Northern Holland 5-day Self-guided Cycling Tour Level 1

Overview

This part of North Holland province fits the image that most foreigners have of Holland. The polders, often consisting of many rectangles of damp meadows separated by ditches, are encompassed by dikes and canals. When you cycle on a dike you'll be able to see the difference in water levels between the canal on the one side and the lower lying ditches in the polder on the other side. This cycle tour will also take you to the dunes on the North Sea coast which not only protect the hinterland from the sea but also harbour many species of dune flora and fauna. You will certainly enjoy the coast of the former Zuiderzee (now Lake IJsselmeer) and the small towns of Edam and Volendam. Your bike holiday would not be complete without a visit to attractive Amsterdam. This stretch of the tour is very diverse. Zaanse Schans is a recreated (inhabited!) neighbourhood in the style typical of this area on the River Zaan in the 17th-18th Centuries: beautiful dark green wooden buildings, bridges and windmills. There are lots of things to see, including clog, cheese and tin making demonstrations. From here, make your way to Amsterdam. Amsterdam will welcome you with romantic canals, bridges and... more than 800,000 bicycles! Amsterdam is for exploring. There is so much to see and do. Whether you like, art, culture, an evening out or just looking around the canal area, you will have a great time. A canal boat trip is a great way to get a better look at the canal houses. Today you will cycle past and through villages such as Durgerdam and Volendam along Lake Markermeer. The beautiful stone houses in the distinctive heart of catholic fishing village Volendam seem to have been drawn up without an organised street plan. "De Dijk, overlooking the harbour, attracts many tourists who browse the souvenir shops and have a break at a pavement cafe or restaurant. On this coast to coast bike trip you will cycle right through the province of North Holland from east to west. You will enjoy different landscapes, from the coast of Lake Markermeer, through polders such as Schermer and Beemster (a World Heritage Site!) which were drained many centuries ago, do the flowers (April/May) behind Heiloo/Alkmaar. Cycle atop the old "sea dike of former Zuiderzee. Edam is a pretty, historical village. In its heyday, in the 17th Century Golden Age, it was a town of shipbuilders and traders. The well-preserved buildings you will see in the centre date back to this period. Go for a stroll and enjoy the bridges, squares, gables, canals and other monuments. In summer you will love the weekly traditional cheese market on Wednesdays.

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included