walking distance of the berth. Train connections to Amsterdam and back every 30 minutes. Journey time approx. 1 hour (train ticket not incl.)

In the morning, you will sail across the IJsselmeer to one of the most popular water sports villages in Friesland, Lemmer with its historic city centre and beautiful gabled houses. Before you step on the pedals, enjoy a delicious cup of coffee with Frisian biscuits on one of the terraces of the 'Vlecke' Lemmer.

Via Oosterzee-Buren, you cycle to the largest lake in Friesland, the Tjeukemeer. If you are lucky you will find the skûtsjesilen competition held with skûtsjes. The lookout point Tjeukemeer-Delfstrahuizen is a stop-off moment. Via the regional village of Munnekeburen, Scherpenzeel and Schoterzijl you cycle through the polder back to Lemmer.

Tip: A 'must see' in Lemmer is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Woudagemaal, the largest functioning steam pumping station in the world!

Today nature is on the program, a full day of cycling in nature reserves. You cycle to the nature reserve Sondeler Leien, this ancient lake dates from the 14th century and was created by the flooding of the former Zuiderzee. Stop at the bird-watching huts before cycling further through the Rysterbosk, one of the most famous hiking forests in Fryslân with majestic beech and oak trees.

You continue the cycling stage along the bird-rich nature reserve Mokkebank, step off the pedals and marvel at the many birds on the IJsselmeer. The last part of this cycling day to Stavoren goes over the Red Cliff on the IJsselmeer, this dike is 10 metres high and was created in the Ice Age when huge ice masses from Scandinavia pushed the ground further up with thick boulders and gravel.

From Stavoren we sail to Oudeschild on Texel.

Bicycle tour on the largest Wadden Sea island of Texel. Different routes of approx. 29-32-47-70 km are available today.

The ship will sail to Den Helder around 6 pm.

In the morning, you will cycle through the dunes to St. Maartensvlotbrug. Here you can board the ship again and sail to Alkmaar or you sail in the morning to St. Maartensvlotbrug and start your cycling stage in St. Maartensvlotbrug and cycle to Alkmaar.

Alkmaar is known as the cheese city of the Netherlands. In the beautiful old centre, you will find many monuments, nice shops and countless cosy terraces, cafes and restaurants. In addition, you will also find the Beer Museum, the Beatles Museum and of course the Cheese Museum. And don't forget this hidden gem in the city centre, the Hofje van Splinter.

From Wormerveer you start in the morning at the Zaanse Schans open-air museum (windmills, an old Dutch village, a cheese factory and much more). We continue towards Volendam. Shortly before you have the opportunity to visit a cheese dairy in Katwoude, here you can see how Gouda cheese and traditional Dutch clogs are made. Via Volendam, known as a traditional fishing village with typical authentic houses, you cycle to Hoorn. It would be best if you took some time to visit the historic old town with its many buildings from the 17th century (e.g. the harbour tower or the warehouses on the old quay).

Early morning boat trip to Enkhuizen. Arrive around 08:00. Until 09:00 disembarkation and departure.