Bruges - Antwerp - Amsterdam 2024

Boat and Bike Bruges to Amsterdam

During this boat and bike tour you will cycle and sail through two different countries The two countries, Holland and Belgium, united in one Bike & Barge holiday..

Combining the highlights of Holland’s Golden Age and the heydays of the Flemish trade cities in the Middle Ages. And last but not least, Holland’s own world wonder: the Delta Works.

Notice the big difference between the green polder landscape abounding in water, with its tranquil roads and villages and the old world of islands in Zeeland with its pastures, creeks, winding dikes and dams. On top of that the often so picturesque Flemish countryside between the Belgian monumental cities of Ghent and Bruges. The great rivers are a prominent feature in this part of the Netherlands and Belgium. Of course you will get to know our own, Dutch Wonder of the World: the Delta Works, evidence of the eternal battle against the waters of the sea.

Dutch Barge Cruises reserves the right to cancel tours with fewer than 12 participants up to 21 days prior to the date of departure

Day to day schedule

Day 1: Bruges - Ghent 21 km

Boarding between 1PM and 2PM. When you arrive on board the ship you can put your luggage away in your cabin and then enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the guide, skipper and crew and of course your fellow passengers. At 2 p.m. you will start off the city walls of Bruges for a trip to Ghent. The barge will mostly be following the canal between Bruges and Ghent to Aalterbrug, which offers a beautiful, peaceful cycle route with an unexpected variety of experiences.After dinner you will have some time to discover the old and characteristic city centre. 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 Baaf’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.

Day 2: Ghent - Sint-Amands 47 km

Early Sunday morning you will cycle through the old centre of Ghent. After coffee you will leave for a nice day along one of the most beautiful rivers of Europe: the Scheldt. After approximately 20 km you’ll reach Wetteren, a nice flemish city which is well known for it’s rose nurseries. But also a good place to learn what the Belgium word ‘staminee’ means. Berlare is the last place before Dendermonde so it’s a perfect place to taste some Belgian beer before you board the ship again. Your boarding place for today is Dendermonde, a city which is known for the legend of the Beiaart. From Dendermonde you’ll sail to quiet village of Sint-Amands where you will spend the night.

Day 3 : Sint Amands - Antwerpen 40 km

From Sint-Amands the cycleroute leads you along the river and past nature reserves like the mudflats of Durme and Schausselbroek. Especially the mudflats of Durme is worth mentioning cause it’s one of the last fresh water marshes along this tidal part of the river and therefore has a unique flora and fauna. You continue your tour through Bazel, one of the most beautiful villages of Belgium. For an escalator the wooden moving stairs in the St. Anna tunnel under the Scheldt is a unique experience before entering the city centre of Antwerp. The historical centre of Antwerp is worth a visit, here you’ll find: the Onze Lieve Vrouwenkerk and the Rubenshuis. In the Willemsdok, near the Museum for Modern Art (Museum Aan de Stroom, closed on Mondays) you will find the barge.

Day 4: Antwerp - Willemstad 56 km

This morning you’ll sail through the big harbour of Antwerp, a big difference with the nature reserves and quite villages of yesterday. But due to the big sea going vessels and large harbour cranes it’s a fascinating journey which brings you to Holland where you start your biketour at the Kreekrak locks. By bike you will make a beautiful tour over the ‘Brabantse wal’ a sand wall dating back from the times when Mammoths roam the area. Today you won’t find any big elephants but the area seemed to be perfect for strawberry and asparagus fields. So be here at harvest time (depending on the weather: around June). From the woodlands around Bergen op Zoom you continue through a polderlandscape to the old fortified town of Willemstad, near the Volkeraksluizen (locks) at the Haringvliet, the busiest locks of Europe.

Day 5: Willemstad - Gorinchem 45 km

From Willemstad you’ll sail this morning to Werkendam where you go ashore to continue your tour by bike through the land of Heusden and Altena. Along the Bergse Maas, the south border of the land of Heusden and Altena, you continue your tour along the fortified town of Heusden. From here another river, the ‘Afgedamde Maas’ leads you back to the river Waal where you started your tour this morning. Here you’ll find another beautifull fortified town, Woudrichem. A ferry brings you to the other side of the river where you’ll board the barge.

Day 6: Gorinchem - Utrecht 50 km

From Gorinchem you will 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 the months april and may. Along the city of Leerdam, famous for its glass, you continue your tour in northern direction towards Utrecht. On your way towards Utrecht you’ll pass the so called ‘Wiel van Bassa’ the biggest dike burst hole in the Netherlands and another relic of the everlasting battle against the water. From Vianen you sail to Utrecht. After dinner you can take a public bus to the old centre of Utrecht.

Day 7: Utrecht - Amsterdam 40 km

During breakfast you will sail to Breukelen (Brooklyn) from where you will cycle to Amsterdam along the two most beautiful rivers of Holland, the Vecht and the Amstel. Along the route you will find the magnificent country houses and mansions from the 18th century with their splendid, well-kept gardens. After dinner you have the option to take a canal cruise through the canals of Amsterdam.

Day 8: Amsterdam, end of tour

End of the tour after breakfast, before 10 AM. If you have an early flight, ask the the tourleader to arrange a taxi to the Airport.

Inclusive:

• All nights on board (Sat.-Sat. 8 days / 7 nights), cabin in the booked category;
• Full board (7 x breakfast, 6 x self-made picnic lunch for bike tours, 7 x three course dinner)
• Use of bed linen and towels (change of towels possible)
• Coffee and tea on board
• Tour guide, cycling with the group
• Min. 3 city walks with the tour guide
• Free WiFi is limited available in lounge and on deck
• Road book, 1x per cabin
• Ferry fares on the route

Exclusive:

• Bicycle rent
• Bicycle insurance (optional) € 15,- per bicycle
• Bicycle insurance electric bike (optional) € 40,- per bicycle
• Entrance fees to museums; approx. € 15,- per tour
• Personal insurance/ Cancellation insurance (optional)

Extra options 2024

• Rental touring bike per week € 110,-
• Rental E-bike per week € 220,-
• Insurance 2024: insurance is included in the rental price)
• Insurance for e-bike 2024: insurance is included in the rental price)
• Special diet (gluten free, lsctose free; vegan) € 75,- per diet (possible on request up to 14 days prior to start of the tour)

Dutch Barge Cruises reserves the right to cancel tours with fewer than 12 participants up to 21 days prior to the date of departure

The program is subject to change without notice.

Dutch Barge Cruises reserves the right to cancel tours with fewer than 12 participants up to 21 days prior to the date of departure

The program is subject to change without notice.