Luxury Netherlands & Belgium Cycle (Windmills & Canals from Amsterdam to Bruges) 6D5N, Fully Guided

TWO BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 16km (10 miles), minimal elevation gain
Level 2, Approx. 37km (3 miles), minimal elevation gain

Meet your Trip Leader at 9 a.m. in front of the Amsterdam Sloterdijk train station. We will meet at Sloterdijk's main entrance next to the Starbucks coffee shop; follow signs to Station Hall and Orlyplein upon arrival. Note: This is NOT the Amsterdam Central Station, so if you are arriving at Central, you'll need to take a 5-minute train ride to Sloterdijk. Arrive dressed in your biking clothes and bring your luggage and a daypack with anything else you may want for today's ride (your luggage will be transported to our first night's accommodations).

We’ll shuttle north to the town of Edam, where you’ll undertake a brief demonstration of biking techniques and safety. Then set off on your first ride through verdant countryside, meandering canals and coastal forest before stopping for lunch at a charming and quintessentially Dutch farmhouse. Netherlands boasts over 34,000 kilometres of bike paths and roads, the majority of which are traffic-free and have perfected cycling as a way of life.

Cap off today’s adventure at Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg, a magnificent country estate near ZuidKennemerland National Park. Take a lovely stroll in the English estate garden or rejuvenate yourself at the wellness centre including a sauna and infrared room. This evening, gather together for a welcome reception before an exceptional dinner at the hotel's restaurant with sweeping views of the quaint gardens.

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 16km (10 miles), minimal elevation gain
Level 2, Approx. 35km (22 miles), Elevation gain: 548.64m (100ft)
Level 3, Approx. 62km (39 miles), Elevation gain: 548.64m (100ft)

Today, unveil the Dutch coastline and towns north of The Hague, cycling over forest and dune paths known as fietspaden. The Dutch word for "lowlands" perfectly describes the topography of the Netherlands. About half of the country would be under water if it weren't for the well-designed network of seawalls, dunes, canals, levees, and dikes. Take one of the many well-kept bike paths along the coast and enjoy the scenery as you pedal or stop for a midday coffee while watching the wind-powered kart sailors whiz by.

After a picnic lunch, we continue pedaling past arid farmland and sand dunes before entering the affluent suburbs of The Hague, which are home to the Dutch parliament and the Hotel des Indes, where we will spend the next two nights. This property, which was built in 1858 and was previously a city palace, represents The Hague's cultural significance to the Dutch. The majestic Noordeinde Palace, one of the three official palaces of the Dutch royal family, is located next door. This afternoon, feel free to luxuriate like royalty by visiting the hotel's luxurious spa (spa treatment at own expense). Unwind in the sauna or steam room or take a refreshing dip in the pool.

Come evening, explore the historical centre of The Hague with a local guide before delighting yourself to a delicious local dinner at a favourite restaurant.

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 24km (15 miles), minimal elevation gain
Level 2, Approx. 45km (28 miles), minimal elevation gain
Level 3, Approx. 77.24km (48 miles), minimal elevation gain

In the morning, we board a shuttle to Kinderdijk, a World Heritage Site consisting of 19 windmills spaced out along a 2-mile dike road in a marshy plain. A number of windmills that had been built about the middle of the eighteenth century to drain the Alblasserwaard polder (an area of land that had been reclaimed from the sea) were still in use in the 1950s.

Then, take a bike ride through the classic Dutch terrain, passing grazing cows and lovely little towns. Take a trip down quiet streets and a Wiesbaden to reach the mediaeval town of Gouda and its massive (for the Netherlands) market plaza. The Stadhuis is a huge Gothic edifice from the 15th century that is ornamented with towers, a Renaissance-style stairway, and colossal statues. While having lunch in a seaside home steeped in history, we learn more about Gouda's fascinating past. Our hosts, Dick and Lies, have put together a delectable spread of regional specialties. The mill that we can see from the terrace grinds the flour that Lies uses for her baked delicacies! This evening, dinner will be at your own leisure where The Hague boasts endless choices of local dining affairs.

TWO BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 27km (17 miles), minimal elevation gain
Level 2, Approx. 45km (28 miles), minimal elevation gain

After breakfast we shuttle to the port town of Vlissingen in the province of Zeeland, the seafood capital of the Netherlands. A quick ferry takes us to Breskens, where we disembark and hop on our bikes. Ride along country roads to the charming city of Sluis, where you can enjoy lunch on your own in one of its many cozy cafés. Then follow a tree-lined bike path alongside a canal as you bid farewell to the Netherlands. Don't blink, or you may miss the border crossing into Belgium—no formalities here! You'll know you're in Belgium when you spot the colorful triangular-gabled façades that characterize the architecture here.

Arrive to romantic Bruges, called the "Venice of the North" and marvel at its many meandering waterways. The entire city center is a World Heritage site, watched over by a towering medieval belfry. We're welcomed at Hotel de Tuilerieën, where actors Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes stayed during filming of their action movie in Bruges. Spend the afternoon enjoying the hotel's indoor pool or sauna or simply unwind in the garden terrace. Alternatively, you may want to spend some time exploring this historic town's charming canals and cobblestone streets.

You'll stay in Hotel De Tuilerieën, an elegant patrician house from the 15th century has been transformed into a luxurious, contemporary hotel overlooking one of the city’s most beautiful canals, Den Dyver. This evening, accompany your dinner with a tall forthy bier. Home to nearly 200 breweries, trying Zot is a must which has the distinction of being the only beer brewed in Bruges and also regarded as one of Belgium's finest.

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 21km (13 miles), minimal elevation gain
Level 2, Approx. 47km (29 miles), minimal elevation gain
Level 3, Approx. 103km (64 miles), minimal elevation gain

Today, we head north from Bruges to explore more of the Flanders region located in northern Belgium. The region known as Flanders, which comprises the cities of Brussels (the capital), Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp, is mostly independent and has its own parliament and government. Brussels is the largest city in the region.

Pedal through rural countryside to an area known as Flanders Fields, which experienced devastating World War I battles from 1914 to 1918. To honor the thousands of lives lost here, the ground is covered in hundreds of monuments and graves. In the 1915 poem In Flanders Fields, Canadian soldier John McCrae memorialized this location by describing the abundance of poppies that were sprouting forth. In ceremonies honouring veterans of World War I, the red poppy is frequently displayed as a symbol of memory. After stopping for lunch along the route, you may either get back on your bike or take the shuttle to return to Bruges. Spend some time this afternoon either unwinding at the hotel or taking a stroll around the nearby town. You can't say you've been to Belgium until you've tried some of its delicious chocolate, and Bruges is the place to go for chocolate lovers looking to indulge their passion. Visit one of the city's more than 40 stores and enjoy a Brugsch Swaentje (or Bruges Swan), a handcrafted delicacy that serves as the city's emblem.

Tonight, indulge in a farewell dinner in Bruges to commemorate our week-long trip together.

Level 1, Approx. 19km (12 miles), minimal elevation gain

If you're not ready to say goodbye to your bike, take one last spin through Belgian neighborhoods and past canals, woodlands, and verdant meadows outside the city.

For those in pursue for a relaxing morning, enjoy a sleep in before a leisurely breakfast and a swim in the pool. Your leaders provide a packed lunch before sending you off to the Bruges train station for your onward travels.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.