Cycling the Highlights of Holland

Activity Level

Easy

Activity

Cycling

Overview

This cycling trip takes you to Holland’s most beautiful cities, Amsterdam, Zandvoort, The Hague, Rotterdam, Gouda and Utrecht.

Discover the Highlights of Holland on this mostly gentle circular cycling trip, starting and ending in the delightful city of Amsterdam with its UNESCO World Heritage canal ring area, its bustling squares and cultural hotspots, including the Anne Frank and Van Gogh museums. The varied countryside of Holland beckons with a mix of rectangular polders (low-lying land reclaimed from rivers and protected by dykes), woodland, country estates and wild gardens. Cycle through beautiful traditional villages, past windmills and farmhouses and on to the famous flower fields near Haarlem (visit in April and early May for the full effect of the blooms).

As well as Amsterdam and the archetypal countryside of the Netherlands, you get to explore the cities of Zandvoort, The Hague, Rotterdam, Gouda, & Utrecht, all with their own histories and cultural characters. On the North Sea coast, extensive dunes and sandy beaches invite you to sunbathe, or you can simply stroll along the promenades. Art and culture lovers will find exciting museums and shopping fans will get their money’s worth in trendy Rotterdam. Don’t forget to try the famous delicacies, Gouda cheese and syrup waffles are just two of them. Gouda, as well as being the venue for the famous summer cheese market (Thursday mornings April – August), has a fabulous, gothic town hall in the main square, romantic canals and even more food options with warm syrup waffles – perfect to try after a day of cycling.

Key Information

Trip Code: C07HH
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: The Netherlands

What's Included

7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of3* & 4* hotels
All breakfasts
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Navigation app
Bike hire included
Luggage transfers between hotels

6 days of Cycling

Day 2: 40 km / 24.9 miles
Day 3: 50 km / 31.1 miles
Day 4: 50 km / 31.1 miles
Day 5: 55 km / 34.2 miles
Day 6: 50 km / 31.1 miles
Day 7: 55 km / 34.2 miles

Highlights

Discover the cities of Amsterdam, Zandvoort, The Hague, Rotterdam, Gouda, & Utrecht with easy cycling between
Ride through typical Dutch landscapes passing windmills, canals, drawbridges & through picturesque villages
If travelling in April and early May take in Holland's famous Tulip fields

Itinerary

First Destination: Amsterdam
Next Destination: Amsterdam

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Amsterdam
Next Destination: Amsterdam

Wander 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.

Overnight Westcord Fashion Hotel 4*, Amsterdam.

Get 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 this idyllic town, you will also find some of Holland’s characteristic windmills, canals and drawbridges. The last stretch will take you to the coast and Zandvoort, where the extensive sandy beaches will tempt you to take a swim.

Overnight Amsterdam Beach Hotel 3*, Zandvoort.

Meals included:Breakfast

Today takes you along the North Sea coast where wonderful beach promenades will once again tempt you to take a dip in the cool water. In spring, a short detour to Keukenhof is worthwhile, where more than 7 million tulips, hyacinths and daffodils can be admired. Today’s destination is The Hague where wide sandy beaches, green parks and beautiful dunes characterise the city. Those interested in art and culture will also get their fill thanks to the wide range of museums.

Overnight Movenpick Hotel 4*, The Hague.

Meals included:Breakfast

You will now head inland again, away from the coast. On your way, you will quickly reach Delft. This university town is famous far beyond its borders for Delft porcelain. In the Vermeer Centre, you can admire works by the painter Johannes Vermeer. The numerous cafes and restaurants will tempt you to linger here before moving onto the trendy harbour metropolis of Rotterdam, a paradise for shopping fans.

Overnight SS Rotterdam 4*, Rotterdam.

Meals included:Breakfast

After breakfast, you will still have time for a short stroll through Rotterdam. You will be captivated by the modern architecture. Once on your bike, you will quickly reach the windmills of Kinderdijk. The 19 impressive buildings are among the most popular postcard motifs in the Netherlands. The famous windmills were built as early as 1740 and were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The rest of the tour takes you through the water-rich and picturesque countryside to Gouda.

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 (early April till last Thursday in August).

Overnight Best Western Plus City 4*, Gouda.

Meals included:Breakfast

The medieval town Gouda is not only famous for its cheese, but also for its syrup waffles. You can convince yourself of their quality at breakfast! Today’s stage takes you into the green heart of the Netherlands. You will pass through extensive natural landscapes, picturesque villages and vast polders. In the historic city centre of Utrecht, you can end the cycling stage with a refreshing beer. Numerous restaurants and bars invite you in.

Overnight Hotel Mitland 4*, Utrecht.

Meals included:Breakfast

Picturesque parks, canals, historic buildings and many interesting museums await you in Utrecht. Following the course of the Utrechtse Vecht, your cycle tour continues. The region surrounding this idyllic river offers a lot of culture and history. The beautiful landscape is complemented by a rich gastronomic culture. At the end of the day, you will once again reach the starting point of your cycling tour, the Dutch capital Amsterdam.

Overnight Westcord Fashion Hotel 4*, Amsterdam.

Meals included:Breakfast

After a hearty breakfast, depart Amsterdam.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

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Call us on 1 844 462 4317

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Accommodation

Westcord Fashion Hotel 4*, Amsterdam

Less than 5km from the Old Town, this lovely hotel offers trendy and well-appointed rooms. Guests can enjoy the Wellcome Wellness centre which features an indoor swimming pool, sauna and gym. The Grand Cafe serves all-day dining. You can also visit the restaurant Mme Coco for a delicious culinary evening. The chic SKYY Bar offers panoramic city views and serves a range of wines and exotic cocktails, as well as a 5 course dinner at the chef’s table.

Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.

Amsterdam Beach Hotel 3*, Zandvoort

Just 100m from the beach, this charming hotel gives you the opportunity to enjoy a sunset stroll by the sea. Breakfast can be enjoyed on the terrace and the evenings can be spent at the hotel beach bar.

Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.

Movenpick Hotel 4*, The Hague

This stylish 72 room boutique hotel is located in the heart of The Hague. Guests can enjoy The Restaurant by NOA, serving all-day dining and the Coffee & Wine Lounge, serving beverages and a range of delectable bites.

Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.

SS Rotterdam 4*, Rotterdam

Stay onboard a former Holland-America Line ship permanently docked in Rotterdam; a very unique experience! Where the steamship cabins used to be, you will enjoy a cosy guest room with private en-suite. The ship houses a modern restaurant, ambient wine bar, and spacious terrace finished with a small outdoor pool on top deck.

Best Western City Plus 4*, Gouda

Located just 600m from the Markt, and next to the Gouwe River, this modern hotel offers 101 sound-proofed rooms all decorated with a warm, stylish colour palate. Each floor has its own colour – red for the City Arms and the flag of Gouda; yellow for the colour of the famous Gouda cheese and blue for the city’s waterways, bridges and locks. Each room has its own name and a photograph referring to a special landmark in Gouda. The hotel has a Bistro-Bar where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served.

Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.

Hotel Mitland 4*, Utrecht

The contemporary Hotel Mitland is situated in a delightful park just 10 minutes cycle from the city centre. The hotel has 142 luxurious furnished rooms and 4 themed suites (Holland, Swan Lake, Romantic and Old Dutch Masters). The restaurant offers wonderful views of the old De Bilt fortress. The hotel has excellent facilities including a 9-lane bowling alley with bar, indoor swimming pool, fitness room, a brasserie with bar and some fabulous lakeview terraces.

Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.</b>

Essential Information

The Netherlands

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter the Netherlands. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.