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.
Day 1: Abcoude – Gouda (33 miles/53 km)
Your individual tour starts in the morning at the Abcoude train station (about 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam).
The area south of Abcoude is one of the most beautiful and richest regions in the Netherlands. The River Vecht is the main artery along which beautiful country houses and castles have been built. The historic village centers of Loenen and Breukelen are worth a visit and the perfect spot for a coffee break. After Breukelen, the bike ride goes through typical Dutch polders to the historic town of Woerden, the perfect place for lunch on a cozy terrace. The last part of the day will be near lovely lakes!
Overnight in Gouda
Day 2: Gouda – Dordrecht (29 miles/47 km)
Before leaving, a visit to the old city of Gouda is a must. A visit to the cheese museum is worthwhile, and on Thursday mornings there is the weekly cheese market. With a number of Gouda stroopwafels in the saddlebag, the journey continues in the direction of the Kinderdijk windmills.
These 19 monumental windmills are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a visit to the mills, the journey continues to the historic port city of Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Villa Augustus, your stay for the night is located in a former water tower surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Overnight in Dordrecht
Day 3: Dordrecht – Willemstad (27 or 34 miles/47 or 54 km + ferry)
The cycle path just outside Dordrecht on the edge of Biesbosch National Park gives you a good impression of one of the last extensive areas of freshwater tidal wetlands in Northwestern Europe. It consists of a large network of rivers and smaller creeks with islands. By crossing the Dordtsche Kil tunnel you will arrive in a wide-open agricultural area with the small village of Strijen as the place for a lunch break. Finally take the ferry* (ticket not included in tour cost) to cross the impressive Hollandsch Diep, part of the Rhine valley.
The small historic town of Willemstad on the opposite river bank with well-preserved fortifications is the destination for the day.
*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 which will add 5 miles (7.5 km) to your daily mileage.
Overnight in Willemstad
Day 4: Willemstad – Zierikzee (35 miles/57 km)
The province of Zeeland in the southwest of the Netherlands is characterized by the many islands and the beautiful cycle paths along the many lakes. After the flood barrier in 1953, an ingenious "delta plan" was created to protect this area and the many bridges and dams are part of this. The town of Zierikzee, with its almost 600 monuments, is one of the most scenic towns in this province.
Overnight in Zierikzee
Day 5: Zierikzee – Middelburg (32 miles/51 km)
Perhaps the most beautiful ride of all. You can enjoy the view of the Oosterschelde and the North Sea all day long. The Neeltje Jans Museum and the picturesque town of Veere are more than worth a visit. Middelburg the final destination and also the provincial capital has a lot to offer. An evening stroll through the many small alleys will be one of the many highlights of this tour.
Overnight in Middleburg
Day 6: Middelburg – Bruges (32 miles/52 km + ferry)
The last day adds another great memory to your bike tour. In the coastal city of Vlissingen, you have to take the ferry (ticket not included in tour cost) to cross the Westerschelde the gate to the port of Antwerp. Large cargo ships pass you while you sail smoothly to the southernmost part of the Netherlands. This peaceful environment ends at the tourist and shopping village of Sluis, just on the border.
The last part of the ride (in Belgium) goes along an amazing canal decorated with huge trees. The picturesque art village Damme just before Bruges is a lovely final stop. Bruges, a UNESCO monument, is Belgiums major attraction and a must-see place. In Bruges, your tour will end and you will meet a representative once again to pick up equipment in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Bruges
Day 7: Bruges
The tour finishes after breakfast.