Amsterdam & beyond: 6 active breaks that the new Eurostar service will make easier to arrange

Do as the locals do and experience the Dutch countryside by bike. ©NBTC With the long-awaited service of the Eurostar to Amsterdam having had its inaugural ride in early April, it will be even easier to plan a visit to Holland for a short break. The new train to Holland that departs from St Pancras in London will take (British) holidaymakers to the Dutch capital in just under 4 hours. If you prefer travelling by train, below are six ideas for Holland short breaks that will be easier to book now that the Eurostar to Amsterdam is running.

Amsterdam to Bruges Bike & Barge

The highlights of Holland and Belgium are uncovered on this guided cycling & barge tour of the lowlands and North Sea coast. Beginning in Amsterdam, pedal to Gouda (world known for its cheese!), windmills and natural reserves before continuing by barge across the impressive waterways of Zeeland. Onto the lively town of Antwerp in Belgium and after a walking tour in the delightful town of Ghent, pay a visit to Bruges’ small chocolatiers and waffle sellers – what a sweet way to finish your trip… learn more >>

Tulip Tour by Bike & Barge

A quintessential Holland short break by bike and barge to experience the highlights of springtime in Holland with excursions to quintessential Dutch sights. Visit Keukenhof, the largest flower garden in the world, explore the Flower Auction in Aalsmeer, where 20 million flowers are sold every day, and cycle through blooming bulb fields to reach Leiden, birthplace of the world famous painter Rembrandt. learn more >>

Holland Family Bike & Barge

An itinerary specially designed for kids from 7 to 11 years old. Holland’s flat cycle ways and pretty canals offer some of the most enchanting and safe cycling opportunities in Europe. Take the Eurostar to Amsterdam, which is due to make a fantastic journey for your little ones. Once in Amsterdam, board your hotel barge and in the company of other families, cycle through the Dutch riverlands, visit the famous cheese town of Gouda and view the 19 windmills of Kinderdijk. learn more >>

Classic Holland Cycle NEW

Another ride that is perfect for families, perhaps looking for their first self-guided cycling holiday? This new trip represents the ultimate Dutch cycling experience, combining our past travellers’ all-time favourite cities, from capital Amsterdam to Haarlem, Leiden, Delft and Gouda, each one of them brimming with typical old-world Dutch charm. Each day’s cycling distance is kept relatively short, allowing more time to explore out of the saddle, take in the highlights of each city or linger en route over a cheese tasting or delicious pancake. Between the cities, the cycling route meanders through the quiet Dutch countryside, where you will encounter low-lying polders, omnipresent canals, traditional windmills, and, in the spring, endless fields of tulips! learn more >>

Highlights of Holland by Barge

Venture into the ‘green heart’ of Holland! Board UTracks’ barge in Amsterdam (easy to get to by train) and after exploring the city’s canals head towards the tranquillity of the Dutch countryside. Cycle through quiet lake areas and past sand dunes and follow sections of the scenic Flower Route, perhaps the most amazing uninterrupted garden you will ever see thanks to its dense concentration of flower fields. Visit a traditional cheese market, discover the medieval centres of Haarlem and Leiden, visit scenic ports and immerse in the spirit of the Dutch Golden Age. learn more >>

Around IJssel Lake

There is more to Holland than the cities and this trip gives cyclists the chance to explore the lesser known De Weerribben National Park, whose former peatlands now form one of Europe’s finest nature reserves. The Dutch people have worked both with and against the water for centuries to create a unique landscape and this trip takes in old fishing ports, great waterways and the countryside around the picturesque IJssel Lake. This short break starts and finishes in Amsterdam and the circular route will guide you through the rural area around the former inland sea of Zuiderzee. learn more >>   Got some more time on your hands? In 2018 UTracks is launching a brand-new trip that takes you to cycle from Amsterdam to Paris. If you plan smart, you can profit from some excellent Eurostar fares from London to Amsterdam and then from Paris back to London.

NEW Cycle Amsterdam to Paris

From the canals of Amsterdam to the City of Lights, this new trip is ideal for those who revel in city experiences but also enjoy the excitement of an activity-based holiday. The relaxed and diverse self-guided itinerary traverses three countries, pedalling on a combination of dedicated cycleways along canals and rivers, sleepy country lanes and urban bike-friendly roads. On your way to the French capital, highlights of the 12-day ride range from seeing up close iconic Dutch windmills of Kinderdijk to indulging in Belgian chocolate (or beer!) in Ghent and Antwerp. >> view trip  

>> See the overview of all breaks in Holland with UTracks

  The humble tulip is one of the most romantic flowers to give