Bruges to Amsterdam

8-day itinerary

Bruges to Amsterdam
 

Day 1: Arrival in Bruges, 9 mi. (15 km) | Bruges - Ghent
Day 2: Ghent - Dendermonde/St. Amands, 24 or 32 mi. (40 or 53 km)
Day 3: St. Amands - Temse - Antwerp, 19 or 31 mi. (32 or 49 km)
Day 4: Antwerp
Day 5: Antwerp - Kreekrak locks | Kreekrak locks - Tholen | Tholen - Willemstad - Dordrecht, 13 or 23 mi. (20 or 36 km)
Day 6: Dordrecht - Kinderdijk | Kinderdijk – Schoonhoven – Vianen, 19 or 36 mi. (32 or 57 km)
Day 7: Vianen – Breukelen | Breukelen – Amsterdam, 23 or 28 mi.  (36 or 46 km)
Day 8: Amsterdam 

Day 1: Arrival in Bruges, 
Embarkation time in Bruges is between 1.00 p.m. and 1.30 p.m in the harbor at Bruges. After a welcome meeting with the crew at 1.30 p.m., the ship departs at 2.00 p.m. from Bruges to a suburb where there is time for bicycle fitting and a short test-ride through the countryside around Bruges. During dinner the barge sails into Ghent, a lively university city, again, one with a rich past. The city has its origins in Roman Times, at the place where the rivers Leie and Schelde converge. This favorable situation brought a great deal of prosperity over the years, which had its peak late 13th, early 14th century. The textile industry brought great wealth. In the city center, many old patrician houses have been preserved. In the Clothmakers’ Hall (1425) textile merchants used to meet. The major church is St. Baafs’ Cathedral, built throughout various ages and in various styles. In the cathedral, you can admire a number of masterpieces of medieval painting, of which the ‘Adoration of the Lamb’ by Jan van Eyck is the most famous.

We advise you to come to Bruges one or more days earlier, so that you will have plenty of time to discover this UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical city, aptly named the “Pearl of Flanders”. While you are there make sure you visit one of Bruges' many museums or simply take in the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city from the comfort of a sidewalk café.

Day 2: Ghent - Dendermonde - St. Amands, 24 or 32 mi. (40 or 53 km)
In the morning you will spend some time in Ghent and later, you will cycle downstream through a diverse landscape along the tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde located at the confluence of Dender and Schelde rivers. There is only one way to describe the landscape along the Schelde and that is “magnificent”. It is, without doubt, one of the natural highlights of the tour. During this section of the Schelde the speed of the ship will be determined by the height of the tide. You will travel from Dendermonde to St. Amands by either bicycle or barge depending on the tides. Your floating hotel will be docked for the night in St. Amands.

Day 3: St. Amands - Temse - Antwerp, 19 or 31 mi. (32 or 49 km)
The route today leads along the Schelde River further downstream through the Temse region to Antwerp. Over the centuries the Schelde river has held strategic importance for the Romans, Vikings, Spanish, and Napoleon… Today it is a beautiful waterway just perfect for bike and barge holidays!  Antwerp, your destination for the day, is a harbor city famous for handling up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds and as the birthplace of the famous painter Sir Peter Paul Rubens. There are many highlights in the city to discover including the City Hall, one of several majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical City Square Grote Market, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral, and the medieval Steen Castle.

Day 4: Antwerp
Today your ship stays in Antwerp. This means you will have an entire day to discover this city of culture, cobblestones, and Flemish Baroque masterpieces. You can visit the Rubens House, the palazzo where the brilliant and versatile artist lived with his family. You will find some of his paintings to admire just a ten-minute walk away in the “Onze Lieve Vrouwe (Our Dear Lady) Cathedral.” Other ideas for spending a pleasant afternoon here are to visit the famous beer brewery of ‘de Koninck’ for a tour and tasting, explore the fascinating Museum on the Scheldt River (MAS — Museum aan de Stroom) or go shopping in Antwerp’s welcoming shopping area. Dinner tonight is not included as you have the chance to dine at a restaurant of your choosing. If needed, your crew can provide restaurant recommendations.

Day 5: Antwerp - Kreekrak locks | Kreekrak locks - Tholen | Tholen - Willemstad - Dordrecht, 13 or 23 mi. (20 or 36 km)
This morning, the ship will sail along the Schelde-Rhine Canal and over the huge Kreekrak lock system. Here your bicycle tour starts through the beautiful “Wouwse Plantage” forest to Tholen, Tholen once was an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams, where many people fished for their living. Nowadays Tholen is connected to the mainland in various ways. But it is still a picturesque village with many relics of an eventful past. From Tholen, you will join the ship again for a nice afternoon sail to the city of Dordrecht. Halfway the ship will pass the impressive Volkerak lock system.

Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands is your destination for the day. The guide will take you for an evening walk and tell you about the history of the Netherlands.

Day 6: Dordrecht - Kinderdijk | Kinderdijk – Schoonhoven – Vianen, 19 or 36 mi. (32 or 57 km)
Today you will start your tour with the “Waterbus”, a fast ferry that will take you and your bike in just 10 minutes to Alblasserdam. After just a few minutes of cycling, you will reach Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 UNESCO cultural heritage-listed windmills – one of which you can visit (don’t forget your camera!). The windmills were constructed in the 18th century to pump water out of the low Alblasserwaard polder (a polder is a low-lying tract of land enclosed by embankments). You will then continue to cycle via Schoonhoven to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek (where you will be moored for the evening and where you can explore at your leisure after dinner).

Day 7: Vianen – Breukelen | Breukelen – Amsterdam, 23 or 28 mi.  (36 or 46 km)
During breakfast, your barge will cruise to Breukelen where you disembark to start your final day of cycling. Ride along the Vecht River in an area famous for its beautiful mansions, small castles, impressive houses, and their large gardens. After cycling through the villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen and Vreeland you will arrive at Nigtevecht where you can visit a traditional cheese farm. Continue cycling through the historical town of Muiden and on to Amsterdam where you will meet the barge for the final time in the Amsterdam harbor.

Day 8: Departure
Disembarkation by 9:30 am.

Parts printed in italics will be covered by the ship.

4-day itinerary

Bruges to Antwerp

Day 1: Arrival in Bruges, 9 mi. (15 km) | Bruges - Ghent
Day 2: Ghent - Dendermonde/St. Amands, 24 or 32 mi. (40 or 53 km)
Day 3: St. Amands - Temse - Antwerp, 19 or 31 mi. (32 or 49 km)
Day 4: Antwerp

5-day itinerary

Antwerp to Amsterdam

Day 1: Antwerp
Day 2: Antwerp - Kreekrak locks | Kreekrak locks - Tholen | Tholen - Willemstad - Dordrecht, 13 or 23 mi. (34 or 49 km)
Day 3: Dordrecht - Kinderdijk | Kinderdijk – Schoonhoven – Vianen, 19 or 36 mi. (32 or 57 km)
Day 4: Vianen – Breukelen | Breukelen – Amsterdam, 23 or 28 mi.  (36 or 46 km)
Day 5: Amsterdam 

Day 1: Bruges - cycling to Aalterbrug - sailing to Ghent, 13 mi. (21 km)
Day 2: Ghent - cycling to Dendermonde - sailing to St. Amands, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 3: St. Amands - Antwerp, 24 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Antwerpen - sailing to Kreekrak locks - cycling to Willemstad, 34 or 40 mi. (56 or 65 km)
Day 5: Willemstad - sailing to Werkendam - cycling to Gorinchem, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 6: Gorinchem - cycling to Vianen - sailing to Utrecht, 30 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Utrecht - sailing to Breukelen and cycling to Amsterdam, 24 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: Departure from Amsterdam

Day 1: Bruges - Aalterbrug - Ghent, (21 km)
Embarkation begins at 1 pm. You are asked to be on board at the latest by 2 pm as your cycling itinerary begins! Boat will be moored at the Buiten Katelijnevest near the Bargeweg (1 km from the central train station). You can drop your luggage off at 12 noon.  Once you arrive on board the ship you can put your luggage away in your cabin and then enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the guide, skipper and crew, and of course your fellow passengers.

At 2 p.m. you will start off the city walls of Bruges for a trip to Ghent. The barge will mostly be following the canal between Bruges and Ghent to Aalterbrug, which offers a beautiful, peaceful cycle route with an unexpected variety of experiences.

The city of Ghent is proud of its rich past but is much more than just a museum town. This lively city with its numerous squares and cozy pubs is an excellent mixture of medieval architecture, stylish shopping streets, splendid mansions, and busy little squares with outdoor cafés.

Day 2: Ghent - cycling to Dendermonde -  sailing to St. Amands, 29 mi. (47 km)
Early Sunday morning you will cycle through the old center of Ghent. After coffee, you will leave for a nice day along one of the most beautiful rivers of Europe, the Schelde.

After approximately 20 km, in Wetteren, you can take a break in a real Flemish ‘staminee’ and in Berlare you will have a Belgian beer with your lunch. Next, cycle through Dendermonde, the city of the legend of the Beiaart, where you can see the magnificent city hall that is still standing. Near the small, quiet village of St. Amand, you will spend the night.

Day 3: St. Amands - Antwerp, 24 mi. (40 km)
From St. Amands, the cycle route leads you along the river and past nature reserves like the mudflats of Durme and Schausselbroek. The mudflats
of Durme are worth mentioning because it's one of the last fresh water marshes along this tidal part of the river and therefore has a unique flora and fauna. You continue your tour through Bazel, one of the most beautiful villages of Belgium. The wooden moving stairs in the St. Anna tunnel under the Scheldt is a unique experience before entering the city center of Antwerp. Highlights of the historical center of Antwerp are worth a visit, here you'll find: the Onze-Lievevrouwenkerk and the Rubenshuis. In the Willemsdok, near the Museum for Modern Art (Museum Aan de Stroom) you will find the barge.

Day 4: Antwerp, sailing to the Kreekraksluizen - cycling to Willemstad, 34 or 40 mi. (56 or 65 km)
This morning you’ll sail through the big harbor of Antwerp, a big difference with the nature reserves and quiet villages of yesterday. But due to the big seagoing vessels and large harbor, cranes it’s a fascinating journey which brings you to Holland where you start your bike tour at the Kreekrak locks. By bike, you will make a beautiful tour over the ‘Brabantse wal’ a sand wall dating back from the times when Mammoths roam the area. Today you won’t find any big elephants but the area seemed to be perfect for strawberry and asparagus fields. So be here at harvest time (depending on the weather: around June). From the woodlands around Bergen op Zoom you continue through a polder landscape to the old fortified town of Willemstad, near the Volkeraksluizen (locks) at the Haringvliet, the busiest locks of Europe.

Day 5: Willemstad, sailing to Werkendam, cycling to Gorinchem, 28 mi. (45 km)
The barge leaves early so you can make a beautiful tour from Werkendam where you go ashore to continue your tour by bike through the land of Heusden and Altena. Along the Bergse Maas, the south border of the land of Heusden and Altena, you continue your tour along the fortified town of Heusden. From here another river, the ‘Afgedamde Maas’ leads you back to the river Waal where you started your tour this morning. Here you’ll find another beautiful fortified town, Woudrichem. A ferry brings you to the other side of the river where you’ll board the ship.

Day 6: Gorinchem, cycling to Vianen, sailing to Utrecht, 30 mi. (50 km)
From Gorinchem you will follow the meandering river Linge through the Betuwe. This area is known for its of orchards and therefore will be covered with blossoms in the months April and May. Along the city of Leerdam, famous for its glass, you continue your tour in northern direction towards Utrecht. On your way toward Utrecht, you’ll pass the ‘Wiel van Bassa’ the biggest dike burst hole in the Netherlands and another relic of the everlasting battle against the water. From Vianen you sail to Utrecht. After dinner, you can take a public bus to the old center of Utrecht.

Day 7: Utrecht - Amsterdam, 24 mi. (40 km)
During breakfast, you will sail to Breukelen from where you will cycle to Amsterdam along the two most beautiful rivers of Holland, the Vecht and the Amstel.

Along the route, you will find the magnificent country houses and mansions from the 18th century with their splendid, well-kept gardens. After dinner, you have the option to take a canal cruise through the canals of Amsterdam.

DAY 8: Departure from Amsterdam
The mooring place of the barge in Amsterdam is the Oosterdok (near Science Center NEMO, Oosterdok 2), located 1.2 km/.75 miles from the Central Station in Amsterdam.
There is a direct train that leaves 6 times per hour from Amsterdam Central Station to Schiphol Airport. Travel time is about 16 minutes.

If you flying out of Brussels Airport you can take the international train (Intercity). Travel time is 3 hours.

Day 1: Bruges, boarding begins at 2 pm. You can participate in a short bike ride to Damme. Guided city walk in evening.  9 - 12 mi. (15 - 20 km)
Day 2: Bruges - Ghent, 22 or 37 mi. (35 or 60 km). Possibility to stay on board for a portion of the cycling itinerary.
Day 3: Ghent - Goes, featuring the island world of  Zeeland,  28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Goes - Zierikzee - Willemstad (possible overnight in Dordrecht) featuring the Delta works, 22 or 37 mi. (35 or 60 km)
Day 5: Willemstad (or Dordrecht) - Gorinchem, 31 mi. (50 km)
Option 1: Former tidal-area of Biesbosch by ferry 
Option 2: By ferry to the Unesco-site of Kinderdijk with its 19 (water pumping) windmills.
Option 3: Woudrichem to the medieval castle of Loevestein by ferry.
Day 6: Gorinchem - Vianen, 25 or 37 mi. (40 or 60 km)
Day 7: Vianen - Breukelen - Amsterdam, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 8: Departure from Amsterdam

Day 1: Bruges,  9 - 12 mi. (15 - 20 km)
Embarkation begins at 2 pm. Ship will be moored near the city center of Bruges. In the afternoon it is possible to take part in a test ride along the city ramparts and through the countryside to the nearby little town of Damme, the former seaport of Bruges. After dinner, you can take part in a (guided) walk in this well preserved medieval town

Day 2: Bruges - Ghent, 22 or 37 mi. (35 or 60 km)
On Sunday morning you leave Bruges, cycling along the canal which connects Bruges with her ‘sister-town’ Ghent. The ride is diversified and leads you through woods, fields, and villages. The roads are good and lightly traveled. Ghent is one of the major towns in Flanders and has more than 250.000 inhabitants. The medieval center is worthwhile to visit. In Gent, your guide will show you some of the highlights of the town, which was one of the biggest towns in Europe in the 1400s. Famous are the sights at the churches and quais (the so called ‘leien’). St. Baafscathedral houses a masterpiece of art: The Mystic Lamb, created by the Van Eyck brothers (early 15th century). 

Day 3: Ghent - Goes, featuring the island world of  Zeeland,  28 mi. (45 km)
After two intense days visiting two medieval jewels, the ship will leave early in the morning towards the Dutch border. A major canal connects Gent with the sea. In between are only the locks near Terneuzen. You cross the waterway Westerschelde, which is the main estuary connecting the port of Antwerp with the sea and enter the province of Zeeland. This province has a long history of living with and fighting against the sea. The former world of islands in the delta of Schelde, between the Maas, Waal and Rijn rivers, is connected now by dams and bridges and protected by massive sea-barriers.  The ship will bring you to the former island of Zuid-Beveland, where you can go on shore with your bikes. A very scenic landscape leads to the town of Goes, for the night. 

Day 4: Goes - Zierikzee - Willemstad (possible overnight in Dordrecht) featuring the Delta works, 22 or 37 mi. (35 or 60 km)
In Zeeland, one hopes to have the wind in the back. The prevailing one is from the southwest! If this is not the case, the weather might be even better. Wind from the east often means fair weather and no rain. But in the Netherlands, you never know. The better cyclists can cover the whole distance if they like. Otherwise, the captain might take you a little further towards the northeast. One can enjoy this world of land and water from the ship in that case. Crossing the sea-inlet Oosterschelde by bridge (5 km), you have time to visit the beautiful small town of Zierikzee,s a good place for a coffee stop. You continue your ride on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland. The flood of 1953 had a major impact on this island. Near the coast, you can find the newly expanded Flood museum, housed in 4 former caissons, big floating concrete boxes which were used to fill the gaps in the broken dikes!

After the fishing village of Bruinisse, the cyclists follow a dam to the next (former) island of Goeree-Overflakkee. A good place for a  stop is Oude Tonge, and the route continues to Willemstad, a former fortified town. The ramparts and moat are still there. If possible the ship will stay overnight in Willemstad, if not you will sail to Dordrecht during dinner time.

Day 5: Willemstad (or Dordrecht) - Gorinchem, 31 mi. (50 km)
Option 1: Former tidal-area of Biesbosch by ferry 
Option 2: By ferry to the Unesco-site of Kinderdijk with its 19 (water pumping) windmills.
Option 3: Woudrichem to the medieval castle of Loevestein by ferry

Day 6: Gorinchem - Vianen, 25 or 37 mi. (40 or 60 km)
Today is a day to cycle between two main rivers, following a narrow one in between, bordered by beautiful villages and winding roads. A visit to the glass-museum in Leerdam is an option. Mooring place will be Vianen, on the river Lek.

Day 7: Vianen - Breukelen - Amsterdam, 31 mi. (50 km)
During breakfast, the ship takes you to the village of Breukelen, where you leave your bikes. Along the scenic Vecht-river with beautiful houses and gardens, you cycle to the north. After a coffee stop, you continue the ride to Weesp, a beautiful little village and a nice place to have lunch. You day ends in the city of Amsterdam. In the evening you can go on a canal tour in Amsterdam or join the guide on a city walk.

Day 8: Departure from Amsterdam

Day 1: Arrival in Bruges, boarding begins at 1 pm. You will have time for a short test ride.
Day 2: Bruges - Ghent,  36 mi. (57 km)
Day 3: Ghent - Dendermonde, 24 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Dendermonde - Antwerp, 21 or 39 mi. (48 or 63 km)
Day 5: Antwerp - Kreekrak Locks | Krekrak Locks - Tholen, 13 or 23 mi. (36 km or 20 km) | Tholen - Dordrecht
Day 6: Dordrecht - Alblassderdam | Alblasserdam - Kinderdijk - Schoonhoven - Vianen, 36 mi. (57 km)
Day 7: Vianen - Breukelen | Breukelen - Amsterdam, 24 mi. (38 km) or 29 mi. (48 km)
Day 8: Departure from Amsterdam

Please note that those cyclists who choose the shorter option will miss some of the highlights that can be seen on the longer cycling routes.

Day 1: Bruges - Aalterbrug - Ghent, 14 mi. (22 km)
Boarding begins at 1 pm. The ship will depart the harbor at 2 pm to navigate to Ghent, stopping in Aalterbrug for the cyclists to disembark.  The ship will stop before Ghent to pick you and you can enjoy your first “dinner cruise” to Ghent. Enjoy the beautiful parts of Ghent during an evening stroll. The barge will be docked at a lock in Merelbeke, in a suburb of Ghent and approx. 30 cycling minutes from the city center. We recommend an extra night before your tour in Bruges so that you can explore its romance.
Day 2: Ghent - Merelbeke - Denermonde - St. Amands, 24 - 31 mi. (40 - 50 km)
Day 3: Dendermonde/St. Amands - Temse - Antwerp, 27 -37 mi. (45 - 61 km)
Day 4: Antwerp - Kreekrak locks - Tholen, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 5: Tholen - Willemstad - Dordrecht, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 6: Dordrecht - Kinderdijk - Schoonhoven - Vianen, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 7: Vianen - Breukelen - Amsterdam, 22 - 29 mi. (36 - 46 km)
Day 8: Amsterdam