Practical information Pre-conference Family Tour
Below you will find practical information about the Pre-conference family tour to Schiermonnikoog
📆 Sunday 23, August 2026
Pre-conference family tour to Schiermonnikoog
Registration for the pre-conference family tour is now closed. Please contact us at corlas2026@congresscare.com to discuss the available options.
On Sunday, 23 August, we will organise the Family Tour to Schiermonnikoog, one of the beautiful Dutch Wadden Islands.
Registration and boarding will start at 08:30 AM at the Stadsschouwburg Groningen, and the coach will depart promptly at 08:45 AM for the harbour of Lauwersoog. From there, we will take the ferry to Schiermonnikoog.
Schiermonnikoog is a car-free island and can be explored by bike or on foot. Bicycles have been reserved for participants who signed up for one in advance. If you did not register for a bicycle, you can travel by bus to the different locations on the island. Bus transport will also be available for participants with limited mobility.
After a scenic boat trip of approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, we will arrive on the island of Schiermonnikoog and enjoy lunch at Hotel Van der Werff, centrally located in the village.
Following lunch, Pim and Myrthe will guide those interested on a cycling tour of the island (approximately 45 minutes), including visits to several highlights. Alternatively, you may choose to take a walk to the beach or explore the historic village and its shops at your own pace.
At 2:30 PM sharp, we will depart from Hotel Van der Werff and transport everyone back to the harbour.
In the afternoon, the ferry will depart from Schiermonnikoog promptly at 3:00 PM. Please make sure to arrive at the harbour on time, as the ferry will not wait for late passengers. Upon arrival in Lauwersoog, the coach will be waiting to take us back to Groningen.
We look forward to sharing this memorable day with you and your family!
Family tour programme
| Time | Programme |
| 08:30 | Meet at the Stadsschouwburg |
| 08:45 | Departure by bus to Lauwersoog |
| 09:45 | Arrival at Lauwersoog harbour |
| 10:00 | Departure by boat to Schiermonnikoog. Along the way, we will stop to spot seals, followed by coffee and biscuits on board. |
| 11:30 | Arrival on Schiermonnikoog |
| 12:00 | Departure to Hotel Van der Werff. Participants who reserved a bicycle in advance will cycle; all other participants will travel by bus. |
| 12:30 | Lunch at Hotel Van der Werff |
| 13:30 | Following lunch, Pim and Myrthe will guide those interested on a cycling tour of the island (approximately 45 minutes), including visits to several highlights. Alternatively, you may choose to take a walk to the beach or explore the historic village and its shops at your own pace. |
| 14:30 | At 2:30 PM sharp, we will depart from Hotel Van der Werff and transport everyone back to the Schiermonnikoog harbour. |
| 15:00 | Departure by boat to Lauwersoog. Drinks and a snack on board. |
| 16:00 | Arrival at Lauwersoog harbour |
| 16:15 | Bus departure to Stadsschouwburg |
| 17:00 |
Arrival at the Stadsschouwburg |
Find the full route of the tour here!
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Boat trip to Schiermonnikoog aboard the Blijdschap
You will board the Blijdschap at the harbour of Lauwersoog. The boat will be moored at berth number 3, as indicated in the image on the right.
The passenger ship Blijdschap has a long and interesting history. Built in Sliedrecht in 1922, she originally sailed as a cargo vessel in the Netherlands. In 1979, she was converted into a passenger ship and operated in Zeeland, initially mainly for fishing trips. Over the years, she became increasingly popular as a party boat and gained a reputation for her oyster and lobster cruises. In 2022, exactly 100 years after she was built, the Blijdschap joined the Waddenschipper fleet.
During our journey to Schiermonnikoog, we will take a scenic route through the beautiful Wadden Sea. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to spot seals in their natural habitat. Keep an eye on the water and the sandbanks, you might catch a glimpse of these playful residents of the Wadden Sea!
Did you know? Schiermonnikoog is still growing! Sand and sediment carried by the Wadden Sea continue to shape and expand the island, making its landscape constantly change over time.