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Marvel at the townhouses along the 17th century canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You could also opt to saunter down the infamous red-light district which attracts millions of curious tourists every year; or enjoy the street performers on friendly Rembrandtplein. Stay at the Westcord Art Hotel (3*) with breakfast
Today's route takes you through the Green Heart of Holland, a true cycling paradise, with characteristic peat and polder landscapes, small farming communities and picturesque historical towns such as Oudewater. It was to this place that women who had been accused of witchcraft fled from all over Europe to try to have their innocence proven by weighing. Finish your ride in medieval Gouda, discover this beautifully preserved town centre, visit the Gothic town hall and St. John's church. Stop off at a bakery to buy fresh syrup waffles (Gouda is the hometown of the famous stroopwafels) and pick up some Gouda cheese. If 49mi/79km is a little too far for you to cycle you can take the train for the last section reducing the route to 35mi/56km. Stay at the Best Western Hotel Gouda with breakfast.
Distance in Km: 79
Distance in Miles: 49
From Gouda you'll continue through the Green Heart of Holland to the village of Kinderdijk. Explore the site on which 19 windmills have stood majestically since 1740 and used to drain excess water out of the low-lying polder up into the River Lek. You can even pay one of the mills a visit. Your destination, Papendrecht, is just a ferry crossing away from of one of Holland’s oldest towns; Dordrecht, which is completely surrounded by rivers. Beautiful bridges take you across the water into the heart of town with its many monumental buildings around the harbour. The hotel in Papendrecht is just 3km outside the centre of Dordrecht on the north banks of the river. Stay at the Apollo Hotel Papendrecht with breakfast.
Distance in Km: 37
Distance in Miles: 23
Follow today's route past one of the few remaining freshwater tidal areas in Europe: the Biesbosch National Park. Crossing a one-kilometre-long bridge high above Holland's Diep river, you arrive in the south of the Netherlands. Continue through village after village, with Brabant hospitality enticing you in to stop for a cup of coffee and a big slice of fruit tart. Bergen op Zoom, today's destination, is 800 years old and the town's narrow streets, old squares and hundreds of monuments testify to a rich and dramatic past. Be sure to feast your eyes on Markiezenhof, a late-gothic mansion built by the local noble family in 1485, that now serves as a museum and archive, before you settle down at one of the many pavement cafes. Please note you will only be able to cycle through the Biesbosch park on days when the ferry is running, which is not daily. An alternative route will be provided for days when there is no ferry service. Stay at the Grand Hotel De Draak with breakfast.
Distance in Km: 69
Distance in Miles: 43
The landscape along today's cycling route is predominantly wooded. On the border between the Netherlands and Belgium, catch your breath in De Zoom - Kalmthoutse Heide, a lovely cross-border nature reserve. The route takes you along the Scheldekaaien (quays on the River Scheldt) right into the historical heart of Antwerp, Belgium's most important port city and the largest town in Flanders. After seeing the historical centre you might like to venture to the hip and trendy parts of the city: 't Zuid and Het Eilandje. If you've worked up a thirst on your journey, consider a visit to the De Koninck beer brewery. It has been going strong since 1833 and has a new visitors centre welcoming guests wishing to look around and do some tasting. This brewery is best known for its 'bollekes', a type of rounded beer glass. Stay at the Hampton by Hilton Antwerp with breakfast.
Distance in Km: 55
Distance in Miles: 34.5
After a short stretch on the banks of the River Scheldt, change course to follow the River Rupel, the shortest river in the country (nearly 10 km long). Along the way you'll see abandoned brick works and chimneys as silent witnesses of a tough industrial past. A good place to stop for lunch is the old town of Mechelen, within sight of the church tower of 13th century St. Rombold's cathedral or the Grand Place with its fabulous architecture. Continue along the River Dijle to end your day in the delightful university town of Leuven, where the oldest houses date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Discover the Grand Beguinage, a community for spinsters, set up in 1234, it consists of 100 houses and is now part of the university campus. Also visit the early-Gothic church of St. John the Baptist (1304) and the Old Market Square (Oude Markt), nicknamed 'the longest bar counter in the world' due to the enormous number of bars and cafes on the square. Stay at the Radisson Park Inn Leuven with breakfast.
Distance in Km: 75
Distance in Miles: 47
The hills of Belgian Brabant and the expansive Sonian Forest set the scene for today's cycle. There are also train options if you don't feel like cycling into the big city of Brussels. The city's main attraction is the fantastic Grand Place and the nearby little statue of Manneken Pis still draws the crowds although there's plenty more to see. Your visit to Brussels should involve culinary treats such as delicious hot waffles, chocolate, triple-fried frites and beer. You should also enjoy the shopping and culture. You'll be hard-pushed not to want to stay longer. Stay at the NH Brussels Grand Place Arenberg with breakfast.
Distance in Km: 39
Distance in Miles: 24
7 nights in 3 and 4 star hotels, all rooms en suite6 days hotel to hotel
cyclingManagement by your local Headwater-appointed agentRoute directions and
map
All breakfasts are included.There are plenty of treats to be tried during
your trip from the Netherlands to Belgium with local specialities including
stroopwafels, cheese, moules & frites, luxury praline chocolates, gaufres and
beer.
7 nights in 3 and 4 star hotels, all rooms en suite6 days hotel to hotel
cyclingManagement by your local Headwater-appointed agentRoute directions and
map
Cycling ConditionsClassification: Self-GuidedAverage daily distance: 59km (37
miles). No. of days cycling: 6 Terrain and route: The suggested cycling
mainly follows quiet cycling routes and tarmac roads. The terrain is mainly
flat which means the distances achieved each day can be longer. Alternative
shorter routes are available on some days and are detailed in the route
notes.Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to
cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the
logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a
map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags
are transported from one hotel to the next. Your bikes will be delivered to
the start hotel, all set up relevant to your height and ready to go. Our
local agent will be on call throughout the trip should you need.It is
important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make
these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible
we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as
possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes into larger towns
and cities.As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader.
There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be
organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance
telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is
normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to
charge for this service.FamiliesSelf-guided cycling holidays are a perfect
option for families as they offer the freedom for you to take your holiday at
your own pace. You can stop as and when you want and need, at the cafes and
restaurants that suit your family and the sites that interest you. We have
suggested that 12yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is
self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave
this decision up to you. The daily distances are all published in the trip
notes along with a description of each day's cycling so you have a good idea
of what to expect. However, if you have any questions please do not hesitate
to contact one of our experts. The principle idea is that these holidays can
be as flexible as you like, with logistical support but no group or leader to
dictate the daily activities. Please consider the weather when choosing to
book, temperatures can be high in the middle of summer.
HotelsYour accommodation during this trip is in three and four star hotels. The
hotels are a mix of traditional and contemporary buildings and all offer
excellent facilities and ensuite bathrooms. Should the named accommodation on
the itinerary details not be available, an alternative of the same standard
will be used.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may
be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised
together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone
number should you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is normally
able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge
for this service.
All breakfasts are included.There are plenty of treats to be tried during
your trip from the Netherlands to Belgium with local specialities including
stroopwafels, cheese, moules & frites, luxury praline chocolates, gaufres and
beer.
Your luggage will be transported between the hotels by our local agent. They
are often able to dispatch a taxi should you need it, but may wish to charge
you for this service. You will be pedaling under your own steam but the
emergency number for the local agent is in the trip notes if you need
assistance.
Your trip normally starts at your hotel in Amsterdam on the afternoon of Day
1 of the itinerary. Hotel check-in times are normally from around 3pm.We can
arrange flights or trains to Amsterdam and back from Brussels - please
contact our sales team for more information and prices.
Warm top and leggings for the early spring and autumn departuresWindproof and
waterproof layerComfortable shoes and clothes for the time off the bike if
you want to explore the townsSelf-Guided Hire BikesWe use touring bikes
provided by our local agent. All bikes are supplied with:rear pannierbike
lock1 puncture repair kitBike sizes will have been given to the local
operator in advance from the heights you have given us on booking. However,
when you receive your bike there will be the opportunity to test and
adjust.Please note helmets are not provided and we recommend that you take
your own on this trip.E-BikesElectric bikes offer all the thrills and healthy
exercise of a regular bike, but with one crucial difference - power! A tiny
electric motor (capped at 25mph) assists your pedalling, allowing you to make
molehills out of mountains. Cycle further, see more, have more fun. They are
just perfect if you want to try a trip with companions of differing fitness
level - or a trip at a slightly harder grade - and want to know there’s a
bit of motor power available if you need it. You can upgrade to an E-bike on
a number of our European trips.Bike RepairsAs you are riding unaccompanied,
it is wise to know at least how to repair an inner tube before setting off on
your bike! The bikes are serviced before being rented out so there should be
no problems but there are emergency numbers provided in the Route Notes for
more complex problems.
You will need money for lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks as well as any
sites you wish to visit. Lunches can be inexpensive if you buy produce from
local markets or shops and make up a picnic. However, if you stop at a café
you can easily spend €15. We would recommend budgeting for €5-15 for
lunches and allow an additional €10 a day for any extras. Dinners can cost
between €15-40 depending on the type of restaurant you visit and would not
include drinks.
Optional electric bikesHalf board upgrade (5 nights only)Travel
insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request)Visas or
vaccinationsArrival & departure transfers
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.