Cycling city break Amsterdam

European city breaks are great fun for culture, shopping, eating out and soaking up the history of a destination, but few cities also offer the active holiday experience too.

One exception is Amsterdam, where getting around by bike is easy, convenient and massively popular with the locals.

Cycle hire is relatively cheap, and with bike lanes, bike traffic lights and clear signposting across the city centre, most of the time you do not even need a map.

However, it is not just the sights of Amsterdam that you can experience with a city break. On the edge of the city there is some fantastic countryside, latticed by canals, and flat enough for cyclists of all abilities to go out and explore.

If you are lucky enough to have sunny summer weather, one of the best cycling day-trips from Amsterdam is to head to nearby Monnickendam, around ten miles from the city centre, and signposted from the north-east of the city.

The route takes you through miles and miles of green fields all the way to the coast, where along with grazing farm animals, you are likely to see plenty of herons on the way, peering over the edge of the waterways, waiting to pounce on their next meal.

Part of Monnickendam's appeal comes from the way it looks - 15th century clock towers, a 17th-century weigh house with Italianate columns, impressive bridges by a harbour full of yachts.

However, better still are some of the local delicacies available, the best of which is arguably kibbeling - super-fresh chunks of battered cod prepared on order at the harbour-side fish monger.

The café opposite the clock tower is also very good for a strong coffee and a wide selection of traditional Dutch pastries and cakes.

Easyjet has return flights to Amsterdam this September for £57 from London Gatwick airport via www.cheapflights.co.uk

Alternatively a train and ferry service departing from London Liverpool Street is available from £25 each way from www.dutchflyer.co.uk

For more information on visiting the Netherlands see www.holland.com