Bruges to Amsterdam Bike & Barge - Comfort
Bruges to Amsterdam Bike & Barge - Comfort
8 Days Starting in Bruges, Belgium and ending in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Visiting: Bruges, Ghent, Dendermonde, Antwerp, Dordrecht, Alblasserdam, Amsterdam
Tour operator:
Tour code:
UBR
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Group size:
20 - 44
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey from Bruges to Amsterdam with the "Bruges to Amsterdam Bike & Barge - Comfort" tour. Discover the vibrant cities of Bruges and Amsterdam by bike and on foot, cycling through scenic countryside past locks, windmills, and cheese farms. Visit charming towns like Antwerp, famous for its nightlife, and Ghent with its cobblestone streets. Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow passengers aboard a comfortable barge, sampling local specialties such as Belgian waffles, beer, and mussels. This tour offers a perfect blend of cycling and cruising, with daily briefings, city walking tours, and the option for guided packages. Experience the rich history and culture of Belgium and Holland on this unique adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Join Barge In Bruges, Afternoon Warm Up Cycle And Evening To Explore (11Km/6Mi)
Location: Bruges
Accommodation Name: barge
Meals Included: Dinner
From 1:00pm, you can check into the barge in Bruges and meet your guide and crew. After a welcome meeting with the crew at 2:00pm there will be a bicycle fitting and short test-ride through the countryside around Bruges. After dinner on board the tour leader will take you for a walk through the centre of town.
Bruges is known as the "Venice of the North" and the "Pearl of Flanders". We strongly recommend coming one or two days earlier so you have time to discover its treasures. Perhaps the most beautiful of all Flemish cities, the medieval Old Town is almost completely intact and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the Middle Ages it was a metropolis and centre of commerce and art, and you can see this glory in the beautiful buildings. Bruges is also a nice town for shopping or going out - sample a waffle, coffee or traditional Belgian beer around the Grote Markt (the big market place).
*If you arrive early, it's possible to leave your luggage on board from 11am.
Day 2 : Cycle The Flemish Countryside To Ghent (57Km/36Mi)
Location: Ghent
Accommodation Name: barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your cycle tour starts early today in the outskirts of Bruges, from where you will pedal through pleasant Flemish countryside along the Ghent canal towards the historical centre of Ghent. It is a lively university city with a rich past, and in the afternoon you have the opportunity to discover more of its beauty on foot. The city was founded in Roman times, where the rivers Leie and Schelde converge. The convenient location has over the years brought much prosperity - in the Middle Ages it was the second largest European city after Paris. The textile industry brought great wealth, with the Cloth Hall established in 1425 bringing many merchants together, and many aristocrats remain today. The main church St Bavo Cathedral reflects different periods in history and building styles, and houses some masterpieces of medieval art, the most famous of which is "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by Jan van Eyck. The barge will dock at the lock in Merelbeke, a suburb of Ghent approx. 30min by bike to the city centre.
Day 3 : Cycle To Dendermonde (40Km/24Mi)
Location: Dendermonde
Accommodation Name: barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast in Ghent you will cycle downstream through a diverse landscape alongside the tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde, a friendly little town, located at the junction of the Dender and Schelde Rivers. The River Schedle stretches for 435km through northern France, western Belgium and the southwestern part of the Netherlands and is connected by several canals to the basins of the Rhine, Meuse and Seine Rivers. It has always had considerable commercial and strategic importance over the years. Dendermonde has a beautiful town hall on its main square. The ideal place to relax and enjoy a nice Belgian beer after your ride. Worth visiting is the St Alexius Beguinage, where you can learn about housekeeping, work and recreation in the lives of former generations. Overnight Dendermonde.
Day 4 : Cycle To Antwerp (48 Or 63Km/21 Or 39Mi)
Location: Antwerp
Accommodation Name: barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today you will follow the Schelde river further downstream through the Temse region and the small village of Baasrode to the lively port town of Antwerp. This part of the route is along a beautiful and winding section of the Schelde which over the centuries held strategic importance for the Romans, Vikings, Spanish and Napoleon. Antwerp, where the boat is moored overnight, is known as the diamond city and has an abundance of jeweller's shops. Peter Paul Rubens lived and worked in Antwerp in the 17th century, producing paintings popular with nobility and art collectors throughout Europe and you will find some of his paintings in the “Onze Lieve Vrouwe" (our lady) Cathedral. Other highlights include the City Hall, one of many majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical City Square Grote Market and the medieval Steen Castle. Dinner is not included this evening so you are free to dine in one of the many restaurants in the historic centre of Antwerp.
Day 5 : Cruise To Kreekrak, Cycle To Tholen, Cruise To Dordrecht (20 Or 36Km/13 Or 23Mi)
Location: Dordrecht
Accommodation Name: barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning we cruise through the Schelde-Rhine Canal and through the imposing Kreekraksluis (Kreekrak lock). Your cycle tour starts through the beautiful 'Wouwse Plantage' forest before leading to Tholen, a former fishing village set amidst the large streams of the province of Zeeland. From Tholen you board the boat for an afternoon cruise to Dordrecht, passing through the impressive Volkerak lock system en route. After dinner there will be an evening walk with the tour leader to the town centre of Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands.
Day 6 : Ferry To Alblasserdam, Cycle To Kinderdijk And Vianen (57Km/36Mi)
Location: Alblasserdam
Accommodation Name: barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning you will take a fast ferry to Alblasserdam from where it is a short cycle to the famous 19 UNESCO listed windmills of Kinderdijk. The windmills were constructed in the 18th century to pump water out of the low Alblasserwaard polder. Continue cycling to the 'Silver City' of Schoonhoven, renowned for its talented silversmiths, and on to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek. In the evening you can explore the town.
Day 7 : Cruise To Breukelen, Cycle To Nigtevecht And On To Amsterdam (38 Or 48Km/24 Or 29Mi)
Location: Amsterdam
Accommodation Name: barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
During breakfast the barge will cruise to Breukelen where you disembark for the final day of cycling. You will ride along the Vecht River in an area famous for its sprawling mansions, small castles and beautiful houses with large gardens and parks. Pass through the small villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen and Vreeland and arrive at Nigtevecht, where we can visit a traditional cheese farm. Continue cycling through the historical town of Muiden to Amsterdam and the barge's mooring place in the harbour for your last evening aboard. On arrival you can explore the lively Dutch capital on foot or make a round trip of the famous Amsterdam canals.
Day 8 : Trip Concludes In Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast the journey comes to an end as you say farewell to the guide and crew. Check out until 9:30am.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights in a twin share cabin -
7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 6 dinners (does not include drinks) * Continental breakfasts are served and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. At breakfast you will prepare your packed lunch for the day which will be sandwi
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7 nights accommodation aboard a Category A barge (Fluvius) with ensuite facilities on a twin share basis. All cabins are air conditioned, twin share cabins are configured with two lower beds, while double cabins are configured with a double bed. The trip
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Rental bike with helmet and pannier (e-bike available on request - supplement applies)
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Experienced multilingual tour leader for daily briefings (while the trip is self guided, the tour leader also cycles the tour and is available during the day to assist if required). Optional guided package available - supplement applies
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Cycling Map (1 per cabin) plus navigational App with GPS tracks
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Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening
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Several short walking tours
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Linen and change of towels as required
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Daily cabin cleaning
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Daily tea and coffee during breakfast and 3-4pm
What's Not Included
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Catering for special diets (except Vegetarian). A supplement is payable for lactose or gluten free diets - EUR50pp (subject to change) paid locally on board. See below for further details regarding catering for dietary requirements.
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Bike insurance - payable locally (EUR10 for standard bikes and EUR25 for e-bikes) - further details of this Limitation of Liability (damage) policy are available on request
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Bike insurance - available only if pre-booked. Payable locally: rates are €10/week standard bike, €25/week e-bike
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2024: guided option - supplement applies. Includes
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2024: guided option - supplement applies. Includes the fees for ferries and Waterbus
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2024: Fees for ferries and Waterbus
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the panniers provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, water and camera.
Grading
INTRODUCTORY - GRADE 1
The cycling is introductory (1) grade with daily cycling distances from 11 to 63km (6 to 39mi). As with all of our cycling programs, wind and poor weather could make the trip grade change. Should you not wish to cycle there are walking options available. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos, visit a museum or enjoy the market places in many of the interesting towns visited. It is considered suitable for children, as long as they have road sense, are familiar with the workings of a bike (gear change etc) and are comfortable cycling alongside moving vehicles at times. Electric bikes are available for a supplement and when used will ensure the cycling is comfortable for less physical cyclists - however it is still essential that you are comfortable cycling on roads and in light traffic in variable weather conditions. *For safety reasons, we highly recommend that cycle helmets be worn during cycle sections.
Mode of Transport
Travel by bike and barge, with daily cycling routes and barge cruises through scenic canals and rivers. Rental bikes with helmets and panniers are provided, and e-bikes are available on request.
Accommodation
Enjoy 7 nights aboard a Category A barge with ensuite facilities, air-conditioned cabins, and daily cabin cleaning. Twin share cabins have two lower beds, while double cabins feature a double bed.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of meals are provided during the tour?
The tour includes 7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, and 6 dinners. Continental breakfasts typically consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee, and juices. At breakfast, you will prepare your packed lunch for the day, which will be sandwiches.
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What type of accommodation is provided on this tour?
Accommodation is provided aboard a Category A barge with ensuite facilities on a twin share basis. The barge, Fluvius, has air-conditioned cabins. Twin share cabins are configured with two lower beds, while double cabins have a double bed.
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Is there an option to rent an e-bike for the tour?
Yes, rental bikes with helmets and panniers are included, and e-bikes are available on request for an additional supplement.
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Are there guided tours available during the cycling segments?
While you cycle independently, the tour leader also cycles each day. There is an optional guided package available for an additional supplement.
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What kind of support materials are provided for the cycling routes?
An information pack including route notes and maps (one set per cabin) is provided, and GPS tracks are available.
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What happens on the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you can check into the barge in Bruges from 1:00pm and meet your guide and crew. After a welcome meeting at 2:00pm, there will be a bicycle fitting and a short test-ride through the countryside around Bruges. After dinner on board, the tour leader will take you for a walk through the center of town.
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What activities are planned for the last day of the tour?
On the last day, after breakfast, the journey concludes in Amsterdam. You will say farewell to the guide and crew and check out by 9:30am.
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Is WiFi available on the barge?
Yes, WiFi is available on the barge.
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What should I carry during the cycling days?
During the cycling days, you will carry your daily requirements in the panniers provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, water, and camera.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.