On Saturday morning, we set off from Bremerhaven by car. Around five hours later, we arrived in Enkhuizen, where MS RIGOLETTO was already waiting for us at its centrally located mooring. We found a parking space just behind the railway station, only a few minutes’ walk from the ship.
After settling into our cabins, there was still plenty of time for a first stroll through Enkhuizen. With its historic buildings, narrow streets and picturesque harbour, the Dutch town instantly put us in the holiday mood. Later that afternoon, we were officially welcomed aboard with a welcome drink and introduced to the crew and our tour guide. Over dinner, we had time to settle in and look forward to the week ahead. We could not wait to see what experiences awaited us between the IJsselmeer, Friesland and Texel.
Between the Zuiderzee and Headwinds
Before our first cycle tour began, we had a special personal appointment. Marcel from the Zuiderzeemuseum collected us directly from MS RIGOLETTO and enthusiastically showed us around the open-air museum as well as some of Enkhuizen’s most interesting sights. Although this appointment was not part of the regular itinerary, an independent visit to the Zuiderzeemuseum is also a wonderful recommendation for guests.
After enjoying a coffee together, we got on our bikes and set off for Hoorn. Strong headwinds made the very first day a sporting challenge. Our tour guide Regine accompanied us for part of the way through the varied countryside. Once in Hoorn, we spent some time exploring the historic old town before rounding off our first day of cycling with a relaxing coffee near the harbour.
Friesland for All the Senses
After a slightly choppy crossing of the IJsselmeer, we arrived in Lemmer. Our first stop was the Woudagemaal, the largest operational steam-powered pumping station in the world. We then set off on a circular cycle tour through Friesland’s wide-open countryside. Along the way, our tour guide Regine showed us her favourite café in an old barn. At a small lock keeper’s cottage, we also tried the local mustard soup, which was surprisingly delicious.
The following day, we continued by bike towards Stavoren. The route took us through green fields and meadows before following the dyke. At a beachside snack bar in Laaxum, we enjoyed a sunny break by the water with kibbeling and a frikandel special. After a brief photo stop at the Roode Klif, we reached Stavoren. From there, MS RIGOLETTO took us onwards to Harlingen.
Harbour Towns and Friesland’s Wide-Open Landscapes
The following morning, we set off from Harlingen on a circular cycle tour through the Frisian countryside. Quiet paths led us past green meadows, small waterways and typical Dutch houses, with sweeping views across the flat landscape along the way.
Our destination was Franeker. The small town delighted us with its charming old centre, historic buildings and inviting streets. With no need to rush that day, we had plenty of time to browse the shops and soak up the town’s special atmosphere.
MS RIGOLETTO was originally due to set sail for Texel that afternoon. However, strong winds meant that the crossing had to be postponed, leaving us with more time to enjoy Harlingen. Back at the mooring, we treated ourselves to a portion of poffertjes before taking another stroll through the harbour town. With its canals, elegant houses and numerous cafés, Harlingen proved to be a wonderful place for this unexpected extra stay.
A Day on Texel
The following morning, the wind finally allowed us to make the crossing to Texel. At around 10 a.m., MS RIGOLETTO arrived in the harbour of Oudeschild. As soon as the bikes had been brought ashore, we set off on our circular tour of the largest Dutch island in the North Sea.
Our route first took us across the island to the dunes and then through fragrant pine forests. The excellent cycle paths and varied scenery made this one of the most beautiful tours of the week. Of course, we also made time for a long break on the North Sea beach.
We then visited the seaside resort of De Koog before continuing to the “Dreaming Rapa Nui” monument. Following quiet paths through the island’s green interior, we eventually reached Den Burg. After a stroll through the small town centre, we enjoyed an Italian coffee in the sunshine at Café De Kastanjeboom. We spent a relaxing evening aboard, as MS RIGOLETTO remained on Texel overnight.
From Medemblik Back to Enkhuizen
With calm seas, we left Texel and arrived in Medemblik later that morning. After a short stroll through the pretty harbour town, there was still time to enjoy the maritime atmosphere and admire the historic buildings around the harbour.
We then set off on our final cycle tour to Enkhuizen. In glorious sunshine, much of the route followed the water’s edge. As we passed through several nature reserves, we spotted numerous cormorants and other waterbirds. The peaceful paths, views across the water and summery weather made this stage a particularly beautiful finale to our week of cycling.
That evening, we raised a glass over a farewell drink on board and reflected together on the many experiences of the past few days.
Our Conclusion
After an eventful week, we returned to Enkhuizen with many wonderful memories. The wide-open landscapes of Friesland, the beautiful cycle paths on Texel and the small harbour towns with their canals and historic buildings particularly stood out. Culinary stops for mustard soup, kibbeling and poffertjes also added to the unique charm of the journey.
The combination of daily cycle tours and relaxing cruises is an ideal way to experience North Holland and Friesland from different perspectives. At the same time, the week showed us that travelling across the IJsselmeer and visiting the North Sea island of Texel sometimes requires a little flexibility. Wind and weather may affect the itinerary, but they can also lead to unexpected experiences and new discoveries.
