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Explore the best of Belgium and the Netherlands on a self guided barge and bike adventure that takes you from the cobbled lanes of Bruges to the canals of Amsterdam. Each day offers the freedom to ride at your own pace through peaceful countryside, stopping in character-filled villages and discovering the rich history of cities like Ghent, Antwerp and Utrecht. Travelling through the Flanders region, you’ll soak up the charm of medieval market squares and sample the region’s renowned food and drink. Cruising north, your floating hotel navigates the waterways of Zeeland, a unique river delta shaped by the Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt – known for its beaches, nature reserves and impressive waterworks. There’s time to wander Dordrecht’s old town, ride past stately homes along the Vecht River, and admire the remarkable row of windmills at Kinderdijk. You’ll also enjoy a visit to a traditional cheese farm. Each evening, settle into the comfort of your barge or stretch your legs on an evening stroll through the town.
Holland and Belgium
Bruges
Amsterdam
100kg of CO2-e PP per day
(698kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Join barge in Bruges, afternoon warm up cycle and evening to explore (11km/6mi)
Make your own way to Bruges and the docking location. Embarkation is from 1-2 pm. After a welcome meeting with the crew at 2pm there will be a bicycle fitting and short test-ride through the countryside around Bruges. After dinner on board the tour leader will take you for a walk through the centre of town. Bruges is known as the "Venice of the North" and the "Pearl of Flanders". We recommend coming one or two days earlier so you have time to discover its treasures. Perhaps the most beautiful of all Flemish cities, the medieval Old Town is almost completely intact and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the Middle Ages it was a metropolis and centre of commerce and art, and you can see this glory in the beautiful buildings. It is also a nice town for shopping or going out - sample a waffle, coffee or traditional Belgian beer around the Grote Markt (the main square). *If you arrive early, it's possible to leave your luggage on board from 11am.
Meals: D
Day 2
Cycle the Flemish countryside to Ghent (57km/36mi)
Your cycle tour starts early today in the outskirts of Bruges, from where you will pedal through pleasant Flemish countryside along the Ghent canal towards the historical centre of Ghent. It is a lively university city with a rich past, and in the afternoon you have the opportunity to discover its beauty on foot. The city was founded in Roman times, where the rivers Leie and Schelde converge. The convenient location has over the years brought much prosperity - in the Middle Ages it was the second largest European city after Paris. The textile industry brought great wealth, with the Cloth Hall established in 1425 bringing many merchants together, and 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
Day 3
Cycle to Dendermonde (40km/24mi)
After breakfast in Ghent you will cycle downstream through a diverse landscape alongside the tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde, a friendly little town, located at the junction of the Dender and Schelde Rivers. The River Schedle 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. It has always had considerable commercial and strategic importance over the years. Dendermonde has a beautiful town hall on its main square. The ideal place to relax and enjoy a nice Belgian beer after your ride. Worth visiting is the St Alexius Beguinage, where you can learn about housekeeping, work and recreation in the lives of former generations. Overnight in Dendermonde.
Day 4
Cycle to Antwerp (48 or 63km/21 or 39mi)
Today you will follow the Schelde river further downstream through the Temse region and the small village of Baasrode to the lively port town of Antwerp. This part of the route is along a beautiful and winding section of the Schelde which over the centuries held strategic importance for the Romans, Vikings, Spanish and Napoleon. Antwerp, where the boat is moored overnight, is known as the diamond city and has an abundance of jeweller's shops. Peter Paul Rubens lived and worked in Antwerp in the 17th century, producing paintings popular with nobility and art collectors throughout Europe and you will find some of his paintings in the “Onze Lieve Vrouwe" (our lady) Cathedral. Other highlights include the City Hall, one of many majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical City Square Grote Market and the medieval Steen Castle. Dinner is not included this evening so you are free to dine in one of the many restaurants in the historic centre of Antwerp.
Meals: B,L
Day 5
Cruise to Kreekrak, cycle to Tholen, cruise to Dordrecht (20 or 36km/13 or 23mi)
In the morning we cruise through the Schelde-Rhine Canal and through the imposing Kreekraksluis (Kreekrak lock). The cycle tour starts through the beautiful 'Wouwse Plantage' forest before leading to Tholen, a former fishing village set amidst the large streams of the province of Zeeland. At Tholen you board the boat for an afternoon cruise to Dordrecht, passing through the impressive Volkerak lock system en route. After dinner there will be an evening walk with the tour leader to the town centre of Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands.
Day 6
Ferry to Alblasserdam, cycle to Kinderdijk and Vianen (57km/36mi)
This morning a fast ferry takes you to Alblasserdam, from where it is a short cycle to the famous 19 UNESCO listed windmills of Kinderdijk. The windmills were constructed in the 18th century to pump water from the low Alblasserwaard polder. There is a visitor centre and windmill where you learn more about Dutch water management. Continue cycling to the 'Silver City' of Schoonhoven, renowned for its talented silversmiths, and on to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek. In the evening you can explore the town.
Day 7
Cruise to Breukelen, cycle to Nigtevecht and on to Amsterdam (38 or 48km/24 or 29mi)
During breakfast the barge will cruise to Breukelen, where the final day of cycling starts. You will ride along the Vecht River in an area famous for its sprawling mansions, small castles and beautiful houses with large gardens and parks. Pass through the small villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen and Vreeland and arrive at Nigtevecht, where you can visit a traditional cheese farm. Continue cycling through the historical town of Muiden to Amsterdam and the barge's mooring place in the harbour for your last evening aboard. Later you can explore the lively Dutch capital on foot or cycle around the famous Amsterdam canals.
Day 8
Trip concludes in Amsterdam
After breakfast the journey comes to an end as you say farewell to the guide and crew. Check out by 9:30am.
Meals: B
What's included
What's not included
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.
An electric bike is available on request. 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. These have 7 gears, 6 support levels, hand brakes only and a pannier.
GRADE 1 - Daily cycling distances from 11 to 63km (6 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 be worn during cycle sections.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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Personal Experience
We've been exploring the world on foot for over five decades, and our passion for walking runs deep. Having hiked nearly every corner of Europe, we take pride in sharing the joy, freedom and perspective that only travelling on foot can bring, all with the exceptional service and care our travellers know us for.
Great Value & Quality
Our trips offer excellent value for money, with everything you need for a seamless walking holiday. Each package includes detailed route notes, maps and navigation app, luggage transfers, and comfortable locally run accommodation. We take care of the planning, so you can simply enjoy the walk.
Self-Guided Specialists
We've been operating self-guided active holidays since 1973, taking care of every detail so you can relax and explore at your own pace. With many walking and hiking tours departing daily, you'll enjoy the freedom and flexibility to travel when it suits you.
self guided cycle
barge
8Days
Introductory
self guided walk
hotel, guesthouse / b&b
9Days