VOS Travel

Riders who enjoy relaxed cycling in attractive surroundings don't always need to travel far. The Kempen region offers exactly that, with VOS Travel basing riders at the Priorij van Corsendonk, a former priory hotel hidden in the forests near Oud-Turnhout. A monastery has stood on the site since 1395, and Corsendonk remained an important religious centre for centuries, with traces of that history still visible in and around the hotel.

Three signed routes make use of the region's excellent cycle node network. One heads to nearby Turnhout, just 15 minutes away, for shopping and a taste of local Corsendonk beer. A second explores towards Postel Abbey, and a third rides through the eastern Kempen via Herentals and Kasterlee.

Highlights:

• Stay at the Priorij van Corsendonk, a former priory dating to 1395
• Ride the Kempen's well-signed cycle node network through forest country
• Visit Turnhout's town centre and sample local Corsendonk beer
• Explore towards Postel Abbey
• Ride through the eastern Kempen via Herentals and Kasterlee
• Relaxed, low-key base-stay suited to unwinding body and mind

Surface and terrain:
Rated Level 1 (easiest). Flat, forested Kempen countryside implied by the routes described.

Suitable for:
Recreational cyclists wanting a relaxed, nearby base-stay in a scenic, forested setting.

The Danube Cycle Path is one of Europe's most famous long-distance routes, and the stretch from Passau, on the German border, to the cultural capital Vienna is its finest section. The ride follows flat paths along the mighty Danube, taking in nature and countless historical monuments. This 10-day version is designed for those who want shorter daily stages and more time to explore along the way, arriving in Vienna fully relaxed. The path is flat, paved and well signed throughout.

For centuries the Danube has been a major European thoroughfare, and traces of the many peoples and cultures who passed through remain in the towns along the route: Schärding, Linz, Melk, Grein, Spitz and Vienna itself. From Passau, the route passes the famous Schlögen bend before reaching Linz, with a stop opposite the former Mauthausen concentration camp along the way. Riding continues into the wine-growing Wachau valley and fairy-tale Dürnstein, then Krems and Tulln, with a short final stage to allow maximum time in Vienna.

Highlights:

• Ride the Danube's famous Schlögen bend near Passau
• Pass the former Mauthausen concentration camp memorial site
• Cycle through the wine-growing Wachau valley
• Visit fairy-tale Dürnstein and the towns of Krems and Tulln
• Arrive in Vienna with a short final stage, leaving time to explore
• Flat, fully paved and well-signed path throughout

Surface and terrain:
Entirely flat, paved and well-signed cycle path along the Danube. Rated Level 1 (easiest); the page describes the whole route as easy riding.

Suitable for:
Recreational cyclists of any experience level wanting an easy, relaxed long-distance ride with plenty of sightseeing time.

Bruges is built for cyclists rather than cars, and this base-stay lets riders explore the medieval "Venice of the North" at a relaxed pace while also venturing into the surrounding countryside. Riders stay in Bruges for the whole trip and set out on four different day loops, ranging between the historic centre's canals, churches and cosy local pubs, and quieter districts away from the main tourist flow.

Bruges is ringed by a green belt of forests and polders, all reachable within minutes by bike. Popular routes include the Damme Canal towards Sluis in the Netherlands, the castle-dotted Houtland route, and the Abbey route, plus options towards the coast or along canal-side polder villages largely unchanged for decades.

Highlights:

• Cycle through medieval Bruges' canals, historic buildings and quiet backstreets
• Ride to Sluis (Netherlands) along the Damme Canal
• Explore the castle-studded Houtland route and the Abbey route
• Visit the Flemish coast and provincial forest domains by bike
• Relax with a Bruges Tripel or Brugse Zot in a traditional local pub
• Four different day loops from a single base, so no packing up each night

Surface and terrain:
Rated Level 1 (easiest) on VOS Travel's own scale, consistent with the flat Flemish countryside described (canals, polders, coastal domains).

Suitable for:
Recreational, leisure-oriented cyclists wanting an easy, relaxed base-stay rather than a demanding tour. No stated fitness or age prerequisite.

Ypres is synonymous with the horrors of WWI, but in medieval times it was briefly the third-largest city in Flanders. VOS Travel has mapped out four day rides from a central Ypres hotel, within walking distance of the Grote Markt, to show riders both the town and the southern Westhoek.

Routes head north across open, flat land along the River IJzer to Diksmuide, and separately through wooded country near Westvleteren Abbey to the art-and-poetry village of Watou, with the option of a detour into French Flanders en route to Poperinge. A third ride takes in major WWI sites, including Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, Hill 60 and mine craters, finishing in Kemmel. The final ride explores the hillier landscape south of Ypres, with views into France, passing Mesen (Flanders' smallest town) and the villages of Dranouter, Loker and Westouter, plus vineyards along the way.

Highlights:

• Ride the flat IJzer river valley from Ypres to Diksmuide
• Wooded route to Westvleteren Abbey and the art village of Watou
• Visit Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, Hill 60 and WWI mine craters
• Cycle the hilly countryside south of Ypres with views into France
• Pass through Mesen, Flanders' smallest town, plus Dranouter, Loker and Westouter
• Vineyard visits with tasting options along the southern route

Surface and terrain: Rated Level 1 (easiest). Terrain varies from flat river valley riding to hillier country south of Ypres.

Suitable for:
Recreational cyclists interested in WWI history and varied Westhoek scenery, wanting an easy base-stay rather than a demanding tour.

Gelderland's Veluwe is one of the Netherlands' leading tourist destinations, offering a rare kind of quiet cycling through Northwest Europe's largest unbroken nature reserve. It's a green oasis in a densely populated country, home to red deer, roe deer and wild boar across unspoiled forests, heathland and drifting sand dunes.

Riders are based at Hotel Stakenberg, an estate hotel set in nature in the heathland village of Elspeet, surrounded by the Elspeterveld and Elspeetse heide. The signature ride, to Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn, crosses the Veluwe through the Royal Het Loo forests and past small heath villages including Wiesel, Niersen and Gortel.

Other routes take in the Hulshorsterzand and Beekhuizerzand drifting sands, crystal-clear spring streams such as the Leuvenumse and Hierdense Beek, and the historic Zuiderzee towns of Harderwijk and Elburg on the Veluwemeer coast, plus Radio Kootwijk and typical Veluwe villages such as Vierhouten and Speuld.

Highlights:

• Ride through the Royal Het Loo forests to Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn
• Explore the Hulshorsterzand and Beekhuizerzand drifting sand landscapes
• Follow crystal-clear spring streams including the Leuvenumse and Hierdense Beek
• Visit the historic Zuiderzee towns of Harderwijk and Elburg
• See Radio Kootwijk and the nearby Hoog Buurlo sheepfold
• Stop at cafes in traditional Veluwe villages such as Vierhouten and Speuld

Surface and terrain:
Rated Level 1 (easiest). Forest, heath and sandy nature-reserve terrain implied by the routes described.

Suitable for:
Recreational cyclists (and walkers, as this can also be booked as a walking holiday) wanting a nature-focused base-stay.

Alkmaar, known as the Netherlands' "cheese city," is the base for this cycling holiday, with riders staying at a brand-new boutique hotel in the historic city centre. Alkmaar was an important medieval trading centre, and its rich history is reflected in more than 400 national heritage monuments, alongside a lively old-town dining scene.

The city sits amid polders, nature reserves, dunes and beach, making it a natural starting point for cycling. Routes use the Dutch cycle node network to reach the coast quickly, passing through the artists' village of Bergen, with options to walk the beach or continue to Wijk aan Zee. Cycle paths thread through the extensive dune landscape, including the Schoorlse Duinen nature reserve, with plenty of picnic spots along the way.

A further ride heads to Schagen, an old market town with buildings from the Dutch Golden Age, particularly lively on Thursday market days with its Westfrisian folklore traditions.

Highlights:

• Explore Alkmaar's historic centre, home to over 400 heritage monuments
• Ride the coast via the artists' village of Bergen
• Cycle through the Schoorlse Duinen dune nature reserve
• Visit Wijk aan Zee for beach walking or further riding
• Ride to the historic market town of Schagen, especially lively on Thursdays
• Use of the Dutch cycle node network throughout

Surface and terrain:
Rated Level 1 (easiest). Flat polder, dune and coastal terrain implied by the routes described.

Suitable for:
Recreational cyclists, including families, wanting an easy coastal and countryside base-stay.

The area around the Kalmthoutse Heide was a popular cycling destination long before cycle tourism took off, home to the 57 km Heideroute, the oldest signed cycle route in Antwerp province. VOS Travel bases riders at Hotel Jerom, a family-run hotel 20 km from Antwerp and walking distance from Heide train station, known for its focus on organic, sustainable and local produce.

Rides make full use of the region's cycle node network, circling the Kalmthoutse Heide cross-border nature reserve with stops such as the Bee-keeping Museum and the heath's lookout tower. Cross-border routes also reach Bergen op Zoom via the scenic Oesterdam, the city of Antwerp, Zundert (Van Gogh's birthplace) and Westmalle's Trappist abbey.

Each riding day ends with dinner at the neighbouring tavern-restaurant, serving fresh, home-cooked dishes.

Highlights:

• Ride the historic Heideroute, the oldest signed cycle route in Antwerp province
• Explore the Kalmthoutse Heide cross-border nature reserve via the node network
• Visit the Bee-keeping Museum and the Kalmthoutse Heide lookout tower
• Cross-border rides to Bergen op Zoom via the Oesterdam
• Ride to Antwerp and to Van Gogh's birthplace, Zundert
• Visit Westmalle's Trappist abbey

Surface and terrain:
Rated Level 1 (easiest). Flat heathland and node-network cycling implied by the routes described.

Suitable for:
Recreational cyclists wanting a relaxed, nearby base-stay combining nature and culture.

This ride follows Sweden's beautiful southwest coast along the Kattegattleden, the country's first long-distance cycle route, opened in 2015. The journey starts in Malmö, Sweden's second city, with a lively centre of half-timbered houses, cafes and regional fish specialities.

The Kattegattleden itself is a well-signed route following quiet, picturesque roads past sandy beaches, peninsulas, bays, cliffs and small islands. Varied natural landscapes are broken up by charming fishing villages, lighthouses and historical sites such as centuries-old fortresses and burial grounds, with plenty of stops at scenic picnic spots and local seafood restaurants.

Helsingborg is a stage stop with an inviting old town to explore after riding, while Ängelholm carries 500 years of history. The route also passes the trading town of Kungsbacka and the cosy fishing village of Särö, before finishing with a visit to beautiful Gothenburg.

Highlights:

• Explore Malmö's half-timbered old town and seafood restaurants
• Ride Sweden's first long-distance route, the Kattegattleden
• Pass fishing villages, lighthouses and centuries-old fortresses
• Visit historic Helsingborg and Ängelholm
• Ride through the trading town of Kungsbacka and fishing village of Särö
• Finish with a visit to Gothenburg

Surface and terrain:
Quiet, car-light, well-signed coastal roads past beaches, cliffs, peninsulas and small islands. Rated Level 1–2 (easy to moderate).

Suitable for:
Recreational cyclists and nature lovers wanting a varied coastal point-to-point ride.

Carinthia sits in southeastern Austria, a region people return to after a first visit, ranked among the most beautiful corners of the Alps thanks to more than a hundred lakes nestled between high mountains, a long warm summer climate, and its international character bordering Italy and Slovenia.

Riders stay at a welcoming, well-appointed cyclists' hotel in Sankt Jakob im Rosental, a village that sits at a junction of signed cycle paths and serves as the base for exploring the region. Routes ride to and along several lakes, including the Wörthersee, Faaker See, Ossiacher See, Silbersee and Pressegger See, with plenty of stops for a swim or a rest at a picturesque village cafe. Paths along the Drau and Gail rivers offer long, quiet riding.

Velden, on the Wörthersee, is a highlight, with the option to take a boat trip on the lake. Other rides reach Villach, a lively spa town, and the wax museum at Schloss Rosegg. Though Carinthia is mountainous, the chosen routes stay on largely paved valley paths.

Highlights:

• Ride to and around the Wörthersee, Faaker See and Ossiacher See lakes
• Quiet riverside paths along the Drau and Gail rivers
• Visit Velden on the Wörthersee, with an optional lake boat trip
• Explore the spa town of Villach
• Visit the wax museum at Schloss Rosegg
• Stop at village cafes and swim spots throughout

Surface and terrain:
Largely paved valley paths, avoiding the region's mountainous terrain. Rated Level 1–2 (easy to moderate).

Suitable for:
Recreational cyclists wanting an easy-to-moderate lake-district base-stay with swimming and sightseeing built in.

Thuringia has climbed steadily up the list of Europe's top destinations since the fall of the Iron Curtain, home to Weimar, the "capital of German classicism," and the landscapes that inspired Goethe and Schiller. The route follows the Klassiker Strasse, riding past castles and through a chain of cultural cities, easy going for any recreational cyclist with occasional climbs and frequent rest stops along the way.

Riders spend two nights in Weimar, exploring its culture from Goethehaus baroque architecture to early 20th-century Bauhaus design, before cycling to Erfurt, where Bach once played every organ and Goethe wrote some of his best-known poems. The route also reaches Jena, Schiller's city and home to the university where Karl Marx earned his doctorate.

Each cultural highlight is balanced by relaxed riding through the green belt surrounding the cities, giving Thuringia its nickname as the "green heart of Germany."

Highlights:

• Two nights in Weimar, exploring Goethehaus and Bauhaus architecture
• Ride to Erfurt, linked to Bach and Goethe
• Visit Jena, Schiller's city and Karl Marx's university town
• A circuit ride to the Buchenwald memorial site
• Choice of circuit rides to Eisenach or Gotha
• Rest stops at the Weissensee and other scenic oases along the Klassiker Strasse

Surface and terrain:
Rated Level 1–2 (easy to moderate), described as manageable for any recreational cyclist.

Suitable for:
Recreational cyclists interested in culture and history, comfortable with occasional hills but no serious climbing.