Although Zuid-Holland is quite a built-up area, outside the cities, there is a surprising amount of countryside to explore. You will find lots of winding paths, mills, lakes and farms here. It is hard to get your head around the fact that a large part of Zuid-Holland is situated below sea level. Hence the dykes, ditches, ring dykes, mills and pumping stations. For centuries, mills used to pump up water to reclaim the area. Canals and waterways would carry the water to sea. The nineteen mills of Kinderdijk are world-famous, a must visit!

Just as famous are the bulb fields of Lisse. In spring, this area is covered in a big carpet of blooming tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. You get a very good view of this from your bike. Make sure to include a visit to Keukenhof in your schedule.

Afterwards, make your way to the dunes of Katwijk, Noordwijk or Meijendel. And to National Park De Biesbosch near Dordrecht for water, creeks and willow forests. And why not get into a canoe to admire the animals and plants from the water? The historic cities of Delft, Leiden and Maassluis alone make a trip to Zuid-Holland more than worthwhile.

For more information, visit:
groenehart.nl (available in Dutch only)
www.keukenhof.nl (available in English)
www.np-debiesbosch.nl (available in Dutch only)