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Holland and Belgium Bike+Boat
Amsterdam-Bruges or reverse
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The Best of Holland and Belgium
The Amsterdam – Bruges bike and barge cycle tour is an exciting and diverse holiday experience that highlights some of the most beautiful cities of Holland and Belgium. On a daily basis you will cycle through a variety of flat landscapes through charming villages and historic cities while cruising along the impressive waterways of Zeeland, the River Schelde and the picturesque Vecht and Lek Rivers. The tour is perfect for families who want to cycle together and enjoy barge life or, for that matter, anyone wanting to enjoy a delightful week of cycling to a long list of historic destinations.
Dates 2024:
Arrival: Sunday
Duration: 8 days
Ship Fluvius
Amsterdam-Bruges
Season 1: April 14.
Season 2: April 28., May 12./26., June 09./23., July 07./21., Aug 04./18., Sept 01./15.
Bruges-Amsterdam
Season 1: none
Season 2: April 21., May 05./19., June 02./16./30., July 14./28., Aug 11./25., Sept 08./22.
Ship De Holland
Amsterdam-Bruges
Season 1: none
Season 2: Sept 22.
Season 3: May 05., June 02., Aug 25., Sept 08.
Bruges-Amsterdam
Season 1: Sept 29.
Season 2: Sept 15.
Season 3: May 12., June 09., Sept 01.
1st Day: Amsterdam | Amsterdam – Vianen
Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board is at 1 p.m. At around 2 p.m. the ship will leave Amsterdam and sail to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek, where you will spend the night. Here the bicycles will be distributed and you can enjoy a short bicycle ride.
2nd Day: Vianen – Schoonhoven – Kinderdijk (56 km/34 mi.) | Kinderdijk – Dordrecht
Today you will cycle along a beautiful route to Schoonhoven – nicknamed Zilverstad (“Silver City”) – a city renowned for its talented silver smiths since the 17th century. Later in the day as you cycle through the Alblasserwaard region you will reach Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 large windmills. All 19 windmills have a UNESCO cultural heritage listing and are a definite highlight – you will have the opportunity to visit one so don’t forget to bring your camera! From nearby Alblasserdam you will take the “Waterbus”, a fast ferry, that will take you and your bicycle in approx. 10 minutes to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland.
3rd Day: Dordrecht – Tholen | Tholen – Kreekrak lock (20 km/13 mi. or 36 km/23 mi.) | Kreekrak lock – Antwerp
During breakfast the Fluvius will sail to Tholen where you will start your day’s cycling by visiting the “Wouwse Plantage” forest. Another attraction on the day is the impressive Kreekrak lock. After once again meeting up with the Fluvius you will finish your day by sailing 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 that include: 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. After dinner visit the beautiful old city centre.
4th Day: Antwerp – Temse – Dendermonde (48 km/29 mi. or 64 km/39 mi.)
Today’s tour will see you cycle out of Antwerp on a beautiful cycle path along the picturesque tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde, your home for the night. There is only one way to describe the landscape around the Schelde and that is “magnificent”. It is without doubt one of the natural highlights of the tour.
5th Day: Dendermonde – Ghent (52 km/32 mi.)
Today you will continue to follow the river Schelde to Ghent where the ship will moor for the night at a lock in a suburb of town. Ghent is a lively university city that boasts a rich history. The city’s position at the junction of Leie and Schelde Rivers has meant it to be a major trading port since Roman times. In total the city features an Opera House, 18 museums, more than 100 churches and over 400 historical buildings. A major attraction is St. Bavo Cathedral where a number of masterpieces of medieval art including the world famous ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by Jan van Eyck are kept.
6th Day: Ghent – Bruges (45 km/28 mi.)
Your bicycle tour will lead through the beautiful Flemish countryside of western Flanders around this beautiful city, widely described as the ‘Venice of the North’. The city attracts more than two million visitors every year who come for the ambience of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre. An outstanding example of a medieval settlement, Bruges has managed to maintain its historic fabric as it has evolved over the centuries, with the result that today the city’s original Gothic constructions form an integral part of the town’s identity. While you are here you can visit one of Bruges many museums or simply take in the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city from the comfort of a sidewalk café. 2023: Dinner tonight (not included) will be in town in a restaurant of your choice (recommendations available on board).
7th Day: Tour around Bruges to the North Sea (38 km/23 mi or 51 km/31 mi.)
Your final day of cycling takes you along a quiet canal and past beautiful poplar trees through an attractive polder landscape (a polder is a low-lying tract of land enclosed by embankments) dotted with small farm houses to the North Sea coast. Here if you want you can swim in the sea along an inviting sandy beach, visit any one of numerous cafés and see the attractive dune landscape. On the return ride to Bruges you will cycle along a small picturesque canal.
8th Day: Bruges
End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.
ITINERARY Bruge-Amsterdam
1st Day: Bruges (11 km/6 mi.)
Embarkation time in Bruges is between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The ship awaits you in the Bruges harbor. After a welcome meeting with the crew at 2 p.m. there is time for bicycle fitting and a short test-ride through the countryside around Bruges. After dinner the tour leader will take you for a walk through the center of town. We advise you to come to Bruges one or more days earlier, so that you will have plenty of time to discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical city of Bruges, aptly named the “Pearl of Flanders”. While you are there make sure you visit one of Bruges many museums or simply take in the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city from the comfort of a sidewalk café.
2nd Day: Bruges – Ghent (57 km/36 mi.)
Your cycle tour starts early today in the outskirts of Bruges. You will start your first day of cycling by pedaling towards Ghent through the beautiful Flemish landscape along the Ghent canal. On arrival in Ghent make sure you make the effort to discover the best of what this historical city has to offer during an afternoon stroll. Ghent’s medieval town center features lovely illuminated streets that are a must to explore, while the architectural richness in the historical center of the city has to be seen to be believed (during the Middle Ages Ghent was the 2nd largest European city after Paris). The ship will dock for the night at a lock, in a suburb of Ghent and approx. 30 cycling minutes from the city center.
3rd Day: Ghent – Dendermonde (40 km/24 mi. )
After breakfast in Ghent you will cycle downstream through a diverse landscape along the tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde, a friendly little town, located at the junction of Dender and Schelde Rivers. Dendermonde has a beautiful town hall located at a cozy square. The ideal place to have a nice Belgium beer after your bicycle ride. Worth visiting is also the St. Alexius Beguinage where you can learn about housekeeping, work and recreation in the lives of former generations.
4th Day: Dendermonde – Antwerp (48 km/21 mi. or 63 km/39 mi.)
Today we will follow the Schelde River further downstream through the Temse region and the small village of Baasrode to Antwerp. This part of the route is along a most beautiful and twisting section of the Schelde which over the centuries held strategic importance for the Romans, Vikings, Spanish and Napoleon. Antwerp, your destination for the day, is a harbor city situated on the river Schelde famous for handling up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds and as the birthplace of the famous painter Sir Peter Paul Rubens. There are many highlights in the city to discover 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. 2023: Dinner tonight (not included) will be in town in a restaurant of your choice (recommendations available on board).
5th Day: Antwerp – Kreekrak locks | Kreekrak locks – Tholen (36 km/23 mi. or 20 km/13 mi.) | Tholen – Dordrecht
This morning, the ship will sail along the Schelde-Rhine Canal and over the huge Kreekrak lock system. Here your bicycle tour starts through the beautiful “Wouwse Plantage” forest to Tholen, Tholen once was an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams, where many people fished for their living. Nowadays Tholen is connected to the mainland in various ways. But it is still a picturesque village with many relics of an eventful past. From Tholen you will join the ship again for a nice afternoon sail to the beautiful city of Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland. Halfway the ship will pass the impressive Volkerak lock system. Your tour leader will take you for an evening walk and tell you about the history of the Netherlands.
6th Day: Dordrecht – Alblasserdam | Alblasserdam – Kinderdijk – Schoonhoven – Vianen (57 km/36 mi.)
A fast ferry will bring you to Alblasserdam. From here you will cycle to Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 UNESCO cultural heritage-listed windmills – one of which you can visit (don’t forget your camera!). The windmills were constructed in the 18th century to pump water out of the low Alblasserwaard polder (a polder is a low-lying tract of land enclosed by embankments). You will then continue to cycle via Schoonhoven to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek where you will spend the evening. Since the 17th century Schoonhoven – nicknamed Silver City – has been renowned for its talented silversmiths.
7th Day: Vianen – Breukelen | Breukelen – Amsterdam (38 km/24 mi. or 48 km/29 mi.)
During breakfast the barge will cruise to Breukelen where you disembark and start your final day of cycling. Ride along the Vecht River in an area famous for its beautiful mansions, small castles and beautiful houses with large gardens and parks. After cycling through the villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen and Vreeland you arrive at Nigtevecht where you can visit a traditional cheese farm. Continue cycling through the historical town of Muiden and on to Amsterdam where you will meet the barge for the final time in the Amsterdam harbor.
8th Day: Amsterdam
End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.
Important Information
The tour itinerary and route are subject to possible changes due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons, or other unforeseen events.
Good to know
- Cycling route distances in the travel program are approximate.
- On some days you can choose between a longer and a shorter cycling route. Please note that on the shorter routes you may not be able to visit all the highlights mentioned.
- If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, you’re welcome to stay on board and relax while the ship cruises to the next landing place.
- On the arrival day, you can leave your luggage on board the ship from 11.00 am.
YOUR ACCOMMODATION:
ship FLUVIUS
The Fluvius has been a popular choice for guests for a number of years now on the cycling cruises between Amsterdam and Bruges. The Fluvius sails under Dutch flag and management. The Fluvius now caters for max. 44 passengers. It has a large lounge (air-conditioned) with TV, bar and a semi-separate restaurant area. Wi-Fi is available. The barge also has a large sun deck with sitting places (tables and chairs) and a storage room for the bikes. While cruising, you can enjoy the scenery from here.
Cabins:
The Fluvius has eighteen twin cabins and four double cabins. Each cabin has an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. All twin cabins have a fixed window, the panoramic window in the double cabins can be opened. Each cabin has an individually adjustable air-conditioning unit, a ventilation system, a flatscreen TV and a hair dryer.
Upper deck: three standard twin cabins (11 m² – 118 sq.ft. ) with two separate single beds and four double cabins (12 m² – 129 sq.ft. ) with a double bed (160 x 200 cm) and a large panoramic window.
Lower deck: fourteen standard twin cabins (11 m² – 118 sq.ft.) and one smaller twin cabin (10 m² – 108 sq.ft.), all of which have two separate single beds. On prior request, a child’s cot can be placed in two of the standard twin cabins.
ship De HOLLAND
De Holland is a medium-sized cozy river cruise ship, built in 1952 and extended by 16 meters in 2012. In the winter of 2017/2018 the ship has been completely refitted: new marshalling, spacious and more luxurious cabins and a full restyle of the interior. De Holland has a large salon with large panoramic windows on the upper deck that combines the restaurant, bar and a lounge area. Wi-Fi is available. On the partially roofed sun deck, chairs and sun loungers invite for a stay. Here you can relax and have a drink and enjoy the scenery while sailing. Bicycles will be stored on a separate part of the sun deck.
Cabins:
All 34 cabins aboard De Holland have an individual climate control system, digital TV, mini-safe, small wardrobe, hair dryer, 230V sockets and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. The suite has the same amenities as the superior twin cabins but is larger.
Upper deck: 9 identical twin cabins (10 m² – 108 sq.ft.) and one suite (13 m² – 140 sq.ft.), all with two separate beds set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches). All upper deck cabins and the suite have a “French Balcony” (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors) instead of a regular window.
Lower deck:24 twin cabins (10 m² – 108 sq.ft.). Three twin cabins in the front have two separate beds, set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches) and an additional fold away bunk bed as optional third bed (only for children). 21 Twin cabins have two separate beds, set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches). All lower deck cabins have a window (80 x 40 cm – 31 x 16 inches) that – for safety reasons – cannot be opened.
YOUR BICYCLES:
7-speed unisex
E-Bikes
- Velo de Vile or similar
- comfort-entrance unisex
- 28″ tires
- Shimano-circuit
- E-Bikes with 400 WH Bosch-engine
- luggage rack
- comfort-gel-saddle
- Handbreak
- lock-on-frame
Please note: Bringing own bikes is – depending on the ship, either against surcharge or due for reasons of space not possible.
ARRIVAL INFORMATION:
Parking
- public parking areas
Train station
- Station: Amsterdam Centraal or Brugge
Flughafen
- Next Airport: Amsterdam (AMS) or Bruge (OST)
- 7 nights incl. breakfast
- Packed lunches
- 6x 3-course dinner
- Coffee and tea on board
- Welcome drink
- Use of bed linen and towels
- Daily cleaning of the cabin
- Climate-controlled cabin
- Daily briefings
- Semi guided cycling tours (guest cycle independently, tour leader also cycles the tour)
- Some short walking tours
- Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
- GPS tracks
- Use of a waterproof pannier bag
- Biodegradable water bottle
- Wi-Fi
- Carbon offset payment to the non-profit organization Justdiggit
Additionally with guided tour (Fluvius)
- Fully guided bike tours (22 guests or more: 2 guides, 2 groups)
- some short walks/tours
- Fees for ferries / waterbus
Ship Fluvius | Season 1 | Season 2 |
2-bed cabin small, lower deck | 1.109,- | 1.159,- |
2-bed cabin lower deck | 1.159,- | 1.209,- |
2-bed cabin for single use lower deck | 1.738,50,- | 1.813,50,- |
2-bed cabin upper deck | 1.359,- | 1.409,- |
Doublecabin upper deck | 1.559,- | 1.609,- |
Ship De Holland | Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 |
2-bed cabin lower deck | 1.059,- | 1.239,- | 1.299,- |
2-bed cabin for single use lower deck | 1.588,50,- | 1.858,50,- | 1.948,50,- |
2-bed cabin upper deck | 1.359,- | 1.539,- | 1.599,- |
2-bed cabin for single use upper deck | 2.038,50,- | 2.308,50,- | 2.398,50,- |
Suite upper deck | 1.609,- | 1.789,- | 1.849,- |
Additional bookable
Rental bikes | ||
7-speed | 90,- | |
E-Bike | 225,- | |
Own, normal bike – parking | 10,- | |
Own E-Bike – parking + charging station | 25,- | |
Rental-helmet | 10,- | |
Diet (upon request, payable on site) | 50,- | |
Supplement guided tour (Fluvius) | 90,- |
Operator: BoatBikeTours
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