Your Dutch adventure begins! Stephanie will welcome you at Schiphol Airport with a warm smile. From there, enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Alphen aan den Rijn, a charming canal town in the heart of Holland. If you’re up for a gentle start to the journey, Stephanie will lead a low-key afternoon stroll through the historic town center near her own home, stopping for coffee along the Oude Rijn (Old Rhine) and a visit with some of her favorite shopkeepers.

After breakfast, transfer to Leiden by van or taxi, where your bikes await! Once fitted comfortably, you’ll set off on a picturesque ride back to Alphen through the serene Dutch countryside — where the rhythm of the windmills and the gentle hum of your wheels will ease you into the cycling spirit. Those preferring a shorter route can opt for a relaxed “warm-up” loop starting from Alphen.

This morning, cycle through meadows dotted with grazing cows and bright tulip fields toward the storybook city of Gouda. The air fills with music and laughter as you arrive at the famous Cheese Market (10:00–12:30) — a lively scene straight out of the 17th century. Taste warm stroopwafels fresh off the iron, before you step inside the Sint Janskerk, the Netherlands’ longest church, whose stained-glass windows bathe the nave in color.

Today is a feast for the senses! Board the train to Leiden, then transfer by direct bus to the world-famous Keukenhof Flower Gardens — 80 acres of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths arranged in breathtaking patterns. Wander the fragrant pathways, admire artful floral displays, and pause for tea beside the lily ponds. Return to Leiden for a leisurely dinner or a short stroll along its tranquil canals before heading back to Alphen by train.

Cycle along peaceful dike paths and through whispering reeds to the Driemanpolder, where three stately windmills stand together like sentinels of the past. The route offers perfect moments for photos — or simply to pause and breathe in the stillness of the Dutch polder landscape.

Pedal south to the elegant city of Delft, famed for its blue-and-white pottery and rich artistic heritage. At the Royal Delft Museum, enjoy a private tour and a delicious lunch, then watch the master painters at work — brush by brush — creating timeless ceramics. Stephanie will lead an afternoon city walk through Delft’s historic center, where quiet canals mirror spire-topped churches and charming bridges.

Today we’ll stay close to Alphen with a scenic loop ride through the countryside just beyond the city limits. Get a glimpse into the ingenuity of Dutch water management when you gaze upon the only operational 4 windmill corridor in the world. Later we’ll visit Stephanie’s favorite dairy farmer at De Witte Gravin, a charming dairy farm where you will be treated to local treats and cold fresh milk from the dairy tap!

Cycle one final time to the flower fields of Lisse before returning your trusty bikes in Leiden. Celebrate your cycling triumph with a cozy farewell dinner in one of Leiden’s canal-side restaurants — perhaps raising a glass to friendship and the open Dutch sky.

Travel to Amsterdam to visit some of the city’s beloved sites and famed museums. If it’s art you fancy, works by the 16th-century Dutch Masters await. If you are a history buff, the Resistance Museum is worthwhile. Later, glide through the city on a canal boat tour. Savor a few Dutch goodies on Stephanie’s food walk from the literary Spui Square to the charming Jordaan district. Visit a Begijnhof, a hidden courtyard where a secret church and the oldest house in the city can be found.

Enjoy a final breakfast before your transfer to Schiphol Airport for departure. You’ll carry home not only photos and souvenirs — but memories of friendship, laughter, and the beauty of spring in Holland’s Green Heart.