Netherlands & Belgium: Amsterdam to Antwerp Bike Tour
Seven nights; seven days of easy and leisurely bicycle touring on paved bike routes through the heart of South Holland, Zeeland, and Flanders.
“Amazing on all counts! Gorgeous routes/rides, insanely great meals and snacks… such treasures along the way, like an alien statue on a windmill roof, Nazi bunkers along the river, and a museum of crazy inventions.” – Karen B.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Begin in the cycling capital of Amsterdam
- Flat, easy cycling on mostly car-free bike paths where the bicycle is an integral part of national identity.
- Historic windmills at Zaanse Schans.
- Springtime blooming tulip fields.
- Cheese!
- Riding through national parks such as Zuid-Kennemerland – watch for grazing Highland cattle and Shetland ponies.
- Canals linking vibrant cities of Amsterdam and Antwerp.
- Medieval gem of Bruges.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Daily Distance:
- DAY 1: Introductions, ~65 km
- DAY 2: ~87 km
- DAY 3: ~72 km
- DAY 4: ~79 km
- DAY 5: ~55 km
- DAY 6: ~45 km
- DAY 7: Up to ~90 km
- DAY 8: Farewells
Netherlands & Belgium: Amsterdam to Antwerp Bike – Elevation Profile
(Click image to enlarge)
“Truly unbelievable care and thought…you gave us a superb holiday with many cherished memories” – Joan H. & Richard van S.
Elevation Profile
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: Amsterdam, Movenpick Hotel Amsterdam, 09:00, day one.
Finish: Antwerp, following breakfast on day eight.
Please contact us to arrange alternate plans, if necessary.
Amsterdam to Zaandam 65km
Meet at 09:00 in the lobby of the Movenpick Hotel Amsterdam or another pre-determined location in Amsterdam. After a quick introduction, rental equipment familiarization and safety talk you’ll board a short ferry across the IJ and begin cycling north to the village of Marken. Another ferry will take you to the small city of Volendam, known for its traditional clothing and traditional Edammer cheese. From here you will cycle a short distance further to an area immortalized by Monet is his painting A Windmill at Zaandam. LD (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfast only)
Inntel Hotels, Zaandam
Zaandam to Noordwijk 87km
Begin cycling toward the North Sea Coast then head west through the dunes of Zuid-Kennemerland and into the tulip fields near Lisse. The gardens at Keukenhof are world renowned and spring time visitors may choose to spend as much time there as they wish before the final stretch into the seaside town of Noordwijk. Those who skip the garden visit may arrive in time for an afternoon swim at the nearby beaches. BL
Vesper Hotel, or Villa De Duinen, Noordwijk
Noordwijk to Rockanje 72km
Enjoy an easy ride today following canals and bike paths through the cities of The Hague and Delft, a charming medieval place with canal lined streets, magnificent architecture, and known as the haunt of Golden Age painter Johannes Veermer. You will ferry across Rotterdam Harbour and cycle into the fortified town of Brielle before continuing on to your hotel. With origins dating back to the early 14th century, Brielle is steeped in history and includes some 400 buildings and structures that are recognized on the national heritage list. BD
Badhotel Rockanje, or Boutique Hotel De Oude Veste, Hellevoetsluis
Rockanje to Veere 79km
Today’s leisurely ride will take you through many small towns and villages each offering a pleasant distraction be it a simple coffee and cake or a refreshing beer. You ride will lead you across several dykes many of them spotted with windmills both new and old-fashioned. Beaches throughout the day will tempt you during the warm summer months as you make your way toward the picturesque town of Veere on the northeast coast of Walcheren Island. Here you can visit the “The Lammeken” and “The Struijs”, two historic properties that attest to the community’s deep relationship with Scotland. BLD
‘t Waepen van Veere, Veere
Veere to Bruges 55km
Pass through Middelburg, the capital of Zeeland, then to Vlissingen and the pedestrian/bicyclist ferry to Breskens. A little more along the North Sea Coast before turning inland to Sluis and following quiet canal pathways to the medieval gem of Bruges. You’ll spend just enough time in Bruges to become used to cycling its cobblestone streets. B
The Pand Hotel, or Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce, Bruges
Bruges to Ghent 45km
You can linger in Bruges this morning before a short and easy bike ride along the canal path to Ghent, a vibrant modern city with a rich medieval past. In the middle ages, Ghent was one of Europe’s largest and wealthiest cities; today, it is a balanced setting of medieval charm amid cosmopolitan chic. You’ll have time to explore the many highlights of the city’s car free center including, the Graslei, the Belfort, the Gravensteen, and St. Bavo’s Cathedral which is home to the renowned Ghent Alterpiece and the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. BL
Ghent River Hotel, or Hotel De Flandre, Ghent
Ghent to Antwerp 90km
Your destination today is Antwerp, a bustling city with a sense of place that makes visiting it relaxing and fun, often leaving one with a strong desire for more. Today’s route follows the meandering course of the Scheldt River into the heart of Antwerp. The city’s attractions are enough to fill several days; noteworthy sites include Rubens House, the Plantin Moretus Museum, and the Stadhuis and Grote Markt. You may also want to visit Middelheim Park, a permanent open-air exhibition of modern sculpture, including work by famous artists such as Rodin, Hans Arp, and Henry Moore. BLD
Hotel Sandt, or De Witte Lelie, Antwerp
Farewells
Your tour concludes this morning following breakfast. Trains to Amsterdam or other European centers are frequent but you may want to consider an extra night in here to experience more of this fascinating city; ask us to help arrange extra lodging on your behalf. B
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SCHEDULED DATES
2023 Guided dates:
- Apr 16 – 23
- Jun 11 – 18
- Sep 3 – 10
2024 Guided dates:
- Apr 14 – 21
- Jun 9 – 16
- Sep 1 – 8
Self-Guided available any dates, except for those listed above. New dates are also welcomed for guided or private departures.
PRICING
Guided: C 4795 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners, guide and van support, maps, route instructions, luggage handling, taxes
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Self-Guided: C 3995 (per person, double occupancy)
includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, maps and route innstructions, inn to inn luggage transfers, on-call support, taxes
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Single Occupancy: 1295
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid-Fitness: 295
Electric-Assist: 475
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly, and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided date, this usually comes at a surcharge depending on the details, please get in touch for more information. If you prefer self-guided, we usually only require two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and can sometimes reduce prices for you if you have four or more.
More Reading:
Delve into the history, culture and geography of the Netherlands and Belgium on this flat and leisurely bike ride linking Amsterdam and Antwerp, two of Europe’s most historic cities. This region appears made for the bicycle; the tulips, cheeses, dykes, canals and windmills enhance the intrinsic pleasure of cycling one of the world’s best developed bicycling networks, beside the friendly, practical, and charming Dutch populace that use the routes on a daily basis. The countryside here is a quilt of colour from spring to fall, as the crops of tulip, hyacinth, daffodil, narcissus, and crocus give way to canola, sunflowers and potatoes as the seasons progress. Cycling along the North Sea coast, you will also be amazed to see firsthand the effort and engineering ingenuity the Dutch have invested in their dyke systems. The recently finished “Delta Works” took over 30 years to complete, and are designed to protect a large part of the country against such massive flooding incidents as the numerous ones in the 13th century that left their toll on the people here and their way of life.
We recommend arriving in Amsterdam a few days early. Bikes are in amazing abundance here and beyond the multitude of sites and museums you’ll be tempted by opportunities to explore several great bike rides through the city and surrounding countryside.
