Slow Travel & Tulips Holland

Day 1: Weesp - Edam, 30 miles (48 km)
Day 2: Edam and visit of Volendam - Marken possible
Day 3: Edam - Haarlem, 30 miles (48 km)
Day 4: Stay in Haarlem and visit the city or maybe the Dutch coast
Day 5: Haarlem - Leiden, 28 miles (45 km)
Day 6: Stay in Leiden and enjoy this historic town
Day 7: Leiden - Abcoude, 30 miles (48 km)

All distances are approximate. Due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the route, you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions.

Day 1: Weesp - Edam, 30 mi. (48 km)
The historic town of Weesp lies just outside Amsterdam, towards the northern peninsula of the ‘Noord Holland’ province and just a short train ride from Amsterdam. In the morning, you will get a thorough explanation of the tour including a demonstration of the pre-programmed GPS for a relaxed and stress-free tour. Your cycling itinerary today will allow you to enjoy Lake IJsselmeer and the small villages along the way. A highlight will be the small fishing village of Monnickendam, an important port in earlier centuries and still a major tourist highlight. After passing some cheese farms, where you can have an optional visit, you will arrive in Edam, world-famous for its Edam cheese!

Accommodation: De Fortuna, Edam

Day 2: Edam and visit of Volendam - Marken possible
Have breakfast at your hotel before exploring the charming town of Edam. Brimming with half-timbered houses, the town still hosts a colorful cheese market (every Wednesday in July and August). Take your bike for a relaxed ride to Volendam, well known for its old fishing boats and the traditional clothing still worn by some residents. There is a regular ferry connection to Marken, a peninsula nearby in lake IJsselmeer. Marken has characteristic wooden houses and is well worth a visit!

Accommodation: De Fortuna, Edam

Day 3: Edam - Haarlem 30 mi. (48 km

The first part of today’s tour takes you through a relatively new reclaimed polder land. This area north of Amsterdam is called Waterland and you'll soon understand why! Lovely bike lanes along never-ending canals will bring you to the famous Zaanse Schans where the windmills and houses remain from the 17th Century. It was during this period thousands of windmills powered saws in the vicinity of Zaandam. Finally, leaving the northern peninsula and passing by the cozy village of Spaarndam, you will arrive in one of the most interesting towns of Holland; Haarlem.

Accommodation: Lion D'Or

Day 4: Stay in Haarlem
Haarlem is a city full of old Dutch charm. The cobbled streets are lined with historic buildings, grand churches, and museums with plenty of antique shops and cafes to tempt you. If weather conditions permit, take your bike for a ride through the lovely forest areas lined with mansions up to the Dutch coast. 

Accommodation: Lion D'Or

Day 5: Haarlem - Leiden 28 mi. (45 km)
If you are cycling in April or the beginning of May, your trip will be full of color as you ride through the fabulous flower fields of Holland. You will also pass by the world-renowned Keukenhof and can stop for a visit (or wait until tomorrow and return by public transportation for an entire day to explore.) Please note, tickets to the Keukenhof are not included and should be purchased in advance! After mid-May, the ride will take you through the coastal area and the lovely villages of Katwijk aan Zee and Noordwijk aan Zee. This coastal bike path is a unique experience as cars are not allowed at all in this area; just you, your bike, and the ever-present sound of the sea.

Accommodation: Nieuw Minerva

Day 6: Stay in Leiden
The city of Leiden has often been called the most beautiful city in the Netherlands. This isn’t surprising considering its rich history is still visible everywhere in the charming city center. Home to the oldest university in the country, Leiden features many interesting tourist attractions and a variety of museums and art galleries. It is also just a short train ride from the Den Haag; the seat of government in the Netherlands and the capital of South Holland. Again, if you are booking this tour during Tulip season, you can use public transportation to provide yourself enough time to really enjoy the "World's Garden" or if you prefer to bike, it will be about 45 km. Please let us know!

Accommodation: Nieuw Minerva

Day 7: Leiden - Abcoude, 30 mi. (48 km)
The final bike ride is quite pleasant, passing through the lowlands south of Amsterdam, which are relatively quiet. Small villages, canals, windmills, and lakes accompany you along the way, and the beautiful farms with grazing cows lend to the peaceful ambiance. Finally, in Abcoude, your tour will come to an end. Abcoude is just south of Amsterdam and connected by a short train trip.

Perhaps you would like to book a night in Abcoude? We can offer you two options, you decide. One is a 3-star standard hotel in town (Hotel Abcoude) and the other is a unique boutique hotel in the former train station with a lovely restaurant (Hotel de Witte Dame).

Looking for more? View all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.

You will be accommodated in excellent 3 and 4-star hotels. For example, in Edam, you will stay in a 3-star hotel situated in the picturesque historic center. In Haarlem, you will stay in a classic city hotel just a few minutes walk for the market square. In the itinerary, you will find the name of the preferred hotel but please note that you final hotel list will be based on availability. If the preferred hotel is not available, you will be accommodated in an establishment of equal standard.

Bicycles

Standard bike

Your bicycle will be prepared for your arrival, taking into account your gender, height, personal requirements, and your accessory reservation. The rental bikes available are 8 speed multi-geared adult bikes, in both men's and ladies' models, and are manufactured by Koga. Their top-class aluminum standard models are built according to our own critical standards and specifications and are the best rental bikes you will find in Holland. Included with the bike rental:

• A toolkit
• Tire repair kit
• Mini-pump
• Cable-lock
• Water bottle
• Breakdown assistance

Electric bike

The Bosch Active Line Plus mid-drive motor offers optimum service life and reliability. The seamless integration of strength, rotation, and speed sensors results in spectacular intuitive support. The E-bike is provided with 400Wh Li-ion batteries with the longest life cycle available and supports your daily bike trip without any problem. Charging is only necessary at night.

Road bike

Also available are Giant road bikes. They are lightweight and have either aluminum or carbon frames. Together with high-quality Shimano components and different types of cleat pedals, these road bikes are suitable for long-distance riding.

Children’s bike’s and accessories

A wide range of bikes and trailers are available and suitable for children of all ages.

Bike Assortment	Age
Child trailer	1-3 years
Child seat	2-4 years
Trailer bike/tag along	4-6 years
Follow me	7-8 years
Child tandem	3-8 years
20" child bike	7-8 years
24 " child bike	8-11 years
26 " child bike	11-13 years