3 Hours itinerary between Amsterdam & Utrecht: The Heart Of Holland In A Sidecar
Description
Historic, rural and sidecar fun experience This is a very divers rural and historic tour. And so much more fun then a normal tour just because of the fact we do it with a sidecar. Explore the beautiful and diverse centre of the provinces of Holland and Utrecht, which includes rivers, lakes, forests, polders, medieval castles, golden age mansions, windmills, the royal palace and pancakes while riding a sidecar. I am Marco Hupkes, your guide. My background is: traveller, guide, outdoor-instructor, comedian, teacher of history. Allow me to show you my home country and I'm sure we will have great fun together. See you soon and have a nice day. By the way: if you have tour ideas of your own let me know. I love to do tailormade things. Greetings, Marco.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Nice curvy river. In the 17th and 18th centuries many country estates, known were built on the banks of the Vecht by rich merchants and administrators from Amsterdam.
An impressive castle from about 1275 AC and now International Business University.
Nice garden.
Lage Vuursche has a protected village view with several eighteenth and nineteenth century houses and counts dozens of national monuments. The reformed church dates from 1650.
The original 17th-century building at Soestdijk is an ex-royal palace. From 1937 it was the residence of crown princess and later Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and her german husband Prince Bernhard van Lippe-Biesterfeld.
The Loosdrechtse Plassen (Lakes of Loosdrecht) are a large water sports and nature area between Amsterdam and Utrecht.
The Bethune polder is a polder in which recreation and nature conservation are central. Many special animal and plant species are found in the Bethune polder.
Forest near Lage Vuusche with beautiful 'forest tunnel roads'.
Not even a village. Very rural. Nice farm houses.
The Geesina is a flour mill which was probably built in 1843. It is restored and still produces flour.
A fortress of the New Dutch Water Line Defence System built in the years 1869-1870. Unfortunately in 1940 the Germans were able to fly over it ;-) Not at Almere but near Utrecht.
13th century castle. The Dutch eighteenth-century French-speaking writer and composer lived here. She was extra-ordinary well educated and quite emancipated. Known for her many books, correspondences and striking statements: 'I have no talent for subordination' and 'I want to be a citizen of "everyone's country".'
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
I can pick you up on the locations you see on Tripadvisor and also in consultation on a location of your choice for an extra fee of 20 euros.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A sidecar can take two persons. One in the sidecar itself and one behind the driver (me).
- At least one of the two participants is an adult who is responsable for the non-adult.
- The non-adult participant is at least 12 years old.
- In case of rain we can go with a minivan and 2 more persons can come for the same price.
Reviews(25)
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the Sidecar tour of Amsterdam with Marco. He was the Best. A Gentleman, safe driver and full of stories about various areas in and out of the city from the Red-light District to Windmills just outside the city. Sightseeing via motorcycle gives you a different perspective, as if your legs have wheels on them. You get into areas that cars may not go. Marco spoke loud enough that we both could hear him (with our helmets on) whether on the road or stopped to point out things. Marco arrived early and was thoroughly ready for us. We received instructions on what we could touch, lean on and use to support ourselves. He fitted our helmets and had us wear light weight hairnets under the helmets. Put on gloves (he provided) and we were ready to go. We always felt safe and secure during the ride/tour. When 3-hour tour was done he brought us back to the hotel. We found Holland Sidecar Tour via our hotel (Pillows) in Amsterdam and then dealt directly with Marco for the reservation and deposit via PayPal. We would do this again in a heartbeat.
Hi Kathy and Paul, Thanks for the review and thank you for a very enjoyable trip with 2 wonderful people. Welcome back anytime for more. The beautiful countryside near Utrecht? . Arrivederci, Marco.
I enjoyed it today! An hour became 45 minutes and in that time Marco guided me through a very nice, varied route, around Maarssen. Each time he shared small stops in which he shared many interesting facts about the history of this beautiful part of the Netherlands. The bike is an attraction in itself, a real URAL DJNEPER! Recreated by the Russians in large numbers after the Second World War and directly derived from the thousands of German BMW - army motorcycles with sidecar! And the sound is totally cool, that of a Deux Chevaux, the duckling, great! I really enjoyed myself, was bouncing around on a bumpy forest road in the bowl and laughing! This is highly recommended for those who want to give or receive something original as a gift.
Super was het Carry. En dank voor de mooie review. Ja, we hebben genoten. De Ural wordt tegenwoordig trouwens niet meer in Rusland gemaakt. De fabriek is 5 jaar geleden vertrokken naar het buitenland. Welkom terug en hartelijke groet, Marco Hupkes.
Today was our first experience with a motorbike (+ sidecar). We had quite a few questions prior to the trip, which Marco kindly answered - even though the info is listed on the website. He explained us about his “Ural” bike, all safety features and instructions to comfort us for today’s sightseeing. We were very pleased with the sunny weather and clear sky’s he arranged for us today! ( The whole experience was wonderful, and surprisingly comfortable. Told us about the history and cultural heritage of the region, funny facts and stories. We are familiar with Utrecht, however we didn’t seen this beautiful nature and scenery before. Everything was well prepared and an experience we enjoyed and would recommend!
Hi Derk, Thanks for this great review. It was a pleasure having you both. Welcome back anytime. Best regards, Marco Hupkes, Holland Sidecar/Kübel Tour.
Today I drove over an hour as a surprise with my grandfather of 92 years. What a great day! Marco takes all the time to explain things to you and knows enough about the area. #makingmemories
Dank je Carola, En dit hoort echt bij de mooiste ritten die ik doe. Dat heerlijke enthousiasme van je opa is zo prachtig om mee te maken. Welkom terug en hartelijke groet, Marco.
Had a super fun day. A very diverse tour. Marco is knowledgeable and knows how to convey his enthusiasm. Make it feel like it's really your day.
Dank je Lizzy. Voor mij was het ook superleuk. Het was echt gezellig met jullie. Veel plezier met jullie werk bij Hotel in Egmond. Hartelijke groet, Marco.
We had spent three days in Amsterdam and this tour provided us a chance to see the countryside, and we were thrilled. We drove on small paved roads once out of Amsterdam into multiple villages, which were charming and past 1939 bunkers and castles. We also saw a couple of windmills up close and never ending cows and sheep. Marco stopped occasionally to give some history and he is a very gracious person. Finally, he is safe. While it is thrilling at times, he does not take foolish chances. I am not a motorcycle person, but sitting on the back seat did make me uneasy at all.
Thanks Pam for this really nice review. For me it was great having you in and on my bike with sidecar. We had a really nice time together and please feel welcome back anytime. Best regards, Marco.
Great experience, a lot of interesting information, was a lot of fun to ride a motorcycle through the magnificent landscape.
Vielen Dank für die schöne Bewertung Niels. Es war mir eine Freude, Ihnen einen Teil meiner Heimat zu zeigen. Herzliche Grüssen, Marco.
A brilliant tour. 3hours on a motorcycle and sidecar viewing the area in a unique and great fun way. Marco was a gentleman ensuring that we had a great time
Hi Karen, It was great having you and I am glad we all enjoyed this trip. Welcome back anytime. Best regards, Marco.
Great experience with Marco! Originally we were hoping to be picked up in Amsterdam but after a quick call we agreed to take the train 30 mins out. The sidecar experience is so much more memorable out in the country! Marco was filled with interesting stories and historical facts which made us appreciate the landscape even more. Don’t hesitate to book this as a very quick trip out of Amsterdam.
Hi Amit, it was a pleasure. Welcome back next time you are in the Netherlands. And a pickup in Amsterdam is always possible. But for this tour Breukelen was more convenient indeed. Thanks and see you, Marco.
For our dear friend we booked a trip with Marco. The contact with him was very pleasant. Our friend experienced the day as a great gift..thanks to Marco.
