Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival Schagen & Schagen daytour; Tulip Tour, 34 miles (55 km)

From early April until the second half of May you can enjoy the large fields of tulips in the beautiful countryside of North-Holland. During this tour you will survey the bulb-fields in the vicinity of Breezand and Anna Paulowna. At the same time you will cycle across the dunes close to Julianadorp.

Day 2:
Schagen daytour; Dune Tour, 39 miles (62 km)

Before entering National Park 'De Schoorlse Duinen', you cycle over a historical dyke called 'De Westfriese Omringdijk'. The construction of this dyke already started in the 10th century. For hundreds of years the Dutch tried to keep the seawater away by heightening and lengthening the dyke. With the construction of the Afsluitdijk, the Westfriese Omringdijk lost its function. Nowadays the Westfriese Omringdijk is the only dyke in the world that is registered as a national monument. Near Schoorl you enter the widest and highest dune area of the Netherlands. Close to Petten you start cycling next to the Northsea. When cycling on this beautiful track, you really start understanding the function of the dykes and the dunes. Via small cycle-paths and quiet roads you head for Schagen again.

Day 3:
Schagen to Edam, 43 miles (68 km)

From Schagen the route takes you east, into the typical Dutch polder landscape. The vast green meadows are overwhelming, and you will find a peace and calm here, that is hard to find elsewhere in the west of the Netherlands. You will be cycling over narrow dikes and see historical mills and traditional Dutch farmhouses. In springtime, you will cycle right into the splendour of the blooming bulb fields at Opmeer. The world famous tulips will give colour to the further course of your tour.

Day 4:
Edam; Visit to Amsterdam or cycle to Zaanse Schans, 0 or 34 miles (0 or 55km)

Free to choose today - a trip into Amsterdam or if you would like more cycling a round trip to Zaanse Schans. You can spend hours taking guided tours on the world famous canals. There are plenty of choices for those who would like to make a cultural trip. The Rijksmuseum (National Museum) accommodates the world famous ‘Night Watch’ by Rembrandt. The works of another great Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh, can also be found in Amsterdam in the Van Gogh Museum. If you rather like to avoid the city’s bustle, you can also cycle the 55 km to the Zaanse Schans, one of Europe’s oldest industrial areas. The mills, warehouses and traditional wooden houses you will find here, will give you a perfect impression of this 17th century commercial centre around Amsterdam.

Day 5:
Depart from Edam

Time to make your way home or extend your stay.