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A Spring cycling break in Holland, designed specifically to showcase the extensive tulip fields to the west of Amsterdam. You’ll spend your first night in the city before embarking on a 3 day lazy loop ride through the tulip fields. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the stunning Keukenhof Flower Gardens.
If you’ve ever wanted to witness the amazing carpets of colour created by millions of tulips grown for the world-wide flower trade then this is the tour for you.
Cycling through the polder landscape
Each spring, usually between the beginning of April and mid May, the extensive bulb fields between Haarlem and Leiden to the west of Amsterdam burst into life. Being a natural phenomenon, it’s hard to say exactly when they will be at their absolute best but travel during this period and the chances are good that you’ll be rewarded.
You’ll spend your first night in Amsterdam where you can enjoy the many sights and attractions this unique and friendly city has to offer. Take a canal tour and learn about the tall narrow merchants’ houses that typify the historic old town. Take in some old masters works at the Rijksmuseum and Van Gough Museum. Of course there is also the moving Anne Frank Museum and the pleasure of simply wondering the network of charming canal-lined streets.
The next day you set off on the bikes following a network of well-maintained cycle paths out into the countryside. Before long you’ll see your first tulip fields and from there on you are surrounded by seas of colour. You’ll spend a night in the delightful old town of Haarlem before heading south, through more tulip fields, to the Keukenhof Flower Gardens. Allow plenty of time for your visit as there are 32 hectares of carefully manicured gardens supporting seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. You spend the night in the bustling university town of Leiden before wending your way back to Amsterdam along the Amstel River for your final night in the old city.
The cycling is flat and on well-marked cycle paths. As such, this holiday is graded easy and can be enjoyed by anyone with a basic level of fitness. E-bikes are also available for anyone who feels they might need a little assistance.
On arrival in Amsterdam, check-in to your hotel and then enjoy the rest of the day exploring this fascinating city. The seventeenth century canal-ring centre is a World Heritage Site and feels more like a bustling small town than a big city. The compact, cobbled streets are perfect for exploring on foot and there’s plenty to see from the world famous sights such as the Anne Frank Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gough Museum to simply enjoying the lively vibe of the street cafes and bars that line the canal streets.
Your cycling holiday starts in earnest today as you leave the hustle and bustle behind and follow a network of cycle paths out into the countryside. Heading east, you enter a region called South Kennemerland. In the small village of Cruquius we recommend a break to visit the fascinating and impressive Cruquius Museum which houses the world’s largest steam engine. The museum is dedicated to Hollands never-ending struggle with water and a demonstration of the steam engine’s power – it can drain an olympic size swimming pool in 8 minutes – should not be missed. A little further on you are greeted with your first view of the tulip fields. Your route then veers north, through more bulb fields before ending in Haarlem – a charming old town with a beautiful central square.
Spend the morning exploring the winding streets of Haarlem further. The town is famous for its “hofjes“, tiny kitchen gardens with a water pump surrounded by alms houses. In a bygone age the occupants of these houses would share the water pump and grow vegetables in the small garden. Then it’s back on the bike for a glorious ride through a kaleidoscope of colour as you head south through a plethora of tulip fields. We also recommend a stop at the wonderful Keukenhof Flower Gardens – 32 hectares of carefully manicured gardens supporting seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths (not included). Many consider the Keukenhof Gardens to be worthy of a full day’s visit to fully appreciate them. Talk to us about adding an extra night to your holiday if this option appeals. Your day ends in Leiden, an old university town with a lively and attractive centre.
Today you wend your way back to Amsterdam. The route leads you through the ‘Green Heart’ of Holland, a peaceful, rural region that is a joy to cycle through. After a while you reach the River Amstel and you follow the river (which gave Amsterdam its name) past pretty villages and grand manor houses, right into the heart of Amsterdam itself. Now all that remains is to find a cosy little restaurant to celebrate completing your Tulips and Amsterdam cycling adventure.
After breakfast it’s time to head for home or your next adventure.
On this tour you can choose between a regular bike or an E-bike.
Regular bike: Is an alloy framed model with 21 speeds and a comfortable, relaxed riding position, perfect for a leisure cycling holiday. The minimum height for a male specific bike with crossbar is 150cm and for a unisex/female model is 140cm. Adult bikes are equipped with a pannier, lock and repair kit.
E-BIKES: These unisex/step through electric bikes are a popular option on this route and ensure riders can enjoy the scenery along the way, whilst not working too hard at the climbs. The bikes come equipped with a pannier, lock and repair kit. The minimum height is 160cm.
We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons, alternatively helmets for adults only are available for rent at the time of booking.
Below you will find examples of the accommodations typically used on this tour. Please note that the hotels we book for you may differ slightly from those described but they will certainly be of a similar standard.
Superior: Good quality hotels and guesthouses.
Amsterdam: WestCord Art Hotel
Haarlem: Hotel Lion d’Or
Leiden: Tulip Inn Leiden Centre
Local taxes
Some hotels in some countries have started to charge a local/tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or checkout at the hotels. This fee varies and is ever changing but as a guide, you may be asked to pay between €1-€4 per person per night.
Fly to Amsterdam or take the Eurostar.
Research flights from the UK here
Research Eurostar from UK here
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