Amsterdam to Bruges

When you arrive on board the ship in Amsterdam by 2 p.m., you can put your luggage away in your cabin and then enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It’s also a good moment to become acquainted with the guide, skipper, and crew – and of course your fellow passengers. At 2:15 p.m. we will leave Amsterdam cruising on the river Amstel to Ouderkerk a/d Amstel. After dinner we will cycle our first kilometers through the polder Ronde Hoep to Oude Wetering. During dinner aboard the ship, the program for the next day and the global planning of the week will be discussed.

From Oude Wetering we will continue on country roads, along canals and rivers to the cheese town, Gouda. You will have time in the late afternoon to admire the stained glass windows in the St. John’s Church or to enjoy one of the sidewalk cafés in Gouda’s famous main square. In the square you’ll find the beautiful Town Hall, one of the few remaining examples of Gothic architecture in Holland. Every hour you’ll hear the city hall’s chimes and can watch the puppet show depicting the moment city rights were given to Gouda back in 1272 by Earl Floris V. After dinner we’ll take another walk through the city.

Today we will cycle along the Dutch IJssel, through the deepest lying polder of the Netherlands, Krimpenerwaard, and over narrow cycling paths to the river “Lek”. Here we will cross the river by ferry to Kinderdijk, where Holland’s largest number (19) of historical windmills is found. Kinderdijk is now listed as an UNESCO’s World Heritage site. You’ll visit a working windmill that’s now a small museum. It’s well worth the climb up the narrow steps to the top. After the Kinderdijk, we will tour through the Alblasserwaardpolder, then take a ferry which will bring us to the banks of the river Beneden-Merwede in Dordrecht. Dordrecht is one of the oldest cities in Holland, which lies at the intersection of three busy waterways.

From Dordrecht, we sail to the 17th-century fortified town of Willemstad.

After a short stop to explore this charming little place, we hop on our bikes and ride past the Volkerak locks—one of the busiest in Europe. We cycle through flat polder landscapes and into the peaceful woods near Bergen op Zoom. After a quick look around this lively town, we continue over the “Brabantse Wal,” a sandy ridge formed during the Ice Ages. This area is known for its tasty strawberries and asparagus.

At the big Kreekrak lock, we wrap up our biking for the day and cruise by barge to Antwerp. It’s a great ride along the river, passing huge sea-going ships. Arriving in Antwerp is a highlight, especially when you sail past the eye-catching new Harbour House.

The historic city centre is definitely worth a visit—with sights like the Cathedral of Our Lady and the Rubens House. Our barge will be docked in Willemsdok, right near the Museum Aan de Stroom.

This morning, we begin our journey by crossing the Scheldt River through the historic St. Anna Tunnel, riding the escalator with its unique wooden stairs; a truly special experience.

As we cycle along the river, we’ll pass through Basel, one of Belgium’s most picturesque villages, and Rupelmonde, the birthplace of the renowned 16th-century cartographer Gerardus Mercator.

The route to Sint-Amands takes us through scenic nature reserves and wetlands, including the Durme and Schausselbroek areas. Notably, the mudflats of Durme stand out as one of the last freshwater marshes along this tidal stretch of the river, home to a unique and diverse range of flora and fauna. Sint-Amands itself is a tranquil village nestled in a bend of the Scheldt River.

Our day begins with a relaxing sail to Dendermonde. Upon disembarking, we’ll explore the charming market square, home to the impressive 14th-century town hall and belfry. From here, we cycle along the Scheldt River to Berlare and later to Wetteren, known for its beautiful rose nurseries. This marks our final stop before Ghent, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a refreshing Belgian beer before we head into the city and board the ship once more.

Ghent takes great pride in its rich history, but it’s far more than just a museum city. The city offers a stunning blend of medieval architecture, stylish shopping areas with elegant mansions, and former workers’ districts from the early 20th century that now buzz with student life. The lively squares invite us to relax and savor the warm summer nights, staying out until the early hours.

Today we will cycle straight through the beautiful center of Ghent on a peaceful route. We’ll pedal past the Leie Bridge and enter the tranquil countryside of East Flanders. Traveling down winding roads and through patches of woodland, we head to Bruges. The final section of the route will take us along the towpath next to the canal running from Ghent to Oostende. In the afternoon and evening you can enjoy the heart of the fascinating city of Bruges.

Our tour concludes after breakfast. The barge will be moored near the Buiten Katelijnevest in Bruges.