23 Set Cycling through Amsterdam’s canals and windmills

Holiday code: AMS19

A cycling holiday in the Dutch capital, through canals, museums, coffee shops and neighborhoods that make Amsterdam the most tolerant, carefree and multicultural city in Europe.

Let Amsterdam seduce you with its carefree and multicultural personality. Cycle through the northern rural paths from the Polder bike routes to the windmills, enjoying picnics in green and lush parks. Get to know the artistic side of the city with museums, lively squares, or walks through the quirky flower and artisanal markets. Then, let loose in the mischievous Red Lights District and famous coffee shops. Live Amsterdam!

PROGRAM

MONDAY: arrival and check-in at the hotel, then we gather for an introductory meeting and the delivery of the equipment needed. We visit NDSM, an ex-shipyard that recently became a buzzing cultural center. We then have dinner together to get to know each other.

TUESDAY: after getting our bikes, we leave for our first out-of-town route. We admire the Dutch scenery through the Polder bike lane, passing by the Durgerdam dam towards the rural north. We stop briefly to look at the Dutch countryside from the Ransdorp tower, where you can have a coffee or a short break: the garden is a perfect place to relax and chat. We then visit Broek in Waterland, a small town where old buildings have remained intact since their construction in the 17th and 18th century, to then proceed to the Marken peninsula. Following dinner, we stop by Rembrandtplein, the city’s nightlife hotspot and most famous square. Distance: 50 km

WEDNESDAY: today we discover the famous windmills! We cycle around ancient and modern windmills, through rustic towns with a rich artistic personality. We then cross Het Twiske park to get to the windmills park, where we’ll have lunch in a typical Dutch bistro. After lunch, we hop back on our bike to reach Zaanse Schans and its beautiful windmills, built for all kinds of purposes, from grinding flour, crushing olives, producing paper, cocoa, etc. Later in the evening, we suggest attending a live concert or dancing in a cult nightclub, such as Paradiso or Bimhuis. Distance: approx. 40 km

THURSDAY: today we explore the city center, bridge after bridge. We pass by the old sluice of the city through the Triumph Westenpark Gate: this park originated from the Dutch philosophy of repurposing spaces. In this case, an old gas factory was transformed into a beautiful park, full of bars, galleries, and restaurants. Cycling will be easier after a short break at Espresso Fabriek, where coffee and cake are delicious! We then explore the Jordaan neighbourhood, one of the most vibrant areas of the city, with street artists and floating houses by the canals. We leave our bikes in Bloemgracht to explore the canals, surrounded by the sound of the Westenkerk Occidental Church bells: let’s pop by to make a quick visit to the most important protestant church in the city. We pass by Anne Frank’s house to then finally conclude our tour in the Tulips Museum. After having recovered our bikes, we cycle from Vondelpark, the biggest and most famous park in Amsterdam, to De Pijp, where we can taste many Dutch specialties such as the herring or a dessert at the Poffertjes stand. Our last stop will be the Gooyer windmill, where we can taste some typical Dutch cheese and cured meat, along with the artisanal beer produced in the windmill. We return our bikes at around 18 and we get back to the hotel for a dinner together.

FRIDAY: free day. There is so much choice! Cities like Utrecht, Delft, Leiden, The Hague, and Rotterdam are just an hour away or less from Amsterdam, all in the same train line. From Keukenhof, the famous flower garden, to Castricum for the North Sea Coast dunes, or the cheese market of Alkmaar in the ancient Marken Island, with its wooden houses and its traditional atmosphere. Some tips for those who decide to stay in the city: Westerpark, a cultural center that originally served as gas factory, Tropenmuseum with its ethnical collections, the Heineken factory, the HSML werf in the northern part of the city – a former shipyard that has been repurposed into a trendy and bohemian artistic hub. After dinner, we recommend Spui and its joyful bruin cafés and the Golem Pub, which offers over 200 brands of beer.

SATURDAY: in the afternoon, we meet for a walk on Haarlemmerweg, a street beloved by the Dutch, which, will take us to Nordermarket: the weekly biological market with free tastings and colorful stands. Here, we try to find the best apple pie in Amsterdam! Through the unique “negen straatjes”, we reach Spui square where we can visit the fascinating Beginjhof: a true oasis of peace inside the busy city. We then need to visit the floating flower market where you can purchase plants and tulip bulbs of any shape and color. At lunchtime, we can try the Rembrandtplein’s meatballs and potatoes, a specialty in Dutch culture. The rest of the afternoon is free: you can find some unusual souvenirs in the shops down the little streets in Rosengracht, or if you love music you can check some shops and jazz cafes around town. After dinner, we’ll go out together to celebrate our last night.

SUNDAY: it’s time to say goodbye to Amsterdam and our fellow travelers that accompanied us during this fun holiday!

INFO

Holiday code: AMS19
Where: The Netherlands – Amsterdam
Accommodation: Amstel Botel: 3-star hotel on a boat moored on the IJ Lake, easily reachable from Amsterdam Central Station through a free ferry service. Discover the hotel.
Individual price: €670
Bike rental: €50 for 3 days
Electric bike rental: €120
Single room extra charge: €200
Includes: accommodation in double rooms, half board, guide/interpreter, guided tour, health insurance, and luggage
Does not include: journey/flight, drinks, Friday night dinner, entrance to museums, city tax where required, anything not listed in the “Includes” section.
Guide: one of Jonas’ own will accompany and coordinate the group during the entirety of the trip and its guided tours. The guide knows the local language and area and will go the extra-mile to ensure an unforgettable holiday.
This holiday is also suitable for: vegetarians