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Bicycling Vacation in The Netherlands and Belgium: Travel Ideas, Destinations and Tips

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The Netherlands and Belgium are great countries for bicycle vacations and this for three main reasons: 1) the countries are mostly flat, 2) there are lots of safe, dedicated bicycle paths and 3) there is lots to see with short distances between places. The only disadvantage... it can be windy.

In The Netherlands and Belgium everyone bicycles. There are more bicycles than people. Nowadays there are of course also e-bikes, but this is for more convenience and higher speeds, not for relaxing vacations. Organised bicycle tours means that bicycles and luggage is all taken care of, with nothing to worry about. You only need to paddle.


A very special bicycle tour is the 300km around the IJsselmeer. This is a fresh-water lake in the center of the country. It used to be an inland salt-water sea till the Dutch built the Afsluitdijk and reclaimed a lot of land (the Polders). Fisherman villages and old cities are abundant in this unique bicycle stretch.

Alkmaar

Alkmaar

Alkmaar is known for the old and cozy city center. But it's cheese market (Friday Morning) is unique, probably in the world.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is capital of The Netherlands and world-famous for a) the Canals b) the Museums and c) the Coffee Shops and similar business. The International atmosphere makes it unique place in the world. A must-do is a boat tour through the canals with 17th century houses and house boats as well as a stroll through the red-light district.

Antwerp

Antwerp

Antwerp is the 2nd largest city of Belgium. It features a major international harbor as well as one of the diamond centers of the world. The old railway station is also worth a visit where trains depart from 4 vertical (!) levels.

Bruges

Bruges

Bruges (Brugge) is a beautiful city in Western Vlaanderen. Lots of tourists visit the medieval city center and admire the buildings of 17th century. There is also a lot of excellent Belgium Chocolate and 250 kinds of Belgium Beer! Catch a boat ride here or in the nearby city of Gent.

Brussels

Brussels (Bruxelles)

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and by some standards also the capital of the European Union (because the parliament resides here). Tourist will enjoy both the bi-lingual, international position and ancient market square in the city center. A "must see" is also "manneke pis", a little guy that cannot stop peeing...

Edam-Volendam

Edam-Volendam

Just North of Amsterdam is this community of two former fishermen villages. Volendam is best known for traditional farmer's clothing ('dracht') and eel. Edam, part of the same community, is world-famous for... cheese! Also nearby: Marken!

Gent

Gent

Gent is a beautiful city in Western Vlaanderen. Lots of tourists visit the medieval city center and admire the buildings that date back to the 12th century. Gent is birthplace of Carl the Great, who was the ruler of a large part of Europe around 1500 AD. Catch a boat ride here or in the nearby city of Brugge.

Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk

The windmills of Kinderdijk (near the city of Alblasserdam) are world-famous. Standing in the middle you may count 20 or so and - though no more needed to save the Netherlands - all still functional!

Leuven

Leuven (Louvain)

Leuven is an old city with great central town square. It is also home to the oldest university in Belgium and the largest beer brewer in the world.

Maastricht

Maastricht

Maastricht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. It is a cozy place where it is best to see the sites and enjoy a beer at the Vrijthof (main square) afterwards. Or have a coffee with "Rijstevlaai" (traditional cake). Once a year Andre Rieu gives a concert here, since this is his home town...

Rotterdam

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is Europe's largest harbour and the 2nd largest city of The Netherlands. It is also known for modern architecture like the cube-houses and new market hall.

The Hague

The Hague (Den Haag)

The Hague is home of the Dutch Government, but not the nation´s capital... The royal family lives nearby as do many other ´rich and famous´. Do visit the center with the old government buildings (Binnenhuis"), the Palace of Justice and the beach of Scheveningen where you should eat ´raw hering´.