Cycling through the Netherlands

Explore one of the most fertile landscapes in Europe, a verdant peninsula situated between the great sand dunes of the North Sea and the pleasant shores of Ijsselmeer. A perfect landscape for discovering on two wheels, you will cycle along quiet country roads and well-appointed cycle paths.

You will see typically Dutch sights; from the picturesque tulip-growing villages of the northern dunes to idyllic fishing harbours on the eastern seaboard. The landscape is surprisingly diverse, from stretches of sand to shady woodland paths. In the Spring, the route heads north to the seemingly endless fields of brightly coloured tulips. You'll cycle along the coast down to the former island of Marken, where the local inhabitants wear traditional, vivid costumes throughout the summer. You'll stop by Durgerdam on the marshes of Ijmeer to see typical Dutch views of bridges, canals, the Markermeer and traditional dike-houses. This is also a perfect place for bird watching - ducks, geese and waders are common. On the last day of your trip, enjoy a day exploring Amsterdam, either by bike or on foot. Don’t miss the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, and the many cozy cafes and restaurants.

The start point Hotel Igesz is situated on the bustling market square in Schagen. Comfortable and modern, it also incorporates parts of a reconstructed castle, Slot Schagen, that once stood on the site.

Traveller Reviews of This Trip

This is the third cycling holiday we had been on with Inntravel, and once again we really enjoyed the holiday. The routes were very good, and we saw a wide variety of countryside, and interesting towns and villages. I don't think you highlight that there is quite a lot of birdlife to see in certain seasons. We saw lots of geese with young, spoonbills, avocets, great crested grebes in beautiful mating plumage with chicks, also coot with chicks, many herons, ducks with chicks etc. There were strong winds when we were cycling, and the route from Schagen to Edam presented more of a challenge than the distance suggested. Mr M Nieman, Aberdeen, 10/05/2011

For more reviews of this trip, see: Reviews of Cycling through the Netherlands