Cycling holiday Amsterdam to Bruges

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.

The Dutch 17th century Golden Age and the heyday of the Flemish trading cities of the Middle Ages are united in this route. 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.

Highlights:

• Gouda, city of cheese
• 19 Windmills of Kinderdijk
• Delta Works
• Flemish towns Ghent and Bruges

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. This is a guided group tour. 

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. 

This beautiful passenger ship can accommodate 26 overnight passengers/70 day passengers. The interior of the salon and bar is decorated in a modern Victorian style and offers a lot of comfort. The “Sailing Home” has two floors. On the top floor you will find the salon, a roomy lounge a cosy bar and a sun deck. The four-man crew consists of the skipper, sailor, cook and hostess. There is limited WiFi on board. On board all cabins are twin cabins. Cabins for single use are limited available. 13 spacious twin cabins (beds can be placed together) All cabins are provided with: air conditioning, private bathroom, safe, hair dryer, soap, shampoo, shower gel, central heating, 220 voltage, a porthole or window (cannot be opened). 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), 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 2 towels (change of towels possible)
• Coffee and tea on board
• Tour guide, cycles with the group
• Min. 3 city walks with the tourguide
• Free WiFi is limited available in lounge and on deck
• Road book, 1x per cabin
• Ferry fares on the route
• Bike insurance (with bike rental)

Not included:

• Bike rental
• Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund (Insolvency Protection)
• Entrance fees to museums: 25 EUR per tour
• Cancellation insurance
• Other drinks on board (cash payments 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:

• Boarding 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 Amsterdam is Oosterdok Zip-code 1011 VX (near the Science Center: ‘Nemo’, Oosterdok 2).

• The nearest airport to the embarkation point of the barge is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). There is a direct train that leaves 6 times per hour from the airport to Amsterdam Central Station. It takes about 16 minutes. The price for a train ticket Schiphol-Amsterdam Central is € 4,30 per person for a single journey. Walking distance to the barge is about 10 to 15 minutes. A taxi from the airport to the barge in Amsterdam takes about 30 minutes. It costs about € 45. The tour ends one week later in Bruges, so another possibility is to fly to 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 25 minutes and costs about € 45,-.

• The nearest train station to the embarkation point of the barge is Amsterdam Central Station. Walking distance to the barge is about 10 to 15 minutes. A taxi from the station to the barge takes about 5 minutes: Costs about € 10,-.
• The nearest parking is Parking Oosterdok (about € 150,- per week, it is not necessary to reserve in advance; 500m walking distance to the barge).
• The tour ends one week later on Thursday morning after breakfast before 10 AM. You will spend the night from Wednesday to Thursday on board in Bruges. The mooring place of the barge in Bruges: near the ‘Bargeweg’ (nearly 1 km/o.6 miles from the train station).

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. (150 EUR when ordered on site)
• Departures Thursdays from May to October
• Prices are quoted for twin cabins. If you would like a cheaper option, bunk bed twin cabins are sometimes available.

Slow Tours offers a range of Bike and Barge Tours Europe

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