World Heritage Route: cycling in the nostalgic landscape north of Amsterdam

For centuries, the Dutch have been able to keep the seas, lakes, lakes and canals in check as true water masters. Hundreds of windmills drained new land, dikes and neatly straight polders were built, centuries-old islands were suddenly no longer islands. That masterpiece produces gems of heritage, world heritage even, according to UNESCO. Cycle along those typical Dutch treasures.

The centuries-old Beemster-Schermer reclaimed land

43 mills were needed to drain the inland sea Beemster in 1610. In 1635 the Schermermeer was also drained, so that the Schermereiland was no longer an island. Today there are plenty of Dutch cows grazing in those grass-green panoramas, with neatly straight canals, old mansions and cozy, authentic villages. And because of the rational subdivision and layout, the Beemster became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Great for a bike ride, a stone's throw from Amsterdam.

To be seen on the go

• the oldest reclaimed area in the Netherlands with juicy meadows full of
Dutch cows, classified in a tight geometric pattern of
squares and quadrants
• the Eilandspolder, a water-rich peat meadow area full of birds
• picturesque villages such as Grootschermer, Middenbeemster and De Rijp
• the Coat of Arms of Munster in de Rijp, of which since 1966 three generations of
receive the same family guests. The youngest scion built the village café
to a brasserie with a refined cuisine. www.wapenvanmunster.nl
• capital farmhouses, decorated with facades of Amsterdam
canal houses
• farm shops full of cheeses, apples, pears, grapes, vegetables and
meat from the region
• high-quality restaurants