Amsterdam to Brussels

After making your own way to 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 Square, 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.

Time to get on your bike and say goodbye to the cosmopolitan life of Amsterdam. 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. 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”.

This 79-km route can be divided into two shorter versions of 49km and 38km, which would be done by booking an additional night in Woerden. You could even ride some of the way and catch the train for the rest, making the journey 56km.

From Gouda, 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. Your stay for the night is Papendrecht, to where you need to catch a ferry from Dordrecht. Dordrecht is one of Holland’s oldest towns and is bordered by rivers. You can reach the town centre by one of the numerous bridges and see impressive buildings at the edge of the harbour. Just a 3km stretch separates you and your hotel in Papendrecht, just on the north shore of the river just from Dordrecht town centre.

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 is adapted to salt and freshwater from both the sea and rivers. The constantly changing system of creeks ad rivulets contains small islands of willows and reeds, making a fantastic home for birds. Cycle on the edge of the National Park and finish your day off in Willemstad, a walled town which is shaped like a star with seven points. Please note you can only cycle Biesbosch Park on the days that the ferry runs. For the days when the ferry doesn’t run there is an alternate route.

This day of cycling will entail mostly wooded areas as you head into Belgium. Once you cross the border you will be greeted by De Zoom – Kalmthoutse Heide, which is a delightful nature reserve spreading across both countries. Follow the Scheldekaaien (quays on the River Scheldt) into the thick of historical Antwerp. The popular city of Antwerp is Flanders’ largest town and the most important port city in Belgium. Start by taking a look at the historical town centre and then head to the popular parts of the city Zuid and Het Eilandje. By now you will have most likely worked up a thirst, quench it on a tasty Belgian beer! You can try it right from the source in the De Koninck beer brewery.  It dates back to 1833 and now has a visitors’ centre which allows you to sample some beer and take a look around. It is best known for its “Bollekes”

Leaving Antwerpen on the South, you will pass through countryside on the way to Rumst. Here three rivers meet: the river Nete, Dijle and Rupel (which is also the country’s shortest river at 10km). You will continue along the Dijle and arrive at the old town of Mechelen, where there is the gorgeous church tower of St. Rombold’s cathedral – a fantastic spot for lunch. We would highlight recommend some Belgian French fries! Going along the river again you will reach the university town of Louvain. Enjoy this welcoming town with old houses from the 14^th and 15^th century. Pay a visit to the Grand Béguinage, an old community for spinsters that was set up in 1234 and now makes up part of the university campus. You may also want to pay a visit the early-Gothic church of St. John the Baptist (1304). Finish off your day of exploring in the Old Market Square (the Oude Markt). You can also opt for a shorter route of 63km along the Leuven-Dijle canal, this may, however, be less scenic.

Your last day of cycling entails the Belgian Brabant hills and the huge Sonian Forest. If you don’t fancy arriving in Brussels by bike, you can instead choose to get a train from one of the numerous train stations along the route. Some of the highlights in Brussels include the Grote Markt (Great Market Square) with the nearby statue of Manneken Pis, the trip of course wouldn’t be complete without sampling some hot waffles, chocolate, or beer. Bring a memory back from Brussels from one of the numerous shops.

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