Netherlands & Belgium Multi-Adventure Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Premiere Hotels
Netherlands & Belgium Multi-Adventure Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Premiere Hotels
2025: Apr-May, Aug-Sep
Canals, Windmills & Ancient Bridges from Amsterdam to Brussels
The Netherlands were paved for the love of bikes. Belgium’s wild Ardennes Forest beckons intrepid hikers. Canals beg to be kayaked, shores beg to be strolled and the resort town of Spa—yes, the original—invites you to experience the definition of R&R. By land or by water, come rain or come shine, Dutch and Belgians have countless ways to get out there in their remarkable home. On this trip, so do we.
Highlights
- Enjoy a best-of-the-best sampling of the beaches, backcountry, cities and villages of two distinct but deeply interrelated countries
- Join commuters on Holland’s maze of bike paths, cycle beside North Sea dunes and follow a rail trail along a former Prussian train line
- Belgian brewers guide you through beer tastings, local storytellers bring the World Wars to life and organic farmers show us their secrets
- From converted palaces in Dutch city centers to a château-like spa retreat in the Belgian hills, splendid lodgings immerse you in Golden Age opulence
StartAmsterdam
EndBrussels
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Cycle between flower farms and along country canals via the Netherlands’ stellar network of bike trails • Relax on the lakeside terrace of a café • Check out windy North Sea beaches lined by sand dunes and coastal pines • Chat with pioneering organic farmers in the agricultural region known as the Green Heart • Ogle the historic market square and taste Gouda's famed cheese • A local guide takes us walking through the international monuments and downtown sights of The Hague • At an Indonesian bistro, taste fusion flavors brought here by the Dutch East India Company centuries ago.
Nights 1-2
Built in 1858 to host aristocrats and heads of state and still displaying its original Gothic Romantic characteristics, this opulent former palace is located among the cafés, restaurants and shops of the historic city center. (pool, spa)
Day 3
Hike the fields and grassy wetlands of a polder, a swath of land reclaimed from the sea • Behold the iconic windmills at the World Heritage site of Kinderdijk and take a look inside one’s inner workings • A private boat cruise gives us an exclusive perspective on Kinderdijk’s waterways • Kayak stately canals through the center of urban Utrecht, a unique way to see the sights • Settle into our medieval palace-turned-hotel before hitting the nightlife of this dynamic university city.
Night 3
This centrally located and historic property along the Utrecht canal was built in the 1300s as a monastery and has housed nobles throughout the centuries. (spa)
Days 4-6
Cycle the Vennbahn, a rail trail that hops back and forth between Germany and Belgium following a former Prussian train line • Fresh Belgian waffles at a snack bar keep your cycling legs spinning • Local brewers talk you through a flight of Belgian beers • Settle into our country retreat in the heart of the Ardennes forest • Learn about the role this area played in World War II from a local storyteller and spot landmarks from his stories on a hike • Feed apples to happy trailside horses • Grab a treatment in Spa, namesake of health resorts the world over.
Nights 4-5
A former manor—inspired by the palace of Versailles—has been reimagined as a luxury boutique hotel featuring a world-class wellness center, a fairy-tale garden and a unique on-site dining experience. (pool, spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
The Dutch and Belgians are famous for their love of bikes. And that love of bikes has created an amazing network 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 may require more attention than usual—expect some stops to ensure you're on the right track!—as well as increased attention to cycling etiquette, laws and traffic as you share the "road" with the many locals going about their business by bike. Note that these paths vary in road surface, with some sections of gravel, dirt and cobblestones.
The Low Countries may be flat, but cycling routes here are shaped by the weather. Gusty winds (this is the land of windmills, after all) can add a degree of challenge to even the flattest routes. In addition, rain is a regular feature of the climate year-round; our past guests have been glad to have packed extras like fully waterproof rain pants and waterproof shoe covers. Even if you hop in the shuttle as soon as there’s a turn in the weather, expect the occasional section of riding through adverse conditions—it’s just part of the adventure in this lush green region surrounded by the stormy North Sea.
If you visit during early spring’s tulip season, also be aware that you may encounter cold temperatures, hail or even snow.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
Premiere Hotel
Built in 1858 to host aristocrats and heads of state and still displaying its original Gothic Romantic characteristics, this opulent former palace is located among the cafés, restaurants and shops of the historic city center. (pool, spa)
Night 3
Premiere Hotel
This centrally located and historic property along the Utrecht canal was built in the 1300s as a monastery and has housed nobles throughout the centuries. (spa)
Nights 4-5
Premiere Hotel
A former manor—inspired by the palace of Versailles—has been reimagined as a luxury boutique hotel featuring a world-class wellness center, a fairy-tale garden and a unique on-site dining experience. (pool, spa)
Gallery
Bikes
Choose Your Perfect Bike
Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Included in your trip price
- Ideal for avid cyclists
- Redesigned for 2024
- Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
- Responsive, efficient and comfortable
- Drop handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- Suited for a wide range of cyclists
- Comfortable ergonomic seat
- Long wheel base adds to the bike's control and stability
- Upright handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- One of the lightest e-bikes available
- Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
- Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
- Upright handlebars only
- Limited availability on Unplugged Bike Tours; learn more
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
