We get to know the Dutch province North-Holland. Here you will find the typical Dutch landscape of polders, mills, harbours and tulips.
Our program is a good mixture of bike and boat tours with cultural highlights. Experience one of Holland's top tourist attractions "Zaanse Schans", get to know Edam, Alkmaar, Haarlem and the Dutch capital Amsterdam and enjoy biking on small dikes and through the most beautiful dune area nearby Alkmaar.
Sa: Alphen a/d Rijn
Embarkation in Alphen a/d Rijn at 16.00 'o clock and welcome by the crew. Over a cup of coffee, we will introduce you to the travel program. In the evening, explore the inner city of Alphen or/and end your first day with a cosy evening on board.
Sun: Alphen-Amsterdam
After breakfast we enjoy our first boat trip through the city of Alphen and over the beautiful Amstel river to Oudekerk aan den Amstel, a nice place just before Amsterdam. From here we cycle through the 'Amstelland' along picturesque rivers and will meet the Ali-B2 in Amsterdam moored for the night.
Enjoy an evening walk or along the famous canals of Amsterdam and don't miss the experience of a canal tour by night.
Mo: Amsterdam-Purmerend/Edam/Volendam
After breakfast we leave Amsterdam. Our morning cruise takes us to the market town of Purmerend across the Amsterdam port area, through a lock and on the North Holland Canal. Today's biking tour is really special: It takes us on old dikes and across the polder Purmer to the harbour and cheese town Edam, situated by the former Zuiderzee now IJsselmeer. Here we take a break to admire many historical houses and buildings with artfully gables and charming canals. Enjoy biking on the dike overlooking the IJsselmeer to the tourist place Volendam known for its traditional costumes. On our way back to the Ali-B2 we visit the village of Monnikendam with its old harbour.
Tue: Purmerend-Alkmaar
First, we sail through two wonderful polders (Beemster and Schermer) in about 2 ½ hours to Alkmaar. Subsequently, we discover by bike a large dune area of about 1800 hectare with the most beautiful sand beaches of Europe. Our destination is Schoorl aan Zee a popular bathing resort of Holland.
Going back via Bergen aan Zee to Alkmaar we have time for sightseeing: The Weigh House, dating back in its earliest form to the 14th century, the 16th century town-hall, Grote St. Laurens Church and the many courtyards, facades and canals give the town an ambience all of its own.
Wed: Alkmaar-Zaanse Schans-Haarlem
The Ali-b2 brings us over the Alkmaarder Lake and the Zaan River to Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum with typical green wooden houses from the 17 century and 6 mills.
Then we barge over the North Sea canal and the Spaarne River to Haarlem (arrival about 3 pm)
After dinner we have time for Haarlem. This romantic town invite you for a short visit: Walk to the Market Square (Grote Markt) and have a look around the square itself, one of the most beautiful of its kind in Holland. Come face to face with the late-Gothic Saint Bavo's church (Bavo-kerk), the 13th century town hall, the magnificent Butchers' Hall (Vleeshal) built by Lieven de Key and the Fish auction hall (Vishal) and dream back in time. Or experience the atmosphere of the many historic courts.
Thu: Haarlem-Alphen
We leave the picturesque Haarlem on the Spaarne, whereby countless historical bridges have to open for us and enjoy our last barging trip via the Spaarne River, the „Ring"canal and a wide lake area back to Alphen where we start to bike. We follow the Braassemermeer Route along old church paths, polder dikes and pass some old farms.
We will finish this eventful week with our traditional Captain's Dinner.
Fr: Debarkation after breakfast
