Mieke Arendsen
Born and raised in the province of Gelderland in the east-central part of the Netherlands, I have traveled to most corners of the world, especially to Asia. But deep down, I will always remain a true Dutchy. I love cycling, I even own a pair of wooden shoes and you can wake me up any time to have some cheese.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"The Netherlands are excellent for cycling since it is extremely flat and has the most brilliant cycling lanes in the world. As distances between sights are relatively short, I would suggest the bicycle as a means of transportation. For those that like to take it easy, an e-bike can be a good choice.
I especially love the landscape on the northern islands and the vast forests in the central part of the country. But it’s not all nature that charms me; I also enjoy a stroll through the small cobbled streets of the lesser known characteristic cities of the Netherlands, such as Deventer and Groningen."
How did you get involved in travel?
"I have been in the travel business for about twenty years, both in outbound as well as in inbound tourism. Distant places have always fascinated me, but closer to my home there’s also a lot to explore….it’s a never-ending process of finding new places and routes. What also keeps the work interesting is that each client has his/her own wishes and interests; every request is different and thus treated as such. I take joy from trying to make an itinerary that fits their specific wishes best. "
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"Cycling the island of Texel with one of my kids in the bicycle front seat, the sea breeze cooling us down. With the sound of the cycle wheels on the lane consisting of shells and sometimes a screeching seagull flying over, I secretly stuffed my nose in my kids hair to sniff that baby smell. Heaven!"
Featured trips & expertise
Culinary Tour of the Netherlands & Belgium - 14 Days
Spend two weeks savoring the authentic delicacies of the Netherlands and Belgium. This part-guided food and drink tour is split over six cities, starting with Amsterdam, The Hague, Leiden, and Rotterdam, then continuing through Antwerp and Ghent—with day trips to other culinary hotspots in between. From an ancient cheese market in Gouda to a chocolate workshop in Bruges, fresh food markets to colonial-era cuisine, this varied tour is packed with local flavor.
Castles of Belgium & Luxembourg - 14 Days
Travel back in time on this expansive two-week cross-country adventure to discover some of the most impressive castles, fortresses, and palaces of Belgium and Luxembourg. Explore picturesque local villages and major cities, stopping for Belgian chocolates at a chocolate museum in Antwerp, Trappist beer brewed by monks in Chimay, and scenic lunches in historic town centers. Along the way, appreciate the awe-inspiring natural landscapes that beautifully frame these castles.
Art Tour of the Netherlands & Belgium: Amsterdam to Brussels - 14 Days
Take a deep dive into the art worlds of the Netherlands and Belgium on this two-week adventure, from the Old Masters to the surrealism of René Magritte to contemporary art, film, and literature. Compare centuries-old architecture with modern street art on different walking tours with art historians and local experts. Discover how art has shaped these two countries' history, culture, and society, from their major cities to their rural towns, and how it continues to do so today.
Castles of Belgium: Antwerp, Ghent, Chimay, Dinant & Brussels - 10 Days
Discover Belgium's rich and tumultuous history through the ages on this deep-dive 10-day tour of the country's most significant and spectacular landmarks. Wind your way from Antwerp to Brussels as you visit medieval fortresses with moats, drawbridges, and dungeons, sample beer and cheese at a historic Trappist monastery, and step forward in time to explore richly decorated châteaux with opulent furniture, art, and beautifully landscaped gardens.
Cycle the Netherlands & Belgium - 14 Days
Discover food, art, and history as you cycle through the Dutch and Belgian countryside. Start in Amsterdam to tour the city's most prominent sites. Bike past tulip fields to Haarlem and Leiden, then take a cheese break in Gouda and revel in its charm. Pedal past windmills in Kinderdijk before exploring the wildlife of Biesbosch National Park. Head into Belgium to see the beautiful cities of Antwerp and Ghent, and get your fill of Belgian chocolate and beer as you roll toward a big finish in Bruges.
Belgian Beer Tour: Ghent, Antwerp, Houffalize, Chimay & Brussels - 10 Days
Discover the significance of beer to Belgium's history, culture, and culinary legacy on this 10-day adventure across the country. Tour city breweries, urban taphouses, microbreweries, and travel to an abbey where monks have brewed beer for centuries. Learn about Belgium's brewing traditions on historical city walks, private tours, and full-day excursions while sampling a wide range of local brews, from "witbiers" (a Belgian-style wheat ale), to "dubbels" (strong dark beers) as you go.
Recent trip reviews for Mieke
Charming Towns and World-Class Art
The Netherlands
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Aug 3 - Aug 7, 2022
We only had 4 nights in the Netherlands, but Mieke put together a great itinerary that made the most of our limited time. From the bustling pace of Amsterdam to the charming canal towns of Leiden, Haarlem, and Delft, we enjoyed every minute of each location. It was magical - a trip we will remember forever.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Barbara. It was wonderful meeting you in Leiden. Glad you have enjoyed it so much!
Mieke is awesome
The Netherlands
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May 21 - May 29, 2022
Working with Mieke was great. She offered cool and interesting suggestions such as the Upside Down which turned out to be a really fun activity for our family. She also put together an itinerary that gave us flexibility to do some exploring on our own as well as getting us tickets to the must see Van Gogh museum. The transportation in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands also worked out smoothly with tickets that gave us flexibility in travel times. Our favorite tourist destination... read more
How wonderful to read all this, Sarah! I am glad you have had such a wonderful family time and enjoyed the reunion with your Dutch relatives. It is an honor to have been able to play a role in facilitating your family adventure! You have been wonderful guests and we loved hosting you here. Wishing you and the girls all the best,
Mieke
Four friends bike tour of the Netherlands
The Netherlands
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Apr 17 - Apr 22, 2022
Mieke provided us with a fabulous itinerary (Haarlem, Noordwijk, Leiden, Gouda, and Uithoorn) and carefully chosen hotels along the way. She accommodated us with many requests and some changes in the early days of planning this trip. Sebastian was very responsive to our needs regarding the bikes and GPS. The e- bikes provided were in excellent condition and fun to ride. Mieke arranged for transport of one rider on a day she did not wish to ride secondary to some physical concerns. We were very pleased with KimKim and I have told many friends about the company.
Hi Maureen, thank you for your kind words! You indeed had a very adventurous and active trip, and I am very pleased that you liked it so much. We have enjoyed hosting you here and showing you a bit of the lowlands. Some of your friends have indeed already contacted us for a trip of their own, so thank you very much for the recommendation, this is very much appreciated.
All the best to all you ladies!
Had a great trip that Mieke had only a short ...
The Netherlands
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Apr 25 - May 3, 2022
Had a great trip that Mieke had only a short time to prepare for us due to our cruise cancelling at last minute. Very easy to work with and great communication. read more
Thank you for your wonderful review! We have loved hosting you here.
Wishing you all the best, and maybe till next time :)
Excellent from start to finish
The Netherlands
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Apr 19 - May 1, 2022
From start to finish, Mieke and Sebastian were amazing. They helped us shape our itinerary, provided the travel passes and all the local insight we needed for a great family holiday. I would highly recommend Mieke and Sebastian to anyone thinking of travelling in The Netherlands.
Thank you for for kind words! From our side, we have enjoyed hosting you here. You have been great guests!
Also on behalf of Bas/Sebastian, our best regards and hopefully till next time,
Mieke
Netherlands was amazing and Mieke was fabulous!
The Netherlands
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Mar 19 - Mar 27, 2022
Our trip was amazing and Mieke was fabulous! We had fabulous experiences that we would not have had without her. I highly recommend allowing her to schedule guides around the cities. The experiences were so much richer!
How wonderful to read your lovely review - it makes me blush!
You have been wonderful guests, and it has been great to be able to host a trip without any troublesome covid-regulations; very good for our spirits here. I hope you have had a safe journey home.
Thank you for bringing the sunny weather to the lowlands - we are still enjoying it here :)
All the best,
Mieke