1
introductory
Activities
  • self guided cycle
Accommodation
  • 7 nights in a twin share cabin
Meals
  • 6 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days£1440GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: UAH

Trip highlights

  • Discovering the vibrant cities of Amsterdam and Bruges by bike and on foot
  • Cycling through the countryside past locks, windmills and cheese farms
  • Visiting interesting towns such as Antwerp, famous for its nightlife and Ghent with its cobble stone streets
  • Sampling local specialties including Belgian waffles, beer and mussels
  • Enjoying the camaraderie of your fellow passengers aboard a comfortable barge

Experience the great cities of Amsterdam and Bruges on this self guided journey that blends gentle pedalling with relaxed riverside cruising. Each day brings new scenery and historic towns, from the café-lined canals of Utrecht to the impressive medieval centres of Ghent and Antwerp. As you ride through flat Dutch countryside and along quiet Belgian backroads, you'll visit a local cheese farm, pass the famous windmills of Kinderdijk, and follow the scenic Vecht river past grand manor houses. There's time to explore on two wheels and on foot, and each evening you’ll return to your floating hotel to enjoy a relaxed dinner and the comforts of your barge cabin. You’ll experience the remarkable river delta of Zeeland, cruise through intricate lock systems, and explore charming harbours along the way. From the rich history and culture of Flanders to peaceful country trails, this trip offers a slower way to truly connect with this beautiful corner of Europe.

Countries:

Holland and Belgium

Starting Point:

Amsterdam

Finishing Point:

Bruges

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Arrive Amsterdam and make your own way to the barge. Embarkation and check-in, where the crew will welcome you on board, is from 1-1.50pm. At 2pm the boat will leave Amsterdam and sail to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek, where we will spend the night. Here the bicycles will be distributed and you can enjoy a short bicycle ride. You can leave your luggage on board from 11am.

Meals:  D

In the morning you will cycle through beautiful Dutch meadowlands to the so-called 'silver city' Schoonhoven, renowned for its talented silversmiths since the 17th century. Continue through the Alblasserwaard region to the impressive 19 windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO cultural heritage listed site. You will have the opportunity to visit one of the mills. From nearby Alblasserdam, take the “Waterbus” fast ferry (10 mins) to Dordrecht, one of the Netherlands' oldest towns. Overnight Dordrecht.

Meals:  B,L,D

During breakfast we cruise to Tholen, where the day's cycling starts. You will visit the “Wouwse Plantage” forest and the impressive Kreekrak lock. After once again meeting up with the boat we cruise to the port city of Antwerp, which is situated on the river Schelde. Antwerp is famous for handling up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds and has many attractions including: the City Hall, one of several majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical Grote Market (main square), the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral and medieval Steen Castle. After dinner you can visit the beautiful old city centre.

Meals:  B,L,D

On today’s tour you will cycle out of Antwerp on a beautiful cycle path along the picturesque tidal Schelde River and through magnificent Flemish countryside to Dendermonde. The landscape around the Schelde is one of the natural highlights of the tour. The river stretches for 435km through northern France, western Belgium and the southwestern part of the Netherlands and is connected by several canals to the basins of the Rhine, Meuse and Seine Rivers. The Schelde has had great commercial and strategic importance over the years. Tonight's base is Dendermonde, a friendly provincial town along the river.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you will continue to follow the Schelde to Ghent, a lively university city with a rich past. In the afternoon you have the opportunity to shop or explore in its lively centre. Ghent was founded in Roman times, where the rivers Leie and Schelde converge. Its convenient location has brought much prosperity. During the Middle Ages it was a prominent city-state, and its the textile industry and Cloth Hall, established in 1425, brought merchants together. Many aristocrats remain today. The main church St Bavo Cathedral reflects different periods in history and building styles, and houses some masterpieces of medieval art, the most famous of which is "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by Jan van Eyck. The barge will dock at the lock in Merelbeke, a suburb of Ghent approx. 30min by bike to the city centre.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning the cycle route leads through pleasant Flemish countryside of western Flanders to Bruges. You will have ample time to explore Bruges, known as the 'Venice of the North'. It is perhaps the most beautiful of all Flemish cities. Its UNESCO listed Old Town dates from the Middle Ages and is almost completely intact. At that time the city was a metropolis and centre of commerce and art, and its glory is visible today in the many beautiful buildings. You can visit one of Bruges' many museums or simply take in the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city while strolling or from the comfort of a sidewalk cafe. Dinner is not included this evening so you are free to dine in one of the many restaurants in the historic centre.

Meals:  B,L

Your last cycle is along a quiet canal and past beautiful poplar trees, through an attractive polder landscape (a low-lying tract of land enclosed by embankments) with nice small farm houses, and on to the North Sea coast. A 12km (7.5mi) long sandy beach, numerous cafés and the attractive dune landscape of “Het Zwin” (a unique nature reserve) provide variety during your lunch break. Cycle back to Bruges along a small picturesque canal for the last evening aboard. Alternatively your day is at leisure if you prefer to spend more time in Bruges.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast the journey comes to an end as you say farewell to the guide and crew. Check out until 9:30am.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 6 dinners (does not include drinks)
  • Continental breakfasts are served and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. At breakfast you will prepare your packed lunch for the day which will be sandwiches, fruit & juice. If you choose not to cycle on a particular day, the crew will serve lunch on board. Dinner will consist of three courses inclusive of either a pasta, vegetarian or meat dish.
  • 7 nights accommodation aboard a Deluxe category barge (de Holland) with ensuite facilities on a twin share basis. The trip price is based on a standard twin cabin below deck - supplement applies for other cabin categories (twin cabin upper deck, double cabin upper deck or single use of cabin). We do not match clients together so if you are travelling solo you will need to book a single cabin (limited and on a request basis).
  • Rental bike with helmet and pannier (e-bike available on request - supplement applies)
  • Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening
  • Experienced multilingual tour leader for daily briefings (while the trip is self guided, the tour leader also cycles the tour and is available during the day to assist if required)
  • Cycling Map (1 per cabin) plus navigational App with GPS tracks
  • Several city walking tours
  • Linen and change of towels as required
  • Daily cabin cleaning
  • Tea and coffee during breakfast and after the cycling tours til 4pm
  • Carbon offset
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to Amsterdam and from Bruges
  • Meals not listed as included, drinks other than afternoon tea & afternoon
  • Special dietary requirements (except Vegetarian). A supplement is payable for example lactose or gluten free diets - EUR70pp (subject to change) paid locally on board. Note: vegan diets cannot be catered for on this trip.
  • Drinks including water at dinner, hot drinks other than tea & coffee at breakfast
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Entrance fees and excursions not listed as included
  • Transfers not listed as included
  • Guide - this is a self guided cycle holiday (the tour leader cycles the route each day and is available to assist if required)
  • Tips - while not obligatory, it is customary to offer a tip if the guide and crew have done a good job. As a guide we suggest EUR30-60 per person (to be distributed between the guide/s, captain and crew).
  • Fees for ferries and Waterbus
  • Bike insurance. Optional bike insurance is available (Limitation of Liability for damage), fee applies, must be prepaid - ask our team
  • WIFI - a fee applies, payable onboard if required - allow approx. eur10 for the week
  • Items of a personal nature

Bike information

Standard Bike

During the trip you will be provided with a 7 speed unisex (low bar) city bike with handbrakes, a gel-saddle (height adjustable), a lock on the frame and pannier bag. All bikes have 28 inch wheels. Some smaller frames are available on board. Helmet rental is included.

Electric Bike

An electric bike is available on request (limited supply). A supplement applies, see below.

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists. Minimum age for e-bike rental is 12 years and a minimum height requirement is 150cm / 4ft11in.

Suitability

introductory

1

GRADE 1 - Daily cycling distances from 15 to 64km (9 to 39mi). As with all of our cycling programs, wind and poor weather could make the trip grade change. Should you not wish to cycle there are walking options available. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos, visit a museum or enjoy the market places in many of the interesting towns visited. It is considered suitable for children, as long as they have road sense, are familiar with the workings of a bike (gear change etc) and are comfortable cycling alongside moving vehicles at times. Electric bikes are available for a supplement and when used will ensure the cycling is comfortable for less physical cyclists - however it is still essential that you are comfortable cycling on roads and in light traffic in variable weather conditions. *For safety reasons, we highly recommend that cycle helmets are worn during cycle sections.

Departure dates


Notes

M
Mid Season
H
High Season
DN1
2025: High season is from 4 May to 14 Sep. 2026: High season is from 17 May to 27 Jun and 23 Aug to 19 Sep. Mid season is from 28 Jun to 22 Aug. Supplement applies to high and mid season departures.
1
2025: Discount applies to 5 Oct departure. 2026: Discount applies to 4 Oct departure.
Note:
For comfort plus departures running in reverse, see our trip Bruges to Amsterdam - Comfort Plus - trip code UDH. We also have Comfort and Deluxe versions of the trip - see trip codes UAM, UBR (reverse) - both comfort and ABR & BRA (reverse) both Deluxe.
Note:
All departures are based on board De Holland

Priceper person from

£1440GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Discount for October departureGBP£-131
  • Optional standard Bike insurance (limitation of liability-damage)GBP£20
  • Optional e-Bike insurance (limitation of liability-damage)GBP£35
  • E-bike supplementGBP£190
  • Twin upper deck cabin supplement ppGBP£270
  • Suite upper deck cabin supplement (twin pp)GBP£530
  • 2025 Single supplement - twin lower deck cabinGBP£610
  • 2026 Single supplement - twin lower deck cabinGBP£640
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike.

Great Value & Quality

Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

Self-Guided Specialists

We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.

Videos

Amsterdam to Bruges Bike and Barge | UTracks Active Travel

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