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Bruges to Amsterdam 8 Day Guided Bike and Barge Tour (AA)

  • 8days
  • Belgium

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Bike & Barge Tours Europe
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Cycling holiday Bruges to Amsterdam

Two countries, Holland and Belgium, united in one bike and barge route. Combining the highlights of Holland’s Golden Age and the heydays of the Flemish trade cities in the Middle Ages.

Variety is the keyword in this tour. Cycling and sailing you will cross different landscapes: the green Dutch polder landscape with water aplenty and quiet roads and villages, the picturesque countryside between the Flemish cities and of course the rich history of the old city-centers of Amsterdam, Antwerp (city of the painter Rubens), Ghent and Bruges. The large rivers in this part of the Netherlands and Belgium are a prominent feature along the route.

Highlights:

  • Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent
  • Dutch Brooklyn and river Vecht
  • Amsterdam
  • Dutch rivers canals and polders

Tour character: Level 2

Suitable for people of all ages. On some days you will be cycling through a windy area or (depending on the tour) may encounter short slopes with differences in heights up to 75 m. or (gently rolling terrain); with distances to 60 kilometers per day. You spend about 5 hours on your bicycle.

Accomodation: 

Imagine a floating hotel sailing to the next stage, while you are calmly pedalling along. No lugging of luggage: that is exactly what Bike & Barge is all about! In the pleasant atmosphere on board you can have a chat, go through the day with the others, and enjoy the meals prepared specially for cyclists. In the evenings you can enjoy a drink in the salon or admire the setting sun on deck. Do not expect a cruise ship with its passive luxury. The Bike & Barge Holidays are for people who really enjoy the physical activity of cycling and who value sociability more than wholesale luxury.
Free WiFi is (limited) available in lounge and on deck.

It has a cozy salon. In the evenings, a drink can be consumed in the cozy and elegant bar. Outside there is a sun deck/a deck for the bicycles. The crew consists of a skipper, a cook and a sailor/hostess. There is limited WiFi on board. 5 twin cabins (beds can be placed together). 4 bunk bed cabins. All cabins are provided with: private bathroom, central heating, 220 voltage, soap, windows/portholes that open.

    Hair dryers are available on board. There is limited storage space in the cabin. We recommend 1 suitcase per person. You can slide the suitcase under the bed.

    Included in this Tour:

    • All nights on board (Thu.-Thu. 8 days / 7 nights)
    • Full board (7 x breakfast, 6 x self-made picnic lunch for bike tours, 7 x three course dinner)
    • Use of bed linen and 2 towels (change of towels possible)
    • Coffee and tea on board
    • Tour guide
    • Min. 3 city walks with the tourguide
    • Free WiFi is limited availabe in lounge and on deck, for more than 100 MB there is a surcharge.
    • Road book, 1x per cabin
    • Ferry fares on the route
    • Bike insurance (with bike rental)

    Not included:

    • Bicycle rent (optional)
    • Entrance fees to museums; approx. € 25,- per tour
    • Cancellation insurance (optional)
    • Other drinks on board (cash payment on board)

    If you would like to rent a Touring Bike (115 EUR) or E-Bike (225 EUR), please contact [email protected] when booking

    Arrival / Departure / Parking: 

    • Embarkation is between 1 PM and 2 PM. You are expected on our barge on Thursday at the latest at 2 PM.
    • The mooring place of the barge in Bruges: at the ‘Buiten Katelijnevest’ near the Bargeweg (nearly 1 km/ 0.6 miles from the train station).
    • The nearest airport to the embarkation point of the barge is Brussels Airport (BRU).  By train it is about 1½ hours from the airport to the railway station in Bruges. Walking distance from the train station to the barge is about 10 to 15 minutes. A taxi from the airport to the mooring place will take about 1 hour and costs about € 180,-. The tour ends one week later in Amsterdam, so another possibility is to fly to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). From the airport you can take the international train to Bruges. Travel time is about 3½ hours
    • The nearest train station to the embarkation point of the barge is the Bruges railway station. Walking distance to the barge is about 10 to 15 minutes. By taxi it takes about 5 minutes to the barge.
    • The tour ends one week later on Thursday morning after breakfast at 10 AM. You will spend the night from Wednesday to Thursday on board in Amsterdam. The mooring place of the barge in Amsterdam: at the Oosterdok (near Science Center NEMO, Oosterdok 2); 1.2 km/o.75 miles from the Central Station in Amsterdam.

    Notes:

    • If you have special meal requirements we ask you to mention this when booking, but at the latest until 14 days before arrival.  In case of Celiac/ gluten free diet; vegan meals; Lactose intolerance there is an additional charge of € 100, – per week (if not mentioned when booking, a fee of 150 EUR applies on board.
    • Departures Thursday from May to October

    Slow Tours offers a range of Bike and Barge Tours Europe

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    • Day 1

      Bruges - Ghent 21km

      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 47km

      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 40km

      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 56km

      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 45km

      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 beautiful fortified town, Woudrichem. A ferry brings you to the other side of the river where you’ll board the barge.

    • Day 6

      Gorinchem - Utrecht 50km

      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 40km

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

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    Tours marked with are special prices.

    Start End Max. No. Guests Accommodation Price p.p.
    Sep 19 2024 Sep 26 2024 22 Single rooms 2,420€
    Double rooms 1,685€
    Sep 26 2024 Oct 03 2024 22 Single rooms 2,110€
    Double rooms 1,470€
    Oct 10 2024 Oct 17 2024 22 Single rooms 2,220€
    Double rooms 1,535€
    Oct 17 2024 Oct 24 2024 22 Single rooms 1,995€
    Double rooms 1,380€
    May 15 2025 May 22 2025 22 Single rooms 1,750€
    Double rooms 1,380€
    May 29 2025 Jun 05 2025 22 Single rooms 1,750€
    Double rooms 1,380€
    Jun 12 2025 Jun 19 2025 22 Single rooms 1,750€
    Double rooms 1,380€
    Jun 26 2025 Jul 03 2025 22 Single rooms 1,595€
    Double rooms 1,260€
    Jul 10 2025 Jul 17 2025 22 Single rooms 1,595€
    Double rooms 1,260€
    Jul 24 2025 Jul 31 2025 22 Single rooms 1,595€
    Double rooms 1,260€
    Aug 07 2025 Aug 14 2025 22 Single rooms 1,595€
    Double rooms 1,260€
    Aug 21 2025 Aug 28 2025 22 Single rooms 1,750€
    Double rooms 1,380€
    Sep 04 2025 Sep 11 2025 22 Single rooms 1,900€
    Double rooms 1,510€
    Sep 18 2025 Sep 25 2025 22 Single rooms 1,900€
    Double rooms 1,510€

    Car rental in Belgium

    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

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