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Discover the 11 Frisian cities and the most beautiful places in Friesland during this 8-day fully catered Eleven Cities Tour with ship Josefien! You cycle to the next destination every day and experience the comfort of the ship Josefien that sails with you every day. On board you sleep in your own double cabin with private bathroom. In the morning you enjoy an extensive breakfast. You will receive a packed lunch for the journey and in the evening a luxurious 3-course dinner will be served. Various types of coffee, tea, cooled water and snacks are also available throughout the day. Don't want to cycle for a day? Then you can always sail with the ship. You can travel the route with a bicycle from the hotel ship, but you can also bring your own bicycle.
Location
This hotel ship is moored right in the center of Leeuwarden. Here is the starting point of the Eleven Cities Tour with ship Josefien. This is an excellent base to explore the Frisian capital. For example, climb the Oldehove, a tower that is more leaning than the one in Pisa! Or go shopping in the center, the Frisian museum is also within walking distance and is definitely recommended.
Special about this accommodation
Price included:
- A comfortable double cabin with private shower and toilet
- Made beds, towels, shampoo, soap and bottled water
- A luxurious breakfast and lunch (on-the-go package)
- A delicious 3-course dinner every evening
- A geared bicycle from ship Josefien
- Unlimited coffee, tea and chilled water on board
- Detailed descriptions of the cycling routes, available both on paper and digitally
- You can use a bicycle bag, helmet, safety vest and telephone holder
Important to know
Optional to book:
- E-bike from the hotel ship for €185 (e-bikes have limited availability)
- Unlimited drinks from the ship's bar €250
- Parking your own bicycle €25 (the bicycle is given a covered spot on board and can be secured to the ship. Please note: limited spaces available!)
- Parking and charging your own e-bike €35 (the bicycle is given a covered spot on board, can be secured to the ship and charged on board. Please note: limited availability!)
- Mini refrigerator for the cabin, capacity 6 liters. €5 per day
- Cancellation insurance, 6% of the basic amount. You can cancel until departure. You will receive your payment back, with the exception of the cancellation insurance
- Single supplement: do you only want to book a double cabin? Then you pay a surcharge of 35% of the basic amount
Here you will find Schip Josefien
Snekertrekweg 228913 HR Leeuwarden Plan your route
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The liberation of Friesland 1
The liberation of Friesland 1
In early April, it became clear that the liberation of Friesland was imminent. Although the province had not suffered a real Hunger Winter like other parts of the Netherlands, there were severe shortages of just about everything. And the terror of the occupying forces was growing. This also led to increased resistance against the occupying forces. The battle between the two was tougher than ever in early 1945. Â
In Friesland, assault groups known as Knokploegen (KP) were responsible for most acts of resistance. But there were other groups too. On the orders of the Dutch government in London, all these groups were merged into the Dutch Domestic Armed Forces (NBS). In Friesland, this happened on 12 December 1944.Â
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The NBS, popularly referred to as the BS, gave the armed resistance an organisation with a clear structure. The NBS was also supposed to play a role in the upcoming liberation. To this end, resistance groups were provided with weapons from autumn 1944. These were dropped from the air. Â
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On 8 April, Radio Orange broadcast the message "The bottle is empty." This was the signal for the NBS to start carrying out sabotage operations 36 hours later. The aim was to make it as difficult as possible for the Germans to defend themselves against the approaching Allied forces.Â
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The resistance did this by putting bridges and railways out of order, blocking waterways and blocking roads. The response of the occupying forces was ruthless. In retaliation, dozens more prisoners were shot at different times and places. ÂOnce the Canadians entered Friesland on 12 April, they were supported extremely effectively by the Frisian resistance. Because it was superbly organised, they were able to help the Canadians take control of important bridges, repair damaged bridges, and advise on the most favourable route. Â
By 18 April, the whole province was liberated except for the Wadden Islands (these were liberated in late May and in June). Compared to other provinces, there was little fighting in Friesland. Overall, the few thousand German troops who had been unable to flee Friesland were defeated by the Canadians relatively quickly. Â
The commander of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lieutenant Colonel Landell, praised the actions of the resistance by stating "Friesland liberated herself." While that may be a bit of an exaggeration, the actions of the Frisian resistance undoubtedly accelerated the liberation. And reduced the number of casualties on the Allied side. Â
In confrontations with German troops and their Dutch accomplices, at least 31 resistance fighters lost their lives. On the Allied side, at least eleven Canadians and one Frenchman were killed. The fighting and shelling also resulted in dozens of civilian casualties. The number of casualties on the German side is not known, but probably ran into the hundreds. With 320 houses destroyed and 4,000 damaged and 80 bridges destroyed, Friesland was materially the least damaged province in the Netherlands.Â
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Fries Landbouwmuseum (Frisian Agricultural Museum)
Fries Landbouwmuseum (Frisian Agricultural Museum)
