Holland

Only a short distance away but with a very different landscape, Holland offers a unique and rewarding blend of sophisticated culture, welcoming hospitality and down-to-earth charm. There will never be a dull moment with plenty of interesting things to see and do. Holland has the highest concentration of museums in the world, with 42 in Amsterdam alone! Most Dutch people speak English which makes getting out and about even easier on self-guided holidays.

Holland has no less than 15,000 km of cycle paths making it the ideal destination for a cycling holiday, especially as there are no hills to negotiate! The Dutch are avid cyclists themselves so everything is geared up for cycling and you’ll see the best of the country from the saddle.

Amsterdam is the staring point of many of our barge and cycle tours. Why not enjoy some time in Amsterdam before beginning your cycle tour? No other city in the world has so many places of interest per square metre: The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the floating flower market are to name but a few of the highlights of this fun city.

You will find more than 40 seaside resorts along the coast, ranging from family holiday centres to fashionable, trendy retreats. Historically Holland has always had a close link to the sea, as a seafaring and trading nation. This is reflected in the number of cities along the coast, some of them with roots going back to the days of the Dutch East India company. A lot of these cities retain the atmosphere from those golden days. The picturesque fishing villages along the coastline of the IJssel Lake are a delight to explore and will give you a real insight into the Dutch’ battle with water.

Explore the coast on the Green Heart of Holland or the Northern Shores and the IJssel Lake barge and cycle tours. The Around the IJssel Lake tour takes in picturesque fishing villages and scenery in this area and the IJssel Lake Family tour is especially suitable for little legs!

‘When thinking of Holland, I see wide rivers meandering slowly through the endless lowlands.’ These are the opening words of a famous Dutch poem and many of the inland regions meet this description exactly. Almost uninterrupted views over green fields divided by rivers and canals with turning windmills on their banks will be what you’ll enjoy from the saddle or even from a barge whilst gently sailing to your next destination.

To discover these truly Dutch views join our cycling and cruising tours: Tulip Tour, From Amsterdam to Bruges or From Amsterdam to Brussels. Alternatively choose our independent cycling tour; Holland in a Nutshell.

National Park De Hoge Veluwe is one of the Hollands' oldest and largest national parks. It consists of no less than 5,500 hectares of woodland, heathland, lakes and drifts. Together with the Kroller-Muller Museum and the sculpture garden it offers a unique combination of nature, art and architecture. This makes it the ideal location for a cycling shortbreak, especially if you want to introduce your family to the joys of cycling holidays.

The beautiful Loosdrecht Lakes region offers a wide variety of things to do. The region is ideal for cycling with designated cycling paths all around the stunning lakes. The cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht are nearby, offering you a great mix of city sightseeing combined with relaxed cycling in the beautiful countryside.