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White river cruise ship named De Holland moored on calm water with reeds in foreground and blue sky with white clouds above.

Boat and barge Amsterdam-Bruges | DE Holland

The essentials at a glance

Bike and barge tour from Amsterdam to Bruges through Holland and Belgium on flat, well-maintained cycle paths. Highlights include Kinderdijk's 19 UNESCO windmills, the diamond city of Antwerp with Rubens heritage, historic Ghent with St. Bavo Cathedral, and medieval Bruges. Daily cycling distances average 20-61 km along scenic rivers Lek and Schelde, through polders and to the North Sea coast. Suitable for inexperienced cyclists.

By bike & boat from Amsterdam to Bruges

This eight-day trip takes you through scenic landscapes in Holland and Flanders, and you’ll explore the world-famous cities of Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges. By bike and boat, you’ll traverse the beautiful, flat countryside of the Netherlands, the water-rich province of Zeeland, and the Scheldt River delta in West Flanders.

Along the way, you’ll pass through many picturesque villages, visit various interesting sights, and truly relax aboard your “floating hotel.” Highlights include the Dutch capital, Amsterdam; the 19 windmills of Kinderdijk; and the world-famous cities of Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges in the Belgian province of West Flanders.

You’ll also explore the Dutch province of Zeeland, which lies between the North Sea and the delta formed by the Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt rivers. This region is known for its magnificent beaches, excellent water sports, and the impressive Delta Works, which were built to protect the area from flooding. Next, Belgian Flanders awaits you with its medieval towns, beautiful river landscapes, and world-renowned cuisine.

Easy
Boat and Bike
8 Days / 7 Nights
Self-guided tour

Itinerary

Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board is at 1 p.m. At around 2 p.m. the MS FLUVIUS 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.

Today you cycle via the silver town of Schoon-hoven to Kinderdijk, the most famous row of windmills in Holland - keep your cameras ready, it's worth it. The last part of today's cycle route is by 'Waterbus' (not included, approx. € 4,- p.p.) from Alblasserdam (near Kinderdijk) to Dordrecht in approx. 10 minutes. The historic city centre of Dordrecht is impressively nestled between mighty rivers.

During breakfast the ship sails to Tholen.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”.

Today’s tour will see you cycle out of Antwerp on a beautiful cycle path along the picturesque tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde, your home for the night. There is only one way to describe the landscape around the Schelde and that is “magnificent”. It is without doubt one of the natural highlights of the tour.

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).

During breakfast the MS Fluvius will sail to Moerbrugge, a suburb of Bruges. Start of your bike tour 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 centre 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.

The last bike tour takes you to a quiet canal along where you’ll find lots of poplars, through an attractive polder landscape with nice small farm houses to the North Sea coast. A long sandy beach and numerous cafés provide enough variety during your lunch break. Then heading back to Bruges.

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

Tour character

Easy

You cycle through Holland and Belgium on flat and well-maintained cycle paths. The routes can be categorised as easy and are also suitable for inexperienced cyclists.

Map showing cycling route from Amsterdam to Bruges with red line connecting cities: Amsterdam, Vianen, Dordrecht, Tholen, Antwerpen, Gent, Dendermonde, Brügge.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & extras

Services

Included

  • 7 nights in outside cabins on board the MS Fluvius with shower/WC in the booked cabin category
  • Programme as per itinerary from Amsterdam to Bruges
  • Welcome drink
  • Full board: 7x breakfast, 6x packed lunch for bike tours, 6x coffee and tea in the afternoon until 16:00, 6x 3-course dinner
  • Daily cabin cleaning
  • Use of bed linen and towels
  • Daily cycle tour briefing
  • All harbour and lock fees
  • Detailed cycle maps and information material 1x per cabin (only available on site)
  • Guarantee certificate for package holidays through SGR (compulsory contribution to the SGR guarantee fund for end consumers to cover against insolvency: € 5.00 per person)

Not included

  • Arrival and departure
  • transfers
  • Bike hire
  • Entrance and sightseeing fees
  • City maps
  • insurance
  • Tips and personal expenses
Extras

Parking

  • Oosterdok multi-storey car park
  • Multi-storey car park directly at the main station (only for cars up to 2.10 m high). Saving rate approx. 25.00 € for 24 hours www.parkingcentrumoosterdok.nl/deutsch/
  • Return transfer by train from Bruges to Amsterdam, approx. 40.00 € per person.

 

Arrival by train

  • Amsterdam Central Station near the landing stage.

 

Embarkation: from 13:00 to 13:30 

Disembarkation: After breakfast until 09:30 am 

Rental bikes on board: (make/model may vary): 7-speed unisex Bikkel touring bikes with hand and coaster brakes or freewheel (subject to availability) and pannier bag. 8-speed Bikkel 1beet2 Nexus electric bikes with freewheel and pannier bag (limited numbers - early booking required).

Bringing your own bike: Due to the limited space available on the sun deck, bringing your own bike is only possible on request and only to a limited extent (max. 4 own bikes) 

Cycle tours: Guided or individual. A cycle tour guide (two cycle tour guides for groups of 18 or more) is available to you every day for a guided cycle tour. If there are two cycle tour guides on board, on some days you can choose between short or long routes or between faster and slower cycling. 

Please note: Not all the places/sights mentioned are visited during the shorter tours. Maps are available on board for individual cycle tours (only available on board). All kilometres mentioned are approximate distances of the recommended cycle tours 

Cycle routes / level of difficulty: The quality of the cycle paths is excellent, so this tour is also suitable for cyclists with a basic level of fitness 

Holiday luggage: We recommend good rainwear, cycle helmet, sun hat and sports shoes. For reasons of space, we would ask you to refrain from taking luggage with a hard shell, as the storage space in the cabin is limited! 

Timetable and programme subject to change: Subject to change without notice. If, for example, a route cannot be travelled due to low water, high water or bad weather, the captain reserves the right to change the route for your safety (this is not a reason for cancellation free of charge). 

Travel documents: EU nationals (with no special circumstances, e.g. dual citizenship, primary residence abroad or provisionally issued travel documents) require a valid identity card or passport for this trip, which must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip. If you have another nationality or several nationalities or if you have to observe special legal regulations, please contact your local consulate for information on the relevant visa and entry requirements.

This tour is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Further information

Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

 

Britta Krefeldt with shoulder-length curly gray hair, wearing a dark blazer and patterned scarf, smiling in a bright office setting.

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Britta Krefeldt
White river cruise ship De Holland sailing on calm water with wooden dock posts in foreground and flowering plants along the riverbank.

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