Drenthe - Holland’s Venice
Netherlands Bike Tours
Cycling Netherlands canals along endless quaint bike paths…
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Tour Type
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Skill Level
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Length8 days
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Prices from€871 Rates
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Overview
This tour starts in Giethoorn, one of the most beautiful villages to be found in the Netherlands. Because of its many islands, creeks, and bridges, it is also called the “Venice of the North.” For cyclists, it is a real paradise: lots of small bike paths are to be found in the middle of these unique water-lands. Opposite is the National park the Swingelderveld, dominated by heath and forests. It is part of the province of Drenthe, which is world-famous for its age-old ‘hunebedden’. These impressive burial mounds can be found several times during this tour. What shouldn’t be forgotten is that this region of Holland is the least-populated area of the Netherlands. And, last but not least, during this tour you predominantly follow small bike paths that cars are forbidden to drive on. For this and many other reasons, cycling in Drenthe is truly a unique experience!
All of our guided and self-guided bicycle tours in the Netherlands can be found here.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Giethoorn
Day 2: Giethoorn: day tour of De Weerribben-Wieden National Park , 0 or 37 miles (0 or 60 km)
Day 3: Giethoorn – Dwingeloo: Drents Friese Wold National Park, 37 miles (60 km)
Day 4: Dwingeloo – Westerbork: Dwingelderveld National Park, 41 miles (65 km)
Day 5: Westerbork day tour, 0 or 41 miles (0 or 65 km)
Day 6: Westerbork – Diever: Drents Friese Wold National Park, 44 miles (70 km)
Day 7: Diever – Giethoorn, 31 miles (50 km)
Day 8: Departure from GiethoornAll distances are approximate.
Day 1: Arrival in Giethoorn
You will stay in a four star hotel that is situated on a canal north of the village, in the middle of nature. You have a short day tour available through the village. You will cross lots of small cycle-paths and wooden bridges in the historical centre.
Day 2: Giethoorn: day tour of De Weerribben-Wieden National Park , 0 or 37 miles (0 or 60 km)
Today's tour goes straight through National Park De Weerribben-Wieden, a marshland with many small islands, creeks and lakes. National Park De Weerribben-Wieden is the largest contiguous fenland of Northwest Europe. The area is an oasis of calm and wide-open space for plants, animals and humans. The Dutch themselves have chosen this area as the most beautiful place in the Netherlands several times. Near Kalenberg, all houses are situated on small islands that can only be reached by small wooden bridges: in the past fifty years nothing has changed here! Halfway through the tour you can have a break in Ossenzijl, a picturesque Dutch village with an ancient sluice and drawbridge. It is the perfect place for a break, since it is a popular day-attraction among the Dutch themselves. From one of the many terraces you can watch boats sailing by.
Day 3: Giethoorn – Dwingeloo: Drents Friese Wold National Park, 37 miles (60 km)
Today you will see ancient burial mounds in the middle of the countryside. The dolmens of Havelte (Hunebedden van Havelte) are probably not as impressive as Stonehenge, but you will have to admit that these huge stones are at least Stonehenge’s little brother and sister. Your route continues via small cycle lanes through the dense forest of Havelte. Once you have crossed the Havelter Bossen (Havelter Woods), you start cycling in the National Park Drents Friese Wold. There's a variety of landscape in a small area: forests, heath and sand drifts will all be crossed. Those who are not afraid of cycling 70 km in one day can also visit Staphorst, a town famous for people wearing traditional dress.
Day 4: Dwingeloo – Westerbork: Dwingelderveld National Park, 41 miles (65 km)
You will have breakfast at the historical and scenic 'brink' of Dwingeloo. Afterwards you will cycle for a long while in the Dwingelderveld National Park. This National Park is the largest wet heathland in Western Europe. Great views and the scents of heath and woods will dominate while cycling. There's a good chance you will see a shepherd with his sheep wandering under the blue sky.
Day 5: Westerbork day tour, 0 or 41 miles (0 or 65 km)
Seven kilometers north of Westerbork, the former Westerbork concentration camp is situated. Its function during the Second World War was to assemble Roma and Dutch Jews for transport to other Nazi concentration camps. Nowadays it is called “Herinneringscentrum (Memorial Center) Kamp Westerbork”. You can visit the former camp and its museum. Another possibility is visiting Orvelte, a museum village with a saw mill, a blacksmith and a wooden shoe maker.
If you don't wish to visit museums , you can do some easy cycling in the Drenthe countryside.
Day 6: Westerbork – Diever: Drents Friese Wold National Park, 44 miles (70 km)
From Westerbork you head west towards Diever. You will enjoy Drents Friese Wold National Park once again. Your hotel in Diever stands in a quiet loction in the middle of nature.
Day 7:Diever – Giethoorn, 31 miles (50 km)
Before leaving Drenthe, the tour takes you through the heather fields of Holtinge. The ‘Drenthe heather sheep’, the oldest race of sheep in Western Europe, lives in this area. Two impressive burial mounds near Havelte will be the last stop before cycling back to Giethoorn.
Day 8:Departure from Giethoorn
Departure following breakfastBe sure to check out all of our bike tours in Europe or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.
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Accommodation
Nice hotels and/or B&Bs.
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Inclusions
What’s Included
- 7 nights accommodations
- Breakfasts
- Hybrid bicycle
- Maps & route information
- Luggage transfer, limited to one piece per person, not exceeding 20 kg
- Additional tourist information
What’s Not Included
- Lunches & dinners
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
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Dates & Pricing
Dates
Daily from April 1 to September 30, 2018
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Double/twin: $ 1454 £ 736 $ 1,317 € 871 Ft 367250 kr 129267 ₪ 3385 ¥ 140586 Mex$ 18979 NZ$ 1596 kr 10320 zł 3801 S$ 1257 kr 10212 CHF 827 $ 936 Single supplement: $ 409 £ 207 $ 370 € 245 Ft 103302 kr 36361 ₪ 952 ¥ 39545 Mex$ 5338 NZ$ 449 kr 2903 zł 1069 S$ 353 kr 2873 CHF 233 $ 263
Extra Options
Dinners included: $ 382 £ 194 $ 346 € 229 Ft 96556 kr 33986 ₪ 890 ¥ 36962 Mex$ 4990 NZ$ 420 kr 2713 zł 999 S$ 330 kr 2685 CHF 217 $ 246 E bike rental and bike protection (price per day): $ 234 £ 118 $ 212 € 140 Ft 59030 kr 20778 ₪ 544 ¥ 22597 Mex$ 3051 NZ$ 257 kr 1659 zł 611 S$ 202 kr 1641 CHF 133 $ 150 (only possible if two or more e bikes are ordered)
If opting for an electric bicycle, please note only women's e-bikes are available.
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Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
Easy self-guided hotel tour. Daily distances range from 27 to 44 miles over flat, excellent bike paths and side streets.
Airport Info
Fly to Amsterdam.
Local Travel
Train from the airport to Steenwijk (± €22), then free transfer to hotel.
Climate
Check local weather conditions prior to departure. Always bring rain gear. The average high in °F is approx. 53 in Apr, 61 May, 66 June, 69 July, 70 Aug, 64 Sep & 57 Oct.
Remarks
Electric bicycle available upon request.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Simply Cycling.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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Photos
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Reviews
Andrew L.
7 years agoVerified Reviewer
Tripsite Customer Reviews
Andrew L.
7 years ago
Verified Reviewer