Pearls of Holland Cycling

Day 1: Arrive in Amsterdam

Wander around the iconic and surprisingly peaceful 17th century canal ring area of the city (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). For hustle and bustle, make your way to the city's famous squares or head off the beaten track along Brouwersgracht. Alternatively find out what the city looks like from the canals.

Stay at the Westcord Art Hotel with breakfast.

Day 2: Amsterdam to Haarlem 30km/19mi

Get an early start today and beat the queues at the Van Gogh or Anne Frank museum. Then, say 'farewell' or 'tot ziens!' to Amsterdam and ride through Kennemerland with its lovely variety of countryside, from vast polders and country estates to woods and beautiful peatland. The attractive city centre of Haarlem offers a wealth of shopping, art and culture, or the option to just relax in cafes and restaurants.

In April and early May, you have the option of cycling a longer route of c.60 km where you can see the tulip fields today.

Stay at the Hotel Lion d'Or with breakfast.

Day 3: Haarlem to Leiden 43km/27mi

Downtown Haarlem is worth exploring - discover the city’s hidden 'hofjes” (squares of tiny almshouses set around idyllic courtyards) and the Frans Hals Museum for Dutch Golden Age artworks. Continue on your journey to Leiden through the colourful Dune and Bulb Region. To capture the bulb flower fields in their full splendour try to time this holiday before mid-May. Tulips, crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths are grown here commercially, for bulb export, and temporarily transform the landscape into one of the country’s best-loved tourist attractions. Should you want to spend a day at world famous Keukenhof flower exhibition, we recommend you book an extra night in Leiden. Leiden is Holland’s oldest university town and has a very busy cultural events calendar with a friendly city centre of canals, monuments, windmills and museums. The historical botanical gardens are definitely worth a visit.

Stay at the Best Western Hotel Leiden with breakfast.

Day 4: Leiden to Delft 29km/18.5mi

Today provides typically Dutch scenery with orderly, man-made rectangles in the polders (mostly peatland reclamations). You pedal past shining lakes, green pastures, old windmills and farmhouses on your way to the famous city of Delft. The melancholy charm of this historical city is breath-taking. Most will associate Delft with its blue and white hand-painted pottery: Delftware, however it was also home to painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675). The Vermeer Centre gives illuminating insights into his life, works and city (no original paintings on show here).

Stay at the Hampshire Hotel with breakfast.

Day 5: Delft to Gouda 34km/21.5mi

This stretch takes you through the Green Heart of Holland - a stronghold against urban sprawl. Balance your way along the top of polder dikes, delight in characteristic villages, far horizons and pleasingly strict rectangles cut by ditches in fields of vibrant green. As you wander around the city of Gouda at the end of the day, don’t miss the gothic town hall (1450); the Weighing House (1667); the romantic inner-city canals and the stained glass windows in St. John’s Church. Gouda is also famous for making syrup waffles (try one hot!) and candles. If you’re travelling in Summer, plan your trip so that you can witness the traditional Thursday morning cheese market at the start of Day 6 (early April till last Thursday in August).

Stay at the Best Western Hotel Gouda with breakfast.

Day 6: Gouda to Amsterdam79km/49mi

Set off on the longest cycling leg today and bird lovers bring your binoculars! Once again, switch on your five senses to fully enjoy the characteristic countryside of the Green Heart. Drift past meadows, lakes and small villages whilst enjoying the wind in the rushes, the clouds reflected in the lakes and the picturesque River Amstel as you wend your way back to Amsterdam. Why not sample the famous Dutch style apple tart with your coffee en route?

Should the prospect of nearly 80km be rather daunting, opt to split this leg by booking an extra night in Woerden (making two legs: 43 km and 49 km).

Stay at the Westcord Art Hotel with breakfast.

Day 7: Leave Amsterdam

After a hearty breakfast, depart Amsterdam.