Dutch Canals & Dunes Tour

DAY TO DAY SCHEDULE

The first hotel you will be staying in is ideally located in the center of the Netherlands on the edge of the Rhine river. Utrecht has a wonderful old historic city center full of culture, shops and restaurants. Utrecht can be reached by train from Amsterdam Airport in approx. 45 minutes.

You start your cycling trip by cycling through the city of Utrecht, the fourth largest city of the Netherlands which will beckon you with its historic atmosphere. The Utrecht canals with its terraces are special. Nowhere else in the world except for Venice you’ll find terraces and walkways located so directly to the canals/water. After cycling through Utrecht you continue your way close to the banks of the river Vecht. The history of the Golden Age with its beautiful country houses are clearly visible here. Through Ouderkerk aan de Amstel and the Amstel River you will slowly get closer to Amsterdam. At the end of this day the old atmospheric and vibrant city of Amsterdam await you. This city has something for everyone with something to do and see in literally every street.

After Amsterdam, the route continues to Haarlem, a beautiful historic city. From afar, the Gothic basilica of St. Bavo dominates the skyline of the city. Admire the picturesque facades, museums and other attractions. From Haarlem you will cycle to the seaside resort town of Zandvoort.

From Zandvoort you bike through the National Park Kennemerduinen to Velsen where you will cross the North Sea Canal with a ferry. The North Sea coast offers a combination of long sandy beaches and dunes and beautiful nature in the North Holland Dune Reserve. You end your day in the famous cheese city Alkmaar, with its beautiful historic city centre.

The cheese market is held from 10 o’clock in the morning till 12:30, every Friday. So make sure you plan your trip accordingly if you want to visit this market. From the cheese town of Alkmaar you cycle from the North Sea Coast area to Lake IJsselmeer, one of the biggest lakes of Europe. You end your day in Enkhuizen with its lovely canals and restaurants on the main square.

After Enkhuizen you leave the “old country” and enter the “new country”. Via a large dike (length approximately 34 km) you bike from Enkhuizen across the IJsselmeer, Markermeer right and left the IJsselmeer, to Lelystad. There you’ll find Batavia Town. Arriving in Flevoland you bike from Lelystad to Harderwijk, passing farms, forests in the green, agricultural areas.

The greatest charm of this area is the combination of wood, water and polders. This is a day to enjoy the nature and sun. Along the banks of the Randmeren you are cycling away from the area of Harderwijk and back to the Utrecht area.

After breakfast you will return home. We hope you enjoyed your biking trip in The Netherlands!