# Travelling Netherlands — Full Site Content > Bike & sail holidays through the Dutch waterways aboard Ship Josefien. > Website: https://travellingnetherlands.com > Booking: https://schipjosefien.nl/prices/ --- ## About Travelling Netherlands Travelling Netherlands offers 8-day cycling and sailing holidays through the Dutch waterways aboard the historic Ship Josefien. The concept is simple: guests cycle 30–50 km per day on flat, dedicated cycling paths through polders, dike roads and historic towns while the ship sails ahead to the next harbour. Each evening, Ship Josefien is waiting with dinner on the table. The holidays are hosted by Maarten and Simone, who have welcomed guests aboard since 2008. Maarten is the skipper and navigator. Simone is the chef, creating three-course organic dinners each evening from seasonal Dutch produce. With a maximum of 22 guests, every voyage feels personal. ## A Day on Board - 07:30 — Wake up in a new harbour. Fresh coffee and breakfast buffet in the salon. - 09:30 — Pick up your bike and follow that day's route (30–50 km, flat, signposted). E-bikes available. - 17:00 — Return to Ship Josefien, already moored in the next harbour. Drinks on deck, three-course organic dinner. - 21:00 — Stroll through the harbour town or wine under the stars. Sleep to the sound of water. ## Routes Five bike and boat routes. Each has its own page with the day-by-day itinerary, departures and price. ### 1. Eleven Cities of Friesland - Page: https://travellingnetherlands.com/routes/eleven-cities-friesland/ - Duration: 8 days, 7 nights. Start and end: Leeuwarden - 2027 departures: 24–31 May, 2–9 June, 2–9 July - Price 2027: from €1,460 p.p. E-bike: €140 for the week - Stages: Leeuwarden – Bolsward – Sneek (about 40 km), Sneek – IJlst – Sloten (25 km), Sloten – Stavoren (25 km), Stavoren – Hindeloopen – Workum or Makkum (20 km), Workum or Makkum – Harlingen – Franeker (25 km), Franeker – Dokkum (40 km), Dokkum – Leeuwarden (40 km) - Description: Cycle the Elfstedentocht route through all eleven historic Frisian cities. Each evening Josefien is waiting in the next harbour. You can skip a cycling day and sail along with the ship. ### 2. Wadden Sea Weeks - Page: https://travellingnetherlands.com/routes/wadden-sea/ - Duration: 8 days, 7 nights. Start and end: Harlingen - 2027 departures: 15–22 June, 23–30 June - Price 2027: from €1,460 p.p. E-bike: €100 for the week - Description: The Wadden Sea has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009 and is home to more than 10,000 species. The route is set shortly before departure from weather and tides. The aim is to visit three of the five inhabited Wadden Islands and, if conditions allow, to dry out (droogvallen): Josefien settles on a sandbank at low tide so guests can walk on the sea floor. ### 3. The Northern Provinces - Page: https://travellingnetherlands.com/routes/northern-provinces/ - Duration: 8 days, 7 nights. Start and end: Leeuwarden - Dates: ran 25 August – 1 September in 2026; 2027 dates not yet published (on request) - Stops: Leeuwarden, Dokkum (via the Dokkumer Ee), Lauwersmeer National Park, Zoutkamp, Garnwerd (Reitdiep), Groningen, Burgum and a night at anchor on the Burgumermeer - Description: The quietest route, for nature and bird lovers, cyclists, walkers and guests who prefer to stay on board. ### 4. The Hanseatic Route (new for 2027) - Page: https://travellingnetherlands.com/routes/hanseatic-route/ - Start and end: Zwolle. Boarding 16:00 - Week trip, 8 days: 21–28 July 2027, from €1,460 p.p. Zwolle, Harderwijk, Muiden, Wijk bij Duurstede, Arnhem, Zutphen, Zwolle - Long weekend, 5 days: 29 July – 2 August 2027, from €890 p.p. Zwolle, Elburg, Kampen, Vollenhove, Zwolle - E-bike: €140 (week) or €80 (long weekend) - Description: The medieval Hanseatic trading cities along the IJssel, with the ship moored in the historic centres. ### 5. Rivers & Delta - Page: https://travellingnetherlands.com/routes/rivers-delta/ - Duration: 8 days, 7 nights. Start and end: Rotterdam (Coolhaven) - Dates: ran 1–8 June in 2026; 2027 dates not yet published (on request) - Stages: Rotterdam – Delft (40 km), Leiden (25 km), Gouda (30 km), Schoonhoven (15 km), Kinderdijk and Dordrecht (30 km), Rotterdam (25 km) - Description: The classic cities of Holland and the UNESCO windmills of Kinderdijk. ## Ship Josefien A beautifully restored Dutch motor vessel with maritime character and modern comfort: - 11 double cabins, each with private shower and WC - Beds made on arrival, fresh linens, towels and toiletries - Generous breakfast buffet and packed lunch each morning - Three-course dinner each evening from the organic galley - Quality touring bicycles included (e-bike upgrade available) - Maximum 22 guests for a true family atmosphere - Detailed cycling routes on paper and phone - Hosted by Maarten and Simone, on board all week ## Your Hosts — Maarten & Simone Since 2008, Maarten and Simone have welcomed guests aboard Ship Josefien — not as passengers, but as part of their world. Maarten is the skipper and navigator. Simone is the chef, creating three-course organic dinners each evening from seasonal Dutch produce. With a maximum of 22 guests, every voyage feels personal. They know the waterways intimately — the best harbours, the hidden channels, the perfect spot to drop anchor at sunset. Trust stats: 17+ years on the water, 2,000+ happy guests, 100% organic galley. ## Pricing Base price 2027: from €1,460 per person for an 8-day trip (all-inclusive, double cabin). The 5-day Hanseatic long weekend is from €890 per person. ### What's Included - Seven nights in a private en-suite cabin - Generous breakfast buffet each morning - Packed lunch for the road each day - Three-course organic dinner each evening - Quality touring bicycle for the entire trip - Detailed cycling routes on paper and GPS - Coffee, tea and water throughout the day - All harbour fees and bridge tolls - Bed linen, towels and toiletries - Personal hosting by Maarten and Simone ### Optional Extras - E-bike upgrade: €100–€140 per week, depending on the route - Single cabin supplement: €400 per week - Extra night on board: on request Payment protected by VZR Garant guarantee fund (Dutch travel industry insolvency protection). ## Reviews 5.0 out of 5.0 on Google Reviews, 69 reviews. Guests consistently praise the personal attention, the quality of the food, and the unique combination of cycling and sailing. ## FAQ **Is this the same as a bike and boat or bike and barge tour?** Yes. Bike and sail, bike and boat and bike and barge all describe the same kind of holiday: you cycle during the day while the ship travels to the next harbour, and you eat and sleep on board. On Ship Josefien that means eight days, 30–50 km of flat cycling per day and a maximum of 22 guests. **Do I need to be a strong cyclist?** Not at all. Daily routes are 30–50 km on flat, dedicated cycling paths — no hills, no traffic. E-bikes are available. You can also skip a cycling day entirely and stay aboard while the ship sails. **Is the ship suitable for solo travellers?** Absolutely. Many guests travel solo. With 22 guests maximum, the atmosphere is warm and social — most arrive as strangers and leave as friends. Single cabin supplement applies. **What's included in the price?** Everything: private en-suite cabin, all meals, touring bicycle, cycling routes, coffee/tea, harbour fees, bed linen, towels. Only extras are optional e-bike upgrade and bar drinks. **What are the cabins like?** 11 double cabins, each with private shower and WC. Compact but beautifully kept — cosy, quiet, comfortable. Sleep to the sound of water against the hull. **When is the best time to visit?** April–May: tulips, spring light. June–July: longest days, Wadden Sea at its best. August–September: warm weather, golden autumn colours. **How do I get to the starting point?** Most voyages start/end in Leeuwarden or Harlingen, easily reached by train from Amsterdam Schiphol (about 2.5 hours). Free parking available near harbour. **Is the food suitable for dietary requirements?** Yes. Simone cooks from scratch with organic, seasonal produce. Experienced with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other needs. Just mention when booking. **What happens if the weather is bad?** Some rain is always possible in the Netherlands. Waterproof gear recommended. On stormy days, routes can be shortened and the ship's salon is cosy for an afternoon with a book and coffee. ## Contact - Email: info@schipjosefien.nl - Phone: +31 6 17 40 65 47 - Address: Westersingel 60, 8913 CL Leeuwarden, Friesland, Netherlands - Booking page: https://schipjosefien.nl/prices/ - Main website: https://www.schipjosefien.nl - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schipjosefien - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schipjosefien/ ## Business Details - Operator: Schip Josefien - KvK: 01175058 - VAT: NL813530646B01 - Protection: VZR Garant guarantee fund