Arrival in Utrecht, in the very center of the Netherlands, near woodland and small River Kromme Rijn. The centre of Utrecht is not far away and has shops galore, museums and a friendly night life.

From Utrecht, cycle past Fort Rijnauwen to Fort Vechten in Bunnik. Here, visit the Waterliniemuseum, where you can learn all about the 'New Dutch Waterline', using VR goggles, you can parachute over this fascinating, historic defence belt of the country, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021. Then on to the Plofsluis lock: a lock - unique in the world! - which could be detonated to dam the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal to stop the enemy.

The tour continues via Fort Jutphaas through historic Vreeswijk. Here, admire the Oude Sluis, the Rijkshulpschutsluis and the Koninginnensluis. Over the Eiland van Schalkwijk you cycle through a true cultural and natural history open air museum: Fort Werk aan de Korte Uitweg (with a fantastic tea garden), the Gedekte Gemeenschapsweg, the imposing Fort Honswijk and the trenches of Werk aan de Groeneweg. The cycle tour ends in Wijk bij Duurstede, a small town with a big history, known in the Middle Ages as Dorestad. Here, the Kromme Rijn and the Grote Sluis played an important role within the Waterline; they enabled the flooding of the area around Utrecht.

From Wijk bij Duurstede, you cycle through the river country of the Lek to historic Culemborg. You pass Werk aan het Spoel, with its attractive catering facilities and sun terrace. The tour continues past Fort Everdingen, the sturdy home of beer brewery Duits & Lauret, blessed with a tasting room. Then along the Diefdijklinie with its bunkers and Fort Asperen, a cultural island on the river Linge. You take a trip to glass and cheese town Leerdam and then to Heukelum

Between the orchards are pretty villages, such as Acquoy with its tower as leaning as Pisa's. The Bommelerwaard near Brakel and Poerderoijen, the brasserie in the rebuilt watchman's house of Battery Poederoijen lends itself well to a stopover, take a trip to historic Woudrichem. One of the highlights during this ride must be Slot Loevestein, beautifully located on the river in the middle of nature. The castle has an important history as a medieval toll castle, fortress and prison.

Then continue on to Gorinchem one of the best-preserved fortresses in the Netherlands with its city walls, imposing cannons and windmills. Then head for a nice terrace on the cosy Oude Markt in the historic centre.

Today you will cycle a beautiful route through part of Holland's famous 'Green Heart'. You will pass through Nieuwpoort, one of the smallest fortified towns in the Netherlands, which was already founded around 1200. Together with fortified Schoonhoven, they formed part of the Old Dutch Waterline, which thus guarded the Lek river. Schoonhoven, also called the Silver City, was already known for its talented silversmiths in the 17th century.

Along the 10 km 'short' river De Vlist, you cycle to the charming town of Haastrecht, where the Vlist flows into the Hollandsche IJssel. You reach the cheese town of Gouda, a cosy, old Dutch town with an almost entirely intact, historic city centre. So you will find not only cheese and syrup waffles, but also beautiful stained-glass windows, a fairy-tale town hall and particularly atmospheric canals. Your final destination is equally historic Oudewater, famous for its Witches Weighing House (Heksenwaag) . Here, women suspected of witchcraft - from all over Europe! - tried to prove their innocence by being weighed. Oudewater is also known as a stork village, so keep your eyes peeled for these beautiful birds along the way.

It's time to get back on your bike for the final ride. En route to the fortified town of Woerden - known to some for its Saturday-morning cheese market (Apr-Aug) - you round the pedals through a typically Dutch landscape: low-lying meadows with grazing cows, vast ponds and ancient waterways. Once you arrive in Woerden, it's fun walking over the old fortress walls, and along the picturesque canals.

Today you will end your cycling trip after breakfast.