Holland & Belgium Family Bike Tour
- 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
- A welcoming bike culture of epic proportions
- Flat terrain and easygoing routes perfect for a range of abilities
- Luxuriate in hotels reminiscent of the 17th-century Golden Age
From the Dutch Countryside to Beautiful Bruges
"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 royals. 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 delectable Belgian chocolates. We invite you and your gang to bike with us in Holland and Belgium. And feel the love.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Read the Straight Talk
Straight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.Navigating Bike Paths
The Dutch & Belgians are famous for their love of bikes. And that love of bikes has created an amazing labyrinth of bike paths and routes that extend throughout each country. Many of the paths we utilize on this trip are the equivalent of scenic byways, linking quaint villages and big cities alike. Navigating these intricate bike routes requires more attention to the directions than you might expect. Be prepared to make more stops than you usually would to ensure you're on the right track, all the while experiencing the occasional rush of riding among many locals as they commute and run errands by bike. 
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Navigating Bike Paths
The Dutch & Belgians are famous for their love of bikes. And that love of bikes has created an amazing labyrinth of bike paths and routes that extend throughout each country. Many of the paths we utilize on this trip are the equivalent of scenic byways, linking quaint villages and big cities alike. Navigating these intricate bike routes requires more attention to the directions than you might expect. Be prepared to make more stops than you usually would to ensure you're on the right track, all the while experiencing the occasional rush of riding among many locals as they commute and run errands by bike.
Itinerary
Days
1-2 Timeless scenery straight out of a Dutch masterpiece 
Begin with a leisurely ride from Alkmaar to Santpoort, located on the edge of a scenic coastal forest 
Savor traditional pannenkoeken (pancakes) by day and Michelin-starred cuisine by night In the spring, admire the vibrant floral designs at Keukenhof, the world's largest flower garden Pedal past forests and windmills on your way to Holland's charming coast Emerald-green fields and horse farms lead the way to The Hague, our home for the next two nights.
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 Taste a wedge of distinctive Gouda—or perhaps a slice of appeltaart? Biking is a way of life here in the Netherlands, and it's a pleasure 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 are treated to a chocolate tasting at a local shop Bike to the Flemish village of Diksmuide, once the heart of Belgian resistance in World War I Enjoy a final spin through the forests and over the canals around Bruges.
Premiere Inns
Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg
Santpoort (1 night) A historic country estate situated within a national park and featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Hotel des Indes
The Hague (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. (pool, spa)
Hotel De Tuilerieën
Bruges (2 nights) An 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)
Guest Reviews About This Trip
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 Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg, which features a Michelin-starred restaurant.- Regional Manager
Trip Dates & Prices
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
2015 FAMILY DATES
June 2015
- 6/7 - 6/12 ( $4398 per person, double occ., +$1110 for single occ.
- 6/16 - 6/21 ( $4498 per person, double occ., +$1030 for single occ.
- 6/23 - 6/28 ( $4498 per person, double occ., +$1030 for single occ.
- 6/30 - 7/5 ( $4498 per person, double occ., +$1030 for single occ.
July 2015
- 7/7 - 7/12 ( $4398 per person, double occ., +$1030 for single occ.
- 7/14 - 7/19 ( $4398 per person, double occ., +$1030 for single occ.
- 7/21 - 7/26 ( $4298 per person, double occ., +$1030 for single occ.
- 7/28 - 8/2 ( $4398 per person, double occ., +$1030 for single occ.
August 2015
- 8/4 - 8/9 ( $4098 per person, double occ., +$1030 for single occ.
- 8/11 - 8/16 ( $4098 per person, double occ., +$1030 for single occ.
- 8/18 - 8/23 ( $4098 per person, double occ., +$1030 for single occ.
Don't see your ideal travel date? Call us at 800-462-2848 for Private Trip date availability.
This Trip Is Rated Level 1-4
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 | 23 | 50 | ||||||
| 2 | 12* | 50 | 23 | 100 | 42 | 150 | ||||
| Kids: Horseback Riding (2 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 3 | 15 | 0 | 28* | 50 | 48* | 50 | ||||
| 4 | 15* | 0 | 26* | 0 | ||||||
| 5 | 21* | 50 | 65 | 0 | ||||||
| 28* | 50 | |||||||||
| Kids: Chocolate Tasting (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 6 | 12 | 0 | ||||||||
On this Family Trip, our routes follow rolling terrain. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.
* Includes a shuttle
Private Trips Options & Pricing
Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities.
You can pick from a large selection of dates for your group of 8 or more. Call us for date availability.
If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or if your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you.
Pricing for Private Trips (prices may vary based on departure date)
2015
| 2 - 3 guests from $7,098 pp dbl. occ. | 8 - 9 guests from $5,098 pp dbl. occ. |
| 4 - 5 guests from $6,098 pp dbl. occ. | 10 - 11 guests from $4,398 pp dbl. occ. |
| 6 - 7 guests from $5,498 pp dbl. occ. | 12 or more guests from $4,098 pp dbl. occ. |
Please note: Youth savings do not apply to Private Trips.
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For 35 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Holland & Belgium tour experts. See our award-winning Europe At Large biking tours, Europe At Large walking and hiking tours and Europe At Large multisport tours.
