BikeSherpa Bike Tours Let's ride together

— Day 1: Brussels (Bruxelles-Capitale)

The MS Magnifique awaits you in the Brussels harbour where the crew will welcome you on board.

After settling in, take a walk through Brussel's historical city center, along the gothic town hall, the beautiful guild houses on the Grote Markt and of course along Manneke Pis ("peeing little guy" statue).

Dinner and overnight on-board so time to explore Brussels in the evening as well.

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40 km Day 2: Willebroek (Flanders)

We enjoy breakfast while the Magnifique sails to Vilvoorde, where we start our first ride. Our first stop on the ride is Mechelen, a town with over 300 historical building, 8 of these are churches, on less then 3 square kilometers.

We continue cycling through lush, soft slanted hilly countryside, along picturesque villages and large country estates to Willebroek.

While we cycle, the barge sails to Willebroek to meet us. After our ride, we can relax in the on-deck jacuzzi or stroll through town.

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45 km Day 3: Antwerp (Flanders)

Tour from Willebroek via Lier to Antwerp.

On today's ride, we pedal along the quaint Nete River to Lier, a lovely town known for Caves, the delicious dark Belgium ale made from here.

After a taste of ale, we cycle through the outskirts of Antwerp with stately villas and manicured gardens to Antwerp.

Antwerp is a fascinating harbour city and is one of the world's major diamond centers with many highlights: the City Hall is one of several majestic buildings constructed in the Renaissance, the historical City Square Grote Market, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle.

We dock in Antwerp, dine on-board and are then relax on the ship or head off to check out Antwerp's pubs and cafes.

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50 km Day 4: Dendermonde (Flanders)

Today’s cycle ride takes us along the Schelde River to Hemiksem, a pretty village with a restored 13th Century Abbey. From here, we ride to Niel, a village that lies next to the nature reserve Walenhoek. The tour continues through an historical brick factory area between Niel and Boom where bricks have been manufactured since the Middle Ages (and still are!).

Our ride continues to Dendermonde, lovely city with an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Relax after your ride in the beautiful Flemish Grote Market square.

Overnight in Dendermonde.

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48 km Day 5: Ghent (Flanders)

Today’s bike tour follows dreamlike Flemish landscape to Ghent, a city that was the 2nd largest European city just after Paris in the Middle Ages. The city looks much the same as it did then so you may want to stroll through the city streets and enjoy the architecture and ambiance.

We dock in Merelbeke, about a 15 minute bike ride to the city center of Ghent.

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40 km Day 6: Bruges (Flanders)

After breakfast on the Magnifique, we cycle along the Ghent Canal to Oostende through the coastal Flemish landscape.

Our ride takes us to Bruges, known as "The Venice of the North". Its city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is filled with lovely canals and stunning architecture.

Dinner and overnight on-board so time to explore Bruges in the evening as well.

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55 km Day 7: Bruges (Flanders)

Today we ride along relaxing canals with lots of poplars and through an attractive "polder" landscape (land that was under sea level and reclaimed as farmland), with with quaint farm houses and scenery made famous by numerous Flemish painters.

We pass the small city of Damme, than into the fashionable and exclusive seaside resort Knokke, on the North Sea cost. After lunch, enjoy a long sandy beach, numerous cafés and the attractive dune landscape of “Het Zwin” (a unique nature reserve). The route continues through Sluis, a small Dutch village and back to Bruges riding along a small canal.

We celebrate our last night together with a dinner on-board, drinks on-deck or in one of the local night spots on Bruges.

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— Day 8: Bruges (Flanders)

The tour ends in Bruges just after breakfast. It was great to have you aboard!

The bicycles on board are mostly unisex touring or. trekking bikes with normal mount (ladies model), 7 gears, hand brake and/or pedal brake and pannier bag. E-bikes have to be ordered at least 14 days before departure: prices on request. Bike rent is optional. Guests are also allowed to bring their own bicycles (at no extra cost). However, the crew or tour operator are in no way responsible for any damage, loss or theft of such bicycles.
In the Netherlands bikers are not obligated by law to wear a bike helmet. Bike helmets are not available on board.

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Photos are examples, actual hotel & room may vary.

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Tour Season

May 12th – September 15th 2012

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Tour Dates

• Sat, 12 May 2012
• Sat, 23 Jun 2012
• Sat, 07 Jul 2012
• Sat, 21 Jul 2012
• Sat, 18 Aug 2012
• Sat, 15 Sep 2012