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Experience the great cities of The Netherlands and western Belgium on this classic barge and bike trip between Amsterdam and Bruges. En route visit Antwerp and Ghent whose historic centres will enchant you with their history and refined culture. Wind your way by bike along the Vecht river with its impressive mansions and country houses, visit a cheese farm and the 19 windmills in Kinderdijk. Via Dordrecht and the Kreekrak lock, the barge cruises through the 'delta' province of Zeeland to Belgium. Cycling with the group and guide or on your own with maps and directions - the choice is yours. In the evenings, relax on board your comfortable barge or explore the towns on foot.
Holland and Belgium
Amsterdam
Bruges
102kg of CO2-e PP per day
(715kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Join barge in Amsterdam, cruise to Utrecht
Make your own way to the boat in Amsterdam for embarkation and check-in at 2pm. Your crew for the week will be waiting to welcome you on board. At 2.30 pm the barge will depart from Amsterdam to Utrecht, a charming and lively university town. Settle in to your cabin and have plenty of time to get to know the boat and your fellow travellers. On arrival you can enjoy a scenic first test ride through the surrounding area of Utrecht. Later there'll be dinner on board.
Meals: D
Day 2
Cycle to Schoonhoven and Kinderdijk, fast ferry to Dordrecht (32 or 56km/19 or 34mi)
During breakfast we cruise to Vreeswijk, where today's bicycle tour starts. It's a great first day of cycling as we head to Schoonhoven, renowned for its talented silversmiths since the 17th century. Enjoy the winding rivers, picturesque villages, and peaceful nature of the Dutch landscape. Later in the day we cycle through the Alblasserwaard region and reach Kinderdijk, famous for its impressive row of windmills. All have a UNESCO cultural heritage listing and are a highlight. From nearby Alblasserdam we will take the “Waterbus” (fast ferry, 10 minutes) to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland.
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Cruise to Willemstad, cycle from Tholen to Bergen Op Zoom (42 or 50km / 26 or 31mi)
During breakfast on board, we will cruise to Willemstad, from where the day's cycling begins. Willemstad is a beautiful old fortified town on the Haringvliet waterway. The ride takes us to Tholen, which was once an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams, where many people fished for their living. Today, it is connected to the mainland. After visiting Tholen we continue to Bergen op Zoom, an historic fortified town that once lay on the open waters of the Oosterschelde. After dinner you can take a walk through the narrow street of the old town, with church squares and idiosyncratic monumental buildings that show its rich history that goes back more than eight hundred years.
Day 4
Cycle Bergen op Zoom surrounds, cruise to Antwerp (21 or 35km/13 or 21mi)
In the morning a short ride takes us through the beautiful “Wouwse Plantage” area surrounding Bergen op Zoom. In the early afternoon we will board the boat and cruise to the port city of Antwerp, situated on the river Schelde. Antwerp is famous for handling most of the world’s rough diamonds and is a city with a long list of attractions including the City Hall, one of several majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical City Square Grote Market, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle. Dinner is not included tonight (recommendations are available from the crew).
Meals: B,L
Day 5
Cycle to St Amands (34 or 49km/21 or 31mi)
This morning we will cycle out of Antwerp alongside a picturesque section of the Schelde River to St Amands, our base for the night. This stage is one of the natural highlights of the tour.
Day 6
Follow the river Schelde to Dendermonde and on to Ghent (52km/32mi)
Today we will cruise to Dendermonde then cycle, following the river Schelde, to Ghent. The barge will moor for the night at a lock in the suburb of Merelbeke, approx 30min by bike from the centre. Ghent is a lively university city boasting a rich history. Since Roman times its position at the junction of the Leie and Schelde rivers has ensured the town's prosperity as a trading port. In total the city features an Opera House, 18 museums, more than 100 churches and over 400 historical buildings. Major attractions are St Bavo Cathedral, where a number of masterpieces of medieval art including Jan Van Eyck's ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ can be viewed in the visitors' centre, and the 91m belfry of Ghent, one of three medieval towers that overlook the old city centre. Before dinner a small canal boat will take you for a guided tour through the historic city.
Day 7
Cycle through Flemish countryside to Bruges (22 or 45km/13 or 28mi)
Today we will cycle from Ghent through the beautiful Flemish countryside of western Flanders to Bruges, widely described as the ‘Venice of the North’ and arguably the most beautiful of all the Flemish cities. UNESCO World Heritage listed, it has a picturesque medieval town centre and a long list of historic attractions. An outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement, Bruges has managed to maintain its historic fabric as it has evolved over the centuries, with the result that today the original Gothic buildings form an integral part of the town’s identity. You can visit one of its many museums or simply take in the stunning beauty and culture from the comfort of a local café or bar.
Day 8
Trip concludes after breakfast
The trip concludes after breakfast in Bruges, with check out and disembarkation by 9:30am.
Meals: B
What's included
What's not included
During the trip you will be provided with a unisex rental bike with hand brakes and lock. Bikes are: 7 speed aboard the Magnifique boats and 21 speed bikes on Clair d'Etoile. You will also receive a pannier to carry your gear required for each day.
** It is possible to bring your own bike/ebike on board the Magnifique boats only - a surcharge applies. Please ask our staff (must be pre-booked and pre-paid).
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.
GRADE 1 - Daily cycling distances from 15 to 56km (9 to 34mi). As with all of our cycling programs, wind and poor weather could make the trip grade change. 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. Should you not wish to cycle it's possible to stay on board on board and relax while the boat cruises to the next landing place. *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