Offers

Sailing trips IJsselmeer

Northern Europe - Netherlands

Overview

Netherlands

Explore the dutch IJsselmeer cycling & sailing


Sailing & cycling route in the Netherlands aboard the SV Elizabeth

Route (SR11-112):
Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad -
Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam

Fare from 1.099 EUR

Weekly departures,
Season June - September

 


"The trip on the Elisabeth was very relaxing for us. I would rate it with 5 stars in all areas. The crew was very friendly and helpful, the food too, the excursions super organised, the two skippers were a class of their own!"

- H.S.

You undertake an exciting and varied journey through historic port cities, green polder landscapes and discover former islands on the IJsselmeer. You will travel on a stylish and comfortably equipped sailing ship along the IJsselmeer coast. Excellent cycling routes between the historic towns, the polder country and the inland villages allow you to explore the surroundings in a relaxed way. The old trading towns of Monnickendam, Hoorn and Enkhuizen await you, as well as the provinces of Friesland and Flevoland with the former islands of Urk and Schokland. At the end of the trip you get to explore the Dutch metropolis Amsterdam. 

  • Cycling distance approx. 150 - 200 km, daily stages between 20 and 50 km.
  • Altitude profile: flat, mostly own paved cycle paths and quiet side roads.

If you´d rather rest, you can stay on board!

Itinerary

Netherlands

Explore the dutch IJsselmeer cycling & sailing


Itinerary

Day 1 Saturday
Amsterdam - Volendam/ Monnickendam
Embarkation takes place between 1 and 2 pm. After embarkation of all passengers, you sail over to Monnickendam or Volendam, where you can enjoy a nice walk in the historic centre after dinner.

Day 2 Sunday
Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn
After a communal breakfast you will cycle to a family-run cheese dairy with a wooden shoe workshop. There you will get an insight into the techniques of the craft. Afterwards you cycle over the dike landscape to Purmerend, a pastureland area of the polder De Beemster. The area is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there you continue to Volendam via the cheese town of Edam. After a walk in the harbor together, your ship is already waiting for you for the onward journey to Hoorn.
Bike tour: approx. 32 km or 51 km

Day 3 Monday
Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk
Today's bike tour takes you from Hoorn to Enkhuizen. The city, which imported the finest spices from Asia in the 17th century, was considered one of the richest cities in Holland at that time. Weather permitting, the Elizabeth will then take you to the cozy fishing town of Urk, where you can enjoy the beach or stroll through the winding town with its densely built houses.
Bicycle tour: approx. 28 km or 39 km

 

Day 4 Tuesday
Urk - Vollenhove
After breakfast and a bike tour you will discover the former island of Schokland. The museum located there documents the fate of the small island, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Afterwards you cycle further through the polders to the former fishing village Vollenhove.
Bicycle tour: approx. 37 km

Day 5 Wednesday
Vollenhove - Giethoorn
You cycle from Vollenhove to the town of Blokzijl, the gateway to the largest freshwater wetland in northwestern Europe, the Weerribben-Wieden National Park. You will cross the park to discover the variety of unique flora and fauna. Behind the small village of Kalenberg, which until the fifties was only accessible by boat, and the town of Sint-Jansklooster, lies your destination, the town of Giethoorn. There the Elizabeth is already waiting for you.
Bike tour: approx. 37 or 49 km

Day 6 Thursday
Giethoorn - Lelystad
Today you will spend on board the Elizabeth. On your way along the Ijsselmeer coast you can improve your sailing skills and actively participate in sailing. Previous sailing experience is not required. In the afternoon the ship arrives at the capital of Flevoland province, Lelystad. Once there, you will visit the impressive Batavia shipyard with its authentically recreated historic East Indies sailing ship.

Day 7 Friday
Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam
Your last cycling tour for this trip, from the harbor to the nature reserve Oostvaardersplassen. You will cross forests as well as extensive grasslands and marshes. With its panoramic views, the reserve offers a special experience not only to birdwatchers. From the harbor of Oostvaardersdiep you sail about 2 hours to Amsterdam. There you will have dinner together and have the opportunity to explore the city before spending your last night on board.
Cycling tour: approx. 20 km or 39 km

Day 8 Saturday
Amsterdam
Until 09:30 you will have another breakfast and disembark to explore Amsterdam. Afterwards your journey home begins.

Ship & cabins

Netherlands

Explore the dutch IJsselmeer cycling & sailing


Three mast clipper SV Elizabeth
Year built: 1913
Flag: Netherlands
Length: 41 m
Width: 7 m
Sail area: 445 sqm
Passengers: 20-32 (max)
Cabins: 10
Crew: 4


The Elizabeth is a three-masted clipper built in 1913. After conversion to a passenger sailing ship, the ship has a more upscale interior, but has lost none of the charm of a typical Dutch flat-bottomed ship. 

Furnishings:
- Salon with ship's bar and comfortable sitting area
- Tables and benches on deck
- Currency on board: Euro
- Language on board: German, Dutch, English.
- 220 V sockets

Cabins:
In total the ship has 10 guest cabins with 2 single beds. 8 cabins are located on the lower deck and 2 cabins on the upper deck. Each cabin has a window/porthole that can be opened. Some cabins can be booked as 3-bed or 4-bed cabins, only two cabins are bookable for single use.

Dates & Prices 2025

Netherlands

Explore the dutch IJsselmeer cycling & sailing

einschl. atmosfair CO2-Kompensation (23 €/to CO2)
Dates Route Price from Route-Nr.
06/07/2025-06/14/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,219 € SR11-511A
06/14/2025-06/21/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,219 € SR11-511B
06/21/2025-06/28/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,219 € SR11-511C
06/28/2025-07/05/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,219 € SR11-511D
07/05/2025-07/12/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,219 € SR11-511E
07/12/2025-07/19/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,219 € SR11-511F
07/19/2025-07/26/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,219 € SR11-511G
07/26/2025-08/02/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,219 € SR11-511H
08/02/2025-08/09/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,219 € SR11-511I
08/09/2025-08/16/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,219 € SR11-511J
08/16/2025-08/23/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,219 € SR11-511K
08/30/2025-09/06/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,219 € SR11-511M
09/06/2025-09/13/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,219 € SR11-511N
09/13/2025-09/20/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,099 € SR11-511O
09/20/2025-09/27/2025 Round trip IJsselmeer Sailing & Cycling: Amsterdam - Monnickendam - Volendam - Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk - Vollenhove - Giethoorn - Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam 1,099 € SR11-511P

Price per person 2025

Cabin Type Price 07.06. - 06.09. Price 13.09. + 20.09.
Small Two-bed cabin 1.219 € 1.099 €
Two-bed cabin 1.319 € 1.199 €
Two-bed cabin single use 1.978 € 1.798 €
Three-bed cabin 1.269 € 1.149 €
Four-bed cabin 1.219 € 1.099 €

Booking options 2025

Only bookable in advance!
7- gear rental bike 91 €
E-Bike 245 €
Rental bike insurance* 14 €
E-Bike-insurance* 28 €
Slot for your own bike 14 €
Slot for your own E-Bike including charging 28 €
Helmet 10 €
Reduction for children up to 15 years with 2 full-paying adults 15%
FAQ & Services

Netherlands

Explore the dutch IJsselmeer cycling & sailing



The crew on the Elizabeth consists of 4 people: the captain, a sailor, a cook and the on-board service. All of them speak German, Dutch and English and will be happy to help you at any time with questions about the ship, bike tours and other practical matters.
 

  • 8 days/7 nights  
  • 7 x breakfast, 6 x packed lunches for bike tours, 7 x three-course dinner  
  • Coffee and tea on board, welcome drink  
  • Use of bed linen and towels  
  • Cabin cleaning 1x per week  
  • Daily program briefings by the crew  
  • Maps and route descriptions for bike tours (1x per cabin), GPS tracks  
  • Use of a waterproof pannier bag  
  • Biodegradable water bottle  
  • Wifi
  • The CO2 emitted during this trip is offset by the non-profit organization Justdiggit
     
  • Additional drinks outside of meals
  • Bike or e-bike rental, helmet rental, bike space rental if you bring your own bike
  • Personal insurance, bike insurance
  • Tips (at own discretion)
  • Entrance fees & excursions
  • Fees for ferries
  • Transfers to/from the landing stage Parking fees
     


Since 2018, the ecological footprint of the tours has been measured in order to identify the biggest challenges and reduce CO2 emissions in a targeted manner. The ship owners individually examine the best solutions for their ship, be it through more environmentally friendly engines, the use of biofuels or the installation of solar panels.

A quarter of the CO2 footprint comes from food and beverages. We are working to reduce this proportion:

  • Less meat in the menus
  • More frequent use of local and regional products and ingredients
  • Meals with lots of vegetables

You can also make a contribution by using electricity, water and towels consciously and sparingly.

The CO2 generated by the trips is offset accordingly: the organizer of the IJsselmeer cycling and sailing trips is a partner of Justdiggit (since 2021) and Trees for All (since 2023). The contributions support greening projects that bind a total of 10,000 tons of CO2. Both non-profit organizations are based in the Netherlands and have been committed to a greener world for years.


On board the Elizabeth, most of the crew members speak German, English and Dutch. The daily route briefings are held in German and English.
 


The catering on board the SV Elizabeth is abundant and healthy. A buffet awaits you for breakfast, where you can also put together your own packed lunch for the bike tour. In the evening, the chef serves a three-course menu.

Special meals are available for vegetarians and guests with special dietary requirements. However, these must be requested at least 7 days before arrival on board. For strict diets, such as gluten-free or lactose-free, an additional fee is charged, which is paid directly on board.

Fresh coffee and tea are available free of charge several times a day until 16:00. Other drinks, such as soft drinks, beer, red and white wine and spirits, are available for a fee. Please note that only cash payment is possible on board (no credit cards, no ATM).

If you would like to enjoy a bottle of wine that you purchased during your bike tour, a small corkage fee will be charged. Please ask the crew for the exact amount. Other drinks you have brought with you may not be consumed in the lounge, on the sun deck or in other common areas.


The Elizabeth is equipped with Wi-Fi and you will receive a free data package every day. If you need more data, you can purchase additional packages online. Please note that the Wi-Fi is operated via a mobile network and may be slower than the fixed network you are used to at home.
 


If you are dissatisfied with the service on board, please inform the crew immediately, do not wait until the end of the trip. This will give them the opportunity to improve the service. However, if you are completely satisfied, you are welcome to show this with a tip. The amount is at your discretion.
 


Smoking is not permitted on board due to legal safety regulations. All passenger areas on the ship are non-smoking areas.
 


Individual bike tours are offered. You will receive a detailed cycling map and we will suggest a route for you. You can decide for yourself which route you want to take and at what pace you want to explore the surroundings, there is no tour guide and you can also skip tours. Every evening, the crew will explain the next day's route and give you helpful tips. In an emergency, you can contact the ship by telephone at any time and the crew will help you solve your problem.
 


The bike tours on most cycle and boat trips in the IJsselmeer are easy, as the landscape is very flat. This means that the routes are also suitable for less fit people. The daily distances are between 25 and 60 km, although on some days there are options to extend or shorten the tours. If you simply want to relax for a day in between, make yourself comfortable on board.

For trips with higher fitness requirements, the route lengths are adjusted accordingly. You will find more detailed information in the respective tour descriptions.

For individual cycle tours, you will receive information material and maps for the daily cycle tours, which will be explained in advance by the on-board tour guide. 

Your ship usually docks in or near the center of your destination so that you can take a stroll through the city in the evening.
 


In the morning there is a rich cyclists' breakfast, usually in buffet form. Here you can put together a packed lunch consisting of sandwiches, fruit, a snack and a drink. After breakfast or after a stage by boat, you go ashore and start your cycle tour. The daily routes are planned so that there is enough time for sightseeing and breaks.
In the afternoon or evening, you rejoin the ship at an agreed meeting point and are welcomed on board with coffee and tea. In the evening, the chef serves a three-course meal or a buffet. Drinks are available at the ship's bar.
 


The bikes on board are unisex city bikes with a low entry and an upright and comfortable seating position:

  • lightweight aluminum frame,
  • responsive Shimano roller brakes (hand brakes),
  • Shimano 7-speed gears, adjustable Selle Royal gel saddle,
  • easy-to-operate frame lock
  • Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tires.

All this makes it a light, stable and reliable bike. There are three different frame sizes, please let us know your height when booking. Each rental bike has a removable pannier, an air pump and a repair kit on board, the use of which is included in the rental price.

E-bikes:
It is important that you are a safe cyclist and know how an electric bike works before you start your bike tour. The e-bike is an Azor Steps equipped with Nexus 7-speed gears and hand brakes. The Shimano crank motor (400 WH) offers 4 levels of assistance. The e-bikes have a comfortable gel saddle and a frame lock (or comparable brand / similar model).
 

Services included:

  • Cycling & Sailing Vacation, 8 days / 7 nights
  • Full board: 7 x breakfast, 6 x lunch or packed lunch, 7 x three-course dinner (incl. tea, coffee, water, milk (Other drinks will be charged separately via the ship's bar)  
  • Cycling and sailing route as per advertised description (incl. maps & route description)
  • Accommodation in the booked cabin category with shower and toilet, bedding as well as bed linen, towels (fresh daily on request), cabin cleaning 1x a week, all port and lock fees
  • WLAN, GPS tracks
  • For guests skipping a bike tour and staying on board for the day: Lunch snack, coffee & tea in the afternoon. 
  • CO²- compensation via Non-Profit Organisation Justdiggit

Not included are the arrival and departure to Amsterdam, travel insurance, additional drinks on board and entrance fees.
Rental e-bike: 245€ per week (only a limited number of e-bikes available; therefore only on prior request/booking)Helmets: You can rent a helmet for 10€ per week, but only if reserved and paid for at the time of booking.
Limitation of liability (damage) Rental bike 14€/week (only bookable in advance)
Limitation of liability (damage) rental e-bike 28€/week (only bookable in advance)
Parking space for own bike: 14€/trip (only a limited number of parking spaces available, therefore only on prior request/booking)
Parking space + charging station own e-bike: 28€/trip (only a limited number of parking spaces available, therefore only on prior request/booking)

Arrival
Take the train to Amsterdam Centraal (central station). From there the berth is close. Car drivers can park their vehicle in the Oosterdok parking garage near the station (€37.50 for 24 hrs - as of August 2022). Exclusively for cars up to 2.10 meters high. Reservation not possible. Alternative: AMSTERPARK, guarded parking by prior reservation for 150 € per week incl. pick-up service. Your car will be driven by a chauffeur from the ship to the parking garage and back to the ship on the day of departure. Detailed information will be received with the travel information.

Embarkation is at Pontsteiger Amsterdam at 2 pm, disembarkation is also there at 9:30 am.

The rental bikes on the boat are mainly unisex touring or trekking bikes with a normal 28 mm frame (ladies' models e.g. from Gazelle Chamonix and Velo de Ville C100), 7-speed hub gears with hand brakes and panniers.

The e-bikes are from the Velo de Ville CEB 200 brand, have 4 levels of assistance, hand brakes (no coaster brake), 7-speed gears and a range of approx. 60-65 km with a normal riding style.

General notes
The minimum number of participants on the trip is 18. The cycling tours are undertaken at your own risk. Routes are subject to change. The bike routes are on paved bike paths, over dikes, farm roads and along secondary roads with little traffic. Generally, the terrain is flat, with slight inclines only in the area of dikes as well as bridges. The total distance of the bike tour is 212 km. 

The bike tours are individual - and not guided - tours. It is possible to join the tour guide, if she is cycling with you, or to form a group with fellow travelers. During sightseeing tours, explanations are generally given in Dutch, German and English. German is also spoken in the clog workshop mentioned above.
Each traveler gets their personal bike according to their height.

Cancellation fees are calculated as follows:

- 20% after booking
- 5 to 4 months before departure 30%
- 4 to 3 months before departure 40%
- 3 to 2 months before departure 50%
- 2 to 1 month before departure 75%
- 1 month to 1 day before departure 90%
- 95% on the day of departure