7-day Self-guided Cycling Tour along the 'Pearls of Holland' Level 1

by Tour provider https://www.slowtours.com

Region

N/A

Duration

7 days

Guided Status

Self-Guided

Difficulty

Level 1

D-Score™

N/A - Unknown

Overview

7-day Self-guided Cycling Tour along the 'Pearls of Holland' Level 1. Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden, Delft and Gouda are among our cyclists' all-time favourite cities. Each of them offer unique experiences awhilst brimming with that typical Olde Holland character. We have decided to combine them into this one route for the ultimate cultural bike holiday. Cycling distances are relatively short allowing more time for sightseeing and museums. Although you will stay within the Randstad conurbation you'll discover how rural and quiet the countryside can be, where polders, windmills, bulb flower fields (in spring!), lakes and rivers take the spotlight. In short, this route stands for seven days of enjoying cultural gems and idyllic countryside. 6 Nights accommodation in 3/4 Star Hotels (hotel upgrades available on request)****, Breakfast buffet, Tourist information on all the places of interest, 7-days a week service-hotline, Tourist taxes, Luggage transport to your next hotel (1 piece, 20kg per person) **** Any ferry crossings are not included, Bike helmet - 10 EUR (on request), Bike insurance - 18-36 EUR, Bike breakdown pass - 24 EUR, Other meals, Parking Stay in Amsterdam on a Saturday - 25 EUR p.p surcharge , Departures daily from April to 24 September , Extra nights - on request (please note, rates for bikes and bike insurance increase due to the extra days with bike rental), Hotel upgrade in Amsterdam - 10 EUR per person/ per night, Hotel upgrade Santpoort - 75 EUR per person/ per night (includes dinner), E-bike has a height minumum of 160cm due to safety and handling Nearest Airport is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), The train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Sloterdijk departs 6 times per hour. Travel time is about 10 minutes. A single ticket costs approx €4,- per person excl. bicycle., Starting point is Amsterdam If you would like to rent a Hybrid Bike (80 EUR) or E-Bike (170 EUR), please contact[[email protected]](</cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bbc8dad7dec8fbc8d7d4cccfd4cec9c895d8d4d6>) when booking If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe. Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [[email protected]](</cdn-cgi/l/email-protection>) for a competitive quote Local language barriers. Lost passport. Unexpected medical expenses. Sometimes, our trips don’t go as planned. That’s why Slow Tours Pty Ltd wants you to have the most robust travel advisory and protection for your vacation. Ask us for a quote [[email protected]](</cdn-cgi/l/email-protection>)

Daily Ride Schedule

Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam

Arrival in Amsterdam

Day 2: Amsterdam-Haarlem / Santpoort

30 km 0 m

N/A

Amsterdam-Haarlem / Santpoort

Day 3: Haarlem/ Santpoort – Leiden

43 km 0 m

N/A

Haarlem/ Santpoort – Leiden

Day 4: Leiden – Delft

29 km 0 m

N/A

Leiden – Delft

Day 5: Delft – Gouda

34 km 0 m

N/A

Delft – Gouda

Day 6: Gouda – Amsterdam

68 km 0 m

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Gouda – Amsterdam

Day 7: Return Home

Return Home

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included

Catering services

Accommodation arrangements

Bike rental

About the N/A

A dedicated guide for this region is not available yet.

EUR 890

per person

Go to Provider

Why Choose This Tour?

Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden, Delft and Gouda:our all-time favourite cities Typical Old Holland character - This is an ultimate cultural bike holiday Discover how rural and quiet the countryside can be Polders, windmills, lakes and rivers take the spotlights This route stands for 7 days enjoying cultural gems and idyllic countryside The urban buzz will soon make way for the peace and quiet of the countryside.
This region is called Zuid-Kennemerland.
The steam mill Cruquius, just before you cycle into Haarlem, is itself a National Monument for the steam history of the engine within, and it has also been declared an Anchor Point of ERIH, The European Route of Industrial Heritage.
Idyllic courtyards, known as ‘hofjes’, will set your heart a-flutter.
Haarlem is home to the oldest hofje dating from 1395.
The small white drawbridge over the Spaarne with the two gabled houses in the background.
The Frans Hals museum with unique art from the Golden Age, including works by Haarlem painters Frans Hals, Jacob van Ruisdael and Pieter Saenredam.
Cycle through the dunes past well-known seaside resorts such as Noordwijk and Zandvoort.
Noordwijk is a seaside resort of international stature with a 13 km long sandy beach.
Surrounded by beautiful forest areas, rugged dunes and the flower bulb region near De Keukenhof, Noordwijk is is also referred to as the flower resort of Europe.
CM.com Circuit Zandvoort, which is known as a real "Old School" circuit, with fast, undulating and challenging corners formed by the natural dunes.
Leiden, another beautiful historic city rich in attractions.
The city has much to offer.
Beautiful are the seventeenth-century houses and characteristic canals.
Also worth a visit are the oldest university in the Netherlands, the historic botanical garden and the Gothic St.
Pieterskerk.
Peace and quiet will reign once more in today’s typically Dutch scenery.
Note all the orderly rectangles in this man-made polder landscape (mostly peatland reclamations).
Let shining lakes and green pastures, old windmills and farmhouses pass you by whilst pedalling on to the famous city of Delft.
The melancholy charm of historical Delft is breathtaking.
Most will associate Delft with its blue and white hand-painted pottery: Delftware.
But did you know that painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) lived in Delft all his life?
The Vermeer Centre gives illuminating insights into his life, works and city (no original paintings on show here).
This stretch of the tour takes you through the Green Heart: a stronghold against urban sprawl in Randstad conurbation.
Balancing atop 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).
Once again, switch on your five senses to fully enjoy the characteristic countryside of the Green Heart.
Drift past meadows, lakes and small villages.
Can you hear the wind in the rushes?
Did you see the clouds reflected in the lake?
Are you feeling peckish?
In that case, do stop to sample Dutch style apple tart with your coffee!
Thus fortified, continue on your way back to Amsterdam pursuing beautiful River Amstel.
Should the prospect of 68 km be rather daunting, opt to split this leg by booking an extra night in Woerden (making two legs: 38 km and 49 km).