Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey as you cycle from vibrant Amsterdam to historic Bruges, traversing the picturesque landscapes of Holland and Belgium. This self-guided tour offers a unique blend of cultural exploration and scenic beauty, with highlights including the tranquil Green Heart of Holland, the iconic Kinderdijk windmills, and the charming towns of Gouda and Willemstad. Enjoy sampling local delicacies like cheese in Gouda and waffles in Willemstad, and discover the natural wonders of the Biesbosch wetlands. With comfortable accommodations in 3 to 4-star hotels and luggage transfers between stops, this tour ensures a seamless and enriching experience as you pedal through some of Europe's most captivating regions. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam
Accommodation Name: hotel
Make your own way to Amsterdam and check into the first hotel. Amsterdam is one of Europe's crown jewels and there is so much to see and do here. If you arrive early make sure you go for a walk to marvel at the 17th century townhouses and warehouses in the World Heritage listed canal district. The Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Vondelpark or a canal cruise are just some of the many ‘must-do’s’. We can assist booking with pre-tour accommodation on request. Amsterdam gets very busy, we recommend booking well in advance. ...more ...less
Day 2 : Cycle through the Green Heart of Holland to Gouda/Oudewater/Bodegraven (68km/42mi)
Location: Gouda
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
From bustling Amsterdam you cycle into the peace and quiet of the “Groene Hart” (Green Heart), a pleasant rural area of low-lying polders with peat meadows and grazing cattle. It’s a flat, open, spacious landscape where church spires and windmills touch the horizon and clouds are reflected in lakes and canals. Continuing your bike ride through a typically Dutch polder landscape, you'll pass small farming communities and picturesque historical towns. Oudewater is famous for it Heksenwaag (Witches Weighhouse) where women accused of witchcraft were weighed to prove their innocence. For centuries, people have flocked to Gouda and its markets, coming from far and wide to buy horses, cows, meat, turf, seed, cheese, etc. We recommend an evening stroll to soak up the atmosphere and marvel at the market square with its wonderful fifteenth century town hall as well as a Weighing House (“Waag”). Overnight in Gouda**subject to availability in Gouda, or you may be booked to stay overnight in Bodegraven or Oudewater.
Day 3 : Continue past Kinderdijk windmills to Papendrecht (38km/23.5mi)
Location: Kinderdijk
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
More cycling today through the 'Green Heart' - you will visit Kinderdijk, where 19 windmills have lined the canal since 1740 - the epitome of classic Dutch countryside. You can visit an authentic workshop and learn (more) about Dutch water management. Your destination is Papendrecht, a water ferry crossing away from one of the Netherlands' oldest towns, Dordrecht, which is completely surrounded by rivers. Beautiful bridges take you across the water into the heart of town, and around the harbour you will see many monumental buildings.The hotel in Papendrecht is just 3km from the centre of Dordrecht, on the northern banks of the river.
Day 4 : Cycle to Willemstad (65km/40mi)
Location: Willemstad
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The result of a major flood in 1421, Biesbosch is one of Europe's few remaining wetland habitats, where the ecosystem has adapted both to saltwater coming in from the sea through tidal creeks, and to freshwater flowing from the rivers. It’s an ever changing labyrinth of creeks and rivulets encompassing countless little islands of willow woods and reeds, a paradise for birds. The ride takes you along the edges of this National Park. Round off the day in Willemstad, a fortified town in the shape of a seven-point star.Please note you will only cycle through the Biesbosch park on days that the ferry departs. It does not operate daily. If the ferry does not operate you will follow an alternative route.
Day 5 : Enter Zeeland, where ferry rides are interspersed with cycling (50km/31mi)
Location: Zeeland
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you will enter Zeeland, a province of the Netherlands marked by light, wind,water and lots of space. It is made up of islands, so bridges and ferries will be carrying you across the waters as you head towards Belgium. Picture-book towns with ancient houses and cobbled streets are lined up for the coming days, as you traverse a patchwork landscape of vast polders, idyllic countryside, rolling dunes and golden sand flats. Overnight in Noordgouwe or Zierikzee.
Day 6 : Cycle via Veere to Middelburg/Vlissingen (43km/26.6mi)
Location: Middelburg
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
A wander down the narrow streets of Zierikzee is a delight. Quaint houses recall the town's glory days, when ships set sail with salt, wool, fish, grain and red dye as far afield as the Baltic and the Mediterranean. Today your route continues to the charming village of Veere. From 1541 everything that was exported from Scotland to Holland (mainly wool) came ashore here and was distributed from Veere. Commerce brought the town not only prosperity but also a very lively Scottish expat community that stayed for 300 years. Walk in their footsteps as you take a tour of the sights. Cycling further south, you will discover the nostalgic splendour of Middelburg, the capital of Zeeland. In the 16th and 17th centuries it was one of the most important centres of trade in the Netherlands. Overnight in Middelburg or, dependent on availability, Vlissingen further towards the coast.
Day 7 : Take a ferry to Zeelandic Flanders and cycle to Bruges in Belgium (66km/41mi)
Location: Bruges
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a hearty breakfast, hop on a ferry at Vlissingen to Zeelandic Flanders, with its winding country roads, pollard willows, wet meadows and scattered villages.(The ferry crossing from Vlissingen to Breskens must be reserved online in advance, link provided on booking). Having crossed the border into Belgium, you will reach the charming little town of Damme on the banks of the romantic Damse Vaart. From here, it’s a short stretch to Bruges, known as the 'Pearl of Flanders'! It’s a truly enchanting town that has been welcoming tourists for some150 years. With most of its medieval architecture intact, it remains exceptionally well preserved and will give you a sense of times gone by when it was the centre of the European wool and cloth trade. Overnight in Bruges.
Day 8 : Trip concludes
Location: Bruges
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip concludes this morning in Bruges after breakfast. We can assist with booking extra nights in Bruges (recommended) on request, please ask for our rates.
What's Included
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Accommodation
hotels -
7 breakfasts: Breakfasts are continental style and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices
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7 nights in 3 to 4 star hotels on a twin share basis with private facilities. Optional upgrades available on days 1, 6 & 7
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Digital information pack including smartphone app with maps, roadbook and GPS Tracks plus printed roadbook provided locally
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Luggage Transfer, 1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess
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24 speed hybrid rental bike with pannier, helmet, repair kit and lock (e-bikes available - supplement applies)
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Tourist tax
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Emergency hotline
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Travel to Amsterdam and from Bruges
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
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Travel insurance - mandatory
What's Not Included
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Travel to Amsterdam and from Bruges
Travel arrangements to the starting point in Amsterdam and from the endpoint in Bruges are not included.
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Meals not listed as included
All drinks, lunches, and dinners are not included. A dinner package can be booked which includes a 3-course dinner each night for an additional supplement.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory and not included in the tour price.
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E-bike hire
E-bike hire is available for an additional supplement.
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Guide
This is a self-guided cycling holiday, so no guide is included.
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Solo traveler supplement
A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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Entrance fees
Entrance fees not listed as included are excluded.
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Transfers
Transfers not listed as included and transfers if you need to skip a stage are excluded.
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Ferries
Ferries are not included. Allow 1 to 8 EUR for the Vlissingen to Breskens ferry.
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Bike insurance
Bike insurance can be pre-purchased through UTracks. Please ask for rates.
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Excess luggage
Excess luggage will be charged a supplement. Each piece of extra luggage cannot be heavier than 20kg due to work safety rules.
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Hotel taxes
Hotel taxes, if applicable, are payable directly to the hotel.
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Handlebar phone holder
We recommend bringing a handlebar phone holder to more easily follow the route using the app.
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Items of a personal nature
Items of a personal nature are not included.
Grading
This trip involves 7 days cycling between 37 and 66km/23 and 41mi per day usually along paved cycle paths and quiet county roads across generally flat terrain. Only towards the end of the tour does the terrain become slightly hilly. The well-posted cycle route is generally low traffic and often car-free. In and out of the cities there will be some traffic. You need only carry your camera
ain gear and water bottle. Your luggage is transported for you between hotels/inns. The trip is suitable for beginners who have a good level of fitness.
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What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
Mode of Transport
Travel includes a 24-speed hybrid rental bike with pannier, helmet, repair kit, and lock. Luggage transfer between hotels is provided, and ferries are used for certain segments of the journey.
Accommodation
Enjoy 7 nights in comfortable 3 to 4-star hotels, each offering twin share rooms with private facilities, ensuring a restful stay after your daily cycling adventures.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of bike is provided for the tour?
A 24-speed hybrid rental bike with a pannier, helmet, repair kit, and lock is provided. E-bikes are also available for an additional supplement.
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Is luggage transfer included in the tour?
Yes, luggage transfer between hotels is included, limited to one piece of luggage per person weighing a maximum of 20kg. Excess charges apply for additional luggage.
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What should I carry during the cycling day?
During the cycling day, you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone, and water. A small daypack that can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
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Is travel insurance mandatory for this tour?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for this tour.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour includes 7 breakfasts, which are continental style. All other meals, including lunches and dinners, are not included. A dinner package can be booked for an additional supplement.
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Is this a guided tour?
No, this is a self-guided cycling holiday. An information pack with route notes and a navigational app for use with your smartphone is provided.
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What happens if I need to skip a stage of the tour?
Transfers are available if you need to skip a stage, but they are not included in the tour package and will incur additional costs.
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Are entrance fees included in the tour?
Entrance fees are not included in the tour package.
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What is the terrain like during the cycling tour?
The terrain is generally flat, with paved cycle paths and quiet country roads. Only towards the end of the tour does the terrain become slightly hilly. The route is well-posted, generally low traffic, and often car-free.
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Is a cycle helmet provided?
Yes, a cycle helmet is provided and is a compulsory item on your equipment list for safety reasons.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Cycle Amsterdam to Bruges
8 Days Starting in Amsterdam, Netherlands and ending in Bruges, Belgium
Visiting: Amsterdam, Gouda, Kinderdijk, Willemstad, Zeeland, Middelburg, Bruges
Tour operator:
Tour code:
UAB
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
