Bike Tour: Pearls of Holland - 7 days
Get here early and opt to wander around the gorgeous and surprisingly peaceful seventeenth century canal ring area (World Heritage Site). If you like bustle, make your way to the city’s famous squares: Dam, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein. Should you prefer to roam off the beaten track, saunter up Brouwersgracht or hire a canal bike and find out what the city looks like from the water.
Spend the morning visiting your favourite Amsterdam museum, or sitting in the sun on Rembrandtplein watching the world go by, or go for a walk along the canals. The possibilities are endless. As you leave the capital in the early afternoon, the urban buzz will soon make way for the peace and quiet of the countryside. This region is called Zuid-Kennemerland. In the low-lying peat landscape clouds are reflected in the water and reed sways in the wind.
The steam mill Cruquius, just before you cycle into Haarlem, is itself a National Monument for the steam history of the engine within, and it has also been declared an Anchor Point of ERIH, The European Route of Industrial Heritage. It is thought to be the largest steam engine – and certainly the largest beam engine – ever built. The reclamation of Haarlemmermeer by means of steam power marked the breakthrough of the Industrial Revolution in the Netherlands.
Top off your day roaming lovely downtown Haarlem, from impressive Grote Markt square, to the white drawbridge on the River Spaarne. Idyllic courtyards, known as ‘hofjes’, will set your heart a-flutter. Haarlem is home to the oldest hofje dating from 1395.
Haarlem, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, deserves to be explored extensively before your bicycle tour today. In the monumental city center, with many sights, you can stroll around for hours without getting bored for a moment.
Famous photo spot is the small white drawbridge over the Spaarne with the two gabled houses in the background. On the market you will find the Grote Kerk with the organ that Mozart played on when he visited Haarlem.
Fancy a morning of soaking up art? Then visit the Frans Hals museum with unique art from the Golden Age, including works by Haarlem painters Frans Hals, Jacob van Ruisdael and Pieter Saenredam.
After Haarlem, get ready for a bike ride through the famous Dutch Bulb Region, the area where much of Holland's flower bulb cultivation takes place. Cycle through the dunes past well-known seaside resorts such as Noordwijk and Zandvoort. Noordwijk is a seaside resort of international stature with a 13 km long sandy beach. Surrounded by beautiful forest areas, rugged dunes and the flower bulb region near De Keukenhof, Noordwijk is is also referred to as the flower resort of Europe. Formula 1 fans know the CM.com Circuit Zandvoort, which is known as a real ""Old School"" circuit, with fast, undulating and challenging corners formed by the natural dunes. With a track length of 4.3 kilometers, it is one of the shorter circuits on the F1 calendar. Almost nowhere else do drivers race past race fans so often!
In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Leiden, another beautiful historic city rich in attractions.
The city has much to offer. Beautiful are the seventeenth-century houses and characteristic canals. Also worth a visit are the oldest university in the Netherlands, the historic botanical garden and the Gothic St. Pieterskerk.
After taking your leave of lively Leiden, peace and quiet will reign once more in today’s typically Dutch scenery. Note all the orderly rectangles in this man-made polder landscape (mostly peatland reclamations). Let shining lakes and green pastures, old windmills and farmhouses pass you by whilst pedalling on to the famous city of Delft. The melancholy charm of historical Delft is breathtaking. Most will associate Delft with its blue and white hand-painted pottery: Delftware. But did you know that painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) lived in Delft all his life? The Vermeer Centre gives illuminating insights into his life, works and city (no original paintings on show here).
This stretch of the tour takes you through the Green Heart: a stronghold against urban sprawl in Randstad conurbation. Balancing atop polder dikes, delight in characteristic villages, far horizons and pleasingly strict rectangles cut by ditches in fields of vibrant green. As you wander around the city of Gouda at the end of the day, don’t miss the gothic town hall (1450); the Weighing House (1667); the romantic inner city canals and the stained glass windows in St. John’s Church. Gouda is also famous for making syrup waffles (try one hot!) and candles. If you’re travelling in Summer, plan your trip so that you can witness the traditional Thursday morning cheese market at the start of Day 6 (early April till last Thursday in August).
After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, get back on your bike and set off on the longest leg of this bike tour! Bird lovers bring your binoculars! Once again, switch on your five senses to fully enjoy the characteristic countryside of the Green Heart. Drift past meadows, lakes and small villages. Can you hear the wind in the rushes? Did you see the clouds reflected in the lake? Are you feeling peckish? In that case, do stop to sample Dutch style apple tart with your coffee! Thus fortified, continue on your way back to Amsterdam pursuing beautiful River Amstel.
Should the prospect of 80 km be rather daunting, opt to split this leg by booking an extra night in Woerden (making two legs: 38 km and 49 km).
Your cycling holiday has come to an end. Enjoy a big hearty breakfast one last time – don’t forget to try chocolate sprinkles! – and then it’s time to go home
Starting dates:
Daily from April 1 till September 24
Please note: a minimum stay of 2 nights in a row is required in the hotel in Amsterdam on the following dates:
April 8, 9, and 10, 2023
Apr 22, 2023
May 18, 2023
May 28 and 29, 2023
| Price pp | € | |
| Double room, breakfast | 695.00 | |
| Single room, breakfast | 875.00 | |
| Extra night double room, breakfast only | 70.00 | |
| Extra night double room, breakfast only Amsterdam | 87.50 | |
| Upgrades pp/night | € | |
| Fletcher Wellness Hotel Leiden, Leiden | 20.00 | |
| Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg, Santpoort | 70.00 | |
| Westcord Art Hotel, Amsterdam | 10.00 | |
| Surcharge per person | € | |
| Stay in Amsterdam on Saturday | 22.00 | |
| Stay in Amsterdam from:
08 Apr 2023 - 10 Apr 2023 22 Apr 2023 - 22 Apr 2023 18 May 2023 - 18 May 2023 28 May 2023 - 29 May 2023 |
40.00 | |
| Rental bike | € | |
| Child bike | 66.00 | |
| Hybrid | 78.00 | |
| E-bike | 162.00 | |
| Extra services | € | |
| Child seat | € 5.00 x 6 | 30.00 |
| Bike theft insurance | € 3.00 x 6 | 18.00 |
| E-bike theft insurance | € 6.00 x 6 | 36.00 |
| Extra luggage | € 5.00 x 6 | 30.00 |
| Tag-along bike | € 6.00 x 6 | 36.00 |
| Child trailer | € 17.50 x 6 | 105.00 |
| Bike helmet | per piece | 10.00 |
| SGR | per piece | 5.00 |
| GPS | per piece | 20.00 |
Starting Point:
Amsterdam
The hotels on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. A list of the hotels we work with appears below. If a certain hotel is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will try to request a comparable alternative if possible.
https://www.hotelliondor.nl/
www.bestwesterngouda.nl
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.
Why the Dutch don't wear helmets!
Instruction video hybrid bike and e-bike
A standard hybrid bike is €13,00 a day.
Our hybrid bikes have 24-gears with hand brakes.
The hybrid bikes are circa 16,5 KG.
An electric bike is €27,00 a day.
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.
A child’s bike is € 11,00 a day.
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).
The child bikes come with at least 7-gears and hand brakes.
The maximum body height for a child’s bike is 155 cm.
24" child bike:
26" child bike:
All our rental bikes come with a bell.
Brakes
All our adult bikes come with hand brakes.
Childseat
For children up to 30 months old (max. 15 KG) it is possible to rent a front child seat. This is not possible with e-bikes, due to the display.
For children older than 30 months (max. 22KG) it is possible to rent a rear child seat. This is also possible with e-bikes.
Both front- and rear child seats are €5,- per day.
GPS
It is possible to rent a GPS device when you start your tour in Amsterdam, Bruges, Utrecht, Huizen or Bunnik for €20,-.
Helmet
Helmets are not mandatory in the Netherlands, but can be rented for €10,- per piece.
Available sizes: Adult: 54-61 cm, Child: 50-55 cm.
Lights
All our bikes come with both front- and rear lights. You need to push the button on the lamp and it will flash three times. This means that the lights will automatically start working when it gets dark.
When you push again, the lamp will flash one time and the lights will be turned off.
Locks
Our bikes come with a defender lock with plug in chain (cable lock that is attached to the regular lock, see picture).
You need to turn the key a bit, take out the pin from the cable lock and attach it to a pole/other bike/fence etc.
When you push the pin back into the regular lock, you need to lock the regular lock as you always do, and both locks will be secured.
Pannier
1 pannier is included at the 'standard' bikes and the e-bikes.
Height: 42 cm
Depth front to the side: 17 cm
Wide top: 32 cm
Wide down: 23 cm
Volume: 20 liters
It has an easy click-on/click-off system. The panniers are water resistant, so everything will stay dry.
Pedals
The rental bikes come with regular pedals, so no click-in/SPD pedals.
Quickrelease
All our bikes come with a quick release system, which makes it very easy to adjust the height of the saddle and the handle bars.
Repairkit
There is one small puncture kit included, which can be found in the pannier. In case a rental bike has another problem, we always advise you to go to a bike repair shop or call the bike breakdown emergency number which is provided in the travel documents when you book this extra service.
Saddle
Saddles can be adjusted in height without using any tools, see ‘Quick Release’.
Our saddles don’t come with a gel cover.
Waterbottles
Dutch Biketours does not provide water bottles. We can also not guarantee that there are bottle holders on the bikes. You will always receive 1x pannier, so you can always store your water bottle in your pannier.
A Tandem bike is € 20,00 a day.
We have a limited amount of tandem bikes available on request.
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.
A family tandem is €20,00 a day.
We have limited family tandem bikes available on request.
The family tandems have 7-gears and can be used for one adult and one child with a minimum body height of 125 cm.
A Tag-along bike is €6,00 a day.
A tag-along bike is a good option for children between approx. 100 cm and 125 cm, as they can pedal themselves and on their own pace but don’t have to worry about other traffic.
A child trailer is €17,50 a day.
Child trailers can be rented for a maximum of two children who are up to 100 cm (max. 35 KG in total).
We mostly use the XLC Duo 2 child trailer.
Child trailers are not possible in combination with e-bikes.
Do you wish to insure your bike against theft? The cost is € 3,- per day per standard hybrid bicycle.
For an electric bicycle, premium bike or racing bike: € 6,00 per day per bicycle.
Please see the General Terms and Conditions for Bicycle Hire and Insurance.
If a rental bike gets stolen or damaged, we will hold the client responsible.
If your insurance does not cover this event, you will have to pay the costs yourself.
Article 1 Bike Rental Price
The bike rental price is determined by the rates mentioned on the Dutch Bike Tours website at the time of the booking; or as subsequently agreed.
Article 2 Payment
a. The rental price and any other due sums regarding the rental agreement must be paid before the bike is handed over to you.
b. If, for whatever reason, you cannot make use of the bike(s) you have rented, Dutch Bike Tours will not be held responsible for any resulting expenses or damage.
c. In the case of the article 2b, the client remains obliged to pay the full rental price and any other amounts mentioned in the invoice, in accordance with our General Terms and Conditions of Booking, unless the client can prove that his not being able to use the bike was the consequence of a defect that was already present at the beginning of the rental period.
Article 3 Rental Period
a. The rental period runs from the morning of the first cycling day (day 2) to the end of the holiday (the departure day), as stated in the booking confirmation.
b. Extension of the rental period is possible only after approval by us and according to the (extension) rates as mentioned in article 1.
c. No refunds are possible after the rental period begins. If you return the bike(s) to us before the end of your holiday, the rental agreement will automatically be terminated and you will not get any of your money back.
d. At the end of the last cycling day of your holiday, the bike(s) must be returned to the hotel from where it was/they were issued, no later than the time stated in the booking confirmation.
If you book a one way tour tour you can leave the bike at the last hotel of the trip.
e. If the bike(s) is /are not returned by the return time stated in the booking confirmation, we will continue to charge you rent until such time as the bike(s) is/are returned to us or is/are received by us. In the event of late return, the rates as mentioned in article 1 will continue to apply, plus a fine of €25 per day. We also reserve the right to demand payment for any costs and/or damages suffered by us due to late return of our rental bike(s).
f. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, in the event of late return of our rental bikes, we reserve the right to dissolve the rental agreement without judicial intervention and immediately claim back our bicycles where ever they may be and from whomever has them. Dutch Bike Tours also holds this right in the event that the client does not comply with any of the other conditions stated in this rental agreement.
Article 4 Improper Use
a. The bicycle(s) may only be used for its/their intended purpose and only by the cyclists listed in the rental agreement.
b. The bike(s) must be returned to us in the same (clean!) state in which you received it/them.
c. You must take excellent care of the bicycle(s), as if it/they were your own. You must take every precaution against damage, loss or theft.
d. The bicycle may not be used on the beach; or on sandy paths in the dunes unless a paved path is unavailable.
Article 5 Damage, Loss and Theft
The renter will be held responsible for damages to or loss of the bicycle(s) or parts of it, as well as bicycle keys and chains and locks, for such an amount as is determined by us according to standard market prices. You must understand that you are not insured for damage to the bicycle(s) or for any damages to third parties.
Article 6 Theft Insurance
It is possible to purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance. Covered are: damages arising out of the theft of the bicycle; and damages to the bicycle as a consequence of the theft. Not covered are: theft of bicycle parts; and damages arising out of attempted theft.
Article 7 Theft Insurance Premium
a. The premium for Bicycle Theft Insurance is € 3,00 per day per standard hybrid bicycle. For an electric bicycle € 6,00 per day as well for a Premium bike and racing bike.
The number of insurance days is the same as the number of cycling days as stated in our booking confirmation.
Article 8 Liability in the Event of Theft
a. If you did not purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance from us before the start of the holiday, you will be held fully accountable for the sum determined by us according to standard prices.
b. If you did purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance from us, but you failed to lock the wheel lock and failed to produce the original wheel lock key and failed to produce an official theft report drawn up by the police, you will still be held fully accountable for the sum determined by us according to standard prices.
Article 9 Costs During the Rental Period
Any charges and taxes regarding the rental bicycle(s), such as fines and ferry tickets, are to be paid by you. You will also be required to pay all costs ensuing from the use of the bicycle(s) such as parking fees, maintenance and repairs.
6 Nights included
3/4 Star Hotels
Tourist tax included
Breakfast included, Halfboard optional
Detailed roadbooks with maps and tourist information
The possibility of renting our bikes
7-days a week service-hotline
Luggage transport to your next hotel
Amsterdam Sloterdijk / Amsterdam CS
Parking possibilities at the hotel
GPS-tracks availible
Any ferry crossings are not included
Nearest Airport is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
The train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Sloterdijk departs 6 times per hour. Travel time is about 10 minutes. A single ticket costs approx €4,- per person excl. bicycle.
For timetables and tickets, go to www.ns.nl/en. For bus details, how to reach the hotel, check : www.9292.nl/en.
22-09-2022
Our bike trip from Amsterdam to Haarlem, Leiden, Delft, Gouda, Woerden, and back to Amsterdam was a dream vacation for us. The cities and towns we visited were all beautiful and fascinating; the countryside we biked through was similarly lovely and interesting; and the route information provided by Dutch Bike Tours — along with the Netherlands’ incredible and extensive bike infrastructure — made the whole thing quite doable. Moreover, given the quality of the hotel accommodations plus the value of the included breakfasts, the rental bikes, and the luggage transfers, the overall cost was quite reasonable. We’d do it again in a heartbeat!
21-09-2022
Our family of four had a fantastic time on this trip. What beautiful countryside and architecture the entire time! Everything looked like it belonged on a postcard. The last day of 50 miles was challenging with heavy headwinds and rain, but we took our time and it was quite the accomplishment. We will definitely be back for more.
31-07-2022
The confidence of having a route planned with the thrill of cycling in the Netherlands made this unforgettable and stress free.
29-07-2022
What an excellent trip! We loved every minute of it. The last day was nearly 80km but it was so enjoyable for our group of 5 adults. Stop in Uithoorn for lunch. We were so grateful to have the GPS system, it made following the route a breeze and we were able to take in all of the sights without worrying about the route. We would not have been successful with the map-so many small turns would have required too much focus. With our GPS we took a detour to Den Haag and were able to see a few sights between Leiden and Delft.
16-04-2022
I know everyone probably says this, but nothing can prepare you for how stunning the bulb fields are when you first experience them. Smelling the hycynths from half a kilometer away, the colors, and rows that practically go as far as you can see. It is unreal. I would definitely say it something everyone should see at least once. Though phenomenally busy, Keukenhof is also a must see. This is not to take anything away from other parts of the trip: the pastoral beauty of the Groene Hart, quiet villages like Oudewater (note: Oudewater is only visited in combation with the extra overnight in Woerden), and regular neighborhoods we rolled through that most tourists would never see but gave us a better appreciation of how many people live in the Netherlands.
10-04-2022
We fell in love with the Netherlands on this trip. Everything went exactly as planned. The bikes and GPS were ready when we checked into the hotel. The routes went through all the most lovely places —past blooming hyacinth fields that smelled lovely, classic windmills, charming estates, villages full of thatched roof homes, and endless canals. The weather was rainy and windy and cold, but the warmth of the people and the beautiful country made up for that, and the weather did not dampen our spirits. We had a wonderful time.
15-09-2021
Great holiday with great places to stay, good food in the hotels and the contrisde was lovlely
20-09-2019
...Overall a very enjoyable experience. The organisation worked seamlessly and made the holiday stress-free. I would recommend MDBT to anyone who wants to get a real taste of the Netherlands...
16-08-2019
...Very good first experience. Discovery, outdoors, very good organization, it was all there! I We will definitely do it again!...
29-07-2019
...Good organisation, clear and accurate route notes with well chosen visits, rental bikes in good condition, welcoming hotels...
27-07-2019
...Fantastic trip! Netherlands is the BIKE country : infrastructure, fairly flat trails. Rental bike are well equipped.. Countryside is wonderful, there I no lack of fauna and flora!...
23-07-2019
...The bike paths and the countryside were lovely! The GPS was VERY helpful...
07-07-2019
...The countryside was beautiful. the routes seemed well designed to maximize the beauty and minimize the stress. excellent trip!...
16-06-2019
...The trip was very well organized and the company. Was very responsive in and outside of office hours...
24-04-2019
...We liked all landscapes, greenery, houses, tulip fields and animals at liberty (ducks, geese, swans). Good general organization. Rental bikes in good condition. Perfect Luggages transportation. Good itinerary. The main difficulty was towns entry and exit and especially the trip back to Amstedam… arout central station. We are delighted of this itinerary, pearls of Holland by bike. Mix between town and coutryside...
12-04-2019
...Great trip with 6 days riding in Netherlands in April across tulip fields! Well organized, we just had to get out maps and route notes, and enjoy the day! Exotic and sporting break, et sportives, advisable for everyone...
07-09-2018
...The scenery of the farms in the provinces was amazing. The swans [saw five black ones], blue herons and ducks just completed the calmness of the days. Haarlem was my favorite city... the variety of the shops and the cheerful people walking about made Haarlem come alive...
06-09-2018
...We loved the hotel in Delft. It was quaint, clean and at a great location. It has an old world charm including lovely windows and light...
28-07-2018
...An intense, yet relaxing vacation seeing parts of the Netherlands I would never be able to get to on my own. The ease of the bike culture make this trip much better than anything I could experience at home in the U.S. By the end of it, my only disappointment was that it was over. I was already wanting to do another ride...
09-07-2018
...Just letting you know how much we enjoyed our dutch bike tour. We opted for breakfasts only which were ideal so that we could sample different restaurant cuisine in each city/town which was superb. (Italian, Vegan, Lebanese, Mexican and Greek) I've only given 4 stars for accommodation because it was 4**** hotels but in reality they were great. This was our first ever cycling holiday and it was brilliant in every way from hotels, routes, maps, organisation, bikes and breathtaking scenery. Thank you so much for a wonderful holiday...
24-06-2018
...Adequate pre-trip information, most enjoyable trip. We found the navigation a little challenging in parts, mainly due to the variable positioning of the Knooppunten. We were never held up for more than a few minutes, however, and having found our way gave a feeling of accomplishment.The cycles were comfortable and well- suited to the trails. The scenery was interesting and attractive. All in all, a trip to be recommended...
03-06-2018
...The holiday is about visiting wonderful Dutch towns and cities with culture, history and interest everywhere. The feeling in Holland is relaxed and so much more easy going than the UK despite the scary cycle ways in Amsterdam which were busier than the M25 and more chaotic than Italian roads but everyone was chilled and we survived...
24-05-2018
...Not sure there's a flatter country on the planet :) We really enjoyed the whole trip - such a beautiful country and such a great way to see it!...
12-09-2017
...My wife and I have recently returned from our second bike tour of the Amsterdam area organised by your excellent company. ..... we are a bit hooked on cycling in Holland and it would be good to see a bit more of your lovely country...
06-09-2017
...We have really enjoy our travel "les perles de la hollande". When we come back home we will send somes suggests for people from Canada.
We love your country people are so helpful like you...
14-07-2017
...I'm just back from one of your bike tours. It was really wonderful! We cycled through Haarlem, Leiden, Delft, Gouda and Amsterdam over the last week- beautiful. It was so easy too! The bike you provided was excellent and I'm looking to buy a similar one...
23-05-2017
...If I were to take another bike tour in the Netherlands I would use your services. I would also recommend your services to friends...
05-05-2017
...The accommodations were good, the routes were well planned. All in all it was very organized...
28-04-2017
...Holland is such a beautiful country. The bike paths were excellent. Beautiful countryside and lovely people...
28-04-2017
...All hotels were what I expected. We loved all the cities chosen. Fantastic!...
27-04-2017
...The route was lovely...
20-04-2017
...Very easy to bike in Netherland. Excellent bike roads...
11-04-2017
...Very well organised, everything worked really well. Thank you for an excellent holiday...
19-07-2016
...We had an excellent adventure with your tour service. Loved every day of it, and especially the variety of pathways we found ourselves on through woodlands, and farmer's fields. Each day was of a length that allowed us ample time to visit the towns we stayed overnight in. The hotels were comfortable and meals adequate...
05-07-2016
...Our trip was excellent , very enjoyable and pleasant. The experience of cycling in the Netherlands was wonderful and exceeded all our expectations. The landscapes, the people, the places , the chosen hotels, all responded to that we expected. The only suggestion I have, is to place an warn about unforable wind conditions in certain places....
10-06-2016
...We loved the tour. Just amazing. Can't really think of anything major that could be improved. We will be back to do more at some point...
30-05-2016
The hotels were all good, mostly great. We had a very nice breakfast everywhere and the picking up of luggage went smoothly. The hotel in Gouda even located a lost jacket and sent it on to Midjrecht. We found the staff all charming and came home with a very good impression of Holland.
19-05-2016
...We have successfully completed our wonderful bike tour...we are very happy and sad too that it has come to an end...we got the card from Frank tied to our bag...and yes this tour has made a place in our heart!...
09-05-2016
...I’ve got to hand it to you – you organized a terrific trip. Granted, you’re starting with an exquisite country with great natural and man-made beauty and interesting people. And we were blessed with perfect weather all last week. But still, the part you played – the equipment, the routes, the hotels, the luggage transport – added immeasurably....
05-10-2015
...We thoroughly enjoyed our bike trip in the Netherlands!! Your assistance made the trip easy and worry free. The bikes and panniers were great. Luggage came before us or as we reached the hotel each day. The hotels were lovely and were easy to find. We will definitely do this again!...
08-09-2015
...We are back in Amsterdam and enjoyed our tour in spite of the ever changing weather. The bikes were great however we found an issue with our GPS on the leg from Delft to Gouda. The GPS took us to about two blocks away from the hotel,we did find it with the help of some locals. When we left the next morning the GPS had a circle route taking us around the city centre and back to our origanal spot. With the map and the help of locals we got out of town and the GPS was back on track. I don't know if it was us our the GPS that was at fault. It does not matter as we were on a great adventure. Also the locks provided, one cable and one U bolt style were not adequate, we had a problem with the cable lock as it did not lock into the hole in the rear wheel lock. Fortunately I brought my own cable lock so were ok.
Other than that we had a great trip, no flat tires some rain and got to see your beautiful country.
Thank you...
03-09-2015
...We had a great holiday and we were both glad to have chosen it....
17-08-2015
....We had a really great time and will be recommending your company to others. All the arrangements went very well – even with our late booking. Only real improvement area was Best Western in Leiden – not a really good hotel. Thanks for a great holiday....
13-08-2015
....First thing we wish to say is that the holiday you delivered to us was excellent! Apart from the flat tyre at the very beginning, which was not your fault. One slight criticism was the quality of the Best Western in Leiden. It stood out as being less a 4 star than the rest. However, their service was good. The bikes were of an excellent standard. The routes were well planned. The GPS was a real help. We were impressed with your beautiful country, including the helpful and friendly reception we received from everyone we encountered. We will very seriously consider returning for another cycle tour with you in the future....
10-08-2015
....Our tour, in general, was fantastic. I was very impressed with the quality of the hotels that were booked. They all exceeded my expectations. We had a great time, and enjoyed all of our destinations except for one....
01-08-2015
....Thank you to DUTCH BIKE TOURS for a truly amazing Holland experience. We hope to return to see the tulips as well as the coast. Your administration, maps and bikes were of an extremely high standard and we were very happy with this. We would also preferred to have had a few rest days inbetween without cycling so that we could fully enjoy each place and explore more . This was not mentioned to us but we have learnt from our experience.
All the HOTELS were amazing and of a very high standard and for this we thank you . Your organization is to be commended. We loved Holland and your beautiful nation and we were able to communicate with ease...
21-07-2015
....Thank you for your email and also thank you for providing us with a very enjoyable and well organised holiday. Our cycle journey was well sign posted ( once we English got used to the Dutch system) and the large map (Zuid Holland) was very useful as a back up to the GPS that you provided. For us the GPS was essential for the cycle tour. We couldn't understand the local town A4 maps that you provided, but that may be our fault with understanding....
15-07-2015
...Hi Dutch Bike Tours - thanks so much for arranging our holiday. We had a fantastic time - really enjoyed it. Bikes were great - and I was so impressed with the panniers that I've asked for some exactly the same for my birthday! We've already recommended Dutch Bike Tours to our friends and work mates and hope to return to do another cycle tour soon....
24-06-2015
....The tour was excellent. The bicycles were fine, the tour organization was excellent. We were lucky on the weather, which didn’t hurt. We would gladly do it again with you, and have already started discussing potentially coming back next year to do a different tour....
22-06-2015
...We will be pleased to recommend your service to anyone we know travelling through the Netherlands. With any luck, we’ll be back next year to do a different tour....
08-06-2015
...We had a most enjoyable holiday. Thank you for your help and assistance. Good bikes, good choice of hotels, good routes, brilliant cycle culture, lovely country, good food and friendly people. Friesland sugar bread a great find ! Expect to com back again...
12-05-2015
...Biking through the Netherlands is certainly the way to see this country. The routes were lovely and we enjoyed the ride more than any particular destination. The hotels and breakfast were well above expectations. The luggage transfers went smoothly and were very convenient. The questions I asked via email always received a prompt response. My father thoroughly enjoyed the e-bike which made his journey very enjoyable. I had the regular 24 speed bike which was also very nice although the rear break was on the left side which I believe is not convention and could be a safety concern...
05-05-2015
...We are home from our trip. We had a wonderful time and especially enjoyed the bike tour of Holland. The hotels were all so nice and always in a good part of the town so it was easy to tour the historic areas when we arrived and/or before we departed the next day. The hotel breakfasts were all excellent, especially the breakfast at the Casa 400. We loved the bike paths and the country side even though it rained for all but the first 2 days of our trip...
18-08-2014
...We came home with no permanent damage to our bodies and souls :) Everything was perfect...even the weather was nice (we were just once soaking wet due to the storm :)) Your choice of hotels was very good and we enjoyed our trip very much. Bikes were good, luggage transportation excellent, hotel stuff friendly, breakfasts more than plentiful...all in all, we are glad that we choosed your company for our biking trip through the Netherlands. Netherlands by itself is beautiful and we enjoyed our vacation in your country. Just one remark...you printed travel guide with the intersection points is not always accurate...even the map of Netherlands bike routes that you gave us is not always describing real live situation (missing signs, contradicting signs, unexpected intersection numbers...No big deal. We have been lost few times...and always found the right way with (as you said) help of deduction and intuition. That was the fun part of the trip. I will certainly spread the name of your company among my friends...
12-07-2014
....We had a wonderful holiday with your company and will certainly be returning in the future.The bikes were good,hotels good and the places were great.We did get rather lost from Haarlem to Leiden as we could not find the numbers on a few occasions.The hotel Casa400 was however poor. Our first room was uncomfortable with uncomfortable beds,the room was too hot and unable to cool down. However apart from this we had a great time,though I think you should check the route from Haarlem to Leiden as I think a few people will get lost...
02-06-2014
...Thank you so much, we had a great time on our cycling tour, despite the rain and wind. :) The accommodation was wonderful, particularly in Haarlem and Delft, and of course Amsterdam. Our only suggestions would be that the constant rain meant our maps disintegrated in the rain. Perhaps some kind of plastic cover for the maps could be a good idea. Also, our GPS kept running out of battery, so perhaps a USB charger that runs off the bicycle could be a good idea as well. But overall a wonderful way to get to see the Netherlands. We will be doing another tour next time we return...
31-05-2014
...We all enjoyed ourselves, however we did have some issues with the routes - in particularly more detailed information on how to get out of the towns would have been helpfull. The signposting was good in some areas but not good in others, in particular we came to a T Junction main road and no signs at all. It was only after getting out the road map that we realised we had to go down the main road and pick up a small track off it, if we hadn't had the map we would have been really stuck and probably gone the wrong way. The Hotel in Leiden was okay but small things like couldn't get plug out of sink, no tea and coffee facilities, we had to ask, (however they were very good and supplied the tea and coffee). Hotel Casa didn't seem to know anything about us when we first arrived and we had to ask for your pack. I think the routes could be a bit more detailed as we did get lost on several junctions...
27-05-2014
....We have just arrived back home in Australia and are very happy to provide you with some feedback.
Our 'Pearls of Holland' bike tour was probably the highlight of our European holiday. Everything was extremely well organised - bikes great, luggage arrived each night where it was supposed to and Hotels comfortable and well located. The tour itself was extremely enjoyable and well thought out. Canals, meadows, windmills, lakes, gardens, wildlife, town squares - all with easy flat riding. A highlight was Kukenhof ? which nicely filled out one of our days.
We would highly recommend your Company (and this tour) to all of our friends and hope to come back to do some more cycling around Holland another time with Dutch Bike Tours.
Thanks also for all your efforts and prompt responses before we left Australia for Amsterdam. It was much appreciated and it all worked out well...
12-05-2014
....This is to thank you and all at Dutch Bike Tours for the most excellent experience we have enjoyed on our bike tour of Holland.
We were very impressed with the detailed preparation and excellent maps that you provided for our trip. The bicycles were first class and the accommodations along the way were superbly located.
Our luggage was transported faultlessly between each of our destinations, so thanks for doing that so very well.
Special mention should be made of the Best Western City Plus in Gouda, however all places we stayed were most hospitable and the restaurant associated with the BW Museum Hotel in Delft, Le Marriage, provided a very wonderful and memorable dining experience.
You were most helpful after it became necessary to rearrange our travel plans and we greatly appreciate your flexibility in that regard....
25-04-2014
...We liked that the hotels were all in the centre of town, and it was easy to get out for a walk and see the sights once we had dropped off the bikes. Our baggage was always delivered to the hotel on time for our arrival, and some of the hotels were even kind enough to have placed our bags up in the room ready for us.
The bikes were great quality, and we had no trouble navigating once we had worked out the junction system on the first day. The handlebar-mounted junction list was brilliant, and between this and the map, and we rarely bothered to use the detailed written instructions. Highlights were the ride along the sea wall between Enkhuizen and Medemblik, and the ride down the coast through the Dunes and Tulip fields from Den Helder to Alkmaar. Alkmaar, Hoorn and Medemblik were great stop-overs. Den Helder was not so nice a town - maybe this could be swapped out for a smaller village nearby?
For us, this was the first cycle trip we had done, and was well suited to us given the mostly flat terrain, quality bike paths followed on the route, and a manageable distance each day. Due to a great experience we will definitely be looking into more cycle tours with your company in the future.
24-07-2013
....Thank you for your message, we had a great time on our holiday and would like to thank you for the very efficient organisation of our bikes, hotels and luggage. We would certainly consider booking another trip with you to see another part of beautiful Holland. All the hotels were fine, but we would give a special mention for the hotel in Haarlem (the Golden Tulip), for their particularly attentive service - it was great to find our luggage in our hotel room!
The routes were fine, we encountered a few problems in some places where roadworks meant we could not find the signs and we had to find alternate routes - however this was minimal. It did happen entering Haarlem - which through us a bit on the first day.
We were also very impressed with your organisation of the weather - blue sky all the way!!
Thank you once again, and best wishes for the rest of 2013....
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Pearls of Holland
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