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Day 1: Arrival in Bunnik
Bunnik can be reached by train from Amsterdam Airport. Free parking at the hotel.
Day 2: Bunnik – Harderwijk
Hidden away in the woods is hamlet Lage Vuursche. Have a break at the famous pancake inn round the corner from Queen Beatrix’ castle Drakensteyn. Along the shores of Randmeren, lakes formed in 1957 when the Flevopolder was created, you’ll reach Harderwijk. This lively town was once a member of the Hansa League, a Northern European alliance of trading guilds in the 13th-17th Centuries. Harderwijk was a fishing port until 1932 when the Zuiderzee was cut off from the North Sea and work was started on the Flevopolder. Today, the Fish Gate and fish restaurants are among the many reminders of the town’s fishing and seafaring past.
Day 3: Harderwijk – Enkhuizen
Ride through the woods and farmland of Flevopolder to Lelystad. In Nieuwland Museum you can see an exhibition on why and how the polder came to be. Cross Lake IJsselmeer to Enkhuizen atop a 30 km dike! You will see our Golden Age reflected in the historical buildings of pretty Enkhuizen. Don’t miss the excellent Zuiderzee Museum which includes an exhibition about the days when Dutch East India Company trading ships from towns on the Zuiderzee sailed the seven seas trading in spices and bulbs. Moreover, you can visit a recreated Zuiderzee village of old.
Day 4: Enkhuizen – Heiloo
After looking around pretty Hoorn, which also made its fortune trading in the Golden Age, you will set off on today’s coast-to-coast bike route from Lake IJsselmeer to the North Sea. You will pass by Holland’s oldest polder, Beemster, drained by windmills in 1612(!). You can also visit an interesting "museum windmill” as well as "cheese town” Alkmaar. If possible, plan your trip so you can see the Friday morning traditional cheese market at the start of Day 5.
Day 5: Heiloo – Zandvoort
The sandy beaches of the North Sea are backed by dune systems that safeguard the hinterland from the sea and supply drinking water to neighbouring towns. Today you will cycle through a Dune Reserve and a National Park that protect the many species of dune flora and fauna. Cross the North Sea Canal by ferry and then set course for Zandvoort, a well-known seaside resort.
Day 6: Zandvoort – Amsterdam
You’ll love the elegant city of Haarlem, voted best city for shopping, Haarlem’s pedestrianised city centre and the three lovely market squares are a delight. Look up at the façades of historical buildings and spot the Renaissance style stepped gables and bell-shaped Dutch gables. At the end of the day, Amsterdam awaits! This wonderful city has surprises in store for everybody.
Day 7: Amsterdam - Bunnik
Follow the River Amstel out of town. On the banks of the small River Vecht, Holland’s Golden Age is reflected in the beautiful stately homes and garden pavilions built by rich Amsterdam merchants in the 17th and 18th Centuries. The lively centre of the big city of Utrecht will draw you to its attractive canals and unique 14th Century wharves.
Day 8: Bunnik – Gouda
Today you’ll set course for Gouda and see stately homes, castles, woods, lakes and parks along the way. If possible, plan your trip so that you can visit the traditional Thursday morning cheese market at the start of Day 9. Gouda is also famous for making candles and syrup waffles (try one hot!).
Day 9: Gouda – Scheveningen
Through open grassland you will cycle to The Hague, home to the government and the Queen. The Hague is brimming with things to do and see. You might like to take the opportunity to see Vermeer’s famous painting "The Girl with the Pearl Earring” in Mauritshuis Museum. Another favourite is Mesdag’s cylindrical Panorama of Scheveningen in 1881. Then climb back on your bike and check out 21st Century Scheveningen, the busy seaside resort where you’ll spend the night.
Day 10: Scheveningen – Rotterdam
Cycle down the coast through dunes and past seaside resorts. Then pedal east along the New Waterway ship canal (completed in 1872), past fishing villages, windmills and jenever distilleries, to the great city of Rotterdam. Alternative Route via Delft Delft is a university town on the River Schie, between The Hague and Rotterdam. Go for a lovely walk on the cobbled streets of the old town centre with its cute crooked houses and pretty canals and bridges. Delft Blue ceramics factories are open to the public. The Vermeer Walk and the Vermeercentrum are dedicated to the famous baroque painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) who lived in Delft all his life. The Nieuwe Kerk church has been the last resting place for our royals since 1584.
Day 11: Rotterdam – Dordrecht
Modern Rotterdam offers architecture, art, port tours, a maritime museum and shops galore. The re-developed inner-city harbours are hotspots. Dordrecht is one of Holland’s oldest towns. It’s completely surrounded by rivers. Beautiful bridges take you across the water into the heart of town. The harbour area is especially picturesque.
Day 12: Dordrecht – Gorinchem
Dordtse Biesbosch is part of Biesbosch National Park, one of the few remaining freshwater tidal areas in Europe. The countless islands of marshy willow woods, reed-lands and grasslands are surrounded by creeks and rivers. The place is a resting, foraging and breeding site for water birds. Nature lovers should visit Biesbosch Centre Dordrecht for information on this fascinating area.
Day 13: Gorinchem – Bunnik
Gorinchem’s walled town centre has a long turbulent history and over two hundred monuments to remember it by. It used to be big in fishery, markets and trade, but was often plagued by floods and conquerors (the town was the gateway to Holland). Nearby is Fort Asperen which was part of the (New) Dutch Water Line, a line of defensive works used from1629 - 1940, combining fortresses and the flooding of low-lying areas to keep enemies at bay. "Glass town” Leerdam is a meeting place where glassblowers from many countries demonstrate their craft. As you near the end of this tour, stop off once again at the lovely city of Utrecht.
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Day 14: Return Home
After breakfast in your hotel, you will return home.
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Included are:
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13 nights’ accommodation in *** or **** hotels
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Breakfast (buffet)
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Evening dinner (min. 3 courses), if you book Half Board
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Luggage transport to your next hotel
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Detailed route descriptions and maps
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Tourist information on all the places of interest
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Saddlebags for carrying things you need on the road
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Seven days a week service-hotline
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The possibility of renting our bikes and trailers (at extra cost)
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We adapt the bike to suit your wishes
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