Cycling Holland - This “self-guided” tour offers you the opportunity to discover the mid-western and central parts of The Netherlands, being the regions North and South Holland and Utrecht.
This flat, 300 km (180 miles) long bike loop connects the North Sea coast with the various typical landscapes of the heart of the country. The tour is a combination of beaches, sand dunes, vast grasslands, canals and lakes as well as cultural, historical and traditional highlights. Cycling in “Holland” is a pleasure as well as gorgeous with rides on quiet and well kept bike trails, countryroads and dike paths. Signposts, bike markings, bike traffic lights and bike crossings add to your security. In Holland the cyclist is the King of the Road !
Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival in Amsterdam and transfer to Haarlem about 15 minutes away by train. In Haarlem is the best shopping city in Holland, city of flowers, art & culture; historic city centre & places of interest at walking distance. Overnight in quality 3 star hotel.
(D)
Day 2 | Amsterdam Cycling 35 km
Return by train with you bike to do a tour of the city and surroundings. Cycling in Amsterdam is not like other big cities - the bike still rules! A scenic ride around the city with time to stop and visit. Return to Haarlem. (B,D)
Day 3 | Haarlem – (Keukenhof) - Leiden 30 km
This City of Discoveries, where Rembrandt was born, has an interesting historical centre and 12 rich museums as well as an international university. Central hotel in good 3 star quality. (B,D)
Day 4 | Leiden – Schoonhoven (53 kms-33miles)
Along the Old Rhine river we arrive in Alphen. This old Roman
settlement along the Rhine has some nice monuments (churches,
town hall, cornmill) as well as an interesting faunapark and
a theme park on Dutch history. Through a polder landscape
we arrive in Gouda. Gouda is more than cheese. Yearly about
a million tourists show their interest for the Gothic town
hall, the “Waag” or weigh-house, the stained-glass
windows of Saint John’s, several museums and the old
houses along the attractive canals and streets. From mid June
until August every thursday morning a cheese and crafts market
takes place in front of the weigh-house. Be aware that treacle
waffels are also a Gouda delicacy ! Southeastward to the City
of Schoonhoven called the Silvertown because of its silver
industry and the Silvercraftschool. Enjoy the little canals,
intimate streets, patrician houses, art galleries and the
monumental Townhall as well as a terrace near the Lek river.
(B,D)
Remarks: if you might spend a lot of time in visiting Gouda, a straight itinerary from Gouda to Schoonhoven is prepared.
Day 5 | Het Loo (40kms–25miles)
Transfer to Apeldoorn (100 kms – 1hr 20’) by minibus; followed by the “Queen Wilhelmina route” bike tour combining the Crown Domains – Het Loo, being a former royal residence with Dutch Baroque Gardens, and het Aardhuis, being a wildlife park with museum of the Veluwe National Park. ****Hotel Het Loo, overlooking the gardens of the Royal Palace Het Loo, offers all possible facilities. (B,D)
Day 6 | Loop cycling tour (50 kms – 33 miles)
Bike loop through the Veluwe National Park with possible visit of the Kröller-Müller Museum (collection of works by Van Gogh) or bike tour through the Park and its museum to Arnhem, capital of Gelderland and famous for the Market Garden operation kept in the Airborne Museum.
(B,D)
Day 7 | Depart at your leisure after breakfast with transfer to Amsterdam airport.
Details
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Dates: Mid May to Mid October possible, subject to hotel availability; you can choose your preferred travel time. Weather is best June-August, and crowds greatest in August.
Accommodation:
Trip includes: 6 nights lodging as above,
buffet breakfasts, dinners, welcome orientation,
detailed road book with maps, route descriptions, tourist
information, telephone asistance throughout the duration of
the trip.
Bike Rental: TBA euros
[Click for image]
Trek 7300 hybrids, 24 speed with Shimano groupo, equipped
with rear rack and panniers, water bottles, flat tire repair
kit and pump, lock. Rapid fire shift, 700x35-38 presta, blade
spokes, 15kg loaded with rear rack and panniers; flat pedals
unless clips requested in advance. Travelers can bring own
clipless pedals to be installed. Eddy Merckx road
bikes available at 205 euros, carbon frame. |
Holland
