Please note: this tour runs in both directions, from London to Amsterdam, and from Amsterdam to London. Both itineraries are listed below.
London to Amsterdam
Jul 31, Aug 14, 2021
Day 1: Arrival in London/Greenwich
You will arrive individually in Greenwich and check into your hotel. You will attend a welcome meeting at 6:00pm where you will pick up your bike. Dinner is on your own this evening.
Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, overlooks the south bank of the River Thames, just a few kilometers far from the centre of London. The Royal Observatory stands on the hill overlooking the village, from where you can admire the Thames and St Paul's Cathedral.
The historical astronomical observatory is the location of Greenwich prime meridian for which it is known all over the world. Every day at 1:00pm the red globe on top of the observatory is dropped to mark the time (GMT), while in the evening a laser ray comes on and goes through the skies of Greenwich with its green light marking the point where the Prime Meridian is located.
Overnight in Greenwich.
Day 2: Greenwich – Canterbury (25 miles/40 km + train)
The tour begins by cycling along the southern bank of the River Thames to Dartford (19 miles/31 km). Here board a train and travel across the County of Kent to Whitstable (1 hour, 20 minutes - not included in tour cost). Kent is known as Garden of England for its green landscape dotted with some of the most beautiful and famous gardens of the UK.
From Whitstable ride the last 6 miles/10 km by bike to the day's destination, Canterbury. This beautiful town, located on the main road between Dover and London, is the starting point of the Francigena Way and, in spite of its medieval past, is now lively with students who come here from all over Europe to attend its important University. The magnificent Christ Church Cathedral, one of the best examples of English Gothic architecture, dominates the narrow alleys and half-timbered houses of the old medieval city center.
Overnight in Canterbury.
Day 3: Canterbury – Dover + ferry to Dunkirk (32 miles/50 km + ferry)
Departure by bike early in the morning to cycle the 21 miles/34 kms leading to Dover, one of the most important ports of Great Britain, famous for its white cliffs. After lunch, you will embark on the ferry to Dunkirk (ticket included in tour cost, about 2 hours).
After disembarkation, you will cycle the last 11 miles/18 km to reach the center of Dunkirk. Dunkirk is the third most important port in France and is located in the region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais. The first impression shows an industrial town focused on maritime trade, but then the unusual beauty of this place reveals itself with its the dunes and the tens of kilometers of sandy beaches and prospering in flora and fauna. Kite-surfing and the famous surf on the sand are also practiced here. The city center is characterized by low buildings, mainly of the last century, built with Flemish influences. The church of St Eloi and two bell towers, included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also worth a visit.
Overnight in Dunkirk.
Day 4: Dunkirk – Bruges (50 miles/80 km)
The majority of this stage occurs in Belgium. Once across the France-Belgium border, we ride through the Flemish green countryside. Several World War II battles took place here as French and British troops tried to block the German invasion. Cycling along the coast of the North Sea we reach Ostend, a popular tourist destination on the Flemish
Cycling along the coast of the North Sea we reach Ostend, a popular tourist destination on the Flemish coast characterized by its wide promenade bordered by shops, hotels, and restaurants where you can taste excellent mussels, oysters and drink local beers. Our bike tour continues through the Flanders region towards the romantic city of Bruges where time seems to have stopped and everything runs slowly.
Overnight in Bruges.
Day 5: Bruges – Breskens + ferry to Vlissingen (28 miles/45 km + ferry)
After breakfast take time to visit Bruges. As you walk through the city center you will discover historic buildings, lace shops, pubs serving local beers, and a network of canals. A canal tour is a unique and interesting way to discover the city. We continue our ride through the countryside along the Dutch border in the direction of Breskens.
Here we board a ferry for a short ride (about 15 minutes - ticket not included in tour price) to Vlissingen, the day's destination. This fishing town is home to shipyards and a naval academy. The promenade, called Boulevard, is a long and beautiful walkway where a prison tower dating from the fifteenth century is located.
Overnight in Vlissingen.
Day 6: Train Vlissingen to Dordrecht – Vianen (41 miles/65km + train)
After breakfast, you transfer by train from Vlissingen to Dordrecht (about 1 hour, 30 minutes - ticket not included in tour cost). Dordrecht is an important fluvial center that gave birth to several artists including some students of Rembrandt. Dordrecht is an elegant and charming town from the architectural point of view too. It surprises for art and culture, for the terraces overlooking the canals, for theatres and festivals.
From here cycle through the Dutch countryside crossing flower gardens, walled cities, canals, and dams. Continue northwards through pastures, orchards, and meadows dotted with windmills to the village of Vianen.
Overnight in Vianen.
Day 7: Vianen – Amsterdam (40 miles/65 km)
During the last cycling day, we travel first to Utrecht. Utrecht is an old city vibrant with culture and university life. The historic center is characterized by medieval palaces and ancient buildings, evidence of its rich commercial past. Picturesque canals are fringed by wine cellars transformed into trendy clubs, pubs and coffee shops surround the docks.
From Utrecht, we continue through charming towns and along canals on the way to Amsterdam, the cosmopolitan capital of the Netherlands. Amsterdam is famous for streets that weave with canals, for its architecture, and especially for its open-minded society. Cycling is definitely the most suitable way to visit the center. But a tour of the canals by boat is highly recommended. Dam Square, museums of art and history, and the Anne Frank house await you.
Overnight in Amsterdam.
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast marks the end of the tour. You will depart individually for your onward travels.
Amsterdam to London
Jul 24, Aug 7, 2021
Day 1: Individual Arrival in Amsterdam
Individual arrival to Amsterdam and accommodation in hotel. Attend a welcome meeting and bike delivery. Enjoy dinner on your own in this unique city.
Amsterdam is the cosmopolitan capital of the Netherlands, famous for the streets that weave the many canals, for its architecture and especially for the open-minded society that distinguishes it. Cycling is definitely the most suitable way to visit the center, but a tour of the canals by boat is highly recommended too. Dam Square, the many museums of art and history, the Anne Frank house are waiting for you.
Overnight in Amsterdam
Day 2: Amsterdam – Vianen (41 miles/65 km)
Departure from Amsterdam cycling south direction through green fields to Utrecht. Utrecht is a very old city with its own university and vibrant cultural life. Its historic center is characterized by medieval palaces and ancient buildings, witnesses of the rich commercial past. Picturesque canals are overlooked by the wine cellars transformed into trendy clubs and many pubs and coffee shops crowd the docks. From Utrecht, continue riding toward Vianen, today's destination.
Overnight at Vianen.
Day 3: Vianen – Dordrecht + train to Vlissingen (41 miles/65 km)
Your tour continues through the Dutch countryside surrounded by pastures and meadows dotted with windmills. Along the way, we cross flower gardens, walled cities, canals, and dams. Dordrecht is an elegant river town rich in art, theater, and architecture. This cultural center gave birth to several accomplished artists including students of Rembrandt.
From Dordrecht transfer by train to Vlissingen (about 1 hour, 30 minutes – ticket not included in tour price). This fishing town is home to shipyards and a naval academy. The promenade, called Boulevard, is a long and beautiful walkway where a prison tower dating from the fifteenth century is located.
Overnight in Vlissingen.
Day 4: Ferry Vlissingen to Breskens – Bruges (27 miles/45 km)
After breakfast, start the day with a short ferry ride (about 15 minutes - ticket not included in tour cost) from Vlissingen to Breskens, Belgium. From here we cycle along canals and fields towards the romantic city of Bruges where time seems to have stopped and everything runs slowly. As you walk through the city center you will discover historic buildings, lace shops, pubs serving local beers, and a network of canals. A canal tour is a unique and interesting way to discover the city.
Overnight in Bruges.
Day 5: Bruges – Dunkirk (50 miles/80 km)
Your tour continues northward through the Flanders region rich in pastures, historic sites, and charming towns. The first stop is in Ostend, a popular tourist destination on the Flemish coast. This seaside town is characterized by its wide promenade bordered by shops, hotels, and restaurants where you can taste excellent mussels, oysters and drink local beers.
The majority of this stage occurs in Belgium. After passing through the towns of Veurne and Koksijde, we return to the sandy beaches to cycle along the coast of the North Sea, across the French border and into Dunkirk. Dunkirk is the third most important port in France. It is located in the Nord-Pas de Calais, 6 miles/10 km from the border with Belgium.
At first glance, Dunkirk is an industrial town focused on maritime trade. But then the unusual beauty of this place sets in with its dunes and tens of kilometers of sandy beaches flourishing in flora and fauna. Kite-surfing and the famous surf on the sand are popular activities here. The city center is characterized by low buildings, mainly of the last century, and Flemish influences. The church of St. Eloi and the two bell towers are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site and are well worth a visit.
Overnight in Dunkirk
Day 6: Ferry Dunkirk to Dover – Canterbury (31 miles/50 km)
Departure by bike early in the morning to cycle to the port of Dunkirk. Ferry to Dover (about 2 hours - note you'll change 1 time zone) one of the most important ports of Great Britain, famous for its white cliffs. After lunch you will cycle the last 21 miles/34 km to reach Canterbury. The beautiful town is located on the main road between Dover and London. It is the starting point of the Francigena Way and in spite of its medieval past it is now strongly animated by the multitude of students who come here from all over Europe to attend its important University. The magnificent Christ Cathedral dominates with its mass the narrow alleys and half-timbered houses of the old medieval center. Today, after several renovations, it is one of the best examples of English Gothic.
Overnight in Canterbury.
Day 7: Canterbury – Greenwich (25 miles/40 km + train)
After breakfast, the last bike tour starts to Greenwich. The first 6 miles/10 km takes you to Whitstable and from here train transfer (about 1 hour, 20 minutes - ticket not included in tour cost) till Dartford crossing the Kent county known as "garden of England" for its green landscape dotted with some of the most beautiful and famous gardens of the UK. Last 19 miles/31 km from Dartford that you will cycle partially along the southern bank of the river Thames till Greenwich.
Greenwich was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site is an ancient village overlooking the south bank of the River Thames, just a few kilometers far from the center of London. The Royal Observatory stands on the hill overlooking the village, from where you can admire the Thames and St Paul's Cathedral.
The historical astronomical observatory is the location of Greenwich prime meridian for which it is known all over the world. Every day at 1 pm the red globe on top of the observatory is dropped to mark the time (GMT), while in the evening a laser ray comes on and goes through the skies of Greenwich with its green light marking the point where the Prime Meridian is located.
Overnight in Greenwich.
Day 8: Departure from Greenwich
After breakfast, the tour ends.