Arrival in Alkmaar

Alkmaar is known worldwide for its traditional cheese market, which is still held as a tourist attraction on Friday mornings from early April to early September. Hit the tracks and set off through a landscape typical of North Holland province: wet meadows in excavated peatland; villages that consist of a long line of houses along a dike or canal. Just north of Amsterdam, the Zaan is a region of great interest. Seventeenth-century Amsterdam was global leader in shipping and trade. The tiny Zaan region provided the industry to make it all possible - fuelled by wind power! Around six hundred industrial mills, most importantly sawmills, drove the economic growth. Millers, blacksmiths, weavers, carpenters, ship builders and countless other craftsmen helped produce paint, cloth, sailcloth, paper, tobacco, candles, barrels, whale oil, etc. Find out more at Zaans Museum. Next door is Zaanse Schans, a collection of 17th and 18th century local architecture: adorable green wooden buildings, bridges and windmills. Tourists watch clog-, cheese- and tin-making demonstrations. On the banks of the River Zaan, discover the rich industrial heritage of many centuries. Then why not crown your day by roaming the prized canal district in Amsterdam? In the evening, bright white lights coming from the many windows of tall narrow canal houses make for an enchanting scene.

There’s so much to see and do in Amsterdam! Have you been to see the Gallery of Honour at the Rijksmuseum since the make-over? Why not pop in for a quick visit before you hop back on your bike and plunge into peaceful countryside. Waterland awaits, with wet meadows, wooden bridges and windswept reeds and rushes. Via the isle of Marken you'll go to "touristy" Volendam and neighbouring Edam. For centuries, small, round, salty cheeses produced by dairy farmers in neighbouring polders were shipped out of Edam and exported all over Europe. For six weeks in summer a traditional Wednesday-morning cheese-market is held as a tourist attraction (10.30 -12.30 hrs). At the end of the day, you’ll reach the lovely, historical town of Hoorn.

Pedal up the coast of Lake IJsselmeer, atop the old sea dike, to the beautiful town of Enkhuizen. Don’t miss Zuiderzee Museum which tells the story of the days when ships from the Zuiderzee sailed the seven seas trading in bulbs and spices; the days when Holland dominated world trade and the Dutch East India Company was the first-ever multinational. This period is known as the Golden Age and roughly spans the 17th century. The museum has also combined a collection of historical architecture with demonstrations of traditional trades. On the second stretch of today’s lake-side route, you’ll see more cropfields, orchards and windmills before you reach Medemblik. It’s an old town, with a marina, a bakery museum and a steam engine museum.

You cycle between Medemblik and Keins, the northern part of the Westfriese Omringdijk is your guide. This 126 km long, 800-year-old dike connects the cities of Alkmaar, Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Medeblik and Schagen. Spot birds in the nature reserves of Twisk and Oostermare, and be amazed in the coastal garden “Dutch Kremlin” near Winkel. Just like elsewhere in this region, you will come across many farmhouses: square buildings with both the living and working areas under the same, characteristic high pyramid-shaped roof. The village of Barsingerhorn provides a pleasant foretaste of picturesque Kolhorn. Until 1844, this former harbor and fishing village was located on the Zuiderzee. There are still old barns on the West Frisian dyke, which house two museums. Further along this dike is the village of Keins with the Lady Chapel on the Keins. After Keins you leave the West Friesland and arrive at the next former port city: Oudesluis. The VOC ships were once anchored here. The last part of this route to Den Helder goes through the largest flower bulb area in the world. In the spring it is one big sea of ​​colors of tulips and other flowers. Den Helder started out as a whaling village. The city center was destroyed in the second world war and therefore the city has a relatively modern appearance. Den Helder has a strong maritime slant: shipping, rescue, offshore and the navy.

You can shorten the route by 7 km by continuing to follow the dike between Winkel and Kolhorn.

The ferry crossing from Den Helder to Texel takes about twenty minutes. Texel is the largest of our five Wadden Islands, places of outstanding natural beauty. You’ll have a great time touring this island by bike, enjoying villages, countryside, dunes, beaches etc. There are many bike routes to choose from on Texel. Be sure to visit De Slufter, a beautiful nature reserve created by wind and sea.

Cycle down the North Sea coast past wide beaches, seaside resorts, woods and Zwanenwater, a dune reserve. All along our North Sea coast, dunes protect the hinterland from being flooded by the sea - except near the town of Petten. Here, the dunes have been washed away and a sea wall has been built. An exhibition, "De Dijk te Kijk”, explains all about the past, present and future of the sea wall and about the trials and tribulations of the people of Petten over the course of many centuries.

Alternative route through the bulb fields: Savour the colours as the tulip fields take center stage, situated snugly behind the dunes, a natural protective barrier against stormy seas. At the village of Petten, however, a sea wall had to be built where the dunes had been washed away – find out more at the Information Center. Later on, enter the dunes of Schoorl for a wonderful bike ride past high dune tops, dense woods and fields of heather. In recent years, pioneering dune management in De Kerf has welcomed sea water into the dune valleys. This has led to a rapid increase in biodiversity. Eventually, you will arrive at the beach. Relax, sit in the sand and take in the sea view. Further along the coast, you will come to Bergen aan Zee. At this seaside resort, treat yourself to a bite to eat and a well-earned drink. The Zee Aquarium can be visited to see 300 types of North Sea fish up close. When you arrive back at your hotel in Alkmaar, put your feet up and look back on a colourful holiday. Short cut: Skip Bergen aan Zee (58 km).

After breakfast in your hotel, you will return home.