Cycling holidays between Holland and Belgium
Cycling trip vom Bruges to Amsterdam
The flat cycle paths through the cultural landscape worth seeing and the impressive historical testimonies of the region of South Holland and Flanders offer countless impressive cycle tour experiences. Discover the typical Dutch polder landscape with enchanting little villages and the famous windmills of Kinderdijk. In Belgium, old Hanseatic towns exude medieval flair and entice you with world-class art treasures worth seeing. The chic cafés and restaurants offer countless opportunities to sample the excellent Belgian cuisine. With its numerous waterways, the region between Amsterdam and Bruges is perfect for exploring by bike & boat. With our comfortable river cruise ships, you always have your floating hotel with you and discover the region by water and by land.
Belgian-Dutch cycle routes
You cycle through two countries on this tour from Amsterdam to Bruges on flat, well-paved and signposted cycle paths and small side roads through the countryside. This also makes this route suitable for families.
Monuments and windmills
Start in Bruges with its unrivalled medieval atmosphere. The city, criss-crossed by picturesque canals and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, impresses with highlights such as the 83 metre high Belfry. Those who climb the 366 steps are rewarded with a spectacular view over the city and its surroundings. The harbour town of Vlissingen on the North Sea coast attracts visitors with its beautiful beach and the Maritime Museum Zeeland, which offers an insight into the maritime history of the region. Over 500 monuments and a picturesque harbour await you in Zierikzee, while Middelburg, the capital of Zeeland, boasts an impressive 1,100 historic buildings. Dordrecht, the oldest city in the Netherlands, fascinates with its thousands of monuments and romantic alleyways. Stroll along the Dordrecht merchants' houses on the quay walls or visit the historic fortifications from the 17th and 18th centuries in Willemstad. You will come across iconic windmills all over the Netherlands, especially in Kinderdijk, where you can discover 19 of them. Continue to Gouda, which is not only famous for its cheese, but also impresses with its pretty town hall and the history of the humanist Erasmus. Finally, Amsterdam awaits you, where you can walk along canals and canals to the Anne Frank House and marvel at famous paintings by Van Gogh and Rembrandt in the Rijksmuseum.
Stages in Bruges and Amsterdam
In Bruges, visit the restored 19th century baroque theatre Stadsschouwburg Theatre and the fantastic Concertgebouw, designed by Paul Robbrecht and Hilde Daem, one of the most famous concert halls in the world with unique acoustics. Amsterdam is the cultural capital of the Netherlands and is full of theatres: if you don't speak Dutch, you can still enjoy English comedy at the Boom Chicago and the Comedy Café or one of the countless ballet and concert performances, operas or musicals in the theatres around Leidseplein: De Balie, opposite the historic Stadsshouwburg municipal theatre, the Muziektheater on Waterlooplein with the National Ballet and the National Opera.
Poffertjes and Bitterballen
Goudse Kaas, the famous Gouda cheese, is probably one of the first things that comes to mind when you think of Dutch cuisine. But the Dutch culinary scene has much more to offer: Be sure to try bitterballen, small, deep-fried balls with a creamy beef filling. Haring, the typical raw herring, is often served as a starter, traditionally garnished with onions and gherkins. The national dish stamppot is a savoury stew made from mashed potatoes, various vegetables and smoked ham - a real comfort food. For those with a sweet tooth, pannekoeken are a must: large pancakes that can be topped with both sweet and savoury toppings. Also popular are poffertjes, small fluffy pancakes baked in special pans and usually served with icing sugar. If you are travelling to Belgium, don't miss the legendary Belgian fries - golden brown, crispy and simply irresistible!
Through the green heart
You cycle through the idyllic ‘Green Heart’ of the Netherlands, a unique nature reserve characterised by extensive polder landscapes, grassy dykes, glistening lakes, winding rivers, ditches and picturesque wetlands. Along the way, you will encounter peacefully grazing cows, numerous grazing birds and frogs resting on water lily pads. The ditches criss-cross the meadows and pastures, dividing the landscape into characteristic plots - a fascinatingly organised, natural backdrop. The Dutch North Sea coast attracts visitors with its beautiful, seemingly endless sandy beaches and dunes, which are home to an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna. A particular highlight is the Dutch Wadden Sea, which is rightly a UNESCO World Heritage Site and enchants visitors with its impressive beauty and ecological significance.
