This tour offers you a unique opportunity to get to know the lowlands of the North Sea. We show you lovely Amsterdam and old Dutch towns like Gouda and Willemstad.
You cross the border into Belgium to discover the Belgian pearls of Antwerp, Ghent and on top of that: medieval Bruges!

All meals are included aboard your cruising barge hotel. Some spring departures include a visit to the world famous bulb fields and flowers of Keukenhof Gardens.

Enjoy one of the best cycle path networks in the world, with hardly a car to worry about! We have a selection of barges to choose from, of varying comfort levels and price points.

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY 

Day 1 (Sat): 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.

Day 2: Vianen – Schoonhoven – Kinderdijk | Kinderdijk – Dordrecht (56 km/34 mi.)

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.

Day 3 (Mon):Dordrecht – Tholen | Tholen – Kreekrak lock | Kreekrak lock – Antwerp (20 km/13 mi. or 36 km/23 mi.)

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.

Day 4 (Tue): 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.

Day 5 (Wed): 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.

Day 6 (Thu): 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.

Day 7: 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.

Day 8 (Sat): Bruges

End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.

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NOTES:  The Bruges to Amsterdam itinerary is virtually identical but in reverse.

RATING – Easy

The total length of the route by bike is about 200 km. Almost all bike paths are level and well-lit. These are lovely bike paths along well-signposted bike routes, suitable for all levels of cyclist.

You are welcome to take time off and stay aboard ship during the course of the tour if you wish.

AIRPORT / TRANSFERS

Flights are best in/out of Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. On some departures transfers from the airport to/from Ghent are included.

For barges departing directly from Bruges its also OK to fly into Brussels and take the train from there as the docking location is just 200m from the Bruges train station.

For Amsterdam departures, there are trains from the terminal into Central Station every 20 minutes, at a cost of approx. Euro 8.00, with the barge docked right beside the Central Station.

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4* Comfort barge – MS FluviusOn board the FLUVIUS are a total of 22 cabins for max. 44 guests. All cabins have shower + toilet, 2 lower beds (partly in a right angle), a safe and hairdryer, TV and air-conditioning – all individual and adjustable. On the Upper deck are four premium twin cabins (ca. 12 m²) with a double bed (140 x 200 cm) and a high window, the upper part of the window may open; plus 3 x 2-bed-cabins ( ca. 11 m²) with picture window (cannot be opened). The Main deck has 14 x 2-bed-cabins (ca. 11 m²) and 1 x 2-bed cabin (ca. 10 m²). Windows on main deck cannot be opened.

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SCHEDULE  & PRICE – Comfort Barge (4 Star)

Departure Dates 2020: 

• Amsterdam to Bruges:  departure on: April 18; May 2, 16 and 30; June 13 and 27; July 11 and 25; August 8 and 22; Sept. 5 and 19.
• Bruges to Amsterdam:  departure on: April 25; May 9 and 23; June 6 and 20; July 4 and 18; August 1, 15 and 29; Sept. 12 and 26.

This tour includes: 

• 8 days/7 nights in a double cabin with private facilities and two twins OR one double bed
• 7 x breakfast, Packed lunches and 3-course dinners
• Coffee and tea on board during breakfast and after the cycling tours, till 4 PM
• Welcome drink
• Daily cleaning of the cabin
• Climate-controlled cabin
•  Daily briefings
•  Fully guided cycling tours (2 tour leaders)
•  Some short walking tours
•  Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
•  GPS tracks
•  Use of a waterproof pannier bag
•  Fees for ferries / waterbus
•  Wi-Fi
• Rental of a 7-gear hybrid style touring bicycle with insurance

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4+ star Comfort Plus barges – Magnifique I, II, III & IV;  Fleur; Zwaantje

SCHEDULE  & PRICE – Comfort Plus Barge (4+ Star)

Departure Dates 2020:   Every Wednesday and Saturday from mid-April to mid-October

NOTE: The Day to Day Itinerary may be slightly different to what is posted above. Contact us for details.

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The tour inclusions are as noted above.