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.
Overnight Westcord Art Hotel, Amsterdam (breakfast included).
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.
Overnight Best Western, Gouda (breakfast included).
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.
Overnight Leonardo Hotel, Papendrecht (breakfast included).
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.
Overnight Grand Hotel De Draak, Bergen op Zoon (breakfast included).
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.
Overnight Van der Valk Hotel, Antwerp (breakfast included).
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.
Overnight Radisson Park Inn, Leuven (breakfast included).
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.
Overnight NH Brussels EU Berlaymont, Brussels (breakfast included).
Depart 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.
To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat or email sales@headwater.com
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Room upgrades and extra nights: 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.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
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
Comprehensive route directions provided prior to departure
Bike hire
Luggage transfers between hotels
How to book:
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.
Departing | Tour only | Prices ![]() |
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5th Jun 2023 | US$1949 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1949 Single supp: US$314 |
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12th Jun 2023 | US$1949 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1949 Single supp: US$314 |
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19th Jun 2023 | US$1949 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1949 Single supp: US$314 |
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26th Jun 2023 | US$1949 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1949 Single supp: US$314 |
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Departing | Tour only | Prices ![]() |
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3rd Jul 2023 | US$1879 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1879 Single supp: US$314 |
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10th Jul 2023 | US$1879 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1879 Single supp: US$314 |
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17th Jul 2023 | US$1879 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1879 Single supp: US$314 |
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24th Jul 2023 | US$1879 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1879 Single supp: US$314 |
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31st Jul 2023 | US$1879 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1879 Single supp: US$314 |
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Departing | Tour only | Prices ![]() |
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7th Aug 2023 | US$1879 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1879 Single supp: US$314 |
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14th Aug 2023 | US$1879 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1879 Single supp: US$314 |
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21st Aug 2023 | US$1879 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1879 Single supp: US$314 |
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28th Aug 2023 | US$1879 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1879 Single supp: US$314 |
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Departing | Tour only | Prices ![]() |
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4th Sep 2023 | US$1949 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1949 Single supp: US$314 |
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11th Sep 2023 | US$1949 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1949 Single supp: US$314 |
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Departing | Tour only | Prices ![]() |
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6th May 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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13th May 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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20th May 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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27th May 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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Departing | Tour only | Prices ![]() |
Single supplement | |
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3rd Jun 2024 | US$2049 | US$314 | Tour only: US$2049 Single supp: US$314 |
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10th Jun 2024 | US$2049 | US$314 | Tour only: US$2049 Single supp: US$314 |
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17th Jun 2024 | US$2049 | US$314 | Tour only: US$2049 Single supp: US$314 |
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24th Jun 2024 | US$2049 | US$314 | Tour only: US$2049 Single supp: US$314 |
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Departing | Tour only | Prices ![]() |
Single supplement | |
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1st Jul 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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8th Jul 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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15th Jul 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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22nd Jul 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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29th Jul 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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Departing | Tour only | Prices ![]() |
Single supplement | |
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5th Aug 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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12th Aug 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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19th Aug 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
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26th Aug 2024 | US$1979 | US$314 | Tour only: US$1979 Single supp: US$314 |
Check availability |
Check availability |
Departing | Tour only | Prices ![]() |
Single supplement | |
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2nd Sep 2024 | US$2049 | US$314 | Tour only: US$2049 Single supp: US$314 |
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9th Sep 2024 | US$2049 | US$314 | Tour only: US$2049 Single supp: US$314 |
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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.
Solo travellers
Please call for details and prices
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Self-guided cycling Managed locally by Headwater appointed agent.
Departures
Weekly departures on Mondays from 5th Jun 2023 to 9th Sep 2024, 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.
This holiday does not include any flights or rail.
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.
If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.