Day 1: Arrival in Zutphen
In the morning, you will be welcomed in your Zutphen hotel. We will take a short bike ride around Zutphen. An experienced city guide will show you around the historic Hanseatic city in the evening.
Day 2: Lichtenvoorde Flower Parade
For over 80 years now, Lichtenvoorde has been hosting the annual Dahlia Parade, featuring impressive floats sporting a grand total of more than 4 million colorful dahlias. We will be exploring the Lichtenvoorde area, watch the Parade, visit an open-air museum for an impression of rural life in the east of the Netherlands and try some very special bikes! The day comes to a close with Dutch pancakes, in a traditional pancake restaurant.
Day 3: Castle bike ride in Zutphen Area
In the 14th Century, the current province of Gelderland was a duchy. Gelderland now has the highest number of cities and castles from the Middle Ages in the Netherlands. We will pedal through this beautiful region to discover some of its highlights. We will take a tour in a castle which is still privately owned. And we visit a museum which is located in a castle. Immerse yourself in this region’s history!
Dag 4: Bronckhorst
Bronckhorst is known as the smallest town in the Netherlands. With just 150 inhabitants, this picturesque little town with its central church is well worth your visit. Situated on the local river’s floodplains, we will cross over by ferry to get there. About time we tasted some local specialties, don’t you think?
Dag 5: Deventer
As we leave Zutphen, we pedal along the IJssel river towards the Hanseatic city of Deventer. An intriguing City of Books and of Deventer Koek (cookies).We’ll be there early, so you’ll have plenty of time to look around. During your Evening City Walk, you’ll learn everything about this remarkable historic city, and its centuries-old river trade.
Day 6: Staphorst and Giethoorn
Staphorst is renowned for its traditional costume with its characteristic, decorative Staphorster Dot Work. Today we’ll also discover Giethoorn, the Venice of the North. With its 18th Century houses, the old village does not have any roads (except for a narrow bicycle lane, of course). All aboard! We will take a boat ride! With characteristic bridges connecting the village to the mainland, Giethoorn harbors romantic lakes, a wide variety of birds, and splendid natural views.
Day 7: Fortmond Area
Today, we’ll experience the force of the river, and a source of Dutch pride: harvesting and controlling it. At De Haere Estate dating from 1559, we’ll be visiting an English garden with a big sundial, but also the IJssel Line, a range of defense bunkers, constructed after WWII. Kept a secret until as late as 1990, this line could be flooded deliberately, to slow down any possible invaders.
When the IJssel is at its highest, the hamlet of Fortmond is inaccessible by car or bike. From its watch tower, we’ll have a clear view of the latest developments against the rising river tides. After crossing the river per ferry, we’ll meander along the IJssel, back to Deventer for a chance to buy souvenirs.
Day 8: End of tour