Holland: beach and towns tour

Behind the Dunes?

On endless sandy beaches, take big breaths of sea air and let your cares fly away with the wind. In Zandvoort and Scheveningen you will stay the night almost directly by the sea. Behind the dunes you’ll discover a diverse hinterland with multicoloured bulb flower fields, lovely historical towns and all sorts of tourist attractions. If you like art and culture, you’ll have a ball in the cities of Amsterdam. . Discover the special charm of the historic city center with its picturesque water channels, the lifelike people and the stately mansions. The Amsterdam Canal Belt was incorporated into the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage as a unique urban development project. The ring-shaped water channels of the historic inner city are not only an urban monumental work of art but also a symbol of the flowering of Amsterdam in the Golden Age (17th century). At that time the city was a leading hub for world trade. The friendly center of Utrecht is like a open-air museum, and almost every stone has a story to tell. The history of the city dates back to the Roman era, but the Middle Ages also left its mark on the city. And you can see that. It is situated on the border of the Roman Empire, with countless houses, churches, monuments and, of course, the characteristic quays of the rich historical past. On your bike, you’re free to stop where you want, to visit a windmill or a cheese dairy, for instance. You’ll have ample opportunity for (window) shopping and visiting museums. The terrain on this cycle tour is mostly flat except in the undulating dunes.

1. day Utrecht arriving

Utrecht can be easily reached by train from Amsterdam Airport.

2. day Utrecht – Amsterdam 60 km

Utrecht – Amsterdam

Idyllic scenery today as you cycle to Amsterdam on the banks of the lovely River Vecht. Characteristic for this area are the many stately homes and summerhouses built by rich Amsterdam merchants in the 17th and 18th Centuries. At the end of the day, Amsterdam awaits! Everyone has their own reasons for loving this remarkable city. What will yours be?

3. day Amsterdam – Zandvoort 44 km

You’ll love the elegant city of Haarlem, voted best city for shopping. Remember to look up at the façades of historical buildings and see if you can spot the pretty stepped gables. Our bike route then continues through Zuid-Kennemerland, a colourful area rich in natural beauty. In well known beach resort Zandvoort you will stay the night by the sea. Admire the unique plants and animals of the National Park Zuid-Kennemerland. Ride the network of wide bike paths or go for a great walk. Maybe see Scottis Highand cattle, Konik horses or a bison.

4. day Zandvoort – Scheveningen 40 km

Today you’ll cycle through the Dune and Bulb Region. The windswept dunes not only protect the hinterland from the sea, but also harbour many species of dune flora and fauna. April is your best bet for visiting colourful bulb fields (daffodils, hyacinths and tulips) just behind the dunes. On the coast, check out the resorts and beaches. Once you reach Scheveningen, you will be spoilt for choice of things to do.

5. day Scheveningen – Gouda 60 km

First you will cycle to The Hague, home to the government and the Queen. The city is brimming with things to do and see. You might like to take the opportunity to see Vermeer’s famous painting "The Girl with the Pearl Earring” in Mauritshuis Museum. Another favourite is Mesdag’s cylindrical Panorama of Scheveningen in 1881. After looking around The Hague, ride through open grassland to pretty "cheese town” Gouda, also known for its syrup waffles and candles. If possible, plan your holiday so you can see the Thursday morning traditional cheese market.

6. day Gouda - Bunnik 60 km

Woods, stately homes, parks, rivers, polders, lakes and marshy fens make today´s scenery. You may stop off at a cheese dairy or visit De Haar Castle. At the end of the day , explore the heart of the lively city of Utrecht. Discover the pretty Museum Quarter and admire the beautiful canal Oude Gracht. Its wharves are unique to Utrecht and make a pleasant setting for waterside cafes.

7. day Bunnik departing

After breakfast in your hotel, you will return home.

Worth knowing

Below you will find specific information about the bike trip.

Arrival by train

The train station for many international trains is Utrecht Centraal. (Timetable) From here you take the train to Bunnik (approx. 10 minutes). In Bunnik, you can call the hotel Postillion: Utrecht-Bunnik 31 (0) 306 569 222 to order a taxi. The hotel is located about 800 meters from the train station. Taxi costs about 15.00 EUR.

Train schedule information

Parking facilities at the hotel

At the hotel free parking is available, pre-booking is not necessary. These parking spaces are protected by a barrier. Not expected to be bottlenecks. Garage parking is not available.
When starting the tour in Amsterdam parking fee at start hotel is 15,00 Euro per day.

Condition of cycle paths

The stages are almost always flat. You cycle on signposted cycle paths or quiet side streets. In the dunes it is a bit hilly (slopes 2-3 meters). 90% cycling path and 10% side roads but never on main roads.

Season surcharge

Please note that we have to calculate an extra surcharge for overnight stays in Amsterdan (saturday and sunday) about 15 Euro per person and day.

Available rental bikes

Ladies and gentlemen, 21-speed gear shift with freewheel touring bike (Gazelle) and 2 saddle bags. E-bikes only with freewheel available.

7 day hotlines service

Just in case the bike chain breaks, flooding makes it impossible to continue your tour or any other nasty surprise: You can reach us seven days a week and we will do anything to help you as fast as possible.

Passport and visa requirements, health regulations

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Corona travel information:
Before booking your trip, please inform yourself about the measures in place to contain the Corona pandemic.

An up-to-date overview of applicable measures and travel and safety advice regarding Covid-19 for all countries in the EU and Switzerland can be found here:
https://reopen.europa.eu/en/

You can also find more information on our website at:
Corona virus and holiday planning

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Fort Rijnauwen

Fort Rijnauwen is tucked away in the forests between Zeist, De Bilt, Utrecht and Bunnik. This is the largest fort in the New Dutch Waterline – an impressive structure which is unique in our country because of its architecture and pristine condition. In addition to being a cultural and historical monument, the fort has also become a valuable natural habitat as a result of the many years in which it was closed to the public.

Fort Rijnauwen

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of the greatest small cities in the world. From Amsterdam canals to world-famous Amsterdam museums and historical Amsterdam sights, it is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe. Canal cruises are a popular way to see the city from the perspective of its canals.

Amsterdam

Oude Kerk, Amsterdam

A big and monumental church – De Oude Kerk (The Old Church) dominates over the Red Light District. Although originally built as a Catholic place of worship, today the Oude Kerk is one of the unique buildings expressing the national character of Dutch Protestantism. Through its exceptional architecture, high windows full of light, beautifully sculpted misericords in the choir, impressive old granite gravestones on its floor, as well as through its unique history omnipresent in the building, the Oude Kerk symbolizes the tradition and the present-day of Amsterdam.

Oude Kerk, Amsterdam

Anne Frank House, Amsterdam

For more than two years Anne Frank and her family lived in the annex of the building at Prinsengracht 263 where Anne’s father, Otto Frank, also had his business. The Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer hid there with them. The doorway to the annex was concealed behind a moveable bookcase constructed especially for this purpose. The office personnel knew of the hiding place and helped the eight people by supplying them with food and news of the outside world. On August 4th, 1944, the hiding place was betrayed. The hidden people were deported to various concentration camps. Only Otto Frank survived the war. Nowadays, the rooms at the Anne Frank House, though empty, still breathe the atmosphere of that period of time. Quotations from the diary, historical documents, photographs, film images, and original objects that belonged to those in hiding and the helpers illustrate the events that took place here. Anne’s original diary and other notebooks are on display in the museum. In the multimedia space, visitors can go on a “virtual journey” through the Anne Frank House, accessing background information about the people in hiding and World War Two. A contemporary exhibition is presented in the exhibition hall.

Anne Frank House, Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is one of the world’s most famous museums, housing more than 8,000 works of art inside one of the Netherlands’ grandest buildings.  If you’re planning to visit the museum soon, read our insider's picks of unmissable artworks and interesting features.

Amsterdam Rijksmuseum

Zandvoort aan Zee

Sandevoerde, literally translated as fort in the dunes, originated more than 700 years ago as a hamlet. The fishermen from this hamlet could easily reach the beach and the interior districts by means of this walk-through place. A part of the center of today's Zandvoort lies in this dune valley, where around 1100 geban everything. As there was no port, the fishermen used the flatbottomed boats that they towed on the beach. Apart from fishing, potato growing in the dunes between Zandvoort and Haarlem also played an important role in the 19th century. During this period, the ground water level was lowered by the application of water gain channels, which made more dune ground available for cultivation.

Zandvoort aan Zee

Scheveningen

Holland's most famous seaside resort Scheveningen has an abundance of attractions and beach pavilions. Take a stroll along the boulevard, discover the fascinating marine world at SEA LIFE, enjoy a sunset dining or dance the night away in The Hague's city centre. Pamper yourself with a stay at the Kurhaus, an elegant five-star hotel and historical health resort by the North Sea. Beach life and city life go together in The Hague!

Scheveningen

Gouda

Gouda is world famous for its cheese, syrup waffles, pipes and earthenware. Wander through narrow picturesque streets, discover interesting museums or stroll on over to one of the most beautiful market squares in Europe!

Gouda