Best of Holland South: Canals, Windmills & Historic Towns

Day 1: Utrecht – Schoonhoven

The tour starts this morning with your personal welcome and introduction in Utrecht.

Utrecht’s history dates back to well before the Middle Ages, as you can see from its many monumental buildings and city castle. It features lovely cafés along it’s canalside ‘wharfs’ and one of its newer highlights is the Rietveld Schröder House, designed by the famous designer and architect Gerrit Rietveld in 1924.

Cycle on quiet bike lanes through lowland ‘polders’ and along canals to the ancient towns of Montfoort and Oudewater (technically they are cities, actually, due to their ancient ‘city rights’). Your beautiful route today takes you along meandering rivers with picturesque farmhouses. The goal for today is Schoonhoven wich has been the home of silver smiths since the 17th century and hosts the Dutch silver museum. Your hotel here is beautifully located with a verandah overlooking the river scenery.
Overnight in Schoonhoven.

Day 2: Schoonhoven – Gouda

Ride along the dike of the river Rhine towards the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kinderdijk. Its 19 windmills were built between 1738 and 1740 to pump the water from the Alblasserwaard polders. During an optional tour, a guide will explain all the workings and also tell about the life of families that used to live there.

Next, follow more canals as you cycle to Gouda. It has a beautiful old market square and is the birthplace of the philosopher Erasmus, as well as of the ‘stroopwafel’ delicacy. And of course it’s famous for cheese! (the weekly cheese market is on Thursday mornings.)
Overnight in Gouda.

Day 3: Gouda – Delft

Cycle through Holland’s ‘Green Heart’ and the lovely towns of Moordrecht and Zevenhuizen, then crossing the river Rotte (which Rotterdam got its name from) and then pass another group of monumental windmills. Near Bleiswijk you will enter an area that is famous used for growing flowers, shrubs, and vegetables.

You finish today in the ancient city of Delft with its royal connections and plenty of welcoming cafés and restaurants. Take time to explore its monumental buildings, pretty canals and find the history of Johannes Vermeer and his ‘Girl with the pearl earring’. Or why not book a painting workshop at the Delft pottery factory?
Overnight in Delft.

Day 4: Delft – Leiden

From Delft, cycle to the elegant royal city of The Hague, with the International Court of Justice and its impressive museums – the Mauritshuis has a great collection of Old Masters and the Escher museum is a popular attraction too. Next, ride to the seaside town of Scheveningen and its pier and then along the peaceful coastal cycle path through rolling sand dunes to the fishing village of Katwijk.

Finish your tour in another fantastic historic place: Leiden. It is home to the oldest Dutch university, founded in 1575, and although it’s a lively city nowadays, it treasures its history including the medieval fortifications dating back to the 9th century (‘Burcht van Leiden’), the Botanical gardens, the Lakenhall museum and the impressive city canal ‘Rapenburg’.

A tour representative will be on hand for your personal end-of-tour meeting. There is an easy connection back to Amsterdam, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (20 minutes) or your onward travel in the Netherlands or rest of Europe.

Please note that the itinerary ends on a cycling day. We recommend booking a post-tour overnight in Lieden so you may take some time exploring this beautiful town or optionally extend your cycle tour to Haarlem.

Note: Although the route to Keukenhof is included in your route documents, entry is not included. Please be sure to book a time slot and purchase your tickets prior to your tour.