Bruges to Amsterdam

“The pearl of Flanders” aka Bruges awaits you; this charming and magical location has been enchanting visitors for over 150 years. Much of the old architecture remains in good stand, as well as the town centre which gives a nostalgic taste of its past as a hub for European wool and fabric trade.

Eat a tasty breakfast and get onto the pedals for the first time. You will first enter the charming town of Damme, which lies on the edge of Damse Vaart. Next, it’s time to head into the province of Zeeland, which is characterised by brightness, wind, water, and big spaces. Navigate this region of islands by bridges and ferries in the in a north-easterly direction. You’ll pass fairy-tale towns with old houses and cobbled streets, as well as a landscape stitched with polders, tranquil landscapes, curved dunes, and amber sand flats. You will firstly pass by Zeelandic Flanders where you will find meandering country roads, pollard willows, damp meadows and dotted villages. At the end of the day hop on a ferry to the coastal town of Vlissingen. Your stay for the night is Middelburg, this is the capital of Zeeland and boasts an interesting history as being one of the Netherlands’ most important centres of trade in the 16^th and 17^th centuries.

Your first stop for the day is to Veere, a pleasant place where Scottish wool was distributed in 1541. This industry brought wealth into the town for 300 years and it is now alive with an expat community. One you arrive in the delightful town of Zierikzee, take a stroll down the thin streets and see the little old houses. You will be reminded of the history of exports of salt, wool, fish, grain, and red dye that would leave for destinations as far as the Baltic and Mediterranean.

Your last day in Zeeland will be enjoyed! This region is filled with beautiful countryside, high dunes, and amber salt flats. You will finish your day off in Willemstad, a walled town which is shaped like a star with seven points.

Your first port of call for the day is Biesbosch, which due to a high flood in 1421 is now one of a handful of wetlands in Europe where the ecosystem has adapted to salt and freshwater from both the sea and rivers. The constantly changing system of creeks and rivulets contains small islands of willows and reeds, making a fantastic home for birds. You will get to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland which is surrounded by water. Enjoy three beautiful canals and numerous historical buildings. You can only cycle Biesbosch Park on the days that the ferry runs, on those when the ferry doesn’t run there is an alternate route.

From Papendrecht, head to Kinderdijk or the “Green Heart of Holland” which is home to 19 windmills which date back to 1740. The mills were originally used to drain excess water from the low-lying polder and pump it into the River Lek, today you can visit one of them.  Gouda has been a popular market destination for hundreds of years, with people coming from miles away to buy horses, cows, meat, turf, seeds, cheese and so on. In the evening why not take a small walk in the Old Town and embrace the historical atmosphere. You will find a beautiful market square, 15^th century town hall and Weighing House or “Waag”.

Head into a more idyllic landscape in “Groene Hart” or green heart, here you will find typical polders, peat meadows and feeding livestock. The scenery here is strikingly flat and open and is filled with church spires and windmills reflecting into the lakes and canals. Next head into the cosmopolitan life of Amsterdam! Get to know the Netherland’s famous capital. Visit the 400-year-old canal district, exquisite museums such as the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank’s house. See performers and artists on Dam, Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein, and of course visit the world-famous red-light district. Should you arrive early, you can visit the tree-lined canal systems, thin townhouses, and the 17^th-century canal ring, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city truly does have endless things to do and deserves the popularity it has.

Have one last breakfast and then say goodbye to your trip!