1-888-414-6437   info@skedaddle.com
The Netherlands (Holland)

Highlights of the Netherlands

Self-Guided Family Bike Tour

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

8 days

Prices from

$1,360 P.P.
Child Discount Applies
BOOK NOW
Introducing our exciting new family holiday exploring the south of Holland! With plenty of action-packed adventures, there's no better way to explore Holland than by bike and there's something for everyone from quiet beaches and a bustling coastal promenade, to the fantastic cities of The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam. Travel at your own pace along specially selected low-traffic routes, taking rest stops at places the kids will love.
Starting in the quiet suburbs of Zoetermeer, you'll soon be gliding along cyclepaths through parks and fields to the coast where you can explore big sandy beaches and Fairytale Sculptures by the Sea. After a couple of days of quiet cyclepaths to perfect your skills, you will head inland along classic canals and past giant windmills to the modern, innovative city of Rotterdam. Along the way you will pass by the grand buildings of The Hague and beautiful Delft with it's historic bulldings and famous pottery. 
In Rotterdam you can enjoy the waterfront in style, spending two nights aboard an enormous cruise ship, the former flagship of the Holland America Line! This family holiday really does offer adventure, variety and heaps of fun for everyone in the family!
This family cycling holiday is all about gentle cycling through the enchanting towns and cities, and the opportunity to use the fabulous cycling infrastructure to pedal through The Netherlands. We book all your accommodation, transfer your luggage and provide you with cycling routes to make sure you have a great trip. Just contact us with your preferred dates and let Skedaddle show you the best way to enjoy a cycling holiday in Holland.
rotterdam-cycling-cube-houses-family-holiday-self-guided-biking.jpg

Highlights

  • Fairytale Sculpture Spotting in Scheveningen
  • Duinrell amusement park in Wassenaar
  • Wandering along the beautiful canals in Delft
  • Staying aboard the SS Rotterdam
  • Panorama Mesdag in The Hague
  • Cycling over Rotterdam’s Eurasmusbrug Bridge

Back to Top

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Zoetermeer

Your holiday starts today in the ‘Sweet Lake City’ of Zoetermeer, a quiet Dutch city with plenty of green spaces, canals and a number of historic buildings in its centre. Your hotel is located on the edge of the city and with great transport links it makes for an easy arrival. Once you have settled in you can explore the local area and take advantage of the quiet location to get used to your bikes and cycling on Holland’s famous cyclepaths.

Day 2
Zoetermeer - Scheveningen
19 Miles / 31 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast

After a nice big breakfast your ride will take you to the bustling seaside town of Scheveningen. Your route each day follows a network of numbered and signed cycle junctions so with your handy list of junction numbers it’s easy to share the navigation and get everyone involved in looking out for signs and finding the way.

Before you reach the beach you will pass through the affluent town of Wassenaar. With central streets lined with beautiful shops and cafes it’s the perfect place for a lunch break. On the way you’ll find Duinrell Amusement Park with rides for all the family as well as a waterpark. Your final leg of today’s journey takes you on fabulous cyclepaths through the wild dunes to Scheveningen and your hotel by the sea.

Day 3
Scheveningen
Activity Day
  • Meals: Breakfast

Today is for exploring the seaside town of Scheveningen where there are lots of activities to get involved with and keep you busy. Take a walk along the promenade to the ‘Fairytale Sculptures by the Sea‘, visit the model village in nearby Madurodam, or take a day trip to The Hague. With lots of beachside restaurants and cafes it’s the perfect place to relax and watch the evening sun setting over the sea.

Day 4
Scheveningen - Delft
10.5 Miles / 17 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast

Heading for Delft today you can put your Dutch cycling skills into practice as your route takes you on a series of cyclepaths through the Netherland’s third largest city, The Hague. Full to the brim with culture, be sure to stop off and explore the Panorama Mesdag or the amazing Escher Museum which is home to some fabulous pieces of art. Famous for its blue pottery, there’s plenty to enjoy in Delft this afternoon and you should make time to explore the gorgeous old town with its canals, enchanting old buildings and big central square.

Day 5
Delft - Rotterdam
20 Miles / 33 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast

Without a hill in sight you’ll travel along canals, through towns and villages and past windmills before reaching Rotterdam, a modern city with lots to do! You can take a trip on a boat to explore the waterfront or climb the Euromast to get a fabulous view across the city. Tonight you’ll be staying in your own cabin aboard the Hotel SS Rotterdam, an enormous cruise ship permanently moored in the city port providing a great night’s accommodation full of character.

Day 6
Rotterdam
Activity Day
  • Meals: Breakfast

After your delightful buffet breakfast there are lots of activities to choose from today! If you have loved your time on board you can take a guided tour of the whole ship, including the upper decks and engine room. Or heading out to explore Rotterdam, you can board the hop on/hop off waterbus with your bikes and decide where you would like to go today. You may want to visit the Kinderdijk Windmills UNESCO Heritage site, alternatively head back over the Erasmusbrug bridge and along the waterfront to the modern market hall where you can enjoy for lunch from one of the many stalls and explore Piet Blom’s fascinating cube houses!

Day 7
Rotterdam - Zoetermeer
19 Miles / 32 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast

Your final day of cycling takes you along the banks of the River Rotte all the way back to Zoetermeer. During today’s ride you will pass lots of windmills, locks, marinas and villages and is a great way to relax and enjoy life on the bike through the great Dutch scenery.

Day 8
Departure from Zoetermeer
  • Meals: Breakfast

Today is unfortunately the end of your wonderful trip around the cities and beaches of the south. It’s time to pack your bags, say goodbye to the windmills and make your way home from your Dutch Family Adventure.

Back to Top

The Cycling

Terrain

The route is easy-going and mostly flat (with just some gentle ups and downs when riding through the dunes). The majority of the route will be on a combination of cycle paths and cycle lanes (separated from motor vehicles). There is some cycling on minor country roads but the vehicle traffic is mostly slow and very aware and considerate of cyclists. Cyclepaths in Holland are well-used and in urban areas they can be busy with commuters, long-distance riders and scooters all sharing the space and travelling at higher speeds. It’s a joy to join the cycling culture but you need to stay aware and be comfortable cycling on the correct side of the path. Due to the short distances and relaxed nature of the routes we recommend a comfortable hybrid or city bike.

dutch-discoverer-holland-family-cycling-holiday-saddle-skedaddle-trip.jpg

Family Cycling Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 1 - 2 : Easy/Gentle

Aspects of both our grade 1 and 2 trips

Suitable for those looking for a relaxed ride

Occasional ups and downs

Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!

For more information about our grading system click here.

Is this suitable for you?

Trips that are graded as a 1-2, will have aspects of both our grade 1 and grade 2 trips. These tours are still suitable for those looking for an accessible cycling holiday with manageable daily distances, along predominately flat terrain, however there will be some days / sections where we’d expect you to be up for a slightly cheeky challenge. It might be that the distances are a little longer on some days or that the terrain is slightly more undulating, but the rides are still relaxed and manageable for families who are generally fit and healthy.

Back to Top

Dates & Prices

2023 Daily departures from 01 Apr – 23 Sep.

We are able to offer the following discounts on the land only price for children.

0–3: Free Place

4–11: 35%

12–16: 10%

Available when the child is sharing a room with 2 fully-paying passengers (dependent on availability).

Choose your date
Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
Return Date
--/--/----
Duration
8 days
Price
$1,360.00

Whats Included Tick

A) Accommodation in 3/4 star Hotels

B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

C) Detailed route notes and maps

D) GPS unit (one per family)

E) GPX files (on request)

F) Luggage transfers

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike rental (available if required)

B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike

C) Travel insurance

D) Meals not stated in the itinerary

E) Personal clothing and equipment

F) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills etc)

G) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route

H) Trains and ferries en route

I) Local city tax to be paid locally (amount varies)

Back to Top

The Essentials

Travel Options

For this tour we ask that you make your way to the first hotel in Zoetermeer which is very conveniently located close to the local train station (approximately 5 minutes walk).

There are international train and ferry options arriving Rotterdam and for travel within The Netherlands you can check schedules and book train tickets via https://www.ns.nl/

If you choose to fly, Amsterdam Schipol Airport (AMS) is the closest airport with many reasonably priced airlines flying from across the US direct to Amsterdam. Once you have arrived at Schipol airport you can catch the train to Zoetermeer. This takes around 60 minutes and costs approximately 12 Euros – there are many regular connections.

Please check your travel arrangements with Saddle Skedaddle before booking so that we can ensure they fit in with the holiday schedule.

Accommodation

As with all of our trips we aim to use accommodation which showcases the style and hospitality of the area you are visiting. We always have comfort and convenience in mind when selecting such places.

For this trip you will be staying in a variety of 3 and 4 star Hotels. Including the famous Hotel SS Rotterdam which was is a former cruise ship that is now permanently moored in Rotterdam as a hotel and events space.

Bike Hire

If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own we have bikes available to rent. Rental bikes are typically hybrids with 21 gears. We provide comfortable male and female frames in various sizes. Bikes come equipped with a pannier and handlebar bag, a tool kit, a puncture repair kit, a pump, a bike light and an extra lock.

We also have e-bikes available, which are typically unisex and have 10 gears.

You can also rent children’s bikes, tag-alongs, trailers and child seats if required.

Back to Top

News, Reviews & Stories

Reviews

No reviews available yet!

You May Also Like...

Back to Top