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Bruges-Amsterdam 8-day Bike & Barge Tour (FV)
The Bruges to Amsterdam 8-day 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.
The picturesque Vecht, charming villages and the Dutch windmills in Kinderdijk. During the course of the 8 day, 7 night tour you will visit the world famous cities of Amsterdam, Utrecht, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges, each in their own right are destinations of significance with a long list of sights and attractions to discover. Along the way you will cycle through the beautiful Dutch landscape of Zeeland visit a real Dutch cheese farm and 19 Dutch windmills in Kinderdijk and will discover the western Flanders region of Belgium. The province of Zeeland is essentially one big river delta of the Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt Rivers famous for its fantastic beaches, water sport activities and Delta works, while the Flanders region of Belgium boasts a number of world famous medieval towns and has a well-deserved reputation for superb food and drink. As well as cycling through many picturesque villages each day, you will:
For many years the river cruiser has been a popular choice. Onboard of this charming barge, which caters for a maximum of 44 guests, there are 18 twins and 4 double cabins: 14 regular and 1 smaller twin on the lower deck, and 3 twins and 4 double cabins on the upper deck. All of these are equipped with the necessary facilities: beds, bathroom, air conditioning and a cabinet for your belongings. Have drink in the salon on the upper deck and enjoy your meal in the restaurant area. Or take a seat on the large sun deck if the weather allows it.
If you would like to rent a bike (91 EUR) or e-bike (245 EUR), please contact our office when booking: [email protected]
Slow Tours offers other Bike & Barge tours in Europe
Bruges 11km
Embarkation time in Bruges is between 1pm and 2pm. The ship awaits you in the Bruges harbour. After a welcome meeting with the crew at 2pm 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 centre 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.
Bruges – Ghent 57km
Your cycle tour starts early today in the outskirts of Bruges. You will start your first day of cycling by peddling 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 centre features lovely illuminated streets that are a must to explore, while the architectural richness in the historical centre 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 centre.
Ghent – Dendermonde 40km
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.
Dendermonde – Antwerp 48km or 63km
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 harbour 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.
Antwerp – Kreekrak locks | Kreekrak locks – Tholen | Tholen – Dordrecht 36km or 20km
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. 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.
Dordrecht – Alblasserdam | Alblasserdam – Kinderdijk – Schoonhoven – Vianen 57km
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 the Silver City has been renowned for its talented silversmiths.
Vianen – Breukelen | Breukelen – Amsterdam 38km or 48km
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 harbour.
Amsterdam
End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30am
Tours marked with are special prices.
Start | End | Max. No. Guests | Accommodation | Price p.p. | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apr 20 2025 | Apr 27 2025 | 40 | Single rooms | 1,919€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,279€ | |||||
May 04 2025 | May 11 2025 | 40 | Single rooms | 1,919€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,279€ | |||||
May 18 2025 | May 25 2025 | 40 | Single rooms | 1,919€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,279€ | |||||
Jun 01 2025 | Jun 08 2025 | 40 | Single rooms | 0€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,479€ | |||||
Jun 15 2025 | Jun 22 2025 | 40 | Single rooms | 1,919€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,279€ | |||||
Jun 29 2025 | Jul 06 2025 | 40 | Single rooms | 1,919€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,279€ | |||||
Jul 13 2025 | Jul 20 2025 | 40 | Single rooms | 1,919€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,279€ | |||||
Jul 27 2025 | Aug 03 2025 | 40 | Single rooms | 1,919€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,279€ | |||||
Aug 10 2025 | Aug 17 2025 | 40 | Single rooms | 1,919€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,279€ | |||||
Aug 24 2025 | Aug 31 2025 | 40 | Single rooms | 1,919€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,279€ | |||||
Sep 07 2025 | Sep 14 2025 | 40 | Single rooms | 1,919€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,279€ | |||||
Sep 21 2025 | Sep 28 2025 | 40 | Single rooms | 0€ | ||
Double rooms | 1,729€ |
If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.
Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote