The 102nd edition of the Tour de France is now only a few weeks away – starting on 4 July, it will be the sixth time the Tour de France kicks off in the Netherlands, this year starting for the first time in Utrecht.

If the idea inspires you to explore the Dutch towns, canals and countryside by bike this year, European activity holiday specialist UTracks has a number of trips – the most popular are:

Holland Family Bike and Barge
An itinerary specially designed for kids from 7 to 11 years old. Holland's flat cycle ways and pretty canals offer some of the most enchanting and safe cycling opportunities in Europe. Aboard your hotel barge and in the company of other families, cycle through the Dutch riverlands, visit the famous cheese town of Gouda and view the 19 windmills of Kinderdijk.
www.utracks.com/index.php?section=trips&id=275774
• Holland Family Bike and Barge (8 days, guided) departs July-August, from £540 per adult/£390 per child when sharing a cabin with two adults

Holland's Castles and Walled Towns
Do as the locals do: pedal by day to explore the Dutch dykes and country paths, while evenings are spent aboard UTracks' cosy hotel barge as it cruises along the picturesque canals. The trip takes in majestic castles, Hanseatic walled towns and antiquated fishing villages, with a special visit to the Kröller-Müller Museum, a hidden gem which houses 278 works by Van Gogh.
www.utracks.com/index.php?section=trips&id=29931
• Holland's Castles and Walled Towns (8 days, guided) departs June-August, from £760 per person

Countryside of IJssel Lake
There is more to Holland than the cities and this trip gives you the chance to cycle across some of Europe's finest nature reserves of 'De Weerribben', taking in old fishing ports, great waterways and the countryside around the picturesque IJssel Lake. Located just north of Amsterdam, this itinerary guides you through the rural area around the former inland sea called Zuiderzee.
www.utracks.com/index.php?section=trips&id=29928
• Countryside of IJssel Lake (8 days, self-guided) departs June-August, from £770 per person

For more information and bookings please visit www.UTracks.com or call 0845 241 7599.

Quoted prices are inclusive of accommodation, most meals, equipment rental, experienced guides, luggage transfers between hotels (where applicable) and clear maps with images. Flights from the UK are not included but can be booked on request.

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Notes for editors:
• European activity holiday specialists UTracks and Sherpa Expeditions are a division of World Expeditions, an independently owned and a truly global company, with nine offices around the world, including London, Sydney and Montreal.
• Covering over 25 countries, more than 250 stand-alone, off the beaten track itineraries are available across the UK and Europe, from short four-day breaks to longer two-week trips.
• Whether escorted or self-guided, on foot or by bike, holidays range from introductory to challenging level, with a selection of family friendly itineraries, boat or barge based journeys and snowshoeing adventures also on offer.

For high res images and PR/media enquiries:
World Expeditions | UTracks | Sherpa Expeditions
020 8875 5060
Tom Panagos pr@worldexpeditions.co.uk
Gordon Steer gordon@worldexpeditions.co.uk