The Netherlands and Belgium
Bike & Barge from Amsterdam to Bruges
During this tour we focus on the historical Flemish cities: Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges. But before we arrive there, you will get to know a very beautiful part of the Netherlands. You bike along the winding river Vecht with the impressive castles on its banks, you visit a real Dutch cheese farm, where cheese is still produced according to traditional methods and you visit the Dutch windmills in Kinderdijk. From the fortified town Willemstad, which is situated on the impressive wide Zeeland streams, we head for Belgium. There we spent the night in Antwerp, the city of Rubens, whose paintings you can admire in the cathedral. You bike from Antwerp to Ghent along the beautiful tidal river, the Lower Scheldt. There you breathe in the atmosphere of the olden days in the town center with its impressive Belfort and the St. Baaf's Cathedral, where you can admire the famous triptych of painter Jan van Eyck. Final destination is Bruges with its picturesque town center and probably the most beautiful of the historical Flemish cities.
The Netherlands and Belgium: Bike & Barge from Amsterdam to Bruges Tour Quick Info
| Tour Type | Bike and Barge |
|---|---|
| Accommodations | Barge - Iris: 24 spacious guest cabins |
| Biking Tour Type | Guided in English |
| Biking Level | 1-2 |
| Duration | 8 days / 7 nights |
| Biking Distance | 35-40km/22-25mi approx. per day 245-285km/152-177mi approx. total |
| Bike Rental Available | Included |
| Tour starts in: | Amsterdam, Holland/Bruges, Belgium |
| Tour ends in: | Bruges, Belgium/Amsterdam, Holland |
Day 1 (Sat): Amsterdam - Vianen, Holland
Biking Tour approx. 15km/9mi
Arrival
We take off from Nichtevecht by barge. From there we make a short bike trip to Breukelen along the winding river Vecht. We visit a real Dutch cheese farm, where cheese is still produced according to traditional methods. By the end of the afternoon the barge takes us to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek.
Dinner
Day 2 (Sun):
Vianen - Dordrecht, Holland
Biking Tour approx. 50km/31mi
Breakfast
In the morning our beautiful bike ride takes us to Schoonhoven, the silver town. From Schoonhoven we continue to Kinderdijk, right across the Alblasserwaard. On the horizon an impressive row of large windmills appears, built to drain the Alblasserwaard. We visit one of the mills. Then the barge takes us further to down to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland and an important junction for shipping traffic. We spend the night in the historic port of Wolwevershaven.
Dinner
Town walk
Day 3 (Mon):
Dordrecht - Tholen, Holland
Biking Tour approx. 35-50km/22-31mi
During breakfast we cruise to Willemstad, an old fortified town on the Haringvliet.
From there we bike along the impressive complex of locks 'De Volkerak' to Tholen. Tholen was once an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams, where many people fished for a living. Today Tholen is connected to the mainland in various ways, but it is still a picturesque village with many remnants of its eventful past.
Dinner
Day 4 (Tue):
Tholen, Holland - Antwerp, Belgium
Biking Tour approx. 35km/22mi
Breakfast
We bike through a forest area, "De Wouwse Plantage", towards the south. The barge waits for us at the end of the dam and from there we cruise to the impressive port of Antwerp and on the center of the city. Antwerp is not only known as diamond city, but also as the home town of painter Rubens. In the Cathedral of Our Lady we can admire his work. Around the cathedral and the Market Square you see beautiful town houses from Antwerp's rich past.
Dinner
Town walk
Day 5 (Wed):
Antwerp - Dendermonde, Belgium
Biking Tour approx. 30-55km/19-34mi
Breakfast
After breakfast we pass through the port's lock to the Zeeschelde. We follow this beautiful, but capricious, tidal river upstream to Dendermonde. There is a beautiful bike path along the river, and the landscape around the Scheldt is magnificent.
We can the Iris again halfway in Temse or we can continue all the way to Dendermonde, a friendly little town along the river. In Dendermonde we visit the beautiful town hall and do a little beer-tasting.
Dinner
Town walk
Day 6 (Thu):
Dendermonde - Ghent, Belgium
Biking Tour approx. 35km/22mi
Breakfast
The bike tour again follows the river Scheldt in the direction of Ghent, a lively university town, also with a rich past.
In the afternoon you have the opportunity to further explore the town some more, or to shop in the lively center.
The town has its origins in Roman times, at the place where the rivers Leie and Scheldt converge. This favorable situation brought a great deal of prosperity over the years, which was at its peak in the late 13th and early 14th century. The textile industry brought a great deal of wealth. In the town center many old patrician houses have been preserved. In the Cloth Makers' Hall (1425) textile merchants used to meet. Its principal church is St. Baaf's Cathedral, built over many years and in various styles. In the cathedral you can admire a number of masterpieces of medieval painting, the most famous one being Jan van Eyck's 'The Adoration of the Lamb'.
Dinner
Day 7 (Fri):
Ghent - Bruges, Belgium
Biking Tour approx. 45km/28mi
Breakfast
Our bike tour through the pleasant country side of western Flanders to Bruges starts right in town. Today our final destination is Bruges, also called the Venice of the North, which is probably the most beautiful of all Flemish cities. Its old center, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is almost completely intact. At the time Bruges was a metropolis, the center of trade and culture, which we can still fully enjoy.
Dinner
Town walk
Day 8 (Sat): Bruges, Belgium
Breakfast
Departure
Changes:
Due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organisational necessity we reserve the right to change the planned route accordingly. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary details, published times, and accommodations due to weather, local conditions, organization necessity or safety concerns.
Catering:
The cook will prepare a daily breakfast as well as dinner. Packed lunches for bike trips are prepared by the guest.
Requirements (Level 1 - 2):
Bicycle Helmet
We recommend you wear a helmet. Helmets are available on the barges, free of charge.
Bicycle Insurance
All our bicycles are fitted with proper locks. You are not liable for damage or theft of the bicycle, unless the bicycle was stolen during an excursion due to the fact that it was not locked properly.