Trip code: C07HP 5 (6 reviews)
Self-guided cycling
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
Flights
available
15.0Kg CO2e
Printed route
directions
Optional
e-bike hire
Discover the Pearls of Holland on this mostly gentle circular cycling trip, starting and ending in the delightful city of Amsterdam with its UNESCO World Heritage canal ring area, its bustling squares and cultural hotspots, including the Anne Frank and Van Gogh museums. The varied countryside of Holland beckons with a mix of rectangular polders (low-lying land reclaimed from rivers and protected by dykes), woodland, country estates and wild gardens. Cycle through beautiful traditional villages, past windmills and farmhouses and on to the famous flower fields near Haarlem (visit in April and early May for the full effect of the blooms).
As well as Amsterdam and the archetypal countryside of the Netherlands, you get to explore the cities of Haarlem, Leiden, Delft and Gouda, all with their own histories and cultural characters. Haarlem has a wealth of culture with the Frans Hals museum a must-see for art lovers with works from the Dutch Golden Age, as well as plenty of shopping, cafes and restaurants to choose from. The Keukenhof botanical gardens are worth a visit with over 7 million flowers in spring. Leiden is Holland's oldest university town and has a lively events calendar and canals, monuments windmills and museums offer some great sightseeing. Delft is world famous for its Delftware, the blue and white hand-painted pottery, but was also home to the artist Vermeer. Gouda, as well as being the venue for the famous summer cheese market (Thursday mornings April - August), has a fabulous, gothic town hall in the main square, romantic canals and even more food options with warm syrup waffles - perfect to try after a day of cycling.
This version of the Pearls of Holland trip splits the long route from Gouda to Amsterdam with an overnight stay in Woerden on the way back to Amsterdam. The castle and Saint Bonaventure's church are worth a visit.
Please note: We're currently making some improvements to our trips in Holland for 2024 bookings. Holiday details may differ to what's currently on sale for 2023.
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.
You stay at Westcord Art Hotel.
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Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe
Tea/coffee
The Westcord Art Hotel in Amsterdam is a contemporary hotel that offers both 3 and 4 star accommodations, depending on the room category you stay in. Located just a 15 minute walk (or 5 minute bus ride) from the city centre, all rooms and suites have excellent facilities as well as unique artwork on the walls by Amsterdam artist Chiel van Zelst. There is also an art collection by famous Dutch artist Herman Brood in the hotel lobby.
The hotel offers a Terrace Bar and a Brasserie for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as leisure facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, picnic area, sun terrace and gardens.
Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.
Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.
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.
You stay at Hotel Lion d'Or.
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Within walking distance of the market square, Haarlem's famous 'hofjes', trendy boutiques and cosy pubs, the Hotel Lion d'Or offers a great base from which to discover this historic city. With stylish and contemporary decor inside Haarlem's oldest hotel building, the rooms provide ensuite facilities as well as a Nespresso machine, air-conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi. The hotel's Cafe Lounge provides breakfast as well as drinks and finger food throughout the day.
Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.
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.
You stay at Tulip Inn Leiden Centre.
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Tulip Inn Leiden Centre has a wide variety of comfortable hotel rooms. Close to Leiden central station, there's also paid parking available at the hotel.
Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.
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).
You stay at Hampshire Hotel.
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The Hampshire Hotel offers 92 contemporary rooms with a musical theme. Less than a 10-minute walk from the old city, the hotel has a good range of facilities including a restaurant - Restaurant Swing - offering Dutch and French cuisine accompanied by great service and soft piano music. The rooms come with twin beds, ensuite bathroom with bath and/or shower, complimentary Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, a flat screen TV and safe. There's also a lounge bar, a Tuk Tuk service into Delft and even an Escape Room in one of the suites (all payable locally)!
Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.
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).
You stay at Best Western Hotel Gouda.
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Located just 600m from the Markt, and next to the Gouwe River, this modern hotel offers 101 sound-proofed rooms all decorated with a warm, stylish colour palate. Each floor has its own colour - red for the City Arms and the flag of Gouda; yellow for the colour of the famous Gouda cheese and blue for the city's waterways, bridges and locks. Each room has its own name and a photograph referring to a special landmark in Gouda. The hotel has a Bistro-Bar where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served.
Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Set off on your next cycling leg today and bird lovers bring your binoculars! Today the route will take you past the river Vlist to the historical town of Oudewater, famous for its monumental 'Heksenwaag' - the 16th century Witches Weighhouse now serves as a museum. This town is a great place to stop for lunch and admire the beautiful historical buildings. Oudewater is also known for its many storks, so keep your eyes open along the way for these beautiful birds. You will end your day in historical Woerden, known for the cheesemarket on Saturday mornings (April to August). Wander around the old fortress walls, enjoy the canals and taste the local products.
You stay at Best Western Hotel Woerden.
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Close to Woerden's popular landmarks including the castle and Saint Bonaventure church, and located right next to the canal, this contemporary hotel offers comfortable rooms with traditional Dutch murals, flat screen TV, air-conditioning, tea and coffee and complimentary Wi-Fi. The property has a bar and lounge area and is within walking distance of local restaurants.
Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.
Continue on towards the picturesque River Amstel as you wend your way back to Amsterdam from Woerden. Why not sample the famous Dutch style apple tart with your coffee en route? Enjoy time in Amsterdam exploring the townhouses along the 17th century canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as watching the street performers on friendly Rembrandtplein.
After a hearty breakfast, depart Amsterdam.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Westcord Art Hotel, Amsterdam.
ShopsMastercardVisaAmExPoolHairdryerWiFiTVMinibarAirconSafeTea/coffee
The Westcord Art Hotel in Amsterdam is a contemporary hotel that offers both 3 and 4 star accommodations, depending on the room category you stay in. Located just a 15 minute walk (or 5 minute bus ride) from the city centre, all rooms and suites have excellent facilities as well as unique artwork on the walls by Amsterdam artist Chiel van Zelst. There is also an art collection by famous Dutch artist Herman Brood in the hotel lobby.
The hotel offers a Terrace Bar and a Brasserie for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as leisure facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, picnic area, sun terrace and gardens.
Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.
Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website.
Please contact our sales team on 01606 720199 to for further details or to discuss alternavie trip options.
Subject to availability and dependent on service provider, please ask at time of enquiry and book early to avoid disappointment.
Self-guided cycling
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
Flights
available
15.0Kg CO2e
Printed route
directions
Optional
e-bike hire
