Holland Family Bike Tour

On Day 1, the tour starts in the charming town of Zaandam, where you’ll experience the magic of windmills at the Zaanse Schans, visit a chocolate and cookie museum, and cross waterways on manual ferries. After passing through De Rijp, you’ll enter coastal areas, stopping in the picturesque village of Egmond aan Zee for the night.

Day 2 takes you along the quiet coastal bike lane, passing by the beach and forest areas, and arriving at the lovely village of Schoorl, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants and a unique climbing dune. The final destination is Alkmaar, a beautiful historic town with an impressive center.

On Day 3, you can visit the weekly cheese market in Alkmaar, before riding along canals to the historic town of Hoorn. From Hoorn, you can either bike along the shores of Lake Ysselmeer to Enkhuizen or take a steam train to Medemblik and enjoy a 22km bike ride along the shores of Lake Ysselmeer. Spend the night in Enkhuizen, a fishermen’s village with a rich history, and visit the Zuiderzeemuseum.

Day 4 takes you across Lake IJsselmeer by ferry to the Friesland province, where you have two options for the ride. The longer ride passes the lovely village of Sloten, and the shorter route will take you to the fisherman village of Lemmer, where you’ll find the largest still-operational steam-powered pumping station in the world, an UNESCO monument. The final destination is the charming village of Giethoorn, known as the “Venice of the North” for its canals and bridges.

Day 5 will take you on a 27-mile (43km) ride from Lemmer to the Wieden and Weerribben nature reserve, a unique cane and swamp area with picturesque villages such as Blokzijl and Dwarsgracht, quiet bike lanes, boat or canoe rentals, a visitor center, and unique nature. You’ll end the day in Giethoorn.

Day 6 is your final biking day, covering a distance of 22 miles (35km). You’ll cycle through the nature reserve, passing numerous waterways, bridges, and scenic spots such as the village of Belt Schutsloot. Some of the lakes offer excellent swimming locations. You’ll then head to the historic Hanseatic town of Kampen, situated along the Yssel river, where you can stroll around the lovely town center. Overnight in Kampen.

On your last day, after breakfast, check out and take a train (approximately 1.5 hours) back to Amsterdam.