The Dutch Great Rivers Tour
Holland's story of dikes, peatland, water and more
- Cycle along the most navigated rivers and waterways in Europe
- Surrounded by windmills, cows and nature
- Tranquil green dikes, ancient farms, windmills, rivers, lakes and ponds
- Seaside resorts of Scheveningen, Kijkduin and Hoek van Holland
- Schiedam with its windmills and gin distilleries
Today you will arrive in Utrecht. It is recommended to arrive early and use the opportunity to explore this beautiful city, that is often concidered one of the most beautifull canal cities of Europe. Feast your eyes in the midievel city centre with tree lined canals and discover the countless attractions such as the Dom tower and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Martin.
After leaving the hustle and bustle of Utrecht, you will enjoy the tranquility of the characteristic peat landscape of Holland, crisscrossed by thousands of ditches. Note that that they are all organized in a certain way. All of them are part of a well designed system, that has to drain the excess water from the polder. On the way you will see stately homes, castles, woods and parks before reaching cheese town Gouda, also famous for its candles, syrup waffles (try a hot one from the market!) and beautiful church. If you are in Gouda on Thursday morning, go visit the traditional cheese market.
Through the open peatland you will cycle to The Hague, home to the government and the Queen. You might like to take the opportunity to see Vermeer’s famous painting "The Girl with the Pearl Earring” in Mauritshuis Museum. Then climb back on your bike and check out 21st Century Scheveningen, the resort where you’ll spend the night.
Cycle down the coast through dunes and past seaside resorts. Then pedal east along the New Waterway ship canal (completed in 1872), past fishing villages, windmills and jenever distilleries, to the great city of Rotterdam.
You might take the alternative Route via Delft. Is a beautiful university town on the River Schie. Go for a lovely walk on the cobbled streets of the old town centre with its cute crooked houses and pretty canals and bridges. Delft Blue ceramics factories are open to the public. The Vermeer Walk and the Vermeercentrum are dedicated to the famous baroque painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) who lived in Delft all his life.
Modern Rotterdam is home to worldclass architecture, art, port tours, a maritime museum and many shopping streets. From Rotterdam you continue your way to the Unesco World-Heritage site Kinderdijk. Explore the site where 19 windmills have been standing majestically in rows since 1740. Your destination, Papendrecht, is just a ferry crossing away from of one of Holland’s oldest towns:
Dordrecht. Dordrecht is completely surrounded by rivers. Beautiful bridges take you across the water into the historic town centre. Around the harbour you will encounter many monumental buildings.
Today you cycle through a part of Biesbosch National Park, one of the few remaining freshwater tidal areas in Europe. Nature lovers should visit Biesboschcentrum Dordrecht or the Biesbosch Museum for information on this fascinating area. Looking east from the Banddijk you will see a big lake that serves as an example of reverse Dutch history. Before you arrive in Gorinchem you can take a boat trip to visit the interesting Loevesteijn castle. The town of Woudrichem is definitely worth a visit too.
Gorinchem's walled town centre has a long, turbulent history and over two hundred monuments to remember it. In the heart of the city of Utrecht lies the peaceful Oude Gracht (Old Canal). Its characteristic wharves are unique to Utrecht. Nowadays they are the pleasant setting for waterside cafes and restaurants. Explore the Museum Quarter and go shopping in some of the quieter shopping streets.
After breakfast in your hotel, you will return home. Or you might choose to extend your trip and spend some extra time in the beautiful city of Amsterdam.
All hotels of this trip are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. You can find the standard hotels of this trip. If a hotel is fully booked, then we will book a similar one for you and inform you about the alternative booked.
You can book additional night(s) at any of the accommodations along the way.
Sustainably located hotel on the outskirts of Utrecht and conveniently located to the city center, the Jaarbeurs and Utrecht Science Park. You can use all facilities for a relaxing stay, such as the swimming pool, fitness, bowling and restaurant with waterfront terrace.
This hotel is only minutes away from the historical centre of Gouda.
The Boulevard Hotel, built on a dune top, is a comfortable hotel next to the beach and the North Sea. Enjoy our magnificent view of the new boulevard of Scheveningen and the lovely beach feeling.
Located in a unique spot in the centre of Rotterdam and at the foot of the Erasmus bridge. The rooms have all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay. From almost every window you have a splendid view of the Maas river. The main tourist attractions, shops and nightlife are within walking distance.
Located near the picturesque Drecht countryside, on a typical Dutch polder. The hotel offers guests unparalleled levels of comfort.
The hotel is situated on the edge of the historical city Gorichem, surrounded by rivers. It has an extraordinary restaurant, terras y bar. Guests are also welcome to use the fitness room.
Arrive on Schiphol International Airport in Amsterdam to take the train to Utrecht.
From Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam there is a direct train connection to Utrecht. This train runs many times per day, so you whenever you want to go, you don´t have to wait long.
For all your public transport details and planning your connections (train, bus, metro and tram), check: www.9292.nl/en.
BIke RENTAL
If you don’t bring your own bike, you can rent one from us. Our touring bikes are 24-speed gear. You can find all the information regarding our rental bikes below.
You will find your rental bike waiting for you at your first hotel. The hotel reception staff will give you the keys for your bikes and direct you to the bicycle shed. All bikes are provided with chain locks.
Hybrid bike
Our hybrid bikes have 21-gears with hand brakes. We will assign the bikes according to gender, as we have both men- and women style bikes.
Child bike
For children who are at least 125 cm, we can also arrange bikes (these are 24”or 26” for children that are bigger than 140 cm)
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Fun-trailer
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Child trailer
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Child seat |
Tandem
Tandem bikes are suitable for two adults only. The tandem bikes have a frame size of 48 cm. We mostly use the Victoria Spezial 8.7. This tandem bike comes with 24-derailleur gears or nuvinci gears. The height of the handle bars on a tandem bike cannot be adjusted.
The e-bikes have a small electric engine and battery, which can be charged at the hotels. You still have to pedal: it just makes pedaling much easier. Some experience with e-bikes is recommended, as the bikes accelerate faster and are heavier than regular bikes because of the electric engine. The weight of the e-bike is ca. 25 KG. We recommend a minimum height of 160 cm for the e-bike.
GPS tracks are available on request
Included
- 7 nights' acommodation with breakfast in 3 or 4 star hotels
- Luggage transport
- Tourist taxes
- Maps, tourist information and route descriptions
- Access to the trip in Guibo App
- 24-hour telephone assistance
Not included
- Any ferry crossings are not included
Optional services
- Rental bike
- Solo traveler supplement
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The Dutch Great Rivers Tour
Contact
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Edificio Sovega bajo, Crta General s/n
33554 Arenas de Cabrales
Asturias , Spaininfo@s-capetravel.eu
+34 (0) 985 846 455
UK call free 0800 707 44 35 -
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am – 6:00pm (CET)
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am – 6:00pm (CET)