Spring Bike Ride Through the Dutch Countryside

Riding a bike in Amsterdam is one of the most amazing experiences. It is a must-do as a someone living here, but as a tourist as well it is something you really should put on your list. That being said, there are many more places to rent a bike and ride other than Centrum. Centrum can be infuriating to ride in because of all the cars, trams, and just people! It can be hard to actually see anything. So, today I am going to show you a bit of the country side that is just minutes from the city and is right behind our house! 

Last year I gave y'all a tour of my neighborhood, well, Amstel Park that I talk about in that tour...this is what lays just behind it. 

In yesterday's What I Ate Wednesday post, I promised you a look at our sight seeing tour, so here goes...

There are several ways to do this tour, the easiest though is to head up the path that runs parallel to the Ring-weg Zuid beside Amstel Park, you go over an over pass and can enjoy the views of the Amstel River from way up top. 

You then go down a large hill and make a left at the bottom passing a training facility for the police, the K9 Unit, and the Equestrian Unit. You then make your next right and will travel on some farmland, when you get to the end you make a left and will travel for a couple of miles...this is what you'll see...

Gazing out along the Amstel. There are so many people rowing and boating a long here.

There is a windmill on the path, I am not sure what this one is called, but it is beautiful.

Hello!

Next to the windmill is a graveyard.

Some more biking.

After much biking we came to the Melktap.

This place is pretty cool. Located on a dairy farm you can see the cows grazing, and often the farmer and his wife out working.

Pouring milk, pretending to be a milk maid.

I love how you can make hot chocolate.

A little play space for the kids.

You can sit outside and enjoy some milk.

Where the cows live!

Cycling back along the route that run parallel to the highway. Country on one side, highway on the other.

After cycling through the countryside, we decided to have lunch in Amstel Park. This is a view of the lake from the Asian Garden area.

This is a view from the Amsteldijk. This is heading back in to centrum.

A close up because as many times as I have passed by here I've never noticed this bridge. 

This is a beautiful area to explore, it really gives you and all around feel for what Europe is really like I think. I've been to several cities and they all have one thing in common-bustling city lying right next to gorgeous countryside. Definitely not something to miss!

Here is an overview of the map