Amsterdam, cheese, pancakes, North Sea Dunes, windmills, tulips and dikes - experience the highlights of Holland on this five day cycling break.
This part of the country fits the image that most people have of Holland with its windmills, canals and dikes. You also cycle through polders which consist of many rectangles of damp meadows, separated by ditches and encompassed by dikes and canals. This cycle tour will also take you to the dunes on the North Sea coast which not only protect the hinterland from the sea, but also harbour many species of dune flora and fauna.
Experience cycling along the coast of the former Zuiderzee (now Lake IJsselmeer) and visits to the typical and characterful small towns of Edam and Volendam. Your tour would not be complete without a visit to attractive Amsterdam and the 17th century canal ring which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
DAY 1: Arrival in Amsterdam
Wander around the gorgeous and surprisingly peaceful seventeenth century canal ring area (World Heritage Site). Make your way to the city’s famous squares: Dam, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein. Should you prefer to roam off the beaten track, saunter up Brouwersgracht or hire a canal bike and find out what the city looks like from the water.
Overnight: Amsterdam Hotel
DAY 2: Cycle to Volendam - 37km
Today you will cycle along Lake Markermeer past and through villages such as Volendam and Monnickendam. The beautiful stone houses in the distinctive heart of catholic fishing village Volendam seem to have been drawn up without an organised street plan.
Overnight: Volendam Hotel
DAY 3: Cycle to Alkmaar - 51km
With differing landscapes as your backdrop today you begin in Edam a pretty, historical village. In its heyday, in the 17th Century Golden Age, it was a town of shipbuilders and traders. The well-preserved buildings in the centre date back to this period. Go for a stroll and enjoy the bridges, squares, gables, canals and other monuments. In summer you’ll love the weekly traditional cheese market on Wednesdays.
Cycle next from the coast of Lake Markemeer atop an old “sea dike” of the former Zuiderzee, and through polders such as Schermer and Beemster (World Heritage Site) which were drained many centuries ago. As you approach Alkmaar you will see the spectacular sea dunes in the distance. If you are here on a Thursday there is a famous cheese market.
Overnight: Akmaar Hotel
DAY 4: Cycle to Amsterdam - 60km
This stretch of the tour is very diverse. Zaanse Schans is a recreated (inhabited) neighbourhood in the style typical of this area on the River Zaan in the 17/18th Century; beautiful dark green wooden buildings, bridges and windmills. See clog, cheese and tin making demonstrations. Treat yourself to a pancake at Pancake Restaurant De Kraai, a former grain barn.
From here, make your way to Amsterdam, a city that will welcome you with romantic canals, bridges and... more than 800,000 bicycles! Amsterdam is for exploring. There is so much to see and do. Whether you like, art, culture, an evening out or just looking around the canal area, you’ll have a great time. A canal boat trip is a great way to get a better look at the canal houses.
Overnight: Amsterdam Hotel
DAY 5: Onward Travel
After breakfast in your hotel, commence your onward travel.
Accommodation
We specifically select your accommodation to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to cyclists, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We aim to give you an authentic experience and use local family run accommodations in 3* and 4* traditional Hotels.
Alternative Accommodation
During the high season, you might be booked into alternative
accommodations which are not listed in the description. Any alternative
accommodation will be of the same standard as those described.
Single Rooms
If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.
Solo Cyclists
This holiday is available for solo cyclists but we would recommend that you are experienced in cycling and navigating alone. If you are travelling solo the holiday is slightly more expensive as some costs are not shared.
Additional Nights
You can add additional nights at any point along the cycle, please contact us for more details and we can add this to the booking.
Meals
A delicious breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included although you can add dinner as a prepaid option. Dinner is also available at nearby pubs or restaurants.
Baggage Transfer
Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
Time of Year
The best time for cycling is during the spring months between April and May when the weather is a little cooler and the flowers are in bloom. Summer is also a very good time as the weather is fair and you have the opportunity for visiting the summer cheese markets.
Grade & Terrain
This cycling tour is graded Easy to Moderate. Your cycling route follows a mixture of quiet country roads, lanes and tracks. The route is very flat with one long day at 69km, while the remaining days are between 26km and 36km. You should be a regular cyclist and have a good level of fitness to get the most from this holiday. The route follows designated cycle lanes, paths and quiet country roads.
Navigation, Route Notes & Maps
We supply you with detailed turn by turn route descriptions, detailed maps and a comprehensive pre departure information pack.The cycle routes in Holland are comprehensively way marked and much of the route finding is a “follow the numbers” exercise so you will have absolutely no problem following the route.
Rental Bikes
|
|
Brand |
Batavus |
Bike Type |
Hybrid, Road |
Frame types |
gents, ladies |
Sizes |
G: 51, 57, 61 / L:45, 49, 53, 57 cm |
Front suspension |
no |
Stand |
yes |
Mud guards |
yes |
Luggage rack Rear/Front |
Yes/no |
Paniers |
Yes 1 |
Handle bar Bag/ map holder |
no/no |
Bottle holder/Water bottle |
Yes/no |
Computer meter |
yes |
Interchangeable pedals |
yes |
Front gear set |
3 |
Back gear set |
8 |
Brakes |
V-brake |
Helmet included |
No |
Puncture repair kit |
Yes |
Spare inner tubes/ how many |
no |
Pump |
Yes |
Lock |
Yes |

Travel Insurance
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.
General Information
The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and trousers), sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard cycling gear such as good shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
Getting to/from Amsterdam
By Air - Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is served by direct flights from most major UK and European airports.
By Ferry - Ferries depart daily between Newcastle and Amsterdam. Check DFDS Seaways for prices and booking.
Stenaline also run ferries 7 days a week from Harwich to Hook of Holland, while daily ferries between Hull and Rotterdam are run by P&O Ferries.
By Train - Amsterdam is linked with London, either via Paris or Brussels (around 5 hours) by high speed train. Visit Rail Europe for prices and booking.
By Car - For directions to your accommodation in Amsterdam please see the Hotel Casa400 website. Parking is available at a special rate of €12.50 a day.
Included
- 4 nights in 3/4* hotels.
- 4 Breakfasts.
- Daily luggage transport (1 bag per person/ max. 20 kg).
- Panniers to carry your day pack.
- Detailed route descriptions and maps on arrival.
- Pre-departure Information pack.
- 24-hour assistance by phone.
Excluded
- Drinks, snacks and lunches and dinners.
- Travel to /from Amsterdam.
- Bike hire - May be booked as an option.
- Personal equipment.
- Travel insurance - Adequate travel insurance is a prerequisite on all bookings.
- Entrance fees to museums and attractions.
- Any items not specifically mentioned in the program.
Extras
- Additional nights accommodation.
- Bike hire.
- Pre-book evening meals.
- Single room supplement(s) if applicable.
- Solo cyclists supplement if applicable.
- Airport/taxi transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are often asked the following questions and I hope that you will find the answers useful. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries.
How fit do I need to be?
The cycling is graded easy to moderate so you will enjoy the holiday more if you already enjoy an active lifestyle. Daily cycles are a mixture of quiet country lanes and minor roads. If you have a good level of fitness you will have no problem with the cycle
Which is the best airport to fly to?
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is served by direct flights from most major UK and European airports.
How far in advance do I need to book?
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as this holiday is extremely popular especially in the spring months when Hollands flowers are in bloom. Please note you can start this holiday on any day of the week. You will find up to date availability on our website and we will always try and accommodate your plans.
What personal equipment do I need?
You will need comfortable cycling clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack, warm clothing in the early/late part of the year and hats etc during the summer. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.
When is the best time of year?
The best time for cycling is during the spring months between April and May when the weather is a little cooler and the flowers are in bloom. Summer is also a very good time as the weather is fair and you have the opportunity for visiting the summer cheese markets.