Route

The Soeverein sails in the morning for about two hours from Enkhuizen to the historical Ijsselmeer town of Hoorn. You have the choice of completing this leg of the trip by ship or by bike across the old Zuiderzee dike (ca. 24 km). Sailors and cyclers then meet up for lunch on board. Afterwards, it's back on the bikes for a ride through the splendid Westfriesian landscape in the direction of Obdam, Ursem, de Goorn and across the dike via Scharwoude back to Hoorn (ca. 42 km). Touring  Hoorn, you see many monuments from the days of the East India Company which had a subsidiary here.

Tour Profile:

Level 1, mostly flat, mainly bike paths, well signed, ideal for beginners!

Day 1: Lelystad

Individual arrival. Embarktion in Bataviahaven 6pm. Around 7pm, we will have dinner together on board the Soeverein. Afterwards, the crew will be introduced and information will be given about the ship and the trip.

Day 2: Lelystad - Urk (approx. 34km/21miles)

From Lelystad, the Soeverein sails across the Ijsselmeer to Urk. Since the draining of the Noordoost polders, several former Zuiderzee islands are now part of the mainland. The harbour town of Urk is the first former Zuiderzee island we visit. Worth seeing here is the fishing harbour and the historical town centre. You might even see some of the Urk citizens in traditional costume. We will go by bike to the second former island of Schokland which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. The open-air museum in Middelbuurt brings the history of the island to life. Also worth seeing are the works of contemporary sculptors there.
sailing: approx. 2,5 hours

Day 3: Urk - Stavoren (approx. 30km/19miles)

You sail from Urk to Stavoren in Friesland. Typical for Friesland are the lakes and the agriculture activities. The land between the lakes consists largely of grass meadows. This makes the Frisian lake territory an excellent place for cycling tours. The route leads you to Molwerum, Koudum and Galamadammen, situated between the lakes 'De Morra' and 'De Fluessen'. The cycling tour follows the dyke near the nature reserve 'De Voegelhoek'. Through the villages Hemelum and Bakhuizen, the smallest Frisian fisher's place Laaxum you cycle back to Stavoren. Stavoren is the oldest city in Friesland and scene of the action of the folk tale of the Lady of Stavoren. The tale is a reminder of the maritime wealth once enjoyed by the town and its merchants.
sailing: approx. 3 hours

Day 4: Stavoren - Enkhuizen and Medemblik (approx. 54km/33miles)

In the morning we set sail from Stavoren to Enkhuizen. Under the guidance of the crew, you can help set the sails, steer the ship or learn how to read a nautical chart. There will be a midday snack on board. Then there's cycling from Enkhuizen across the old Zuiderzee dike to Medemblik, the oldest Westfriesian town where today you can explore historical houses, street cafes, small museums or Schloss Radboud. Return by way of the green polders via Oppendoes, Oosthuis and Lutjebroek. After dinner, enjoy a long stroll through Enkhuizen.
sailing: approx. 3,5 hours

Day 5: Enkhuizen  - Hoorn (approx. 45km/28miles)

The Soeverein sails in the morning for about two hours from Enkhuizen to the historical Ijsselmeer town of Hoorn. You have the choice of completing this leg of the trip by ship or by bike across the old Zuiderzee dike (approx. 24 km/15miles). Sailors and cyclers then meet up for lunch on board. Afterwards, it's back on the bikes for a ride through the splendid Westfriesian landscape in the direction of Obdam, Ursem, de Goorn and across the dike via Scharwoude back to Hoorn (approx. 45 km/28miles). Touring  Hoorn, you see many monuments from the days of the East India Company which had a subsidiary here.
sailing: approx. 2 hours / longer cycling version: 45+24km/28+15miles

Day 6: Hoorn - Volendam (approx. 45km/28miles)

The ship sails in the morning from Hoorn to Volendam, with a swing around the island of Marken. Your choice of programme:

– Sail from Hoorn to Volendam. a short cycling tour from Volendam to Monnickendam (approx. 22 km/13miles), Edam (approx. 10 km/ 6miles) or Marken (approx. 40 km/25miles).

Or:

– Cycling tour from Hoorn via Schermerhorn, Grootschermer, Graft, de Rijp and Edam  to Volendam (approx. 45 km/28miles). In de Rijp, take a walk back through the 17^th Century. Sailors and fishermen formerly lived in the houses with wooden gables. Lunch on board or a packed lunch for those on the road. Those who still have energy after this tour for more discovery trips, can also visit Monnickendam, Edam or Marken – or take a comfortable ride on the ferry from Volendamm to the picturesque island of Marken (bikes can be taken along). Marken is also a former island that today is linked to the mainland by a dike.

There is something for everyone in Volendam: a lively harbour scene with souvenir shops, fish shops and cafes, idyllic side streets, an eel smoke-house that is worth seeing, modern yachts and traditional sailboats in the harbour.
sailing: 3 hours

Day 7: Volendam - Lelystad (approx. 39km/24miles)

After breakfast on board, you sail for about 4 hours back to Lelystad. The cycling tour takes you through a unique region: the Nature Reserve Oostvaardersplassen. Since its reclamation from the freshwater lake IJsselmeer, the vegetation of this wetland below sea level has rapidly developed by natural succession. Oostvaardersplassen is home to a large variety of bird species. Also heck cattle, red deer and konik horses live here in wild herds.
sailing: 4 hours

Day 8: Lelystad

Embarkation at approx. 10 a.m. Individual departure.

Subject to changes due to navigational reasons!

Information/ Prices