Day 1 Arrive Oudewater.

Arrive in Oudewater and visit the Witch’s Stool that was used to determine whether someone was a witch and should therefore be sentenced to death.

Day 2 Circular tour from Oudewater 0 or 28 miles.

From Oudewater you are free to choose your route. How about a visit to Gouda, world famous for its cheeses and treacle waffle? Every Thursday morning, farmers in traditional costume, come to the market to have their cheeses weighed and sold.

Day 3 Oudewater to Hilversum 37 miles.

From Oudewater the route takes you north-east along the River IJssel where you will be cycling through the classical Dutch scenery: Green meadows, black and white cows, blue canals and white clouds. Near Breukelen, you will pass the Kortrijk Mill, built in 1696 AD. Further north the route takes you over narrow cycle tracks along the River Vecht. Having cycled through the authentic Vreeland, you will head east for Kortenhoef and Hilversum.

Day 4 Hilversum to Edam 41 miles.

You will cycle across vast heather fields and along the border of the former Zuiderzee passing the medieval Muiderslot castle, built in 1280AD. Here, it’s hard to imagine that you are only 15km away from the dazzling city of Amsterdam. Via former fishing villages such as Durgerdam and Uitdam you will reach the former island Marken, where some inhabitants still dress in traditional Dutch costume. Your hotel in Edam is only a few kilometres away.

Day 5 Circular ride from Edam 0 or 34 miles.

Free to choose today - a trip into Amsterdam or if you would like more cycling a round trip to Zaanse Schans.

Day 6 Edam to Schagen 44 miles.

From Edam the route takes you west, where you will find a peace and calm that is hard to find elsewhere in the west of the Netherlands. You will be cycling over narrow dykes and have views of historic mills and traditional Dutch farmhouses. In springtime you will cycle right into the splendour of the bulb fields at Opmeer in bloom.

Day 7 Circular ride from Schagen 28 or 34 miles.

Today you can choose between two cycle routes through completely divergent areas. The first takes you through Europe’s largest bulb area which, in springtime, is ablaze with all colours of the rainbow. The second tour takes you through the widest and highest dune area in the Netherlands, straight through the De Schoorlse Duinen National Park.

Day 8 Departure after breakfast.

From Schagen railway station you can easily reach Schiphol airport.