An Amsterdam Country Cycling Tour

Imagine visiting the beautiful city of Amsterdam and touring the Amsterdam Wetlands on bike! Join Clara Overes and LuAnn Buechler on this unique journey of self-discovery as you cycle through the Netherlands, immerse yourself in the local history and enjoy the beauty of the magnificent dikes and canals surrounding Amsterdam.

About Marinapark Volendam (where our accommodations are located)

Traditional clothing, wooden houses, smoked eel, boats and wooden shoes…there is nowhere else in the Netherlands where authentic Dutch traditions come together than in Volendam.

Marinapark Volendam is situated on the water and is built entirely in the traditional Dutch style. You can stroll along the famous “dijk” (dike) where there is always something fun to do. There are also many shops and restaurants, a small supermarket and an indoor swimming pool. The tulip fields, windmills and cheese markets in the area are also appealing attractions. Public transportation is available to take you from the Marinapark to Amsterdam’s city centre in only 20 minutes.

Participants will be sharing rooms in one of the apartments we reserved for the group. Participants who prefer a single room can stay in the Hotel on the Park for an additional fee.

Day 1

You arrive on your own at the Marinapark in Volendam. From Amsterdam Airport Schiphol you can easily take a train to Amsterdam’s Central Station. From there you take a short ride on the Amsterdam Metro (Noord-Zuidline) to Station Noord where you will take a bus to Marinapark Volendam. Uber is also available at Schiphol. (If you need assistance with arrangements for transfers, we will gladly assist for you for a nominal fee.)

Our transformational time together begins at our welcome reception at 6:00 p.m., where you will be greeted by your hosts LuAnn, Clara and Titia. Light refreshments will be served.

Later, our catered dinner will offer us an opportunity to get to know each other and discuss some of the highlights of the coming week. After dinner, the evening is yours to turn in early or take advantage of the opportunity to explore the Marinapark area.

Day 2

Our program begins with an inspiring morning where LuAnn and Clara will challenge you to envision the future you desire—whatever it is—for your life and/or business.

During the afternoon session, our guide, Titia, will lead us on a walking tour of beautiful Volendam. She will share the rich history of the area as we stroll through the old part of the village and over the famous “dijk” (dike). At the end of the tour, you may walk back to the Marinapark or enjoy free time in the Marinapark area.

We will enjoy dinner at one of the charming restaurants at the Marinapark.

Day 3

Our cycling journey begins! Today, we will be exploring a very old part of the Netherlands—on bike! (In the Netherlands, wearing a helmet is not required; however, if you prefer to wear a helmet, please bring your own.)

From Volendam we will head north to beautiful Edam. Edam is a historical “city” as it received its so-called city rights over 600 years ago, although it feels like a small village today. Edam is known the world over for making Edam cheese.

Upon arrival in Edam, we will have a coffee break at the dam where you can also visit the museum or the Tourist Office. Titia will take you through the ancient cobbled streets and tell you about the rich history. As we leave Edam, we will pass by Fort Edam which is surrounded by a moat.

We will continue our bike ride to the reclaimed land of Zeevang. It is a fascinating, old “polder” which means “the sea was caught.” We will bike along the dike which is a World Heritage site. We will have some great photo opportunities here! Behind the dike lies the former Zuiderzee. This “sea” is actually two lakes: an enormous lake called Ijsselmeer and a smaller lake called Markermeer. On windy and sunny days there are often a variety of sail boats scattered about the Zuiderzee.

We will enjoy lunch at a real windmill, called “de Breek.” Imagine having a perfect a group picture taken here! After lunch, we will visit the windmill and the old primary school of Dik Trom, who is the main character in a well-known Dutch children’s book series.

We will take a different route back to Edam for dinner at De Beurs in Edam. After dinner we will ride our bikes back to Volendam.

Day 4

After breakfast we will enjoy another day of biking! Today we will experience the Dutch countryside partly from the bike and partly from the water. If weather allows, we will bike to Holysloot to board the special bike ferry that will transport us from one side to the other. After the ferry ride, we will walk our bikes through fields and over some very small bridges. We might even run into some cows. (This side-trip can only happen when the sun shines and the fields are not too wet. In the event the weather does not allow this trip, we will take the ferry from Volendam to the former island of Marken.)

Whatever route we take, we will go to Broek in Waterland which is a beautiful village, once voted the most beautiful village of North Holland. While there, we will enjoy a traditional Dutch meal of pancakes.

After lunch, we will bike through the lush countryside to Monnickendam. Titia will tell us all about this wonderful former fishing “city.” From Monnickendam we go back to Volendam for dinner at Art Hotel Spaander, which is beautifully situated on a lake. Inside the hotel you will find paintings by the Dutch masters.

Day 5

After breakfast, LuAnn and Clara will take you further on your inward journey by continuing your Passion Test workshop. A buffet lunch will be served.

In the late afternoon we will travel to Amsterdam by public transportation. Titia will be our guide in Amsterdam. One of the highlights will be a boat tour of the Amsterdam canals and the river IJ. We will enjoy dinner at a very nice restaurant in Amsterdam.

Day 6

After breakfast, LuAnn and Clara will work closely with you to create your personal action plan, which will help guide your steps to begin living your passions after you return home.

In the afternoon, we will enjoy a final visit to Amsterdam by visiting one of Amsterdam’s many impressive museums.

We will return to Marinapark Volendam in the late afternoon, which will give us time to rest a bit or freshen up. Our farewell dinner will be at Simonehoeve, a cheese and clog farm. At Simonehoeve, you will learn about the Netherland’s most famous product: CHEESE! You will get to know how Dutch cheese is made and—even better—how it tastes!

Depending on the weather, we will have a barbecue or a gourmet dinner. And as a memento of our time together a group picture will be taken of the group in Volendam costume!

Day 7

After breakfast, our time together will draw to a close.

If you are going back to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol you can use the public transport card that we will give you during the week. If you prefer to extend your stay in the Netherlands or other parts of Europe, we will be happy to connect you to travel agents we recommend who can help you make alternate arrangements.