6 Days • 5 Nights
Cycling the Netherlands: Polders, Windmills & Waterland
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Cycling the classic Waterland region, past dykes and fishing villages, is a beautiful highlight. Just north of Amsterdam lies Waterland, a timeless landscape of green polders, canals, drawbridges and sheep-dotted dykes that feels centuries away from the city, though it begins at its edge. On quiet, flat bike paths you pedal past windmills and grazing cattle to the former island village of Marken, with its green wooden houses, the pretty harbour of Volendam and the cheese town of Edam, taking a little ferry across the water. The freedom and beauty are exhilarating.
- Pedalling the Vecht river, lined with grand country houses, into Utrecht is a lovely highlight. The River Vecht, winding south towards Utrecht, is one of the loveliest cycling routes in the Netherlands, its banks lined with elegant seventeenth and eighteenth-century country houses and gardens built by wealthy Amsterdam merchants, along with pretty villages, drawbridges and the occasional windmill. You follow the flat riverside paths at an easy pace, gliding past this graceful landscape into the delightful canal city of Utrecht. The beauty and grace are captivating. Pedalling the lovely Vecht river, lined with grand merchant country houses, gardens and drawbridges.
- Riding to fairytale castles and quiet polders is an adventurous, beautiful highlight. Beyond Utrecht the countryside is dotted with storybook castles and crisscrossed by peaceful, flat polder lanes ideal for cycling. You ride out to a fairytale castle such as the moated, turreted Castle de Haar, the largest and most romantic in the country, set in beautiful gardens, and pedal the quiet polders and dyke-top paths past canals, windmills and grazing meadows beneath the huge Dutch sky. The freedom and beauty are exhilarating. Riding to fairytale castles such as the moated.
- Cycling the dykes of Kinderdijk, past its great row of windmills, is an iconic highlight. The finest windmill landscape in the Netherlands is best seen from the saddle. At Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site, you cycle the dramatic dyke-top path that runs right past the great row of nineteen stately eighteenth-century windmills, their sails turning against the vast sky, along the polders and canals they once kept dry, and pause to step inside a working mill. The heritage and beauty are captivating. Cycling the dramatic dyke-top path at UNESCO-listed Kinderdijk, right past the great row of nineteen turning windmills along the polders and canals.
- The joy of cycling in the world's greatest cycling country, on flat, safe paths, is a highlight in itself. Nowhere on earth is better for cycling than the Netherlands, flat as a pancake and laced with thousands of miles of dedicated, beautifully signed, traffic-free bike paths where the bicycle is king. On comfortable bikes (e-bikes available) with a support vehicle and expert guide, you glide through a living landscape of polders, windmills, rivers and villages at your own pace, feeling the easy freedom the Dutch grow up with. The freedom and ease are exhilarating.
- Above all, this journey is an active, authentic way to discover the real Netherlands, from the saddle. The Netherlands is the greatest cycling country in the world, and this journey lets you experience it as the Dutch do. Over six days you cycle the villages and dykes of Waterland, the grand-house-lined Vecht river, the fairytale castles and quiet polders around Utrecht and the dramatic windmill dykes of Kinderdijk, on flat, safe paths with an expert guide and support vehicle, ending each day in comfort. The combination of polders, windmills, rivers.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 6-day journey.
Your cycling adventure begins as you arrive at Schiphol Airport and are met and transferred into Amsterdam, the cycling capital of the world. Amsterdam is a place of glittering canals, tilting gabled houses and bicycles everywhere, and its easygoing, two-wheeled spirit is felt at once. Spend the rest of the day settling in and relaxing after your journey, perhaps taking a first gentle stroll or short ride along a canal to get your bearings, and meeting your guide, who fits your bike and briefs you on the beautiful routes ahead. This evening, a welcome dinner introduces you to hearty Dutch flavours and to the active, scenic days to come through Waterland, the rivers and the polders. As the anticipation builds, rest well, ready to ride into the beautiful Dutch countryside tomorrow.
Today you ride into the timeless Waterland region just north of Amsterdam. On quiet, flat, traffic-free bike paths you pedal out of the city into a landscape of green polders, canals, drawbridges and sheep-dotted dykes that feels centuries away. You cycle to the former island village of Marken, with its green wooden houses and little harbour, take a small ferry across the water, and ride on to the pretty fishing harbour of Volendam and the famous cheese town of Edam, tasting the rich local cheeses. The freedom, water and villages are exhilarating. As the day ends, you return to Amsterdam (by bike or a short ferry and ride), having covered a beautiful, gentle route. This evening, savour a well-earned dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you follow the Vecht river to Utrecht.
Today you cycle one of the loveliest routes in the country, following the River Vecht south to Utrecht. Your luggage travels ahead in the support vehicle as you set off along flat, quiet riverside paths, gliding past the elegant seventeenth and eighteenth-century country houses and gardens built by wealthy Amsterdam merchants, along with pretty villages, drawbridges and the occasional windmill. The graceful landscape unfolds gently as you ride into the delightful canal city of Utrecht, with its unique two-level wharves and soaring Dom Tower. The beauty and grace are captivating. As the day ends, you settle into your Utrecht hotel and explore its atmospheric canal-wharf terraces. This evening, dine right by the water. Rest well in lively, historic Utrecht, ready for the castles and polders tomorrow.
Today you explore the beautiful countryside around Utrecht by bike. On flat, quiet polder lanes and dyke-top paths, you ride out past canals, windmills and grazing meadows beneath the huge Dutch sky to a fairytale castle such as the moated, turreted Castle de Haar, the largest and most romantic in the Netherlands, set in beautiful landscaped gardens, where you pause to explore. You loop back through peaceful polders and villages, soaking up the timeless rural landscape and the easy freedom of the ride. The castles, water and space are exhilarating. As the day ends, you return to Utrecht, having enjoyed a beautiful day in the saddle. This evening, savour a hearty dinner on the wharf. Rest well, for tomorrow you ride the dramatic windmill dykes of Kinderdijk.
Today you ride to the finest windmill landscape in the Netherlands. You transfer south with your bikes to the polder country, then cycle the dramatic dyke-top path at Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site, running right past the great row of nineteen stately eighteenth-century windmills, their sails turning against the vast sky, along the polders and canals they once kept dry, pausing to step inside a working mill. You continue by bike along the water to historic Dordrecht, the oldest city in Holland, with its atmospheric old harbour and merchant houses. The heritage and beauty are captivating. As the day ends, you settle into your Dordrecht hotel by the water. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in the old port city. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow.
After a final morning in historic Dordrecht, perhaps a last stroll along its old harbour, you are transferred to Schiphol Airport for your onward departure. You leave having discovered the real, everyday Netherlands from the saddle, cycling the villages and dykes of Waterland, the grand-house-lined Vecht river into Utrecht, the fairytale castles and quiet polders, and the dramatic windmill dykes of Kinderdijk, all on the flat, safe, beautiful paths of the world's greatest cycling country. The images stay vivid long after you land, the sheep-dotted dykes and drawbridges, the graceful river houses, the moated castle and the great row of turning windmills. The Netherlands offers freedom, beauty and gentle adventure by bike in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to ride its endless scenic paths.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation, a welcome dinner and some hearty countryside dinners
- Daily breakfast
- Transfers and touring by comfortable private vehicle, train or boat as per itinerary
- Sightseeing and experiences as per itinerary with expert local guides
- Entrance fees to museums, gardens and attractions as per itinerary
- expert cycling guide and support vehicle, quality bicycle hire (e-bikes available) with helmet, a Waterland villages ride, a Vecht river ride into Utrecht, a castle and polder ride, a Kinderdijk windmill dyke ride, ferries where needed, and all listed entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Some lunches and dinners not specified
- Optional experiences and tips for guides and drivers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: The Netherlands is part of the Schengen Area, so many nationalities (including UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) enjoy visa-free short stays of up to 90 days, while others need a Schengen visa arranged in advance; a passport valid for at least three months beyond your stay is required. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact process for your nationality and assist with the Schengen visa where needed
- Currency: The currency is the Euro (EUR); the Netherlands is largely a cashless society, and cards (especially contactless and debit) are accepted almost everywhere, from museums and restaurants to markets and canal cruises. Note that some smaller shops and market stalls prefer cards over cash, and a few even decline cash, so a travel card is invaluable; ATMs are widely available
- Best time to visit: April and May are magical, when the tulip fields bloom and Keukenhof gardens open in a riot of colour, while June to August brings warm, long summer days ideal for canals, cycling and terraces. Spring and early autumn are gloriously quieter; the Dutch climate is mild but changeable year-round, so pack layers and a waterproof whatever the season
- Language & etiquette: Dutch is the official language, but the Netherlands has some of the best English in the world and you will have no trouble at all; the Dutch are famously direct, friendly, tolerant and down-to-earth, and a straightforward, honest manner is appreciated. Tipping is modest, rounding up or around five to ten percent for good service, as service is included
- Getting around: The Netherlands is compact, flat and superbly connected, with fast, frequent, punctual trains linking Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Delft in minutes, plus trams, buses and canal boats; cycling is a way of life, with safe, dedicated bike lanes everywhere. Watch for bikes when crossing roads, as cyclists always have priority and move fast
- Health & safety: The Netherlands is one of the safest, cleanest and most orderly countries in the world, with excellent healthcare and very low crime; normal city precautions against pickpockets apply in busy tourist areas of Amsterdam. Tap water is excellent and safe to drink, pharmacies are widespread, and an EHIC/GHIC or travel insurance is recommended for European visitors
- Culture & customs: The Dutch value punctuality, honesty, equality and a relaxed live-and-let-live tolerance; the famous 'gezelligheid' (cosiness and conviviality) is central to life, best felt in a brown cafe or on a sunny terrace. Amsterdam's coffeeshops and red-light district are part of the city, but respect local rules, do not photograph people, and behave considerately
- Power & practicalities: Power is 230V with type C and F (round two-pin) plugs, so bring an adapter; the Netherlands is very flat, making walking and cycling easy, though canal-house stairs are famously steep and narrow. Many museums and Keukenhof benefit from advance booking, which we arrange, and the country is exceptionally welcoming to visitors of every kind
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is the cycling, and do I need to be very fit?
The cycling is gentle and suitable for anyone reasonably active who enjoys a day out on a bike. The Netherlands is famously flat, so there are no hills to climb, and the routes follow smooth, well-signed, traffic-free paths, with daily distances of roughly 25 to 45 kilometres at an easy, unhurried pace with plenty of stops. E-bikes are available to make it easier still, and a support vehicle carries your luggage and can give you a lift if you tire. It is about enjoying the scenery, not racing.
What bikes are provided, and can I use an e-bike?
We provide comfortable, well-maintained hybrid touring bikes ideally suited to the flat Dutch paths, fitted to your size, with helmet, lock, pannier and repair kit. E-bikes are available on request at a small supplement and are a wonderful, effortless option, especially if there is a headwind, which is the Netherlands' only real 'hill'. Our guide handles any mechanical issues and the support vehicle is always on hand. Just let us know your preference and height when booking and we will have the right bike ready.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary (such as a welcome dinner or a special tasting). Dutch food is hearty and characterful, from herring, cheese and bitterballen to stroopwafels, pancakes and the beloved 'rijsttafel' Indonesian feast that is a national institution, and the cafe and restaurant scene in the cities is superb and cosmopolitan. We usually leave lunches and most dinners free so you can explore, recommending the best spots at every stage.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Your journey is private by default, with your own expert local guide and comfortable private vehicle or boat where touring is included, giving you flexibility, depth and a pace tailored to you; small-group and seat-in-coach options can be arranged if you prefer. Because the Netherlands is so compact and superbly connected, we often combine private touring with easy, fast train journeys and scenic canal boats, and knowledgeable Dutch guides bring the art, canals, history and culture vividly to life.
Do I need a visa for the Netherlands?
The Netherlands is in the Schengen Area, so many nationalities enjoy visa-free stays of up to 90 days, while others need a Schengen visa arranged in advance. We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality, advise on the best option, and assist with the Schengen visa where needed, so entry is smooth. A passport valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure is required.
Is the Netherlands safe to visit?
The Netherlands is one of the safest, cleanest and most orderly countries in the world, with very low crime, excellent infrastructure and superb healthcare, and travel here is exceptionally smooth and easy. Normal city precautions against pickpockets apply in busy areas of Amsterdam, but visitors feel comfortable and welcome everywhere. English is spoken almost universally, making the Netherlands one of the easiest and most rewarding countries in Europe to travel.
When is the best time to visit?
April and May are magical, when the tulip fields bloom and Keukenhof gardens open, while June to August brings warm, long summer days ideal for canals, cycling and terraces. Spring and early autumn are gloriously atmospheric and quieter, and December brings festive lights and markets. The Dutch climate is mild but changeable, so we advise on the best timing for your interests, whether tulips, cities, cycling or cruising.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of Amsterdam, the tulip fields and Keukenhof, the windmills, Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft, Utrecht, the cheese markets and pretty Giethoorn, add a canal or river cruise, extend cycling in the countryside, include the Wadden Islands, and tailor the pace, comfort and focus to you. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point for your ideal journey through the beautiful, welcoming and endlessly charming Netherlands.
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