Cycling Holidays - Amsterdam to Paris

Amsterdam to Paris

From £1,239 P/P

A dream bike ride through Europe, from the canals of Amsterdam to the Eiffel Tower of Paris.

Two of Europe's great capitals, packed with world-famous buildings and museums are the start and the finish points of this journey through 3 countries.

In between famous and beautiful towns like Gouda, Antwerp and Ghent you will be cycling through a varied landscape. You will experience great cycling in the European cycling pardise of Holland with water, windmills and perfect cyclepaths.

Medieval cities and villages in Belgium with great food, beer and chocolate.

And then of course northern France with it's spectrum of food and wine from stretches of lush countryside.

Towards the end of the route wonderful nature meets fascinating towns when cycling towards the 'piece de resistance' - Paris "The City of Lights".

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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 (80 km)

The first leg of the route takes you through the Green Heart of Holland, abounding in waterways.

This 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.

Day 3: Gouda - Breda (79 km)

Today’s highlight is one of the Netherlands’ most popular tourist attractions: Kinderdijk, a world-famous complex of windmills. Nineteen historical windmills reach to the skies in the epitome of classical Dutch countryside. You can visit an authentic workshop and find out how these mills were built and how they work. Have you always secretly harboured the desire to be a miller? This is where you can still learn the trade!

You will then cycle on through Dordrecht, one of the Netherlands’ oldest towns. A visit to the scenic harbour quarter with its wonderful historical buildings should not be missed. 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 Breda.

Day 4: Breda - Antwerp (74 km)

Breda is it the main city of Nassau in Holland, boasting many imposing monuments. The ancestors of the Dutch royal family converted Breda into a beautiful city with richly decorated buildings.

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 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 5: Antwerp - Ghent (78 km)

Cycling South, along the banks of the Scheldt you will start on the LF2 Cities Cycle Route, switching to the LF5 you head towards Dendermonde and Ghent. The bushes and polders show the wild and pure nature here.

At the end of the day the sparkling cultural city of Ghent is waiting for you. The Belgians call Ghent their most beautiful city and the old medieval city will undoubtedly charm you.

Day 6: Ghent - Tournai (72 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: Tournai - Cambrai (65 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: Cambrai - Saint-Quentin (50 km)

Today, you leave Cambrai by lodging the Canal de Saint-Quentin (inaugurated in 1810 by the Emperor Napoleon 1st), discover the Haute Vallée de l’Escaut. Here is a jewel: the abbey of Vaucelles (XII century). As it is presented to you today, the abbey remains an unusual construction both in its dimensions and the quality of its restoration. A few pedaling strokes and you pass the sources of l’Escaut, the famous river that you follow for kilometers and whose course flows into the North Sea in Netherlands.

Continue on towards the Touage Museum, this route takes you through small hilly roads between villages devoted to agriculture and memorial sites of the Great War: cemeteries, memorials and vestiges of the Hindenburg line. Find the canal and its cycle path to finally reach Saint Quentin. Discover its streets with Art Deco houses, the details of which deserve to be spotted. It is the style adopted during the rebuilding of the city, which was hardly destroyed during the Great War and once again became a dynamic city, the economic capital of Haute Picardie.

Day 9: Saint-Quentin - Compiègne (77 km)

On the way to Compiegne, through the fertile valley of the Oise. The itinerary takes again the cycle path of the canals, to the discovery of Chauny. You cross vast natural areas with more than 200 species of birds. Continue towards Noyon, the route continues along the canal. Noyon is listed as a city of Art and History: medieval atmosphere around the cathedral which saw the coronation of Hugues Capet in 987. Then return to the shared tracks where a stop at the abbey of Ourscamp is recommended.

A large town bordering the forest, a palace opening towards wooded immensities, these are the first impressions that Compiègne leaves. The city, furrowed by charming and shopping streets, has museums with varied collections.

Day 10: Compiègne - Chantilly/Senlis (65 km)

Your journey starts in the forest of Compiègne and then goes up the Automne river which gave its name to this valley, called the 35 bell-towers. You pass close to Béthisy-Saint-Pierre which is worth a detour. To finally cross the "plateau" of Nery but the slope is soft ! You cross the forest of Halatte before reaching the charming medieval town of Senlis. An ancient foundation, a royal residence during the Middle Ages, the city preserves its rich history and has several museums. Its protected environment of 40 ha is particularly appreciated by filmmakers. And finally, you reach Chantilly, world renown for its castle (sometimes compared to a castle of the Loire), its Great Stables, its porcelain, its lace and its gastronomy (yes the famous cream Chantilly would have been invented here).

Day 11: Chantilly/Senlis - Paris (65 km)

Last day by bike before arriving in the City of Light, the culmination of your journey!

Leave Senlis and cycle in the forest for an itinerary in the heart of nature. No crossing of village to the doors of the region “Ile de France”: guaranteed change of scenery with these great pines and this sandy soil you will be able to believe you are in the Landes, south west of France!

From Gressy to Paris, the route follows the nice cycle track of the Canal de l’Ourcq, a rural setting on the last 30 kilometers for a safe entrance into Paris, far from cars! Crossing the capital along the Canal de l’Ourcq and Canal Saint-Martin really allows us to dive into a history book, an open-air museum.

Day 12: Breakfast in Paris

End of your trip after breakfast. However, we definitely advise you to extend your stay in order to take the time to explore the wonderful city of Paris.
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.
Getting There

Getting There

We recommend flying to Amsterdam Schiphol airport to reach the starting point of 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 Voyages SNCF 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.
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

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.

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.

2019 Cycling Holiday Prices:

Season	Date Band	Arrival Day
Season 1:	20.06. - 29.08.2019	20/06; 11/07; 25/07; 15/08; 29/08;
Season 1:	21.07. - 04.08.2019	21/07; 04/08; (Paris to Amsterdam only)

Category A Information:

Season	Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1:	£1239
Season 1: (from Paris)	£1489
E-Bike Upgrade:	£119

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
Paris:	£on request

Date From	Date To
20 June 2019	29 August 2019

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