To many, Amsterdam evokes a familiar and thoroughly appealing picture—a web of canals threading through a city of museums, art galleries, flower markets, cheese stalls, and buildings that have stood for centuries. All of that is real and worth every moment. But Amsterdam has another side that tends to surprise first-time visitors: a capital city so close to nature that a short walk or a few minutes on a bicycle is all it takes to leave the bustle behind and settle into an entirely different pace.

Vondelpark is the easiest place to start—a beloved green lung in the heart of the city, with over three kilometres of smooth cycling paths winding across lawns and along avenues, entirely free of cars. For those who want to go a little deeper into nature, a gentle eight-kilometre ride south leads to Amsterdamse Bos, or Amsterdam Forest, where 50 kilometres of cycling trails weave through woodland and open fields. The forest is also home to a working farm, where goats, pigs and chickens roam freely — a quiet, unhurried kind of detour deserving of a place on any itinerary. Bikes can be rented near Centraal Station or close to Vondelpark, at around €15 per day.

About two hours from the city, Giethoorn is well worth the journey. Known as the Venice of the Netherlands, this small village has no roads to speak of. Life here moves on electric boats along narrow canals, past rows of thatched-roof cottages draped in greenery. A leisurely boat tour through the waterways, followed by a visit to the village's small history museum, makes for a day that feels a world away from the ordinary.

THAI launches its new direct service to Amsterdam from 1 July. Just one round-trip journey with a Flexi Economy Class ticket can earn you up to 11,424 qualifying miles. Start planning now. Click here