Netherlands: Classic Holland Cycle Tour Package (6 Nights / 7 Days)

If you haven't already visited the Van Gogh Museum or Anne Frank's house we recommended doing so early this morning in order to beat the queues. Later in the morning, say "tot ziens!” to amazing Amsterdam and start cycling through Kennemerland, where a great variety of lovely countryside awaits. You will see vast polders, wild(life) gardens, country estates, woods and beautiful peat land on your way to the elegant city of Haarlem. Its attractive city centre offers a wealth of possibilities for shopping, delving into art and culture, or relaxing in a café or restaurant. In April and early May, you have the option of cycling a longer route (60km/37mi) where you can see the tulip fields.

Downtown Haarlem deserves to be explored thoroughly. We recommend a city walk to discover its hidden "hofjes” - a square of tiny almshouses set around an idyllic courtyard, often built by the church or a private charity to house single older women. Also dating back to the Dutch Golden Age, the works of Haarlem painter Frans Hals (group portraiture) and his townsmen including Jacob Ruysdael (land and seascapes) and Pieter Saenredam (church interiors) are on display at the Frans Hals museum. In the afternoon get set for a colourful bike trip through the Dune and Bulb region. If you're cycling before mid-May you'll see the bulb flower fields in their full splendour! Tulips, crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths are grown here commercially (for bulb export) and temporarily transform the landscape into one of the country’s best-loved tourist attractions. Overnight in Leiden, the oldest university town in the Netherlands. It has a very busy cultural events calendar and a friendly city centre with canals, monuments, windmills and museums to explore. The historical botanical gardens also deserve a special mention. Note: If you want to spend a day at the world famous Keukenhof flower exhibition, we recommend booking an extra night in Leiden (must be done at the time of booking - supplement applies).

After leaving lively Leiden, peace and quiet will reign once more in today’s typical Dutch scenery. As you cycle you'll notice the orderly rectangles in the man-made polder landscape (mostly peat land reclamations). Pass by shining lakes and green pastures, old windmills and farmhouses as you pedal to the famous city of Delft, whose melancholy charm is breathtaking. Most will associate Delft with its blue and white hand-painted pottery: Delftware. But did you know that painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) lived in Delft all his life? The Vermeer Centre gives illuminating insights into his life, works and the city (no original paintings on show here). Overnight in Delft.

This stretch of the tour takes you through the Green Heart - a stronghold against urban sprawl in Randstad conurbation. Balancing atop polder dikes, delight in characteristic villages, distant horizons and pleasingly strict rectangles cut by ditches in fields of vibrant green. As you wander around the city of Gouda at the end of the day, don’t miss the Gothic town hall (1450), the Weighing House (1667), the romantic inner city canals and the stained glass windows in St John’s Church. Not only renowned for its cheese, Gouda is also famous for stroopwaffels (syrup waffles - try one hot!) and candles. If you’re travelling over the summer, we suggest planning your trip so that you can witness the traditional Thursday morning cheese market on the start of Day 6 (early April til the last Thursday in August). Overnight in Gouda.

After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, get back on your bike and set off on the longest leg of the tour. Once again you will be cycling through the rural Green Heart. On the way, the scenery is punctuated by rivers, polders and lakes (bird lovers, be sure to bring your binoculars!). You'll pass small villages, lakes and meadows today. Do stop to sample a Dutch style apple tart! Continue on your way to Amsterdam following the beautiful Amstel River. Overnight Amsterdam. Note: If today's distance is too long you have 2 options: 1 - cycle to Woerden (38km/23.8mi) then take a train into Amsterdam (frequent services throughout the day, approx. 40 mins), or 2 - split this day and add a night in Woerden, making the tour an 8 day trip (day 6 38km/23.8mi, day 7 49km/30.6mi) - supplement applies, please ask for our rates, must be done at the time of booking.

The trip concludes in Amsterdam after breakfast.