Biking in Holland with Van Gogh Tours

I turned 70 in 2015, and my wife, Linda, and I decided to celebrate my birthday that April while on a bike trip in the tulip bulb region of the Netherlands, when the fields were in full bloom and the Keukenhof gardens were open.

We’ve taken a variety of hiking and biking trips in Europe, from self-guided tours, staying in 2-star hotels, to guided tours, with lodging in 4-star châteaux and our meals in Michelin-starred restaurants. For Holland, I investigated about a dozen bike trips, and we decided on the 7-day, 6-night “Country of Tulips” offered by Van Gogh Tours (Cambridge, MA; 800/435-6192, vangoghtours.com).

The 2017 tour price is $2,195 per person, double occupancy, which is about what we paid in 2015. The price included use of 21- or 24-speed bikes, which were in top condition, as well as daily breakfasts, five dinners and entry to Keukenhof.

Daily biking distances ranged from 20 to 35 miles, and each day’s itinerary was well planned and varied. The obvious attraction was the rainbow of colors when all the bulbs were in bloom. 

We also biked through dunes along the coast; passed through suburbs with elegant homes; visited picture-perfect historic towns, like Delft; explored miles of greenhouses, where flowers and myriad vegetables were grown; glided through the “green heart of Holland” with its picturesque farms, and, of course, rode along canals, seeing wildflowers and windmills. 

Our tour group consisted of nine guests and two leaders. Both leaders were experienced and skilled, and they looked after us and the condition of our bikes at all times.

One important factor in choosing this trip was we wouldn’t have to change hotels every day. We stayed in three hotels, each for two nights.

The hotels scheduled on the 2017 tour are the same as the ones we used. They were very comfortable and offered plenty of amenities and friendly, personalized service.

The 3-star Hotel de Emauspoort, in the center of Delft, used to be a bakery and still prepares fresh bread and pastries for breakfast daily. I’m a serious baker, and I loved our hotel room there. The walls were decorated with old copper cake molds and photos and prints about bakeries. Our bed’s headboard was made of wooden cookie molds.

The 4-star Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant De Witte Raff in Noordwijk was within easy walking distance of the beach and dunes. And at the 4-star Restaurant-Hotel de Watergeus in Noorden, we had a 2-room suite with a balcony that provided a view of a beautiful, serene pond.

Dinners consisted of three courses, usually with three options for each course. Dietary restrictions were accommodated. The quality of each meal and the food’s presentation were first-rate.

We’ve taken two other wonderful trips with Van Gogh Tours: a guided walking trip in Provence in June 2003 and a guided biking trip through the Loire Valley in June 2010. Each featured an excellent itinerary, beautiful scenery, first-class meals and great attention to detail by the tour leaders.

The quality of these trips and the value for the money were incomparable.

HARVEY SEGAL

Wayland, MA