Starting in Amsterdam and finishing in Belgium's capital city of Brussels, we would expect you to want add a few extra nights on to do city breaks in both cities to discover the variety of architecture, historic sites and monuments as well as shopping arcades, parks, gardens, art galleries and museums. Discover why millions visit these two key European cities every year with Amsterdam's famous network of canals (a UNESCO World Heritage site), its infamous red light district and its fabulous squares - Dam, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein. Brussels is famous for its food, comic strips, the world-famous Manneken Pis statue as well as the Atomium and the amazing Grand Place.
As well as the start and finish cities, this linear route is mostly flat cycling and allows you to discover even more Dutch and Belgian treats - for the eyes as well as the tastebuds. Archetypal images of Holland include its windmills and bridges with plenty of windmills in Kinderdijk and bridges in Papendrecht to feast your eyes on as you cycle across Holland's Green Heart. Famous local snacks from Gouda include syrup waffles (or stroopwafels) and cheese. Continuing southwards you'll get to see the Biesbosch National Park, one of Erurope's last remaining freshwater tidal areas, before heading over the border into Belgium where you'll discover the historical cities of Antwerp and Leuven with awe-inspiring architecture and delicious beer and mussels (moules) with Belgian triple-fried chips (frites). For those with a sweet tooth, Belgium's sweet and sugary gaufres (with various toppings) and the luxury pralines and chocolates are well worth trying an assortment.
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.
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.
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.
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 Mercure Hotel Antwerp City South with breakfast.
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.
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.
Leave Brussels
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking. If you'd like to keep your bikes with you for any extra nights we can arrange this for you for just £ per adult per day and £ per child per day.
To find out more call our sales team on 01606 720199, use our live webchat (we open again 9am Monday) or email sales@headwater.com
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Room upgrades: 4* Rooms
At the Westcord Art Hotel there is the option to upgrade to a 4* room. The Large Design Rooms offer more luxurious decor, more space including a seating area, an ensuite bathroom with rain shower, a minibar and an espresso machine.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Our aim is to provide holidays that are unbeatable for choice and flexibility. We've listed our most popular travel options below, however you aren't limited to these - we can tailor-make virtually any holiday to suit.
To find out more about the travel options available call our sales team on 01606 720199, use our live webchat (we open again 9am Monday) or email sales@headwater.com
Air prices include our standard flights/transfers
British Airways Heathrow to Amsterdam 08:20/10:40 then taxi to the hotel approx 20 mins, payable locally.
Return: Taxi to airport approx 20 mins, payable locally then British Airways Brussels to Heathrow 16:40/16:50.
Business/club/first class seats are available on request.
Alternative transfers
If you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).
Should you require overnight airport accommodation, airport parking or even a uniformed chauffeur to take your car from your departure terminal and park it for you, we can arrange this for you through Holiday Extras. You can book airport parking, airport hotels and executive lounges directly through their website - or call us on 01606 720199 for further details of all the services on offer. Early booking is recommended to obtain the best availability and prices.
Here at Headwater we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can continue to develop, and where necessary improve, our services and ensure our holidays continue to be the best they can be. However, as this is a relatively new holiday, we don't yet have any customer reviews available.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 7 night self-guided cycling holiday includes:
Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of and hotels
All breakfasts
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
High quality bikes
Luggage transfers between hotels
How to book:
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 01606 720199 (we open again 9am Monday) or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
Complete our holiday enquiry form - we'll get in touch when it's most convenient for you
Speak to our sales team on 01606 720199 - we open again 9am Monday
Use our live chat to ask us a question
Departing | Tour only | Including flights![]() |
Prices ![]() |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
3rd May 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
10th May 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
24th May 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
31st May 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability |
Departing | Tour only | Including flights![]() |
Prices ![]() |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
7th Jun 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
14th Jun 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
21st Jun 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
28th Jun 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability |
Departing | Tour only | Including flights![]() |
Prices ![]() |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
5th Jul 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
12th Jul 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
19th Jul 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
26th Jul 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability |
Departing | Tour only | Including flights![]() |
Prices ![]() |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
2nd Aug 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
9th Aug 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
16th Aug 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
23rd Aug 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
30th Aug 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability |
Departing | Tour only | Including flights![]() |
Prices ![]() |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
6th Sep 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
13th Sep 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability | ||||
20th Sep 2021 | £969 | £1109 | Tour only: £969 Including flights: £1109 |
Check availability |
Check availability |
The prices quoted for each individual departure supercede those published in our current brochures. Air prices are subject to change and we advise early booking to obtain the best prices. Please see our Planning your holiday and What's included in the price? pages for additional information.
Singles
Add £186 single supplement.
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Self-guided cycling Managed locally by Headwater appointed agent.
Departures
Weekly departures on Mondays from 3rd May 2021 to 20th Sep 2021, for 7 nights. All dates are subject to availability, please contact us to check.
Meals
All breakfasts
Electric bikes
It is possible to hire electric bikes for this holiday at a supplement of £130 per person. As these are available on a first come first served basis, we recommend early booking to avoid disappointment.
The above prices include our standard flights/transfers
British Airways Heathrow to Amsterdam 08:20/10:40 then taxi to the hotel approx 20 mins, payable locally.
Return: Taxi to airport approx 20 mins, payable locally then British Airways Brussels to Heathrow 16:40/16:50.
Alternative Air
Flights can be arranged from most UK airports, with connecting transfers as required, prices and details on request.
Upgraded air travel
Business/club/first class fares on request.
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 01606 720199 (we open again 9am Monday) or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
Complete our holiday enquiry form - we'll get in touch when it's most convenient for you
Speak to our sales team on 01606 720199 - we open again 9am Monday
Use our live chat to ask us a question
Please note: The prices and travel options shown are provided for customers based in, and travelling from/to, the UK. We are happy to arrange holidays for non-UK customers however, if you are travelling from USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, we recommend that you contact your local agent as they can provide appropriate transport options and advice.
Due to the tailor-made nature of our holidays, we need a little more information in order for us to check availability for Cycling from Amsterdam to Brussels. Simply complete the form below (fields marked * are mandatory) and a member of our sales team will contact you (when it's most convenient for you) to provide availability information, travel options and an accurate price. Of course there's no obligation, but if you do wish to proceed with a booking they will be on-hand to assist you throughout the process.
Alternatively, you can call our sales team on 01606 720199 to discuss your requirements in more detail (we open again 9am Monday).