Cycling the Highlights of Holland

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

After a hearty breakfast, depart Amsterdam.