Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
Netherlands Tulips, Windmills & Villages Bike Tour
Trip Overview
Discover sweeping fields of vivid spring flowers, quaint cobblestone villages, iconic windmills and the charming culture of northern Holland on our newest bike tour in the Netherlands. Following the world’s best network of bike paths, you enjoy an incredible experience on two wheels as you cross the flat terrain of the Netherlands. Sound like a dream? Go beyond the famed Keukenhof flower gardens to experience tulip fields as far as the eye can see. You visit the “Venice of the North” — Giethoorn, the town without roads … only bike paths and canals! Ride along miles of dikes, through forests filled with mysterious dolmens (prehistoric burial stones), into historical villages — brimming with charm, museums, cafes. Come experience “gezelligheid” … the Dutch word for conviviality, which stays with you long after you depart one of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
Meet in the morning at the first hotel, which is in Haarlem — a delightful history-rich village that's a short train ride from Amsterdam and only 10 miles from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Start biking in Haarlem, and get ready for an incredible spin along the coast. Manicured bike paths lead the way through cresting dunes and lively beach resorts. Then wind through some of the loveliest neighborhoods in all of Holland. There’s also the possibility to visit the world-famous Keukenhof gardens filled with spectacular tulips and other vivid spring flowers. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of a magical trip.
Your day starts in the storied town of De Rijp, a colorful village with green gabled houses and a long whaling heritage … but which, due to feats of engineering and land reclamation, is no longer on the coast! After passing numerous windmills, cycle along the dike over canals and wooden drawbridges to former seafaring towns like Schermerhorn and Hoorn. After lunch, you cycle through tulip fields which grow perfectly in the Dutch “polders” — land that was formerly under the sea. Spend tonight near the picture-perfect harbor of Enkhuizen. Dinner is together.
Wake up for a stroll through time, as you explore the open-air museum of Enkhuizen — a reconstructed village made from historical buildings from around the Netherlands … complete with roll playing actors dressed as they would have hundreds of years ago. Then transfer to cycle along Lake IJsselmeer on small roads and dikes to the old port of Hindeloopen. It’s the perfect chance to learn a bit of history and visit charming towns steeped in tradition. Settle in for the night overlooking the yachts of Lemmer. Take advantage of a night on your own to explore the town center and find a place for dinner.
Today’s carefree bike ride sees you cycling through more tulip fields … and eventually through forests and watery landscapes. Stop in the charming village of Blokzijl — yet another town whose history was along the sea, but its backdrop has now been replaced with beautiful canals and cobbled streets. Next, you cycle to Giethoorn, known as the Venice of Holland. It’s a wonderful canal-laced village with thatched houses and many small, arched “humpback” bridges — and dotted with highly manicured and fragrant gardens. Dinner is with the group.
Spin along forested bicycle paths through dreamy hamlets tucked deep in the woods. Marvel at the miles of canals dug out by the area‘s peat farmers centuries ago. Visit the craft village in Orvelte before continuing on to peaceful Exloo and your cozy hotel. Dinner is together with the group.
Today’s ride takes you through dramatic moors — heathlands dappled with purple heather and dotted with prehistoric stone beds. Later, head over to the outdoor market in Emmen and visit its outstanding, prize-winning zoo. Then follow fertile pastures and dense woodlands to the thatched village of Eext. Back in Exloo, share memories of the trip as everyone enjoys a farewell dinner together.
Map
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $750 holds your reservation for most tours. For tours less than 6 days, the deposit is $500.
What’s Included
6 nights’ lodging, 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners, entrance fee to Keukenhof tulips gardens, transfer to Amsterdam or Schiphol Airport at the end of the tour. Use of bicycle and helmet, experienced leaders, van support. Airfare is not included.
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $750 holds your reservation for most tours. For tours less than 6 days, the deposit is $500.
What’s Included
6 nights’ lodging, 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners, entrance fee to Keukenhof tulips gardens, transfer to Amsterdam or Schiphol Airport at the end of the tour. Use of bicycle and helmet, experienced leaders, van support. Airfare is not included.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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