Bike and Boat Holland and Belgium on MS Magnifique

Difficulty

Location: Holland and Belgium

Distance: 245 km (35 km/day)

Type: guided

Interest:

Type of Biking: Hybrid

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Bike and Boat Tour Holland - Belgium with Magnifique

Overview
Itinerary & Map
Bikes & Services
Accommodations & Dates

About your bike tour

This fully guided bike and boat tour from Amsterdam to Bruges takes us through some of Holland and Belgium's most beautiful cities and natural landscapes. We ride along many dedicated bike paths and stay aboard the MS Magnifique, a wonderfully restored canal barge featuring a jacuzzi on deck.

Among the Dutch and Flemish cities we visit are Amsterdam, Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges, all of which are lively cities filled with great cafes surrounded by the charm of historic European splendor.

We ride by castles along the Vecht River, visit a real Dutch cheese farm and the 19 Dutch windmills in Kinderdijk. We ride through the fortified town Willemstad, through the watery Province of Zeeland to Belgium.

We spend an evening docked in artistic city of Antwerp and a night in Ghent along the beautiful tidal river Lower Schelde. We finish the ride in Bruges, the “Pearl of Flanders” where we can celebrate a great trip in the historic town square.

A guide will cycle with us every day but if you want to explore at your own pace, you're free to ride on your own, we'll provide you with maps and easy directions.

What we love

the jacuzzi on deck of the ship, great to relax in after the day's ride
the Magnifique is the nicest bike and boat ship in Europe
feel the charm of lively cities of Amsterdam, Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges
Holland and Belgium are very bike-friendly places
bike paths are traffic-free and clearly marked

What to know

every cabin comes with a private bath
check with us about price differences between upper and lower level cabins, suites etc.
third person in a double suite available, good for families with child

Photos of this bike tour

Travel destinations on the map

15 km Day 1: Vianen (Utrecht)

We board the Magnifique around 1pm in Amsterdam and set sail a short while later (2pm) for our first stop, Nichtevecht. From there we take a quick bike trip to Breukelen along the winding Vecht River. We visit a real Dutch cheese farm, where cheese is still produced according to traditional methods.

By the end of the afternoon the ship takes us to Vianen, a small fortified town on the Lek River.

Overnight in Vianen.

50 km Day 2: Dordrecht (South Holland)

After breakfast we cycle to the "silver city" Schoonhoven then through the Alblasserwaard. Next, we pedal to Kinderdijk. where we visit the famous 19 windmills lined in a row, the highest concentration of old watermills in the world.

Then the barge takes us further to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland, where we meet up with the Magnifique and spend the night in the historic port of Wolwevershaven.

35 km / alternative route: 50 km Day 3: Tholen (Zeeland)

During breakfast the ship cruises to Willemstad, an old fortified town on the Haringvliet. From there we cycle along the impressive complex of locks „de Volkerak‟ to Tholen, once an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams, home to generations of fishermen.

We'll relax on-deck in the afternoon or enjoy the jacuzzi. Overnight in Tholen.

35 km Day 4: Antwerp (Flanders)

After breakfast our day's bike tour takes us through a forest area, “the Wouwse Plantage“, south to the Kreekraksluis lock. From there we board the Magnifique and cruise through the impressive port of Antwerp to the centre of the city.

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.

After dinner, we're off to explore Antwerp. Overnight in Antwerp.

30 km / alternative route: 55 km Day 5: Dendermonde (Flanders)

After breakfast we cycle out of the port to the Zeeschelde. We follow this beautiful but capricious tidal river upstream to Dendermonde, another lovely city with an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There is a beautiful bike path along the river, and the landscape around the Schelde River is magnificent. You can join the barge again halfway in Temse or continue all the way to Dendermonde, a friendly little town along the river.

We dock in Dendermonde or St Amands so we can explore town after dinner aboard the Magnifique.

35 km Day 6: Ghent (Flanders)

From Dendermonde the bike tour continues along the Schelde River towards Ghent.

Ghent is a lively university city, once considered the most important European city after Paris and fully restored to its late-medieval state. In the afternoon we can explore the city or do some shopping in the lively centre.

The ship is docked at the lock in Merelbeke, a 15 minute bike ride from the center of Ghent.

45 km Day 7: Bruges (Flanders)

We ride our bikes through the pleasant West Flanders countryside to Bruges, also called the "Venice of the North", perhaps the most beautiful of all Flemish cities. Its old center, which dates from the Middle Ages, is almost completely intact.

We dock in Bruges so you can get out and celebrate the last night of the tour in this lovely city.

— Day 8: Bruges (Flanders)

After breakfast, our tour is complete. Hope you enjoyed the ride!

Arrival Info

Airport or train to Amsterdam.

Departure Info

Airport or train from Bruges. Or train to Amsterdam or Brussels airport.

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.

7 gear, hand- and/or pedal brakes, pannier bag

$90.00

bicycle 7 speed ZOR2

Included

7x accommodation on board the MS Magnifique
7 x breakfast
6 x picnic lunch during bike tours
7 x three course dinner
Use of bed linen and towels (change of towels daily possible)
Daily short cleaning of the cabin
Welcome drink and on the first evening
Tour leader with daily briefings of the bike tours, some short city tours, daily guided bike tours: the tour leader is cycling with the group
Maps and info material on board
Daily coffee and tea till 4 PM

Not included

Transfers to/from the docking places in Amsterdam and Bruges
Rental bicycle
Other transfers, parking fee, entrance fees & excursions, fees for ferries
Drinks on board (cash bar)
Personal insurance
Gratuities (at your discretion)
Ticket canal tour Amsterdam, ca. 60 minutes – for our guests with discount: € 10,00 (at the cash desk 2012: € 13,00)

Description of Accomodation during the bike tour

The 50 meter long MS Magnifique has a beautiful salon with a huge bar. Meals are served to you daily in the restaurant area. Both sun decks are particularly attractive with chairs and a jacuzzi to enjoy the river landscapes slowly passing by. The Englisch-speaking courier takes care of everything: a number of excursions on land & guided tours in the towns are included. Bicycles are available on board for short excursions or longer tours.

Accommodation & Rates

$1,312: Double Room (1 bed)
$1,312: Double Room (2 beds)
$1,945: Single Room
$399: Junior Suite

Photos of Accommodation

Photos are examples, actual hotel & room may vary.

Tour Season

April 28th – September 1st 2012

Tour Dates

~~Sat, Apr 28 2012~~ Outdated
Sat, May 26 2012 → Book now!
Sat, Jun 09 2012 → Book now!
~~Sat, Aug 04 2012~~ SOLD OUT
Sat, Sep 01 2012 → Book now!

Questions & Answers about this bike tour

What level of fitness is needed for this tour?

Reply
Hi, this is one of our easier tours so if you're not fit like Lance Armstrong, it's ok! You should be healthy and active. You should be able to cycle 20 miles at a casual pace on relatively flat roads. You'll have all day to complete the ride and the roads will be mostly flat. That being said, this is an active holiday and youl'll be riding your bike every day (unless you choose to stay on the ship for the day, a nice option to have).