Holland Bike Tour

Meet our guides at the Zwolle train station where the adventure begins. Our bikes await in Elburg, a scenic nearby town surrounded by 13th-century fortifications. Enjoy a light lunch of bitterballen and local delicacies before a bike fitting and safety talk, then cycle from the town gates into the countryside. Quiet, scenic bike paths and forest roads lead us to our first hotel: the Relais and Châteaux property Hotel Landgoede Het Roode Koper. Get settled then join a local historian how the people of this area risked their lives to hide Jewish citizens during WWII. Tonight we’ll gather for cocktails before an elegant dinner that sets the tone for the incredible week ahead.

Today we head southeast towards the bustling city of Utrecht. Our route begins in the countryside and takes us along the Zeedijk sea dike to the scenic seaport of Spakenburg, a historic fishing village since the Middle Ages. After lunch, a local welcomes us to his botter shipyard to see how artisans craft and maintain these traditional fishing vessels. Cycle or shuttle to our hotel for some downtime before one of our favorite local dining experiences.

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 dinner and a biertje tasting at a local brewery. 

Cycle past Kasteel de Haar, one of the most beautiful castles in Holland, on our way to the town of Gouda, a city made famous for smoking pipes and stunning 15th-century Gothic architecture—but mostly for its cheese. Spin along verdant country lanes for a taste at a traditional cheese aging warehouse, where we’ll discover the intricacies of cheese ripening and sample some artisanal Dutch cheeses. A short ride down the road leads to the main course: lunch at a local bistro in Oudewader. After, hop in the van for a transfer to our next hotel, the luxurious Relais & Châteaux Central Park in Voorburg. Settle into your room then spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the park-like grounds and surrounding neighborhood. Tonight you’re free to dine on your own—your guides are happy to suggest a few of their favorite local restaurants.

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.  

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 Dem Haag train station, where they will see you off.