London to Amsterdam (and reverse) – 8 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 2
Duration: 7 Nights
Distance: 38 Miles/day average
Dates: From London: Jul 26, Aug 9, 2015. From Amsterdam: Aug 2, 16, 2015 (minimum 15 participants)
Tour price: €1260
Start city: London, England or Amsterdam, Netherlands
End city: Amsterdam, Netherlands or London, England
Tour Description
Explore four countries on this tour with green and the blue colors as a common thread. Experience the intense green of the English countryside, the vibrant green of the Flemish pastures, the colorful green of the Dutch orchards, and blue from the River Thames to the North Sea and along the canals of Holland. You will find peace and tranquillity riding through meadows and along rivers and sandy beaches, and you will discover two cosmopolitan capital cities connected by this tour.
The starting point is Greenwich, a charming neighborhood of London. You ride then through Kent, the Garden of England. With a ferry ride from Dover you will reach Dunkirk for a short distance ride on French soil and then you will enter Flanders, a land rich in fields and meadows. This region, completely flat, is a mixture of waterways, sandy beaches and wide promenades along the sea. Here, the elegant Ostend and the romantic Bruges will offer you unforgettable views. Belgium is also the home of chocolate, waffles, laces and beer.
You will finally enter the Netherlands, a land reclaimed from the waters, a combination of land and rivers and canals, the home of wooden clogs and windmills that gave birth to artists such as Rembrandt and Van Gogh. We invite you to cycle with us on this original itinerary that will make you rediscover the pleasure of exploration and will offer you many memories of a lifetime.
Please note: this tour runs in both directions, from London to Amsterdam, and from Amsterdam to London.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided London to Amsterdam Day 1: Arrival in London/Greenwich Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, overlooks the south bank of the River Thames, just a few kilometers far from the centre of London. The Royal Observatory stands on the hill overlooking the village, from where you can admire the Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral. The historical astronomical observatory is the location of Greenwich prime meridian for which it is known all over the world. Every day at 1 pm the red globe on top of the observatory is dropped to mark the time (GMT), while in the evening a laser ray comes on and goes through the skies of Greenwich with its green light marking the point where the Prime Meridian is located. Greenwich is also a place rich in history and was the site of a royal palace, the birthplace of King Henry VIII, including the most ancient royal park of city. Moreover, here you can see buildings with an extraordinary architecture, as the Charlton House and the Queen’s House, and you can find one of the most popular markets of London and many parks. All this, together with the feeling of tranquillity that pervades the village, makes Greenwich one of the most fascinating areas of the capital. Day 2: Greenwich – Canterbury (36 miles/58 km) Then the last 17 miles/27 km by bike will take you first in the direction of Herne Bay, a pleasant town on the northern coast of the Kent and then to the final goal, Canterbury. This beautiful town is located on the main road between Dover and London. It is the starting point of the Francigena Way and in spite of its medieval past it is now strongly animated by the multitude of students who come here from all over Europe to attend its important university. The city was the first capital of the Saxon kingdom of Kent and then the seat of the first Christian diocese of England, founded by St. Augustine. The magnificent Christ Cathedral dominates the skyline with its mass the narrow alleys and half-timbered houses of the old medieval center. Today, after several renovations, it is one of the best examples of English Gothic. Day 3: Canterbury – Dover and ferry to Dunkirk (32 miles/52 km) After disembarkation, you will cycle the last 11 miles/18 km to reach the center of Dunkirk. Dunkirk is the third most important port in France and is located in the region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais, 6 miles/10 km from the Belgium border. The first impression shows an industrial town focused on maritime trade, but then the unusual beauty of this place reveals itself with its the dunes and the tens of kilometers of sandy beaches and prospering in flora and fauna. Kite-surfing and the famous surf on the sand are also practiced here. The city center is characterized by low buildings, mainly of the last century, built with Flemish influences. The church of St Eloi and two bell towers, included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also worth a visit. Day 4: Dunkirk – Ostend (37 miles/60 km) Past the towns of Veurne and Koksijde, you return to the sandy beaches and cycle along the coast of the North Sea up to Ostend, a popular tourist destination on the Flemish coast, characterized by a wide promenade overlooked by many hotels and restaurants, where you can taste excellent mussels and oysters and drink local beers. Day 5: Ostend – Bruges – Breskens and ferry to Vlissingen (38 miles/61 km) Walking through the streets of downtown you can see an alternation of lace shops, pubs where you can taste the local beer, historic buildings and a network of canals to admire Bruges from another point of view. You continue cycling through the countryside, along the Dutch border in the direction of Breskens. Here, with a short ferry ride (cost not included, about 30 minutes) you reach Vlissingen, today’s destination. This fishing town is home of shipyards and a naval academy. The promenade, called The Boulevard, is a long and beautiful walk where the prison tower dating from the fifteenth century is located. Day 6: Vlissingen – Dordrecht by train and Dordrecht – Vianen Day 7: Vianen – Amsterdam You ride the last km by bike and reach Amsterdam, the cosmopolitan capital of the Netherlands, famous for the streets that weave through many canals. Amsterdam is also notable for its architecture and especially for the open minded society that distinguishes it. Cycling is definitely the most suitable way to visit the centre, but a tour of the canals by boat is highly recommended too. Dam Square, the many museums of art and history, the Anne Frank house are waiting for you. Day 8: Departure Amsterdam to London Day 1: Individual Arrival in Amsterdam Amsterdam is the cosmopolitan capital of the Netherlands, famous for the streets that weave the many canals, for its architecture and especially for the open minded society that distinguishes it. Cycling is definitely the most suitable way to visit the centre, but a tour of the canals by boat is highly recommended too. Dam Square, the many museums of art and history, the Anne Frank house are waiting for you. Day 2 : Amsterdam – Vianen (41 miles/66 km) Day 3 : Vianen – Dordrecht –Vlissingen by train (37 miles/61 km) You then continue again by bike, crossing flower gardens, windmills and several canals and dams till Dordrecht. Dordrecht is an elegant and charming town from the architectural point of view too. It is an important fluvial centre that gave birth to several artists including some students of Rembrandt. It surprises for art and culture, for the terraces overlooking the canals, for theatres and festivals. From Dordrecht transfer by train to Vlissingen (1h30). This fishing town is home of shipyards and a naval academy. The promenade, called Boulevard, is a long and beautiful walk where the prison tower dating from the fifteenth century is located. Day 4 : Ferry Vlissingen – Breskens – Cycle to Bruges – Ostend (37 miles/61 km) Today we cycle towards Bruges, the romantic city that seduces with its Flemish charm, where time seems to have stopped and everything runs quiet. Walking through the streets of downtown you can see an alternation of lace shops, pubs where you can taste the local beer, historic buildings and a network of canals to admire Bruges from another point of view. We continue cycling through the countryside northward in the direction of Ostend, a popular tourist destination on the Flemish coast, characterized by a wide promenade overlooked by many hotels and restaurants, where you can taste excellent mussels and oysters and drink local beers. Day 5 : Ostend – Dunkirk (37 miles/60 km) Dunkirk is the third most important port in France and it is located in the region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais, 10 km far from the Belgium border. The first impression shows an industrial town focused on maritime trade, but then the unusual beauty of this place gets off with its the dunes and the tens of kilometers of sandy beaches kilometers of sandy beaches prospering in flora and fauna. Kite-surfing and the famous surf on the sand are also practiced here. The city centre is characterized by low buildings, mainly of the last century, built with Flemish influences. The church of St Eloi and two bell towers, included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, worth also a visit. Day 6: Ferry to Dover – Cycle Dover – Canterbury (32 miles/52 km) Day 7: Canterbury – Greenwich (25 miles/40 km) Greenwich was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site is an ancient village overlooking the south bank of the River Thames, just a few kilometers far from the centre of London. The Royal Observatory stands on the hill overlooking the village, from where you can admire the Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral. The historical astronomical observatory is the location of Greenwich prime meridian for which it is known all over the world. Every day at 1 pm the red globe on top of the observatory is dropped to mark the time (GMT), while in the evening a laser ray comes on and goes through the skies of Greenwich with its green light marking the point where the Prime Meridian is located. Greenwich is also a place rich in history and was the site of a royal palace, the birthplace of King Henry VIII , including the most ancient royal park of city. Moreover, here you can see buildings with an extraordinary architecture, as the Charlton House and the Queen ‘s House, and you can find one of the most popular markets of London, and many parks. All this, together with the feeling of tranquility that pervades the village, makes Greenwich one of the most fascinating areas of the capital. Day 8: Departure from Greenwich Included Services: Guided Bike Rentals: Guided Hybrid touring bikes will be equipped with the following at no additional charge: Pedals: Seats: Helmets:
Please note: this tour runs in both directions, from London to Amsterdam, and from Amsterdam to London. Both itineraries are listed below.
Jul 26, Aug 9, 2015
You will arrive individually in Greenwich and check into your hotel. You will attend a welcome meeting at 7 pm where you will pick up your bike.
Overnight in Greenwich.
After breakfast the first bike tour starts along the southern bank of the river Thames to Dartford (19 miles/31 km). From here you take a train transfer to Faversham (cost not included, about 1 hour) crossing the Kent county, known as “garden of England” for its green landscape dotted with some of the most beautiful and famous gardens of the UK.
Overnight in Canterbury.
Departure by bike early in the morning to cycle the 21 miles/34 kms leading to Dover, one of the most important ports of Great Britain, famous for its white cliffs. After lunch, you will embark on the ferry to Dunkirk (cost included, about 2 hours).
Overnight in Dunkirk.
The main part of today’s stage takes place in Belgian territory. Once you have crossed the border you will cycle surrounded by the Flemish green countryside. Here some of the battles between the French and British who were trying to block the German invasion during World War II took place.
Overnight in Ostend.
Your bike tour continues through this garden-like Flanders. This green land rich in pastures, historic sites and charming towns will fascinate and surprise you. Today you cycle towards Bruges, the romantic city that seduces with its Flemish charm, where time seems to have stopped and everything runs quiet.
Overnight in Vlissingen.
After breakfast, you transfer by train from Vlissingen to Dordrecht (cost not included, about 1 hour). Dordrecht is an important fluvial centre that gave birth to several artists including some students of Rembrandt. Dordrecht is an elegant and charming town from the architectural point of view too. It surprises for art and culture, for the terraces overlooking the canals, for theatres and festivals. You then continue northwards again by bike, surrounded by pastures, orchards and meadows to the village of Vianen.
Overnight in Vianen.
Today you’ll cycle towards Utrecht. Utrecht is a very old city with its own university and a vibrant cultural life. Its historic center is characterized by medieval palaces and ancient buildings, witnesses of the rich commercial past. Picturesque canals are overlooked by the wine cellars transformed into trendy clubs, and many pubs and coffee shops crowd the docks.
Overnight in Amsterdam.
Breakfast marks the end of the tour. You will depart individually for your onward travels.
Aug 2, 16, 2015
Individual arrival in Amsterdam and accommodation in hotel. At 7 pm welcome meeting and bike delivery.
Overnight in Amsterdam
Departure from Amsterdam cycling south direction trough green fields to Utrecht. Utrecht is a very old city with its own university and a vibrant cultural life. Its historic centre is characterized by medieval palaces and ancient buildings, witnesses of the rich commercial past. Picturesque canals are overlooked by the wine cellars transformed into trendy clubs and many pubs and coffee shops crowd the docks.
Overnight at Vianen.
Riding through the Dutch countryside surrounded by pastures, orchards and meadows, few km after Vianen you will reach Schoonhoven, the silver town on the river Lek. This charming town is known for hand-crafted silver and at the house of the goldsmith trade an old goldsmith’s shop and a collection of silver are exposed.
Overnight in Vlissingen.
After breakfast, a short ferry ride (about 30 minutes) from Vlissingen to Breskens. Now you are in Belgium and your bike tour continues through this miniature garden that Flanders seems. This green land rich in pastures, historic sites and charming towns will fascinate and surprise you.
Overnight in Ostend.
The main part of today’s stage takes place in Belgian territory. Here some of the battles between the French and British who were trying to block the German invasion during World War II took place. Over the towns of Koksijde and Veurne we return to the sandy beaches and we cycle along the coast of the North Sea up to the French border till Dunkirk.
Overnight in Dunkirk
Departure by bike early in the morning to cycle to the port of Dunkirk. Ferry to Dover (about 2 hours – 1 Time Zone) one of the most important ports of Great Britain, famous for its white cliffs. After lunch you will cycle the last 34 km to reach Canterbury. The beautiful town is located on the main road between Dover and London. It is the starting point of the Francigena Way and in spite of its medieval past it is now strongly animated by the multitude of students who come here from all over Europe to attend its important University. The city was the first capital of the Saxon kingdom of Kent and then the seat of the first Christian diocese of England, founded by St. Augustine. The magnificent Christ Cathedral dominates with its mass the narrow alleys and half-timbered houses of the old medieval centre. Today, after several renovations, it is one of the best examples of English Gothic.
Overnight in Canterbury.
After breakfast the last bike tour starts to Greenwich. The first 10 km takes you to Whitstable and from here train transfer (1h20) till Dartford crossing the Kent county known as “garden of England” for its green landscape dotted with some of the most beautiful and famous gardens of the UK. Last 31 km from Dartford that you will cycle partially along the southern bank of the river Thames till Greenwich.
Overnight in Greenwich.
After breakfast, the tour ends.
Bikes available to be rented (in advance at the time of booking) include:
The bikes will have FLAT pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
If you plan to bring your own seat, please let us know. The guide will help you to change out the seat.
Helmets are not available for rent on this tour. For safety and hygiene purposes, we recommend that you bring your own, or purchase one when you arrive at your destination.
