Bruges-Antwerp-Amsterdam

Two famous cities in Belgium and the Netherlands are the first and last stops on this fascinating Bike and Boat holiday. You will enjoy Bruges, one of the most beautiful, historic cities of Belgium, and Amsterdam, the architecturally and culturally wonderful capital of the Netherlands. You will also visit the architecturally and cultural wonderful Antwerp, where you can visit the famous Rubens House, and Utrecht in Holland. You will notice subtle differences between the green Dutch polder landscape with water aplenty, quiet roads, and villages, the old island world of Zeeland with fields, creeks, winding dikes and dams, and the picturesque but drier countryside between the Flemish cities of Ghent and Bruges in Belgium. These two Belgian cities experienced their golden age long before the emergence of the Dutch as a mercantile powerhouse. The mighty rivers in this part of the Netherlands and Belgium are prominent features along the route, and you will be mesmerized by the Netherlands’ own world wonder, the Delta Works, which bear witness to Holland’s on-going battle against the sea

REVERSE ROUTE:    Amsterdam Gouda Bruges

Green = Open | Yellow = Limited | Red = Full

2023

Prices are per person in US Dollars – inclusive bike rental

2024

Terms and Conditions

2023 

(See new itinerary for 2024 at the bottom of this page)

DAY 1 – Bruges – Ghent – 13 miles (21 km)
When you arrive on board the ship in Bruges 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. Very soon we will head away from the city walls of Bruges for a trip to Ghent. We will mostly follow the canal between Bruges and Ghent to Aalterbrug, which offers a beautiful, peaceful cycle route with an unexpected variety of experiences.

After dinner we will have time to discover the character of the old city center of Ghent, easily reached from our berth. Ghent was a major trading center during the Middle Ages and still one of Flanders’ most important cities today. Its origins lie in Roman times, at the junction of the Leie and Schelde Rivers. The city center has many surprisingly well-preserved patrician mansions and architecturally delightful civic and commercial buildings. Especially noteworthy is the impressive St. Baafs Cathedral, built over various periods in a variety of styles. In the cathedral you can admire a number of masterpieces of medieval painting, including the renowned ‘Adoration of the Lamb’ by Jan van Eyck.

DAY 2 – Ghent – St. Amands – 30 miles (47 km)
This morning we will take our bikes out on a peaceful ride through the old center of Ghent, which will still be covered under a blanket of Sunday morning quietness. After a tasty cup of coffee we will depart for a day trip along one of the most beautiful rivers of Europe: the Schelde. This tidal river meanders all the way to Antwerp where it meets the sea. In Wetteren, we’ll have a break in a real Flemish bar, and in Berlare you can enjoy a tasty Belgian monastery beer with your lunch. We will reach Dendermonde, city of the legend of the royal children and the horse Bejaart, where we’ll marvel at the large market square and the city hall. We will board the barge again, and from Dendermonde we will sail into the sleepy village of St. Amands, where we’ll spend the night.

DAY 3 –  St. Amands – Antwerp – 25 miles (40 km)
Today we will cycle along the river Schelde, whose banks are connected by several small ferries. Via Temse, we’ll bike through a peaceful nature reserve to Steendorp. Here we will board the barge to cruise over to the historic center of Antwerp, where we will hop off the boat to take a stroll through the city. You can marvel at the beautiful Onze-Lievevrouwen Church, the impressive market square, and the famous Rubens House. At the end of the afternoon we will make our way to the Willems Quai where the barge will be docked close to the stunning new Modern-Artmuseum, the MAS.

DAY 4 – Antwerp – Willemstad – 35 miles (56 km)
This morning we will sail through the big harbor of Antwerp, a big contrast to the nature reserves and quiet villages of yesterday. The big sea-going vessels and large harbor cranes make it a fascinating journey. The boat will bring us to Holland, where we will start our bike ride at the Kreekrak locks. We will take a beautiful route over the “Brabantse wal,” a sand wall dating back from the times when mammoths roamed the area. Today you won’t find any prehistoric elephants, but the area is filled with strawberry and asparagus fields. From the woodlands around Bergen op Zoom, we will continue through a polder landscape to the old fortified town of Willemstad, a charming old town next to the busiest locks in Europe, part of the Delta Works.

DAY 5 – Willemstad – Gorinchem – 28 miles (45 km)
Our barge will depart early in the morning to Werkendam, from where we will take an exciting cycle trip through the land of Heusden and Altene. We will pass the Bergse Maas to the rustic settlement of Heusden. We’ll continue our tour over the pleasant cycle lanes through the nature reserve and along the Maas river. During our trip, we will also pay a visit to the picturesque town of Woudrichem. Here we will ferry across to reach Gorinchem, where our barge will be waiting for us.

DAY 6 – Gorinchem – Vianen – Utrecht – 31 miles (50 km)
Today we will set off along the scenic, meandering river Linge that flows through the Alblasserwaard towards the city of glass, Leerdam. We will continue our journey past Culemborg, idyllically situated on the shores of the river Lek, and carry on to Vianen where we’ll visit the impressive historic center. The barge will eventually cruise via the Merwede Canal and the Amsterdam-Rijn canal to Utrecht. After our delicious dinner, you’ll be free to take the bus to the center for a city stroll.

DAY 7 – Utrecht – Amsterdam – 25 miles (40 km)
Today we will sail on the river Vecht to Breukelen (the U.S. Brooklyn is named after this quaint village). We’ll bike along the river banks from here, admiring handsome mansions on our final ride back to Amsterdam. After arriving in Holland’s capital city and returning your bike, you can rest or perhaps visit the town center, which is close by. Amsterdam began as a simple village at the mouth of the River Amstel but expanded rapidly with its famous rings of canals during its Golden Age. The palace on the Dam Square is sometimes called the 8th Wonder of the World because it’s built on 13,659 wooden piles. Amsterdam as we know it today is a cosmopolitan city with 40 museums, close to one million inhabitants, and a thriving economy. In the evening you might like to take a sightseeing round trip on a lively Dutch canal boat.

DAY 8 –  Tour Ends
Our tour concludes in Amsterdam, near the Central Station, after breakfast. Departure is before 10 a.m.

2024

DAY 1 – Bruges – Ghent – 13 miles (21 km)

When you arrive on board the ship in Bruges between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm. 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. Very soon we will head away from the city walls of Bruges for a trip to Ghent. We will mostly follow the canal between Bruges and Ghent to Aalterbrug, which offers a beautiful, peaceful cycle route with an unexpected variety of experiences.

After dinner we will have time to discover the character of the old city center of Ghent, easily reached from our berth. Ghent was a major trading center during the Middle Ages and still one of Flanders’ most important cities today. Its origins lie in Roman times, at the junction of the Leie and Schelde Rivers. The city center has many surprisingly well-preserved patrician mansions and architecturally delightful civic and commercial buildings. Especially noteworthy is the impressive St. Baafs Cathedral, built over various periods in a variety of styles. In the cathedral you can admire a number of masterpieces of medieval painting, including the renowned ‘Adoration of the Lamb’ by Jan van Eyck. 

DAY 2 – Ghent – Free day

Today we will have the day at our free disposal. The city of Ghent is proud of its rich past, the many well-preserved guild’s and patricians’ houses as well as old warehouses, Gravensteen (a mediaeval castle), St Nicholas Church (with 13th century foundations), St Bavo’s Cathedral and the ‘Belfort’ (Belfry;14th century). But Ghent is much more than just a museum town. This lively city with its numerous squares and cosy pubs is an excellent mixture of mediaeval edifices, stylish shopping streets, splendid mansions, working-class quarters from the beginning of the 20th century which now often house students and busy little squares where people eat out till the wee hours on a sultry summer night.

You can also choose to go on an optional ride with your guide. The castles and luxurious villas in and around Destelbergen, at a stone’s throw from Ghent, are silent witnesses of the rich history of this municipality along the banks of the river Scheldt.

DAY 3 – Ghent – Middelburg – 28 miles (45 km)

Today we will leave Belgium and arrive in the Netherlands. During breakfast we will sail to Sas van Gent and cycle through Zeeuws-Vlaanderen (Dutch-Flanders). With a short ferry trip from Breskens to Vlissingen (Flushing) you cross the Westerschelde. From Vlissingen it’s just 30 minutes cycling to Middelbrug, the capital of Zeeland.

Modern Middelburg has preserved and regained much of its historic and picturesque character. There are lavish 17th and 18th century merchant houses and storehouses standing along canals. The medieval abbey is still in use today, as a museum and as the seat of the provincial government.

DAY 4 –  Middelburg – Zierikzee – 31 miles (50 km)

First we will ride to the town of Veere, formerly an important trading place. From Veere we will cycle over the Veersgat- dam (here you have the possibility of a beach visit) to North Beveland. Soon we will reach the Oosterscheldedam. The enormous locks are built in this embankment and can be closed during storms and high tides protecting the south-west of the Netherlands against the sea. This embankment was one of the last in a series of barriers against the sea. When cycling along the embankment, one will realize why this has been one of the most difficult and costly challenges to protect the country now and in the future and to let seawater into the widespread Delta area. It is precisely why the Deltaworks are referred to as the one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. After this dam we will peddle to Zierikzee.

DAY 5 – Zierikzee – Willemstad, sailing to Dordrecht – 34 miles (55 km)

A nice ride on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland is on the program. We cycle to the village Bruinisse, known for it’s very isolated community. The main source of income is the mussel fishery, on the dike to the Grevelingen you will find a statue of an opened mussels. In the afternoon we will ride on to Willemstad (an old fortified town) where we meet the barge. Sailing to Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities of Holland and located at the crossroads of busy waterways

DAY 6 – Dordrecht, sailing to Gorinchem, cycling to Vianen – 31 miles (50 km)

From Gorinchem we will visit Woudrichem (an old fortified town) and the castle Loevestein, the most famous castle in the Netherlands. After our visit we follow the meandering river Linge through the Betuwe. This area is known for the large amount of orchards and therefore will be covered with blossoms in May. Along the city of Leerdam, famous for its glass, we continue our tour in northern direction towards Vianen.

DAY 7 – Utrecht – Amsterdam – 25 miles (40 km)

During breakfast we will sail on the river Vecht to Breukelen (the U.S. Brooklyn is named after this quaint village). From here we’ll bike along the river banks, admiring handsome mansions on our final ride back to Amsterdam. After arriving in Holland’s capital city and returning your bike, you can rest or perhaps visit the town center, which is close by. Amsterdam began as a simple village at the mouth of the River Amstel but expanded rapidly with its famous rings of canals during its Golden Age. The palace on the Dam Square is sometimes called the 8th Wonder of the World because it’s built on 13,659 wooden piles. Amsterdam as we know it today is a cosmopolitan city with 40 museums, close to one million inhabitants, and a thriving economy. In the evening you might like to take a sightseeing round trip on a lively Dutch canal boat.

DAY 8 – Tour Ends

Our tour concludes in Amsterdam, near the Central Station, after breakfast. Departure is before 10 a.m.

What’s Included

• 7 nights on board the ship (sheets, blankets, and towels)
• 7 breakfasts, 6 packed lunches, and 7 dinners
• Coffee and tea on board
• 24-speed bicycle, incl. helmet, pannier bags, lock, water bottle, & bike insurance
• Tour guide (multilingual)
• City Walks
• Route information and road book
• Ferry fares on route
• Reservation costs

Bikes

A well maintained, comfortable 24-speed hybrid bicycle is available free of charge for each participant. Men and women’s models are available in sizes appropriate to your height. The bikes come with helmets, grip shifters, hand brakes, carrier bag, lock, repair kit, water bottle holders, water bottle, and bike insurance.  Electric bikes can be rented for this tour ($110 per person).We advise you only to rent an electric bike if you have first tried one at home. They’re heavier than regular bikes and therefore can be difficult to maneuver. In addition, you can rent children’s bikes, child seats, bike trailers, and tag-alongs.

The barges listed below are examples of those usually used on the tour. Depending on availability, you may be booked in a different barge of equal quality.

SAILING HOME

26 people – The barge “Sailing Home” started cruising in 2001, specifically for Bike & Barge Tours in The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. This beautiful passenger ship can accommodate 26 overnight passengers and 70 day passengers. The interior of the salon and bar is decorated in a modern Victorian style and offers a lot of comfort. The “Sailing Home” has two floors. On the top floor you will find the salon, a roomy lounge a cozy bar, and a sun deck. The four-man crew of the Sailing Home consists of the skipper, sailor, cook and hostess. 

• 13 Twin cabins

All cabins have a private bathroom, air conditioning, central heating, safe, hair dryer, 220 voltage.

LIZA MARLEEN

20 people – The “Liza Marleen” is a luxury motor passenger barge, built in 1997-98 on the completely dismantled shell of a seafaring freight logger. The tastefully decorated lounge is equipped with an audio installation, television and video. In the evenings it is possible to come together in the spacious sitting area. In the Winter of 2015 to 2016 The Liza Marleen was converted to a more luxurious barge with twin beds and updated cabins.

• 8 Twin cabins, beds can be placed together.
• 2 Superior cabins. They are so spacious, that they can expand with 2 lower beds or a third bed and a cot.

All cabins have a private bathroom with sink, shower and toilet, central heating and air conditioning, hair dryer, 220 voltage

ANNA ANTAL

18 people – The Anna Antal is a former shuttle barge which was converted into a luxury motor passenger ship in the winter of 1994-95. In 2012 the saloon and cabins were renovated. The Anna Antal has a cozy salon/lounge, a sun deck, and a storage deck for the bicycles.

• 5 Twin cabins
• 4 Bunk bed cabins

All cabins have a private bathroom, central heating, 220 voltage. Hair dryers are available on board. 

WENDING

24 people – The Wending is a former freight barge that started a new life in the early nineties as a luxury passenger motor barge. In 2015 the barge was renovated. The Wending has a roomy and cozy salon, equipped with a complete music installation and TV. After a strenuous bike ride it is a great place to relax. The barge also has a small deck where you can sit in the sunshine.

• 10 double cabins
• 2 triple cabins.

The twin beds are side by side. In the triple cabin one bed is placed over the other two. All cabins have a private bathroom and central heating with small windows which can be opened.