Bike and Barge Tour 8-days through Holland and Flanders

Amsterdam - Vianen, cycle tour approx. 5-15 km/ 3–9 mi

Embarkation and check -in where the crew will welcome you on board is at 1 p.m. At around 2 p.m. your ship will depart from Amsterdam for Vianen, a small fortified village on the Lek river. After the distribution of bicycles, you can enjoy a short bicycle ride.

Vianen – Schoonhoven – Kinderdijk – Dordrecht cycle tour approx. 56 km/ 34 mi

After breakfast you will cycle a beautiful route to Schoonhoven–nicknamed Zilverstad (Silver City) – a city renowned for its talented silver smiths since the 17th century. As you continue to cycle along the Lek River you will pass through the Alblasserwaard region to Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 large windmills, which have a UNESCO cultural heritage listing. From nearby Alblasserdam you will take the “Waterbus”, a fast ferry that will take you and your bike in approx. 10 minutes to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland.

Boat tour Dordrecht–Willemstad / Willemstad-Tholen, cycle tour approx. 40 km/ 24 mi

In the morning the ship sails to Willemstad, a beautiful fortified city and the beginning of today’s cycling tour to Tholen. This place once was an island where citizens made their living from fishing. Today Tholen is connected to the mainland, but still has its charm of a little old harbour town.

Tholen – Kreekrak lock –Antwerp, cycle tour approx.20-36 km/ 12–22 mi

You cycle through a forest area, “the Wouwse Plantage“, towards the south to the impressive Kreekrak lock. Then you will sail to Antwerp, which is not only known as diamond city, but also as native city of painter Rubens. You will find some of his paintings in the “Onze Lieve Vrouwe (our lady) Cathedral”.

Antwerp– Temse – St. Amands, cycle tour approx. 34-49 km/ 21–30 mi

You cycle out of Antwerp on a beautiful cycle path along the picturesque tidal Schelde River to St. Amands –a magical place with a beautiful landscape and actually one of the highlights. You should try the incomparable Duvel beer – if you didn’t already.

St. Amands – Dendermonde – Ghent, cycle tour approx. 52km/ 32 mi

During breakfast the ship sails to Dendermonde. At first you should take time for a walk. Special attractions: The “Beginenhof” with the museum of local history and the beautiful Grote Markt. The bike tour follows again the river Schelde in the direction of Ghent. Ghent is a lively university city, again, one with a rich past. In the afternoon you have the opportunity to discover the city some more or to shop in the lively centre. The city was founded in Roman times, where the rivers Leie and Schelde converge. The convenient location has over the years brought much prosperity, culminating in the late 13th, early 14th century. The textile industry brought great wealth In the city, many old patricians preserved. The Cloth Hall (1425) brought cloth merchants together. The main church is the St. Bavo Cathedral, which is built in different ages and in the different corresponding styles. In the cathedral are some masterpieces of medieval art, which "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by Jan van Eyck is the most famous. The ship is docked at the lock in Merelbeke, a suburb of Ghent (approx. 30 min by bike from the city centre).

Ghent-Merelbeke –Lovendegem –Bruges, cycle tour approx. 45 km/ 28 mi

Start of your bike tour from Lovendegem, a suburb of Ghent through the pleasant country side of Western Flanders around Bruges. Bruges also called the Venice of the North is maybe the most beautiful of all Flemish cities. Its old center which dates from the Middle Ages is almost completely intact. Bruges was at that time a metropolis and center of commerce and art. You can still see this glory at the beautiful buildings. But Bruges is also a nice town for shopping or going out.

Departure from Bruges

After breakfast till 09:30 am: end of the tour and disembarkation

Alterations of schedule or program:subject to change. In case that as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons a route cannot be taken, the skipper reserves the right to change the route for your safety (this would not be a reason for fee-free cancellation)