Holland, Friesland & Texel tour
May 10 - 17 / 2025
Departure date: 10 may 2025
Difficulty level Endurance level: easy / Agility level: moderate
Highlights
Bike Barge & Cruise Holland, Friesland & Texel island. When the owners of Merlijn went on a weekend getaway to Texel island many years ago, they fell in love with its nature. They said ‘One day we’ll return’ and now they do, together with you! One of Merlijn’s newest routes takes you along the most beautiful parts of the Netherlands, old fishing towns, ancient cities and inland lakes. Heading for Texel island, ‘a country’ on its own, you’ll cruise the beautiful open waters of the; UNESCO Heritage Wadden Sea, where you might be able to spot some seals. Passing by Alkmaar you’ll reach ‘de Zaanse schans’ with its open air museum and windmills.

Day-to-day itinerary
Day 1: Amsterdam – Volendam.
Afternoon check in, and Merlijn will set sail for Volendam where there is an overnight stay. We’ll present you with a welcome drink and introduce the crew. We will also provide information on the tour, the ship, and offer you a safety briefing. Dinner will be served during the cruise and in the evening there will be time for a city walk.
Day 2: Volendam – Stavoren. Bike tour: 30-35 km or extend to 55-60 km
Your breakfast is served and an informative bicycle introduction will be held. Your guide will tell you all about traffic rules and cycling in a group. Only after everyone is fitted on their bike, the bike tour gets started. Leading you through one of Netherlands' 12 provinces called ‘Noord-Holland’. You will cycle along Peat-polder-landscape, and partly along the former ‘Zuiderzee’, visiting small towns like; Edam, Middelie, Beets and Hoorn.
After a picknick lunch on-route (prepared by the chef), you will soon see Merlijn waiting for you. Here you can choose to board, or to cycle on along the country side. Late afternoon everyone will get onboard to enjoy an afternoon cruise, Merlijn will cross the ‘IJsselmeer’ Netherlands’ biggest inland lake. During dinner we’ll reach Stavoren, situated in another province called ‘Friesland’.
Day 3: Stavoren – Wadden Sea - Texel. Bike tour: 50-55 km
Todays cycle tour takes you through Friesland. Friesland is known for its own Frisian language, the Wadden Sea, and the famous nature reserve of the Frisian Lakes, ideal for watersports and recreation. It also has a rich culture with traditions like ‘fierljeppen’ and ‘kaatsen’, and is famous for its Frisian cheese and horses. You cycle partly along the famous eleven-cities-tour skating route, perfect for cycling in this time of the year. On the way we’ll visit a real Dutch cheese farm. After visiting cities like; Gaasterland, Koudum, Workum and Makkum, Merlijn will await you for an afternoon cruise.
We’ll cruise the UNESCO listed Wadden-sea. The cruise gives you a stunning view on the shallow body of water with tidal flats and wetlands. It has a high biological diversity and is an important area for both breeding and migrating birds. It is also possible you will be able to spot some seals. Early evening we will arrive in Texel. Enjoy your stroll through its ancient small harbor.
Day 4: Texel. Bike tour: 25-50 km
Merlijn stays in port all day, here are dunes, beaches, nature, the sea and lots of great bike paths. We have designed the program so that everyone can get their money's worth. Bicycle fanatics can enjoy their hearts even more by taking a long bicycle tour with the guide, our guide will determine the length according to the abilities of the group. If you want a day of rest, Texel is a great place to take a break from cycling. Take a cab to the town, where you can do great shopping and experience Texel's culture. In the evening, dinner will be served on board and you can enjoy the evening afterwards. Drink a real 'Texel' beer to end your stay on this magical island.
Day 5: Texel – Alkmaar. Bike tour: 35-40 km or extend to 60-65 km
Early morning the engines will start, Captain steers the Merlijn towards the main land. We will sail very close to open sea, if you look very carefully; you can see England. Merlijn might move a little more with the waves. After passing the port of Den-Helder, known as home port of the Dutch navy, we’ll dock and load off your bike. The tour leads you through a part of the Netherlands that we call ‘Dutch nature at its purest’, meadows, canals, farm houses and more. Half-way you can choose to board Merlijn or to extend your bike tour all the way to Alkmaar.
Day 6: Alkmaar. Bike tour: 25-50 km
Because we love alkmaar so much and we have been cruising for so many days, we stay docked in this city for a full day. The guide can take you on a bike tour in the beautiful surroundings, the length will be determined according to the groups wishes. Besides the famous open-air-cheese-market (Fridays only), Alkmaar is also known for its historic landmarks, such as the ‘Grote Kerk’ (St. Lawrence Church) and the Alkmaar Museum, where you can learn about the city's history. The city has a charming old town with canals and a lively shopping street. Alkmaar has a rich tradition in fishing, which can be seen in the old fish market and the Fishing Museum.
Enjoy and experience local Dutch or international cuisine, in one of the many restaurants .
Day 7: Alkmaar – Zaanse Schans - Amsterdam. Bike tour: 45-50 km
In the morning you’ll cycle out of Alkmaar, leading you through an attractive Dutch landscape. Later on the day you will cycle along ‘Zaanse Schans’, where you can experience ancient Dutch history. Admire the green wooden houses, typical for this area and windmills. After your visit, you’ll board the Merlijn and cruise to our final destination Amsterdam. A farewell dinner will be served and there will be time to properly thank the crew. Spend time with your (new) bike & cruise-friends before nightfall.
Day 8: Amsterdam
Later this morning it’s time to check out. Extend your stay in Holland and reserve some time to explore the city, you might want to go on a ride through the canals, or you may want to visit the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh museum.
Included in your tour:
- 7 nights onboard Merlijn
- Individual climate control and private bathroom with shower, sink and toilet in all cabins
- Supply of bedding, towels, facial tissues, hand soap, shampoo, sewing kit, vanity kit, bathrobe & slippers
- Full service of staff, daily cleaning of the cabins, manned bar (no self-service)
- Porterage of luggage upon arrival and departure
- Daily loading and unloading of your bicycle to and from the ship
- Use of lightweight state-of-the-art bicycle
- Use of a waterproof bike bag, universal sized helmet, towel and a personal water bottle
- Tour guide (we offer an experienced guide who know the routes like the back of his/her hand)
- Brochures of the area available on board
- Harbour, lock and canal fees
Included culinary care:
- Welcome drink with bubbles
- All day unlimited coffee, tea, hot chocolate and potable ice water (self-service)
- Extensive breakfast buffet daily with at least; 2 warm dishes, freshly baked croissants or similar pastries, various types of bread, toaster, yoghurt, cereals, fresh fruit and various beverages.
- Packed lunch prepared by the staff in a special lunch bag with at least a lavish sandwich, snack and drink.
- 6 three-course dinners
- Dinners are based on ‘plate service’, meals are served in the dining area.
- Meals are perceived by our guests as “luxurious” or even “gourmet style”.
Included beverages during bar opening hours:
- Several sodas served from a small bottle
- Wide variety of wines (also non-alcoholic wine)
- Beer on tap and various beers from the bottle (also non-alcoholic beer)
Included excursions:
- Ferry costs on the bicycle route
- Visit to cheese farm
- Visit to a windmill
- Visit to a local museum
Not included in your tour:
- 1 dinner
- Excursions, entrance fees and guided tours other than mentioned
- Beverages other than those mentioned (such as spirits and cocktails)
- City maps, bike maps, etc. (we have a lot available however we can’t guarantee every destination)
- Inbound and outbound journeys, such as flights, trains, bus or other type of transfers
- Insurances
- Gratuities (cash only)
- Electronic payments of your onboard expenses (cash only)
For your comfort, we rent out electric bikes at € 30,- each per day, reservations in advance are advisable.
The Cancellation policy also applies to pre-booked and reserved use of e-bike or any other extra requested services.
The general terms and conditions of Merlijn de magie van water B.V. apply to all bookings, offers and agreements. Please find them on our website under ‘Terms & Conditions’.
Merlijn complies the General Data Protection Regulation to protect your privacy. Please find them on our website under ‘Privacy statement’.
We reserve the right to modify schedule and/or program. If (part of) the route is not navigable due to weather conditions and/or other nautical reasons and/or is closed off due to circumstances and/or for safety reasons, the operator and/or the captain has the right to change the schedule. This includes changing the location of departure and/or arrival and temporarily suspending departure. Nautical and/or meteorological reasons are understood to mean, among others, weather conditions, the tide, obstruction of waterways/shipping lanes, and the condition of the ship. Closed off due to circumstances and/or safety reasons are understood to mean, among others, terrorism, diseases, natural disasters. Changes in schedule and/or program do not give the customer the right on free cancellation.