Sweeping landscapes, monumental towns and heroic histories

A journey from the 17th-century Golden Age to the modern day, simply on a bicycle.

The hotel-based version of this classic route gives you more time to discover the places and meet the men and women who made history here. You’ll be riding on the country’s extensive network of safe and scenic cycle paths and staying in superior, characterful hotels in the hearts of the old towns.

From the river landscapes and windmills of Zuid Holland to the natural sanctuary of the Zeeland isles, and from street art in the oldest city in Holland (no, it’s not Amsterdam) to the world’s largest flood defence system, there is so much to take in. And then there’s deliciously fresh seafood, and one of the most beautiful cities waiting at the end.

Please note: this route can also be cycled in the opposite direction.

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Highlights

• The historic cities and towns of Amsterdam, Gouda, Dordrecht, Middelburg and Bruges
• The smaller historic towns of Woerden and Zierikzee
• The picturesque villages of Willemstad, Veere, Sluis and Damme
• Dutch polder landscape with canals, lakes, and the UNESCO monument of the Kinderdijk windmill group
• Biesbosch nature reserve
• Zeeland province with its magnificent coastal areas, dams and bridges

Learn More

Learn more about self-guided tours.

Interested in adding to your itinerary? Take a look at our cycling day tours in Amsterdam and Bruges.

Daily program

Please note: this tour begins on a cycling day. The tour operator recommends arriving a day earlier and booking a pre-tour overnight in Amsterdam. If you want to get into the rhythm of the ride early on, explore our Amsterdam day tours!

Day 1: Abcoude – Gouda (33 miles/53 km)
Your tour starts this morning with your personal welcome and introduction in Abcoude.

South of Abcoude, the river Vecht is lined with castles and the country houses built by wealthy 17th century merchants from Amsterdam. The historic village centers of Loenen and Breukelen are worth a visit and the perfect spot for a coffee break. Next, cycle through typical Dutch lowland ‘polders’ – including some of the windmills that used to keep them dry – to picturesque Woerden. This is the perfect place for lunch on a cozy terrace and don’t forget to look at the imposing castle. The final part of this route takes you between the scenic lakes of Reeuwijk!
Overnight in Gouda.

Day 2: Gouda – Dordrecht (29 miles/47 km)
Make sure you explore the old city of Gouda with its imposing city hall and pretty canals. There is a cheese museum and, on Thursday mornings, the ancient cheese market on the central square. With a packet of Gouda stroopwafels in your pannier, the journey continues to the 19 Kinderdijk windmills.

This monumental UNESCO World Heritage Site makes an iconic backdrop for photographs of your ride! After a visit to the mills, continue to the historic port city of Dordrecht, the oldest city in Holland. Villa Augustus, your stay for the night, is located in a former water tower surrounded by beautiful gardens, where they grow most of the produce for their own restaurant.
Overnight in Dordrecht.

Day 3: Dordrecht – Willemstad (27 or 34 miles/47 or 54 km + ferry)
Riding along the cycle path just outside Dordrecht, you enjoy great views of one of the last extensive areas of freshwater tidal wetlands in Northwestern Europe, the Biesbosch National Park. It consists of a large network of rivers and smaller creeks with islands. Passing through the Dordtsche Kil tunnel, you'll arrive in a wide-open area of farmland with the small village of Strijen as a beautiful setting for your lunch break.

Finally, take the ferry* or cross the bridge over the impressive Hollandsch Diep, part of the Rhine valley. The small historic town of Willemstad, on the opposite bank of the river, is your destination for the day. Its wellpreserved fortifications tell the story of the battles fought here during the Eighty Years War in the 16th century.
Overnight in Willemstad.

*The ferry sails: in May/Jun/Sep on Saturdays and Sundays; in Jul/Aug from Wednesday through Sunday. The ferry departs every 2 hours, and in case you miss it, you are able to cycle across at the bridge (adding 5 miles/7.5 km to your daily mileage).

Day 4: Willemstad – Zierikzee (35 miles/57 km)
The province of Zeeland in the southwest of the Netherlands is characterized by its many islands and estuaries with beautiful cycle paths along the water. The area is a haven for water fowl and you might even spot the odd flamingo! After a disastrous flood in 1953, an ingenious "delta plan" was created to protect this area, and its storm surge bariers form part of the world’s largest flood defence system.

Zierikzee, with its almost 600 monuments, is one of the most scenic towns in this province and its picturesque harbour is still home to several traditional sailing ships. It’s also a great place to savour the delicious mussels and oysters from Zeeland
Overnight in Zierikzee.

Day 5: Zierikzee – Middelburg (32 miles/51 km)
Perhaps the most beautiful ride of your tour! Enjoy the view of the Oosterschelde and the North Sea, the coastline marked by sand dunes with waving grass. The Neeltje Jans Museum and the picturesque town of Veere are more than worth a visit. Middelburg, the final destination today and provincial capital, also has a lot to offer. Discover more of its history in the imposing, ancient abbey and an evening stroll through the numerous small alleyways will certainly be a highlight of this tour.
Overnight in Middelburg.

Day 6: Middelburg – Bruges (32 miles/52 km + ferry)
The last day adds other great memories. In the coastal town of Vlissingen you'll take the ferry to cross the Westerschelde, which is the gateway to the port of Antwerp. Large cargo ships pass while you sail smoothly to the southernmost part of the Netherlands, Zeeuws Vlaanderen. Then cycle through another pretty, fortified town, Sluis, just on the border with Belgium, which is known for its culinary treats inspired by its southern neighbors.

The last part of the ride takes you along an amazing canal lined with huge trees. The picturesque art village of Damme, a mini-version of nearby Bruges, is a fascinating final stop. Bruges, a UNESCO monument, is Belgium's major attraction and a must-see city. Its rich, historic character has been beautifully restored with plenty of gold-covered features.

Here, you will meet one of our representatives again to pick up your equipment in the late afternoon. In the evening, make sure you enjoy a delicious Belgian beer and taste the unique chocolates of Dominique Personne, arguably Belgium's most famous chocolate maker.
Overnight in Bruges.

Day 7: Bruges
The tour finishes after breakfast.

Don't want the adventure to end? Explore Bruges in greater detail on our of our brilliant Bruges day tours!

Surface and terrain

Most of the cycling will be flat and along paved routes and cycle paths. The cycling is sometimes interrupted by ferry rides across canals or rivers. On Day 5, the Oosterschelde storm barier forms part of the route. Depending on the wind direction, the dam can be a bit more strenuous to cross.

Hotels

These are sample hotels and may vary by availability.

Gouda: Best Western City Plus hotel

Dordrecht: Villa Augustus

Willemstad: Mauritz hotel

Zierikzee: Hotel Hector

Middelburg: Cityhotel Wood

Bruges: Martin’s Brugge

How to get there

Tour start
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol airport
Nearest train station: Abcoude (20 minutes from Ams Central Station)

Tour end
Nearest airport: Oostende or Brussels, Belgium
Nearest train station: Bruges, Belgium

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 6 nights in double rooms (shower/toilet) in superior hotels
• Breakfast/breakfast buffet
• Tour briefing on arrival
• End of tour meeting
• Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
• Tour documentation (tourist and route info)
• Breakdown assistance
• Hotline for assistance during tour
• Top-class aluminum standard multi-speed bicycle with handlebar bag
• GPS with itinerary (per group)
• Equipment delivery in Abcoude; pick up in Bruges

In the period around the Dutch Grand Prix pricing on this tour will be adjusted. Please inquire about pricing for these travel dates.

Bike rentals

The bikes available and included in the cost of the tour are:

• Koga 8-speed standard touring bikes

• Sturdy child bikes (20", 24" and 26")

The bikes available to rent (must be reserved at the time of booking):

• Electric bikes

Tandem bikes, child trailers, tag-alongs, and road bikes are available upon request (additional fees may apply).

All bikes are equipped with a route package including:

• Handlebar bag
• Repair kit
• Pump
• Water bottle
• Cable lock

Additional equipment available upon request for an additional charge:

• Saddle bags
• Helmet
• Poncho
• Luggage trailer

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

Helmets:
Helmets are not mandatory on this tour, but available upon request for an additional charge. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.

Tour Company