Cycling in the Dutch Countryside - 5 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Amsterdam & Visit the Anne Frank House

You'll start exploring Amsterdam with a visit to the Anne Frank House. Learn about the famous story of a young Jewish girl who lived here during the Second World War; the museum is built around the secret annex where she and her family hid for over two years.

In the evening, have a leisurely dinner at one of the many restaurants near your hotel. 

Day 2: Cycle to Castles & Lakes

From Amsterdam, you'll take a short train ride to Weesp and start your e-bike tour. Start cycling through the Gooi,  a beautiful area between Utrecht and Amsterdam. First you will head north to Muiderslot, a 13th-century castle. After touring the castle, get back on your bike and continue to Naarden, known for its moat and fortified walls.

Pedal south to the lake area of Ankeveense Plassen. From here you will follow the Vecht River through a gorgeous region full of 18th- and 19th-century villas and holiday homes. One of the villages you will pass along the way is Breukelen, the namesake for Brooklyn, New York! You'll have dinner and spend the night at a hotel on the riverside.

Day 3: Explore the "Green Heart" of the Netherlands

You will be surrounded by scenic meadows and water today as you explore the "Green Heart" of the Netherlands. Pedal through an iconic Dutch landscape with small canals that keep the meadows dry enough for cattle to graze here. Continue along the Kromme Mijdrecht River, admiring the pretty old houses along the riverbank, then cross over to the beautiful area known as Hollandse Waarden. The cheese from this area is world-famous! 

Continue to Meije, a recreational area where you can rent a canoe or a motorized boat and explore the lake. It's possible to spend the night here. Another option is to continue pedaling to Woerden. This small city, home to an excellent cheese market, is pleasant to wander around. Check into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely dinner.

Day 4: Ride to Amsterdam Along the Amstel River

From Meije or Woerden, bike back to Amsterdam. You will cycle along the Amstel River, passing by villages like Oudekerk and Uithoorn, nice stops for a drink or lunch.

Once you arrive in the capital city, the evening is yours to explore or relax. Have dinner at one of the many restaurants near your hotel, then go for a stroll along the canals.

Day 5: Visit the Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum - Depart

Finish up the trip with a visit to the Rijksmuseum, the most famous museum in the country. It's home to The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn, considered one of the most important paintings ever created in the Netherlands. Near this massive artwork, you'll also see The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer and many other 17th-century works by Dutch Masters. 

Next, you'll stop by the Van Gogh Museum. Take a break for lunch in the museum's café, then explore the collections at your own pace. Van Gogh famously created over 2,000 paintings in a little over a decade. The museum houses some of his most famous works, including The Potato Eaters, Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, and one of his very last works, Wheatfield with Crows.