Itinerary Expand allAmsterdam to Amsterdam Day 1 Arrive in AmsterdamWander around the iconic and surprisingly peaceful 17th century canal ring area of the city (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). For hustle and bustle, make your way to the city's famous squares or head off the beaten track along Brouwersgracht. Alternatively find out what the city looks like from the canals. Stay at the Westcord Art Hotel with breakfast. Meals included: Breakfast Day 2 Amsterdam to HaarlemGet an early start today and beat the queues at the Van Gogh or Anne Frank museum. Then, say 'farewell” or “tot ziens!” to Amsterdam and ride through Kennemerland with its lovely variety of countryside, from vast polders and country estates to woods and beautiful peatland. The attractive city centre of Haarlem offers a wealth of shopping, art and culture, or the option to just relax in cafes and restaurants. In April and early May, you have the option of cycling a longer route of c.60 km where you can see the tulip fields today. Stay at the Hotel Lion d'Or with breakfast. Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Haarlem to LeidenDowntown Haarlem is worth exploring - discover the city’s hidden 'hofjes” (squares of tiny almshouses set around idyllic courtyards) and the Frans Hals Museum for Dutch Golden Age artworks. Continue on your journey to Leiden through the colourful Dune and Bulb Region. To capture the bulb flower fields in their full splendour try to time this holiday before mid-May. Tulips, crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths are grown here commercially, for bulb export, and temporarily transform the landscape into one of the country’s best-loved tourist attractions. Should you want to spend a day at world famous Keukenhof flower exhibition, we recommend you book an extra night in Leiden. Leiden is Holland’s oldest university town and has a very busy cultural events calendar with a friendly city centre of canals, monuments, windmills and museums. The historical botanical gardens are definitely worth a visit. Stay at the Best Western Hotel Leiden with breakfast. Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Leiden to DelftToday provides typically Dutch scenery with orderly, man-made rectangles in the polders (mostly peatland reclamations). You pedal past shining lakes, green pastures, old windmills and farmhouses on your way to the famous city of Delft. The melancholy charm of this historical city is breath-taking. Most will associate Delft with its blue and white hand-painted pottery: Delftware, however it was also home to painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675). The Vermeer Centre gives illuminating insights into his life, works and city (no original paintings on show here). Stay at the Best Western Museumhotel with breakfast. Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Delft to GoudaThis stretch takes you through the Green Heart of Holland - a stronghold against urban sprawl. Balance your way along the top of polder dikes, delight in characteristic villages, far horizons and pleasingly strict rectangles cut by ditches in fields of vibrant green. As you wander around the city of Gouda at the end of the day, don’t miss the gothic town hall (1450); the Weighing House (1667); the romantic inner-city canals and the stained glass windows in St. John’s Church. Gouda is also famous for making syrup waffles (try one hot!) and candles. If you’re travelling in Summer, plan your trip so that you can witness the traditional Thursday morning cheese market at the start of Day 6 (early April till last Thursday in August). Stay at the Best Western Hotel Gouda with breakfast. Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Gouda to AmsterdamSet off on the longest cycling leg today and bird lovers bring your binoculars! Once again, switch on your five senses to fully enjoy the characteristic countryside of the Green Heart. Drift past meadows, lakes and small villages whilst enjoying the wind in the rushes, the clouds reflected in the lakes and the picturesque River Amstel as you wend your way back to Amsterdam. Why not sample the famous Dutch style apple tart with your coffee en route? Should the prospect of 80 km be rather daunting, opt to split this leg by booking an extra night in Woerden (making two legs: 43 km and 49 km). Stay at the Westcord Art Hotel with breakfast. Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Leave AmsterdamAfter a hearty breakfast, depart Amsterdam. Meals included: Breakfast
Cycling from Amsterdam to Brussels New Linear trip cycling between two of Europe's historic capitals. Cycling Activity level: Moderate Ages: 12+ 8 Days from $2,349 Self-Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
The NetherlandsVisit the Embassy of the Netherlands website for the most current visa information.The Netherlands is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter the Netherlands for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. You need sufficient funds and a return airline ticket. For additional details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet.No visa required for British passport holders.For further Brexit travel advice please visit www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers
Hotels Your accommodation during this trip is in three and four star hotels. The hotels are a mix of traditional and contemporary buildings and all offer excellent facilities and ensuite bathrooms. Should the named accommodation on the itinerary details not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.
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Cycling from Brussels to Bruges New Visit the iconic cities of Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges Cycling Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Ages: 12+ 8 Days from $2,279 Self-Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Cycling from Amsterdam to Brussels New Linear trip cycling between two of Europe's historic capitals. Cycling Activity level: Moderate Ages: 12+ 8 Days from $2,349 Self-Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details