Classic Holland Cycle

Make your own way to Amsterdam and check into the first hotel. Amsterdam is one of Europe's crown jewels - there is so much to do and see here. If you arrive early make sure you go for a walk to marvel at the 17th century townhouses in the World Heritage listed canal district. The Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Vondelpark or a canal cruise are just some of the things you can do and see in Amsterdam. If you prefer to roam off the beaten track, saunter up Brouwersgracht or hire a canal bike and see the city from the water. The usual hotel is a comfortable 3* in Amsterdam. There's the option to upgrade to a neighbouring 4* hotel - must be requested at time of booking (day 1 &/or day 6), a supplement applies,

You can spend the morning visiting your favourite Amsterdam museum, or sitting in the sun on Rembrandtplein watching the world go by, or walking along the canals. Later, say "tot ziens!” to Amsterdam and start cycling. The urban buzz will soon change to the peace and quiet of the countryside. This region is called Zuid-Kennemerland, a low-lying peat landscape where clouds are reflected in the water and reeds sway in the wind. The steam mill Cruquius, just before you cycle into Haarlem, is a National Monument and has also been declared an Anchor Point of ERIH, The European Route of Industrial Heritage. It is thought to be the largest steam engine – and certainly the largest beam engine – ever built. The reclamation of Haarlemmermeer by means of steam power marked the breakthrough of the Industrial Revolution in the Netherlands. End your day roaming lovely downtown Haarlem, from impressive Grote Markt (square) to the white drawbridge on the River Spaarne. Idyllic courtyards, known as ‘hofjes', abound, and Haarlem is home to the oldest hofje dating from 1395. Accommodation upgrade - experience the old world charm of the Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg in nearby Santpoort, a manor house with a beautiful park, including dinner - please request at time of booking, a supplement applies. If accommodation in Haarlem is full we will book you here and the supplement will apply.

Haarlem, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, deserves to be explored extensively before your bicycle tour today. A famous photo spot is the small white drawbridge over the Spaarne, with the two gabled houses in the background. On the main square you will find the Grote Kerk with the organ that Mozart played when he visited Haarlem. The Frans Hals museum has unique art from the Golden Age, including works by Haarlem painters Frans Hals, Jacob van Ruisdael and Pieter Saenredam. After exploring Haarlem, get ready for your bike ride. You'll cycle through the famous Dutch Bulb Region, the area where much of Holland's flower bulb cultivation takes place. Cycle through the dunes past well-known seaside resorts such as Noordwijk and Zandvoort. Noordwijk has a 13km long sandy beach. Surrounded by beautiful forest areas, rugged dunes and the flower bulb region near De Keukenhof, Noordwijk is also referred to as the flower resort of Europe. Formula 1 fans know the CM.com Circuit Zandvoort, which is known as an 'Old School' circuit, with fast, undulating and challenging corners formed by the natural dunes. With a track length of 4.3km it is one of the shorter circuits on the F1 calendar. In the late afternoon you will arrive in Leiden, another historic city rich in attractions. Beautiful are the seventeenth-century houses and characteristic canals. Also worth a visit are the oldest university in the Netherlands, the historic botanical garden and the Gothic St Pieterskerk. Good to know: in early Spring (from 1/4 till 8/5) this route passes the world famous Keukenhof flower exhibition (www.keukenhof.nl). If you want to spend a day at the park, we recommend booking an extra night in Leiden (must be done at the time of booking - supplement applies). Our advice: book your Keukenhof tickets online in advance.

After leaving lively Leiden, peace and quiet will reign once more in today’s typical Dutch scenery. As you cycle you'll notice the orderly rectangles in the man-made polder landscape (mostly peat land reclamations). Pass by lakes and pastures, old windmills and farmhouses as you pedal to the city of Delft. Most will associate Delft with its blue and white hand-painted pottery: Delftware. But did you know that painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) lived in Delft all his life? The Vermeer Centre gives illuminating insights into his life, works and the city (no original paintings on show here). Overnight in Delft.

This stretch of the tour takes you through the 'Green Heart' - a stronghold against urban sprawl in Randstad conurbation. Balancing atop polder dikes, delight in characteristic villages, distant horizons and 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. Not only renowned for cheese, Gouda is also famous for stroopwaffels (syrup waffles - try one hot!) and candles. Overnight in Gouda*. *Due to limited availability, if Gouda is booked out you will stay in either Bodegraven or Oudewater. If you’re travelling in Summer, the traditional Thursday morning cheese market is at the start of Day 6 (early April till last Thursday in August).

After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, get back on your bike and set off on the longest leg of the tour. Once again you will be cycling through the rural 'Green Heart'. The scenery is punctuated by rivers, polders and lakes (bird lovers, be sure to bring your binoculars!). You'll pass small villages, lakes and meadows today. Do stop to sample a Dutch style apple tart! Continue to Amsterdam following the beautiful Amstel River. Overnight in Amsterdam. Note: If today's distance is too long you can cycle to Woerden (38km/23.8mi) then take a train into Amsterdam (frequent services throughout the day, approx. 40 mins).

The trip concludes in Amsterdam after breakfast. We can assist with booking extra nights on request - please ask for our rates. Amsterdam gets very busy, book early.