Holland Bike Tour

Meet our guides at the Gouda train station where our adventure begins. After a bike fitting and safety briefing, set out on a ride into a scenic landscape threaded with picturesque waterways. Our destination is the village of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed or its magnificent 18th-century windmills. Break for a light lunch at a vibrant waterfront café then transfer to Voorburg, where we’ll stop to admire Molen de Vlieger—an authentic polder mill built in 1621—en route to our luxurious Relais and Châteaux hotel. Settle into your room then spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the park-like grounds and surrounding neighborhood. Tonight we’ll gather for cocktails before an elegant dinner in the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant.

Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Kinderdijk, Voorburg
Accomplished: 22 miles / 36 km, elevation gain: 353 feet / 107 meters
Accommodations: Central Park Voorburg

Prepare for one of the most colorful rides of your life in the tulip capital of the world. After a short transfer to Lisse, the day kicks off with a visit to Keukenhof Gardens and a private tour of these expansive flower fields accompanied by an official Keukenhof guide. We’ll pedal through swathes of tulips, then continue along a breathtaking coastal bike path that winds through the dunes. After lunch at a breezy beachfront restaurant, cruise back to Voorburg for some well-earned downtime at our boutique hotel. Later, we’ll regroup and head to dinner at a delightful local bistro.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Lisse, Noordwijk Aan Zee
Accomplished: 26 miles / 42 km, elevation gain: 749 feet / 228 meters
Accommodations: Central Park Voorburg

This morning we’ll take a short transfer to Oudewater, a medieval town best known for the Heksenwaag—the Witches’ Weighing House—where giant scales were used from the 16th to the 18th-centuries to weigh people accused of witchcraft. From here, spin along verdant country lanes to a traditional cheese aging warehouse, where we’ll discover the intricacies of cheese ripening and taste a selection of artisanal Dutch cheeses. Our ride continues past Kasteel de Haar, one of the most beautiful castles in Holland, before stopping for lunch at a charming family-owned farm. Afterward, choose to bike the rest of the way or transfer to the Grand Hotel Karel V, a stylish five-star retreat in the heart of Utrecht. The rest of the afternoon is yours: unwind in the sauna or sip an après velo cocktail in the hotel’s chic lounge. Tonight you’re free to dine on your own—your guides are happy to suggest a few of their favorite local restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Oudewater, Utrecht
Accomplished: 22 miles / 36 km, elevation gain: 403 feet / 136 meters
Accommodations: Grand Hotel Karel V Utrecht

Today we head north along Utrecht’s waterways and through the countryside dotted with tidy villages and brick castles. We pause at a working windmill and take a look inside to better understand how these ubiquitous structures keep the locals’ feet dry by pumping water away from the lowlands. Continue pedaling along the Rijn back towards Utrecht and enjoy lunch beside the canal. Utrecht offers all the appeal of Amsterdam but remains relatively under the radar—see what we love about this city as you spend the rest of the day exploring cobbled streets and canals before regrouping for one of our favorite local dining experiences.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Utrecht, Maarssenbroek, Loosdrecht
Accomplished: 27 miles / 43 km, elevation gain: 420 feet / 128 meterss
Longer Option: 38 miles / 61 km, elevation gain: 617 feet / 188 meters
Accommodations: Grand Hotel Karel V Utrecht

Today we head northeast toward the scenic seaport of Spakenburg, a historic fishing village where the picturesque harbor is dotted with fishermen’s cottages and classic wooden fishing boats. After lunch, our local friend welcomes us to his botter shipyard to see how artisans craft and maintain these traditional fishing vessels. Continue cycling or shuttle to our final hotel: the Relais and Châteaux Hotel Landgoede Het Roode Koper. Get settled then join a local historian to hear how the people of this area risked their lives to hide Jewish citizens during WWII. Tonight, we’ll raise a glass to a wonderful week together before enjoying a seasonal dinner in our hotel’s gourmet restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Laage Vuursche, Spakenburg, Putten
Accomplished: 26 miles / 42 km, elevation gain: 620 feet / 189 meters
Longer Option: 46 miles / 74 km, elevation gain: 1,117 feet / 312 meters
Accommodations: Het Roode Koper

Today we’ll bid the Netherlands dag as we say goodbye to this beautiful country. After a long, leisurely breakfast or optional morning loop ride, your guides will transfer you to the Ermelo train station, where they will see you off.

Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Ermelo