We had been planning to take a bike and boat trip in Holland for a long time. So, on the spur of the moment, I booked two cabins on the MS Serena for my father, my young son and myself.
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Daniela Scheiler
We had been planning to take a bike and boat trip in Holland for a long time. So, on the spur of the moment, I booked two cabins on the MS Serena for my father, my young son and myself.
On Easter Saturday, we travel to Enkhuizen. We park in the free parking lot behind the train station and still have time to explore the city before we can board the ship. Enkhuizen is a small, pretty town on the IJsselmeer, which today lives mainly from tourism.
In the evening, the first meeting with our tour guide Regine, the hotel manager Monika and the captain Bianca will take place, where they will also introduce us to all the other staff on board.
Today we have a choice of several round trips. The weather is mixed on this Easter Sunday at the end of March, but nevertheless all passengers happily hop on their bikes and explore the area. We also start by cycling along the dike at the IJsselmeer. With the wind always at our backs, we enjoy the view of the IJsselmeer and the landscape.
In the afternoon, the sun even comes out and we reward ourselves with an ice cream in the sun overlooking the Buitenhaven.
The ship departs early in the morning and takes us across the IJsselmeer to Lemmer. After breakfast, our bikes are unloaded and we take a round trip in the area.
We cycle through fields and meadows to Oosterzee and then for quite a while along the Tjeukemeer to Echternerbrug. The café mentioned in our travel documents was still closed, but we found a nice alternative right by the bridge over a canal. Here we warmed up and watched the bridge keeper at work.
Back in Lemmer, we took a little walk through the historic old town with its pretty gabled houses and small shops and cafés.
Today's motto is: “Find the fish”. We set off in the direction of Stavoren. Shortly after Lemmer, we pass Woudegemaal, the largest steam pumping station still in operation. After a few kilometers, we reach the Sondelerleien lake, where we find a small bird watching hut and take a break – just in time before the next rain shower. From here we can see some water birds.
In the harbor of Laaxum, the smallest seaport in Europe, there is a stall selling kibbeling. Since this stall was praised by Regine in the tour briefing the night before, we meet many other cyclists from our ship here.
The last few kilometers to Stavoren are no problem with a tailwind, and we cycle cheerfully to the harbor, where we actually find the fish. After a short time, the Serena also arrives in Stavoren, takes us on board and sails with us across the IJsselmeer and through the lock at the Abschlussdeich to Oudeschild on Texel.
The weather forecast for today is bad. Therefore, we have decided to dispense with the advertised round trip, but only to cycle to the other side of the island to visit the Ecomare seal sanctuary.
So we cycle along a pretty little path to Den Burg and on to Ecomare. We arrive just in time for the seal feeding. After the return trip, we visit the Kaap Skil museum in Oudeschild, which has an open-air museum and a fascinating exhibition about 17th-century shipping and 16th-18th-century world trade.
In the evening, the ship departs and we return to the mainland to Den Helder.
Today there are three possible bike tours to choose from – we opt for the fourth option and stay on board. Unfortunately, it is pouring with rain and stormy, so we take a rest day.
Since a few fellow cyclists also choose this option, a quiz is offered in the salon and at noon the kitchen crew prepares a soup.
We reach Alkmaar by ship in the early afternoon. Here the sun comes out and we explore the lovely old town and visit the cheese museum.
Unfortunately, the weather doesn't improve on the last day of cycling. Nevertheless, I really want to cycle because there is a lot to discover. In the morning, the ship first takes us from Alkmaar to Wormerveer, where we get on our bikes. I take a short break at the Zaanse Schans museum village and shelter from the rain.
Later, I find a restaurant in the marina of Volendam and take a well-deserved break to recharge my batteries and warm up. Fortunately, it also stops raining and so I walk cheerfully through the place that is the most famous “fishing village”. The last few kilometers of the journey are quickly covered with a tailwind and the sun on my face. Arriving in Hoorn, I take a break on the market square and enjoy the sun. In the historic port city, there are many impressive buildings from the time when Hoorn was a base of the Dutch East India Company.
In the evening, the Captain's Dinner takes place, where the entire crew says goodbye. We let the evening fade away in the salon with a cocktail.
Early the next morning, the Serena takes us back to Enkhuizen, where we disembark after breakfast and have to say goodbye to our floating hotel – tot ziens, Serena. 😊
This trip with the MS Serena is a wonderful combination of cycling in nature, through cities and various landscapes, and enjoying the comfort of a hotel ship. The option of choosing different cycle distances every day or staying on board for a day makes this trip a good choice even in the low season. We have experienced a lot and learned exciting stories about the region. Thanks to the junction system, finding your way is a breeze and there is plenty of time to take in the surroundings. The attentive and friendly crew and the good food contribute to a successful trip. It will certainly not be our last bike and boat tour.
