Rhine Delta

If you have time on arrival, you should take a stroll round the old town of Arnhem.

Today's just an easy ride through the woods of the southern part of the Veluwe National Park. This gives you the opportunity to go shopping in the morning in Arnhem, capital of Gelderland Province. Another option is to cycle to Rhenen to visit the Ouwehands Zoo. Near there is the Grebbeberg where memories of the World War II battle are kept alive. Overnight in the old town Wijk bij Duurstede.

A great day of cycling through the orchards and beautiful towns of the Betuwe. To start off, it is absolutely worth your while to visit the historical highlights in Wijk bij Duurstede. The fortified town of Buren is known as the place where King Willem of Orange married Anna van Egmond in 1551. Further along the route, you reach a junction of waterways then you follow the picturesque River Linge, surrounded by thousands of fruit trees.

Today you start with a brief exploration of the historical town centre of Gorinchem, which you will pass on your way to the ferry 'Gorinchem VIII' which will take you to the beautiful fortified city of Woudrichem. If you like, you can stay on the ferry and get off at Loevestein Castle. You enter the Province of Brabant. Following a perfectly signposted route, you cross the Biesbosch National Park. This park gets its name from 'bies' (rushes) and 'bosch' (woodland). The area was formed when the dike on the Maas burst in 1421 and, in spite of the large numbers of visitors it receives, the natural environment here has remained largely unspoilt. After one or two ferry rides, you reach another historical town, Dordrecht.

Dordrecht is one of the oldest cities in Holland and has got about a 1000 monuments. A special highlight is the old harbour. Take your time to have a look around as you peddle toward the ferry which will take you to Papendrecht. Cycle at elevations below sea level in the Alblasserwaard to reach one of the main highlights, UNESCO World Heritage Kinderdijk. It's a stunning sight as you look at the nineteen windmills which were built in rows to keep the land dry. Take these historical impressions with you as you cycle on to a very modern town: Rotterdam, with a great example of modern technology visible from far away, the Erasmusbrug.

A 'royal' end suits this unique cycling tour through the Netherlands. After having seen some of Rotterdam's highlights, such as Euromast, the world's largest harbour and historical Delfshaven, you cycle on to the gin-producing town of Schiedam and the 'Nieuwe Waterweg' where large sea ships set sail for the North Sea, just as you will now do. After Hoek van Holland, where the river flows out to sea, you cycle through the dunes toward the royal residence, The Hague. If there's time, you can visit the beach at Scheveningen or have a look at Het Binnenhof where the Dutch Government has its seat.

After breakfast your arrangement ends. As you as near to the seaside you can take a dive in the sea or take a stroll on the boulevard of Scheveningen.