"A Dutchman without a bike is like a fish without water" so the saying goes. In Holland, with nearly one bicycle for every person, everyone rides - even the queen. And in bike-crazy Belgium, home of cycling great Eddie Merckx, passion for le vélo is legendary. You'll find it all makes sense, the Dutch and Belgian zeal for two wheels. You'll find it in the pastoral flat-as-a-pannekoek landscape, amid the flower fields and silent canals. And in the timeless towns and storybook villages. You'll even find it post-ride - whether in the form of a fine Belgian Lambic or a pot of steamed mussels. We invite you and your gang to bike with us in Holland and Belgium. And feel the love.
Days 1-2 Timeless scenery straight out of a Dutch masterpiece
Begin with a leisurely ride from Bergen to Santpoort, located on the edge of a scenic coastal forest Emerald-green fields and horse farms lead the way to The Hague, our home for the next two nights Keep an eye out for "Oreo Cookie" cows as you bike past windmills dotting the serene farmland.
Day 3 Bike through hamlets and countryside to Gouda,
where the beloved cheese originates Delight in a visit to the World Heritage site of Kinderdijk, known for its 19 windmills once used to drain the surrounding floodplain Continuing north, discover how Gouda cheese is made and taste a wedge of the distinctive orange rounds Biking is a way of life in this region and it's a joy to join the locals as you cruise through the region, passing dikes and quaint villages.
Days 4-6 Uncover the captivating history and culture of two countries in a single trip
Pedal over the border into Belgium! It's a scenic spin to romantic Bruges - nearly car-free and ideal for exploring on foot Discover the medieval city's nooks and crannies, narrow cobblestone streets, steep-gabled brick houses, lofty spires and meandering canals Kids learn about chocolate making and are treated to a tasting at a local shop.
Trip Highlights
- Uncover the captivating history and culture of two countries in a single trip
- Windmills, canals, pitch-roofed farmhouses and vast skies - scenery straight out of a picture book
- Flat terrain and easy-going routes perfect for a range of abilities
- Luxuriate in hotels reminiscent of the 17th-century Golden Age
Premiere Inns
Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg (1 night): A historic country estate situated within a national park, and featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Hotel des Indes (2 nights): Built in 1858 to host aristocrats and heads of state, this opulent former palace is set on the shady Lange Voorhout among the cafés, restaurants and shops of the historic city center.
Hotel De Tuilerieën (2 nights): A sumptuously elegant hotel - originally a 15th-century noble residence - overlooking Den Dyver, the most picturesque canal in Bruges. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (pool)
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 7 | 0 | 22 | 0 | ||||||
| 2 | 12* | 0 | 42 | 0 | ||||||
| 3 | 14 | 0 | 25* | 0 | 40* | 0 | ||||
| 4 | 20* | 0 | 30* | 0 | 42 | 0 | ||||
| Kids: Chocolate tasting (1 hour) | ||||||||||
| 5 | 19* | 0 | 28* | 0 | 60 | 0 | ||||
| 6 | 17 | 0 | ||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
FAMILY TRIPS
- 6/11-16 Price: $4498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $950 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/18-23 Price: $4298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $950 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/25-30 Price: $4498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $950 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/2-7 Price: $4298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $950 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/9-14 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $950 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/28-8/2 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $950 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/6-11 Price: $4298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $950 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/11-16 Price: $4498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $950 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Recommended Kids Ages
Minimum Ages:
- Recommended minimum age for the trip: 6 years
- Minimum age restriction to ride own bike: 7 years
General Info on Minimum Ages:
We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:- 12+ cultural appreciation, difficulty/restrictions of activities and route
- 9+ several long adult dinners; difficulty/restrictions of activities and route
- 6+ several long adult dinners; parent may not be able to pull a Burley and/or there may be multiple activity restrictions
Guest Trip Reviews
Overall, the trip was wonderful for our family. We felt immersed in this picturesque trip into a culture in motion with bikes, canals and windmills as a way of life.Newport Coast, CA
We love Backroads and tell everyone that they are the best vacations our family has had. We have four kids and it is not often that everyone loves the same thing. We will anticipate our next trip with pleasure.Mercer Island, WA
It was fantastic!! Best vacation ever!! We loved it and so did our kids. Everyone was happy.Beverly Hills, CA
This dual-country trip offers an exquisite mix of highlights with broad appeal for all ages. The bike routes are superb, following a mix of flat, peaceful country roads, dijk (dike) walls and scenic fietspaden (bicycling paths). There's a wealth of historic spots to enjoy, from the World Heritage site of Kinderdijk to the romantic central square of Bruges. And glorious hotels, including Manoir Inter Scaldes, which features a Michelin-starred restaurant.- Regional Manager