HOLLAND & BELGIUM

from Exodus Self-Guided US Breakaway edition

An introduction to

HOLLAND & BELGIUM

With flat landscapes and roads made for cycling, Holland is perfect for exploring on two wheels. Enjoy relaxing rides through picturesque countryside past the iconic windmills, canals and bridges. Wander Amsterdam’s extensive canal network, appreciating the intriguing architecture, famous art galleries and café culture. And don’t miss the Keukenhof gardens and vast fields of vibrant tulips in the springtime. Neighbouring Belgium is another ideal combination of city sightseeing and easy cycling, and our itineraries link the capital, Brussels with fairytale Bruges and historic Ghent. View the ‘Flemish Masters’ at art galleries and museums or simply soak up the sights as you explore cobbled lanes and grand squares. Sample from an array of Trappist beers, world-famous chocolates and other delicacies at a pavement café as you watch the world go by.

NORTH & SOUTH HOLLAND Pearls of Holland Cycling

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FROM $1,849 pp incl taxes

TRIP CODE C06HP LEISURELY/MODERATE

Discover the cities of Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden, Delft and Gouda with easy cycling between Visit the Van Gogh and Vermeer museums, Delft potteries and the Gouda cheese market If travelling in April and early May take in Holland’s famous Tulip fields

ITINERARY & DAILY DISTANCES

1 Arrive in Amsterdam. Wander around the iconic and surprisingly peaceful 17th century canal ring area of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For hustle and bustle, make your way to the city’s famous squares or head off the beaten track along

Brouwersgracht. Alternatively find out what the city looks like from the canals.

2 Amsterdam to Haarlem. Get an early start today and beat the queues at the Van Gogh or Anne

Frank museum. Then ride through Kennemerland with its variety of countryside, from vast polders and country estates to woods and beautiful peatland.

Haarlem offers a wealth of shopping, art and culture. 30KM

3 Haarlem to Leiden. Downtown Haarlem is worth exploring this morning, then continue your journey to Leiden through the colourful Dune and Bulb

Region. To catch the flower fields, of tulips, crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths, in their full splendour, try to time this holiday before mid-May.

Leiden is Holland’s oldest university town and has a city centre of canals, gardens, monuments, windmills and museums. 43KM

4 Leiden to Delft. Today’s route provides typically

Dutch scenery. You pedal past man-made, rectangular polders, shining lakes, old windmills and farmhouses on your way to the famous city of

Delft. The melancholy charm of this historical city is breath-taking. Most will associate Delft with its blue and white hand-painted pottery: Delftware, however it was also home to painter Johannes

Vermeer. 29KM 5 Delft to Gouda. This stretch takes you through the

Green Heart of Holland. Along the top of polder dikes, discover characteristic villages and orderly rectangles cut by ditches. Take time to wander around the city of Gouda, famous for making cheese, syrup waffles and candles. 34KM

6 Gouda to Amsterdam. Switch on your senses ready to enjoy the characteristic countryside of the

Green Heart – and bird lovers bring your binoculars! Drift past meadows, lakes, small villages and the picturesque River Amstel as you slowly wend your way back to Amsterdam. You can opt to split this, the longest leg, by booking an extra night in Woerden and complete it over two days. 79KM

7 Leave Amsterdam.

TYPICAL DEPARTURES

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UTRECHT Cycling from Utrecht

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FROM $1,449 pp incl taxes

TRIP CODE C05UT

LEISURELY/MODERATE

Discover areas of natural beauty along the New Dutch Waterline - an historical military defence line Visit historical forts, castles and fortified towns; skirt along the Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park Discover the delights of Utrecht, one of Europe’s most beautiful towns

ITINERARY & DAILY DISTANCES

1 Arrive in Utrecht. Stay in Utrecht, taking day trips out. Take time to discover the canals, cosy cafes and national monuments, museums and world heritages sites. Utrecht is also the town of the creators of ‘Miffy’.

2 Round Tour South - New Dutch Waterline. The

Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie (1870-1940) was an important military defence line. Canals and sluices made it possible to inundate large expanses of land and where inundation was not possible forts were built. It has become a green corridor, where wildlife flourishes. 67KM OR 62KM

3 Round Tour West – Rivers and small towns along the Waterline. Follow the river Vecht out of the city to De Haar Castle, with its stunning rooms and gardens. Follow the River Old Rhine to the fortified town of Woerden and on to Oudewater where you can opt to visit the Weighing Hall (1482) where women used to be weighed to determine whether they were witches. Then on to the fortified town of

Montfoort. 66KM OR 57KM

4 Round Tour North - Oostelijke Vechtplassen. Set off along the southern border of the Oostelijke

Vechtplassen, a 7,000-hectare nature reserve, passing several New Dutch Waterline forts. Then on along the River Vecht, its banks dotted with country houses and nearby old villages such as

Maarssen and Vreeland. As you weave between the lakes there’s great opportunity for bird spotting before you reach Utrechtse Heuvelrug National

Park. Take your time to enjoy several panoramic views, the wetlands at Tienhoven and Molenpolder are beautiful. 69KM OR 61KM 5 Round Tour East – Castles, Orchards, Woods.

Head to Wijk bij Duurstede through beautiful countryside of meadows, orchards, castles and stately country houses. Cycle through woods along the edge of Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park and take the opportunity to visit the ruins of Duurstede

Castle and Castle Park. On your way back stop off at the town of Doorn with its impressive castle, Slot

Zeist, surrounded by a beautiful English landscaped park. Take the longer route after Wijk bij Duurstede, following the 'Limes', the old frontier of the Roman

Empire, along the Lower Rhine. The beautiful village of Amerongen and Amerongen Castle are worth the extra distance. 68KM OR 76KM

6 Leave Utrecht.

TYPICAL DEPARTURES

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HOLLAND & BELGIUM Cycling from Amsterdam to Brussels

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FROM $1,899 pp incl taxes

TRIP CODE C07AX LEISURELY/MODERATE

Visit two European capitals in Amsterdam and Brussels and the historic cities of Gouda and Antwerp Peace and quiet of Holland’s Green Heart and the Flemish countryside with mostly flat cycling Dutch & Belgian treats - stroopwafels, cheese, triple-fried frites, luxury chocolates, gaufres and beer!

ITINERARY & DAILY DISTANCES

1 Arrive in Amsterdam. Marvel at the townhouses along the 17th century canal district, a UNESCO

World Heritage Site.

2 Amsterdam to Gouda. Cycle through the Green

Heart of Holland, across characteristic peat and polder landscapes, to the picturesque town of

Oudewater, where women accused of witchcraft would try to have their innocence proven by weighing. Finish your ride in medieval Gouda and discover this beautifully preserved town, home to the famous fresh syrup waffles (stroopwafels) and the namesake cheese. 79KM OR 56KM

3 Gouda to Papendrecht. Continue through the

Green Heart to the village of Kinderdijk to explore the site on which 19 windmills have stood majestically since 1740. Your destination,

Papendrecht, is just a ferry crossing away from of one of Holland’s oldest towns; Dordrecht, which is completely surrounded by rivers. 37KM

4 Papendrecht to Bergen op Zoom. Today's route takes you past the Biesbosch National Park - one of the few remaining freshwater tidal areas in Europe.

Cross a one-kilometre-long bridge high above

Holland's Diep river, to arrive in the south of the

Netherlands. Delightful Bergen op Zoom has narrow streets, pavement cafes, old squares and hundreds of monuments that testify to a rich and dramatic past. 69KM 5 Bergen op Zoom to Antwerp. On the border between the Netherlands and Belgium, catch your breath in De Zoom - Kalmthoutse Heide, a lovely cross-border nature reserve. The route takes you along the quays on the River Scheldt into the historical heart of Antwerp. Visit the historical centre and the trendy parts of the city: Zuid and Het

Eilandje. If you've worked up a thirst, perhaps visit and enjoy a tasting at the De Koninck brewery.

55KM

6 Antwerp to Leuven. Today follow the River Rupel, the shortest river in Belgium. Stop for lunch in the old town of Mechelen, with its 13th century cathedral and fabulous architecture of the Grand Place. Finish in the delightful town of Leuven and discover the

Grand Beguinage and the Old Market Square, nicknamed 'the longest bar counter in the world' due to the huge number of bars and cafes on the square. 75KM

7 Leuven to Brussels. Cycle through the hills of

Belgian Brabant and the expansive Sonian Forest and on to Brussels (with the option to take the train).

The fantastic Grand Place and the nearby little statue of Manneken Pis draw the crowds and culinary treats include delicious hot waffles, chocolate, triple-fried frites and beer. 39KM

8 Leave Brussels.

TYPICAL DEPARTURES

J F l M l A l M l J l J l A l S l O N D WHAT'S INCLUDED • 7 nights hotel-to hotel accommodation in a mix of  and  hotels • All breakfasts • Management by your local appointed agent • High quality bikes • Route directions and maps • Luggage transfers between hotels

WHERE YOU'LL STAY • Westcord Art Hotel (Amsterdam) / • Best Western Hotel Gouda  • Apollo Hotel Papendrecht  • Grand Hotel De Draak (Bergen op Zoom)  • Hampton by Hilton Antwerp  • Radisson Park Inn (Leuven)  • NH Brussels Grand Place Arenberg 

CUSTOMISE YOUR TRIP • E-bikes available • Extra nights and City break add ons • Single occupancy • Half board upgrade (5 nights – excluding Bergen op

Zoom and Brussels) • Train travel option available

Amsterdam

Bergen op Zoom Gouda

Papendrecht

BELGIUM Cycling from Brussels to Bruges

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FROM $1,849 pp incl taxes

TRIP CODE C07BE

LEISURELY/MODERATE

Visit the iconic cities of Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges Follow the artwork of the Flemish Masters - Van Eyck, Bruegel and Rubens World-famous Belgian beers, moules & frites, chocolates and waffles (gaufres)

ITINERARY & DAILY DISTANCES

1 Arrive in Brussels. Head for the Grand Place, the

Manneken Pis or one of many other landmarks in this delightful city.

2 Brussels to Mechelen. Cycle to Grimbergen, known for its lovely baroque basilica. Ride on tree-lined country lanes and along the riverside to

Mechelen, home of 13th century St Rumbold’s

Cathedral and its tower with 360-degree views of the city. 65KM

3 Mechelen to Antwerp. Enjoy the successful blend of Art Nouveau, neo-Gothic, neo-Empire and Art

Deco at the Ursuline Institute of Our Lady of Wavre and its fabulous winter garden. Continue through the countryside to Duffel, visit the island Fort in

Mortsel and discover Antwerp, a city with a long tradition of beer making and diamonds. 39KM

4 Antwerp to Dendermonde. Follow the River

Scheldt for most of the route today, crossing it by ferry at one point. Visit 10th century Wissekerk

Castle and cycle atop the river dike to De

Zilverreiger, a local craft museum, before ending the day in Dendermonde with its delightful central market square. 57KM

5 Dendermonde to Ghent. Continue on the Scheldt river banks, cycling past a string of Flemish villages and towns. Laarne Castle is a great place for a break before continuing to Ghent. The Old Town here is like an open-air museum. It also has a thriving UNESCO listed music scene. After dark the atmosphere is magical, thanks to the town’s ingenious lighting. 46KM 6 Ghent to Maldegem or Lembeke. Head west and discover the rural Meetjesland region, a cycling paradise with woods, meadowland and vast crop fields. Easy pedalling to Eeklo, a small town known for its sculptures. Continue through woodlands to

Maldegem. 34KM OR 57KM

7 Maldegem or Lembeke to Bruges. A lovely route through the flat Flemish countryside, passing through quiet villages. On the last stretch, follow the

Ghent-Bruges canal dating back to the 14th century and one of the oldest in the country. Your final destination of Bruges is a true gem with its cobbled streets and fairytale ambiance. 54KM OR

65KM

8 Leave Bruges.

TYPICAL DEPARTURES

J F l M l A l M l J l J l A l S l O N D

An introduction to

HOLLAND & BELGIUM

NORTH & SOUTH HOLLAND Pearls of Holland Cycling

UTRECHT Cycling from Utrecht

LEISURELY/MODERATE

HOLLAND & BELGIUM Cycling from Amsterdam to Brussels

BELGIUM Cycling from Brussels to Bruges

LEISURELY/MODERATE

This article is from:

Exodus Self-Guided US Breakaway edition