Amsterdam to Brussels by Bike

Make your own way to Amsterdam and check into the first hotel. Amsterdam is one of Europe's crown jewels - there is so much to do and see here. If you arrive early make sure you go for a walk to marvel at the 17th century townhouses in the World Heritage listed canal district. The Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Vondelpark or a canal cruise are just some of the things you can do and see in Amsterdam. If you prefer to roam off the beaten track, saunter up Brouwersgracht or hire a canal bike and see the city from the water. The usual hotel is a comfortable 3* in Amsterdam. There's the option to upgrade to a neighbouring 4* hotel - must be requested at time of booking, a supplement applies.

From bustling Amsterdam you ride into the peace and quiet of the 'Green Heart', a pleasant rural area of low-lying polders with peat meadows and grazing cattle. It’s a flat, open, spacious landscape with church spires and windmills , and clouds reflected in lakes and canals. Idyllic! Continuing through a typically Dutch polder landscape with grassland criss-crossed by ditches and canals, you'll pass small farming communities and picturesque historical towns. Oudewater is famous for it Heksenwaag (or Witches Weighhouse) where women accused of witchcraft were weighed to prove their innocence. End the day in medieval Gouda*. Amble through the beautifully preserved town centre and visit the old town hall and St John’s church. Stop off at a bakery to buy fresh syrup waffles (Gouda is the hometown of syrup waffles) and the famous Gouda cheese. *Due to availability, it's possible you will stay in Oudewater instead of Gouda tonight.

During today's cycle you will visit one of the Netherland's most popular attractions, Kinderdijk, where 19 windmills have been standing majestically since 1740. They were used to drain excess water from the low-lying polder up into the River Lek. One of the mills is open to the public. Your destination is Papendrecht, a ferry crossing (or 3km) from one of the Netherlands' oldest towns, Dordrecht. Dordrecht is completely surrounded by rivers, and beautiful bridges take you across the water and into the heart of the town. A visit to the scenic harbour quarter with its wonderful historical buildings should not be missed. Overnight in Papendrecht.

This morning you will cycle past one of the few remaining freshwater tidal areas in Europe: Biesbosch National Park*. You'll pedal across a 1km-long bridge high above the Diep river and find yourself in the Brabant province. Passing village after village, why not stop for coffee and a big slice of fruit tart.? Today's destination is Bergen op Zoom, 800 hundred years old and where the narrow streets, old squares and hundreds of monuments testify to a rich and dramatic past. Before settling in at one of the many cafes, feast your eyes on Markiezenhof, the town's pride and joy. This late-Gothic mansion dating from 1485 was built by the local noble family and now serves as a museum and archive. Overnight in Bergen op Zoom. *Please note you will only cycle through de Biesbosch park on days that the ferry departs. If the ferry does not operate you will follow an alternative route.

The landscape today is dominated by the surrounding woods. You can catch your breath on the border between the Netherlands and Belgium, in the De Zoom-Kalmthoutse Heide, a lovely cross-border nature reserve. Continue along the Scheldekaaien (quays on the River Scheldt) right into the historical heart of Antwerp. Antwerp is the largest town in Flanders and is Belgium's most important port city. After viewing the historical town centre you might like to venture to the hip parts of the city: ‘t Zuid and Het Eilandje. If you have worked up a thirst for Belgian beer you can visit the De Koninck brewery, operating since 1833, and its visitors centre which welcomes guests with tours and tastings. This brewery is best known for its ‘Bollekes’. Overnight in Antwerp.

Cycling via the countryside south of Antwerp you will arrive at Rumst, where the rivers Nete and Dijle converge with the Rupel, the shortest river in the country at just 10 km long. Cycling along the River Dijle, you enter the age-old town of Mechelen right up to the church tower of St Rombold’s cathedral. This looks like a good place to stop for lunch. Belgian French fries, by the way, are the best in the world. Continue along the River Dijle to crown your day in the university town of Louvain. It’s a pleasant town where the oldest houses date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Don’t miss the Grand Béguinage. With 100 houses, it was set up in 1234 as a community for spinsters and is now it’part of the university campus. You also might like to see the early-Gothic church of St John the Baptist (1304). Round off your explorations on the Oude Markt (Old Market Square), nicknamed ‘the longest bar counter in the world’ due to the enormous number of bars and cafes on the square. Overnight Leuven/Louvain. There is also a shorter (but perhaps less scenic) route of 63km/39.3mi along the Leuven-Dijle canal.

The hills of the Belgian Brabant region and the extensive Sonian Forest set the scene for today's cycle. If you don’t feel like cycling into Brussels, you can take a train at one of the stations along the route. Brussels' main attraction is the fantastic Grote Markt (Great Market Square) which is surrounded by opulent guildhalls, the city's Town Hall, and the King's House building containing a museum. Nearby, the little statue of Manneken Pis draws crowds. Your visit to Brussels can also include scrumptious hot waffles, chocolate, beer, culinary treats, shopping or soaking up the culture. We are happy to assist with booking extra nights if you would like to extend your stay in Brussels.

The trip concludes this morning in Brussels after breakfast.