Cycling Holidays - Amsterdam to Brussels

Amsterdam to Brussels

This international bicycle holiday starts in the heart of the Dutch capital and finishes in the epicenter of Europe, Brussels. It’s a one-way route, 340 kilometres long, past a string of exceptional and historically precious Dutch and Flemish towns. In-between towns, enjoy the peace and quiet of the Dutch and Flemish countryside with age-old farmhouses and dominating church spires. You will follow a well-signposted route that is as good as flat, low traffic or even car free. Only towards the very end does it get slightly hilly. The towns themselves are perfect for touring by bike, ensuring total freedom and mobility: no traffic jams and you can “park” anywhere.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam

Your cycling holiday starts in Amsterdam, one of the crown-jewels of Europe.With so much to see and do, you couldn’t wish for a more vibrant way to kick off your holiday. If you arrive early, make sure to explore the hostoric city centre and marvel at the townhouses in the 17th-century canal district. Navigate the canals by boat or relax and enjoy the street performers on Rembrandtplein.

Day 2: Amsterdam - Gouda (79 km)

The first leg of the route takes you through the Green Heart of Holland, abounding in water. It is 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. End the day in medieval Gouda. Amble through the beautifully preserved town centre and visit the old town hall and St. John’s church. Stop off at a bakery to buy fresh syrup waffles (Gouda is the hometown of syrup waffles) and Gouda cheese - perhaps the world’s most famous type of cheese.
Would the 79 km be to long for you then you can split this day by booking an extra overnight in Woerden. (48 km and 38 km). Start of the tour will then be on Sunday.

Day 3: Gouda - Papendrecht (37 km)

From Gouda you'll cycle via the "Green heart of Holland" to the village of Kinderdijk, explore the site where 19 windmills have been standing majestically in rows since 1740. They were used to drain excess water out of the low-lying polder up into the River Lek. One of the mills is open to the public. Your destination, Papendrecht, is just a ferry crossing away from of one of Holland’s oldest towns; Dordrecht. Dordrecht is completely surrounded by rivers. Beautiful bridges take you across the water into the heart of town. Around the harbour you will see many monumental buildings.

The hotel in Papendrecht is just 3km outside the center of Dordrecht on the north banks of the river. You can upgrade to ****Hotel Bellevue Groothoofd, if you want to stay right in the center and on the crossroads of 2 major rivers. Here the bike can only be parked outside, in front of the hotel (with camera surveillance).

Day 4: Papendrecht - Bergen op Zoom (69 km)

In the morning, the route will take you right past one of the few remaining fresh-water tidal areas in Europe: Biesbosch National Park. Upon crossing a one-kilometre-long bridge high above Hollands Diep river, you will find yourself in the south of the Netherlands. In village after village, Brabant hospitality will entice you to stop for a cup of coffee and big slice of fruit tart. Today’s destination is Bergen op Zoom. Eight hundred years old, the town’s narrow streets, old squares and hundreds of monuments testify to a rich and dramatic past. Before you settle down at one of the many pavement cafes, don’t forget to feast your eyes on Markiezenhof, the town’s pride and joy. This late-gothic mansion (1485) was built by the local noble family and now serves as museum and archive.

Day 5: Bergen op Zoom - Antwerpen (55 km)

The landscape along today’s cycling route is predominantly woody. 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 and touristic heart of Antwerp. It’s the largest town in Flanders and Belgium’s most important port city. After viewing the historical town center you might like to venture to the hip and trendy parts of the city: ‘t Zuid and Het Eilandje. Have you worked up a thirst for Belgian beer? Consider visiting 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’.

Day 6: Antwerpen - Leuven/Louvain (75 km)

The river Scheldt is still your guide as you cycle to the old town of Oudenaarde (AD 974). This town is also the centre of the famous classic cycle race "Ronde van Vlaanderen" and today you will be following some of the famous cobbled routes of professional cycling.

The former towing paths along the banks have been transformed to smooth cycle paths, so now and then leafy and then through the open fields of Flanders.

Further along the route do stop off for a coffee and try one of the most famous Belgian local products, "Geraardsbergse mattentaart", a rare custard pastry with an ancient history of making.

Directly after Kluisbergen you leave Flanders and you will enter the province of Wallonia with just 20 km to go to Tournai.

Day 7: Leuven/Louvain - Brussels (39 km)

While leaving the 5 bell-towers of Tournai behind you, ride the last on the Belgian cycle path along the Scheldt, before arriving in France. This day offers a pleasant ride through to the Parc Naturel Régional Scarpe-Escaut, the first French regional park. Here, Belgium and France link with the barges on Escaut river, between lands and waters where you pedal through to the forests, marshes and ponds populated with various species. You will discover the mining villages classified by UNESCO, the agricultural landscapes, but also the beautiful city of Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, thermal station, near Valenciennes.

Passing through typical villages and hamlets, you reach the town of Cambrai, peaceful city of Art and History. Take advantage of it to discover its streets, where half-timbered houses, rich private mansions, Flemish mansions mingle with pleasure. And don't leave without having tasted the famous "Bétises de Cambrai" or other local specialties!

Day 8: Departure from Brussels

After breakfast, your cycling holiday has come to an end. You can take a flight from Brussels or take the train back to Amsterdam.
Route Overview

Route Overview

Route Map (For guidance only)

Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.

Total distance cycled: 354 km

Starting point of the cycling holiday: Amsterdam
Getting There

Getting There

We recommend flying to/from Amsterdam or Brussels airports for this cycling holiday.

Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.

We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.

Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0800 755 5385 for more specific travel advice.

You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.

Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.

The Amsterdam to Brussels cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.
What’s Included?
What’s Included?

The Amsterdam to Paris cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.

Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
- Accommodation in 3/4 * Hotels
- Bike hire and helmet
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfers
- Route notes and maps
- Tourist information on all the places of interest
- 7-days a week service-hotline
Not Included
- Flights to/from the start and finish
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
- Helmets
- Water Bottles
- Travel Insurance
- Bike Insurance (unless stated)
- Welcome Meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers (unless included)
Bike Hire

Bike Hire

This cycling holiday uses hybrid bikes with gearing suitable for the local terrain. All bikes are regularly maintained and offer comfort along with good quality components.

You will receive an accessories package including a bicycle pannier bag with a good capacity, repair kit, lock, key, and air pump.

When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly.

Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use. We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday.

E-Bike Upgrades:

Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.

E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on +44 (0) 800 7555385.

Hotels

This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on +44 (0) 800 7555385 for more information.

The hotel list below is subject to change and should be used as a guide. We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival.
Amsterdam TO BRUSSELS	Sample Hotel List
AMSTERDAM	3 * Westcord Art Hotel
GOUDA	4 * Best Western Hotel Gouda
PAPENDRECHT	4 * Apollo Hotel Papendrecht
BERGEN OP ZOOM	4 * Grand Hotel de Draak
ANTWERPEN	3 * Hampton By Hilton
LEUVEN	3 * Radisson Park Inn
BRUSSELS	4 * NH Brussels Grand Place Arenberg

You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.

Date & Prices

You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0800 755 5385 to speak to one of the team.

2020 Cycling Holiday Prices:

Season	Date Band	Arrival Day
Season 1:	04.05 - 21.09.2020	Mondays

Category A Information:

Season	Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1:	£789
Half-Board (5 Dinners):	£149
E-Bike Upgrade:	£89

Hotel Category Descriptions:

Category Type	Accommodation Overview
Category A:	3/4* Hotels

Extra Nights (You will stay in the same hotel as per the cycle tour)

Location	Prices from (DBL/BB)
Amsterdam:	£69 per person per night
Brussels:	£69 per person per night

Date From	Date To
04 May 2020	21 September 2020

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