Cycle Bruges to Amsterdam

The trip commences in enchanting Bruges, known as the 'Pearl of Flanders'. With most of its medieval architecture intact, the town remains exceptionally well preserved and gives a sense of times gone by when it was at the centre of the European wool and cloth trade. After checking in to your hotel, we recommend heading to the Markt for some delicious waffles, chocolates or beer. Optional upgrade available in Bruges to a more centrally located 4* hotel - supplement applies, must be requested a time of booking.

After a hearty breakfast you start cycling to the charming little town of Damme on the banks of the Damse Vaart. Continue to the border and enter Zeeland, a Dutch province marked by light, wind, water and lots of space. It is mostly made up of islands so bridges and ferries will take you across the waters as you head north east. You'll see picture-book towns with ancient houses and cobbled streets for the coming days. But first you will pass through Zeelandic Flanders with its winding country roads, pollard willows, wet meadows and scattered villages. At the end of the day, hop on a local ferry and cross to the maritime town of Vlissingen. Cycling north, you will soon discover the splendour of Middelburg, capital of Zeeland. In the 16th and 17th centuries it was one of the most important centres of trade in the Netherlands. The usual standard hotel is in Middelburg (at times subject to availability overnight is a standard hotel in Vlissingen). An optional hotel upgrade is available to stay at Vlissingen 4* hotel - must be requested at time of booking.

Today you discover the charming village of Veere. From 1541 everything that was exported from Scotland to Holland (mainly wool) came ashore here and was distributed from Veere. For 300 years, this commerce brought prosperity and a lively Scottish expat community. Walk in their footsteps as you take a tour of the sights. A wander down the narrow streets of Zierikzee is an absolute delight. Quaint old houses take you back in time to the town's glory days when ships set sail for the Baltic and Mediterranean seas selling salt, wool, fish, grain and red dye.

Enjoying your last day in Zeeland, you'll traverse a patchwork landscape of vast polders, idyllic countryside, rolling dunes and golden sand flats. Round off the day in Willemstad, a fortified town shaped like a seven-point star.

The result of a major flood in 1421, Biesbosch is one of the few remaining wetland habitats in Europe where the ecosystem has adapted both to saltwater coming in from the sea through tidal creeks, and to fresh water coming from the rivers. It’s an ever-changing labyrinth of creeks and rivulets encompassing countless little islands of willow woods and reeds, a paradise for birds. Pedalling on, you will reach one of the oldest towns in Holland: Dordrecht, completely surrounded by water. The area around the marina is a true gem. This oldest part of town counts over a thousand historical buildings and three nostalgic canals. The usual hotel is in Papendrecht, just 3km from the centre of Dordrecht, on the northern banks of the river. Please note you will only cycle through the Biesbosch park on days that the ferry departs. It does not operate daily. There is an alternate route for days with no ferry departures.

Hit the trail once again and set off for the village of Kinderdijk where nineteen majestic windmills present a unique spectacle. They were used to drain excess water from the low-lying polder up into the River Lek. As you ride towards Gouda, cruising at about 2m below sea level, enjoy pastoral countryside and wonderful cloudscapes. For centuries, people flocked from far and wide to buy livestock, meat, turf, seed, cheese etc, at weekly and annual markets in Gouda. We recommend a stroll around the old part of town to soak up the yesteryear atmosphere including all the way around St John’s church and the market square, boasting a 15th-century town hall and a Weighing House (“Waag”). *if we are unable to accommodate you in Gouda due to availability, you will stay in Bodegraven or Oudewater.

Today you head into the “Green Heart" of Holland, a pleasant rural area of low-lying polders with peat meadows and grazing cattle. It’s a flat, open, spacious landscape where church spires and windmills touch the horizon and clouds are reflected in lakes and canals. Your trip ends in Amsterdam, famous for its 400-year-old canal district. The city is brimming with things to see and do. Street artists and performers draw crowds on Dam, Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein, there's a multitude of museums including “Het Grachtenhuis” (Museum of the Canals), Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum and the Maritime Museum, or take a canal cruise to see the sights from the water. Optional upgrade available to 4* hotel in Amsterdam - must be requested at time of booking. Both hotels are near Spaarndammerbuurt, a great base from which to explore interesting Expressionist architecture, nearby Westerpark and the busy city and canals.