Bruges to Amsterdam

Belgium, Netherlands Bike + Boat Tour

Perhaps Bruges' relative anonymity is what has kept it so intimate and nostalgic. The motto here is ‘feel the past under your feet’. The city’s crisscrossing canals and cobblestone streets have seen many seafaring traders since the 9th century, when this Flemish capital was founded on an inlet of the North Sea. It grew to be a wealthy trading center with Antwerp and England, though lost its trading powers in 1490 when the Reie River silted up. The city retains a lively and invigorating atmosphere reminiscent of one of Jan van Eyck's 15th century masterpieces. The influences of other Flemish artists also still exude in the northern Renaissance architecture and also in the 13th to 15th century cathedrals. The large Markt Square in the center is lined with cozy outdoor cafés that surround the Belfort. This belfry rises 272 feet and has a 47-bell carillon. Climbing the tower's 366 steps will offer a rewarding view! From here, you'll cycle over streams and quiet country roads though Flemish's tranquil landscape to Ghent. The city's medieval red-brick gables are architecturally exquisite and the St. Bavo's Church houses an invaluable piece of art by the Van Eyck brothers, The Ghent Altarpiece: The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (1432). From here, you'll cycle back into Holland to the quaint villages of Goes in central Zeeland and the seaside town of Willemstad. Amsterdam will be the tour's final destination, and impressively so. With over 6800 historical buildings and an endless array of canals and bridges, Amsterdam is truly a sight to see (along with Rembrandt's famous Nightwatch on display in the Rijksmuseum).

Tour Dates

• On the Comfort class boat the Anna Cornelia: May 26, June 9, June 23, August 4, August 18, and September 1, and September 15, 2012.
• On the Comfort class boat the Lena Maria: July 21, and August 18, 2012.
• On the Comfort class boat the Wending: July 14, August 25 and September 22, 2012.
• On the Comfort class boat the Sarah: September 22, 2012
• On the Comfort plus class boat, the Sailing Home: June 9, 2012.
• On the Comfort plus class boat, the Elodie: July 29 and October 14, 2012.
• On the Comfort plus class boat, the Zwaan: May 12, June 9, June 23, September 1, September 22, and October 6, 2012.
• On the Comfort plus class boat the Iris: August 4, September 1, 2012.
• On the Comfort plus class boat the MS Magnifique: May 19, June 2, July 28, August 25, September 22, 2012.
• On the Comfort plus clas boat the MS Fluvius: April 28*, May 12*, May 26, June 9, June 23, July 7, July 21, September 1, September 15 and September 29, 2012.
• *Last minute discount offered. Ask us!
• 2013 Dates:
• On the Comfort plus class ship, the Merlijn: May 11, 2013

Where You’ll Stay

On the very nice Standard Plus, Comfort, and Comfort Plus class ships. Click here for detailed barge information.

What’s Included

• 7 nights on board ship
• Breakfast buffets, packed lunches, 3-course dinners
• Coffee & tea on board
• Tour guide
• 24-speed hybrid bicycle
• Route information
• Ferry fares en route
• Air-conditioned cabins (some Comfort & all Comfort Plus)
• Daily cabin cleaning (some Comfort Plus)

What’s Not Included

• Beverages (incl. alcohol), available on board
• Train ride from Amsterdam to Bruges, ± €43
• Museum entrance fees
• Dinner on last night of tour on the Elodie

Skill Level

An easy guided tour. Areas are predominantly flat with average daily distances of about 30 miles over good asphalt roads with little traffic.

Tour Boats

• Anna Cornelia
• Elodie
• Iris
• Lena Maria
• MS Magnifique
• Sailing Home
• Wending
• Zwaan
• MS Fluvius
• Sarah

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Arrival in Bruges; board between 1 and 4 PM (depending on boat).
2. Bruges - Ghent, 33 mi. (52 km)
3. Ghent - Middelburg, 26 or 46 mi. (41/73 km)
4. Middelburg - Zieriksee, 20 or 32 mi. (32/52 km)
5. Zieriksee - Dordrecht, 15 or 34 mi. (24/54 km)
6. Dordrecht - Vianen, 30 mi. (47 km)
7. Vianen - Amsterdam, 27 mi. (43 km)
8. Amsterdam, disembark following breakfast.

**Please note!  The daily itinerary above may be a little different, depending on what boat your tour is booked on.  For example, the Anna Cornelia and Lena Maria have different itineraries than above (and in detail below). You will see their itinerary after the detailed day to day description. The Wending and Liza Marleen have a slightly different itinerary than the Zwaan. The Iris and Sailing Home may also have a slightly different itinerary than mentioned. We will be happy to send you the specific itinerary of each boat. 
All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.

DAY 1: Bruges, boarding between 1 and 4 PM, depending on boat.
Welcome to the capital of West Flanders.  After settling into your cabin, you can get to know your guide, crew, and fellow passengers.  Following dinner you have the evening to explore the city.  

DAY 2: Bruges - Ghent, 33 mi. (52 km)

In the morning you leave the city and travel towards Ghent, mainly following the canal between the two cities. It is a lovely, quiet cycle tour with a lot of variety. You will arrive in Ghent in early afternoon, which will allow an opportunity to visit the center with its historic architecture and pleasant atmosphere. The city of Ghent is proud of its rich history and celebrates its past. This lively city with its numerous squares and cozy pubs is an excellent mixture of medieval edifices, stylish shopping streets, splendid mansions, working-class quarters from the beginning of the 20th century (which now often house students), and busy little plazas.

DAY 3: Ghent - Middelburg, 26 or 46 mi. (41/73 km)

Today, Belgium is left behind and the Netherlands is entered via a national cycle route through eastern Flanders to Breskens. From here, there is a 20-minute ferry transfer to Vlissingen, an important port at the mouth of the Westerschelde, located on the former island of Walcheren. From there, you will cycle to Middelburg. The route goes through the countryside of Zeeland Flanders, with only a few villages, winding roads, and remnants of many creeks until arrival in the Delta area of four great rivers. Previously, there was an open connection to the sea via the numerous branches of the river. After the flood of 1953, the Delta works were built and dams have closed most tidal inlets of the sea. The province of Zeeland is nearly totally at or below sea level. Before the Delta Project, the chance of flooding was once-in-80-years. The Delta Project, particularly the storm surge barrier, has reduced this chance to once in 4,000 years. Highly recommended is a closer look at the interior and exterior of the storm surge barrier, which is in tomorrow's itinerary. You will find yourself surrounded by concrete that is to last for 200 years, by huge 15 feet steel doors, with storm waves raging underneath. This is something not to be missed!

DAY 4: Middelburg - Zieriksee, 20 or 32 mi. (32/52 km)

First on the agenda is a ride to the town of Veere, formerly an important trading place. From Veere, you will cycle over the Veersgatdam (here you have the possibility of a beach visit) to North Beveland. Upon reaching the Eastern Schelde Dam, on the south side, there is the opportunity for swimming and enjoying the beach and dunes. About halfway through the Eastern Schelde Dam, the former work island Neeltje Jans offers a varied program of issues related to the damming and the sea. All islands of the province are connected since the completion of the Delta, so technically they are not real islands anymore. However, you will discover that each island's individual character has been retained.  This is a ride for strong cyclists due to the winds. Near West Schouwen, you reach the end of the trip on the dam and continue to cycle to Zierikzee, located on the south side of the island of Schouwen-Duiveland. In strong wind, you can opt for crossing with the boat from Walcheren to Zierikzee on Schouwen-Duiveland. You then cycle from Veere to Zandkreekdam to meet the barge.

DAY 5: Zieriksee - Dordrecht, 15 or 34 mi. (24/54 km)

A nice ride on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland is on the itinerary today. You ride to Bruinisse, a village known as a very isolated community. The main source of income is the mussel fishery. On the dike to the Grevelingen, you will find a statue of an opened mussel. You will go on board here and sail to Dordrecht or you can choose to ride on to Willemstad, an old fortified town, and meet the barge there. The cycling route to Willemstad is over the Grevelingen dam through the south of Goeree-Overflakkee and the Hellegatsdam. You end in Dordrecht today, one of the oldest cities of Holland, located at the crossroads of busy waterways.

DAY 6: Dordrecht - Vianen, 30 mi. (47 km)

Leaving Dordrecht behind, you cycle through the Alblasserwaard. It is an area with elongated rural villages situated along winding watercourses. Here you will experience the tranquility of the countryside with sheltered roads, wide views across the meadows, and the inevitable windmills, so typical for the Dutch landscape. Before you arrive in Vianen, you will ride through the area between the major rivers that is called Vijfheerenlanden (Country of five gentlemen). The area owes its name to five men that in 1284 together kept the area from flooding. You will follow the route along the Merwedekanaal to Vianen.

DAY 7: Vianen - Amsterdam, 27 mi. (43 km)

During a breakfast cruise, you pass through the dramatic locks in the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal and through Breukelen, the charming town that rendered its name to Brooklyn, the well-known New York City district. The final stretch takes you along meandering waterways and through multiple villages. The diverse scenery of this route is very picturesque. On the river Vecht, numerous 17th-century country houses for the upper middle class of those days can be seen. Elegant gazebos or 'tea houses' mark the corners of the spacious gardens on the waterfront. Almost without noticing you enter Amsterdam, following the Amstel River. The extensive network of bicycle paths ensures a relatively easy way back into the city, showing you some remarkable sites in the center. Before the farewell dinner, there is time for a walk in town. At night, you may want to take a canal trip or go on a walk through the center of the city.

DAY 8: Amsterdam
End of tour, departure following breakfast. 

BELOW IS THE ITINERARY ABOARD THE ANNA CORNELIA OR LENA MARIA:

1. Arrival in Ghent.  Bus transfer from Schiphol airport to Ghent included (meeting time is 12 noon)
2. Ghent, train to Bruges.  Free day in Bruges. In late afternoon train to Dendermonde & short bike ride.
3. Dendermonde - Antwerp, 32 mi. (50 km)
4. Free time in Antwerp, sail to Willemstad.
5. Willemstad - Gouda, 25 mi. (40 km)
6. Gouda - Oude Wetering, 25 mi. (40 km)
7. Oude Wetering - Amsterdam, 19 mi. (30 km)
8. Amsterdam, end of tour. Departure following breakfast.

BELOW IS THE ITINERARY ABOARD THE MS MAGNIFIQUE:

1. Emarkation in Bruges
2. Bruges - Ghent/Merelbeke, 34 mi (55 km)
3. Ghent - Dendermonde/St-Amands, 28 mi (45 km)
4. St-Amands/Dendermonde - Antwerp, 28 mi (45 km)
5. Antwerp - Dordrecht, 15-28 mi (25-45 km)
6. Dordrecht - Vianen, 19-34 mi (30-55 km)
7. Vianen - Amsterdam, 21 mi (35 km)
8. Depature from Amsterdam

ALL ITINERARIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.  DISTANCES ARE APPROXIMATE.

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Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us