| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Both |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €1014 Rates |
| Client Reviews |
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Tour Dates
Brussels to Bruges: June 29, 2019
Bruges to Brussels: May 4, May 18, June 1, and June 15, 2019
Brussels to Bruges: May 11, May 25, June 8, and June 22, 2019
Skill Level
This is an easy, guided bike and boat tour with average daily distances between 24 and 33 miles (40 and 55 km).
Tour Boats
Day-To-Day Itinerary
Each boat has a slightly different itinerary. Be sure to check your boat/itinerary below and please ask us if you have any questions as itineraries are subject to change.
Bruges to Brussels
Day 1: Bruges, 6 mi. (11 km)
Day 2: Roundtrip from/to Bruges and North Sea, 22 or 30 mi. (37 or 51 km)
Day 3: Bruges - Ghent, 21 or 36 mi. (35 or 57 km)
Day 4: Ghent - Dendermonde/St. Amands, 24 or 32 mi. (40 or 53 km)
Day 5: St. Amands - Temse - Atwerp, 21 or 31 mi. (35 or 49 km)
Day 6: Antwerp - LIer - Willebroek, 21 or 34 mi. (34 or 54 km)
Day 7: Willebroek - Mechelen - Zemst, 23 mi. (38 km) Zemst - Brussels*
Day 8: Brussels
Day 1: Bruges, 6 mi. (11 km)
After a welcome by the crew at 2 p.m. there is time for bicycle fitting and a short test-ride through the countryside around Bruges. After dinner the tour leader will take you for a walk through the center of town. We advise you to come to Bruges one or more days earlier, so that you will have plenty of time to discover The "Venice of the North", well known as city of art and museums. Its city center with lots of canals is on the World Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while overviewing the “Grote Markt” square with its hustle and bustle.
Day 2: Roundtrip from/to Bruges and North Sea, 22 or 30 mi. (37 or 51 km)
The first cycling tour starts by taking you to a quiet poplar-lined canal through an attractive flat and green polder landscape with lovely, typical farm houses. Continue via the small city of Damme to the North Sea cost. Long sandy beaches, numerous cafés and the attractive sand dune landscape provide enough variety during your lunch break. Then return to Bruges while riding along a small canal.
Day 3: Bruges - Ghent, 21 or 36 mi. (35 or 57 km)
Today you will start by pedaling towards Ghent through the beautiful Flemish landscape along the Ghent canal. On arrival in Ghent make sure you make the effort to discover the best of what this historical city has to offer during an afternoon stroll. Ghent’s medieval center features lovely illuminated streets that are a must to explore, while the architectural richness in the historical center of the city has to be seen to be believed. During the Middle Ages, Ghent was the 2nd largest European city after Paris. The ship will dock for the night at a lock, in a suburb of Ghent and approx. 30 cycling minutes from the city center.
Day 4: Ghent - Dendermonde/St. Amands, 24 or 32 mi. (40 or 53 km)
After breakfast in Ghent you will cycle downstream through a diverse landscape along the tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde located at the junction 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 5: St. Amands - Temse - Atwerp, 21 or 31 mi. (35 or 49 km)
This part of the route is among the most beautiful and twisting parts of Schelde river. Your cycling tour starts in St. Amands and you will cycle past the water tower and you cross the BrusselsRupel canal. The tour continues through an historical brick factory area between Boom and Niel where, since the Middle Ages, bricks are still being manufactured. From Rupelmonde you will have a lovely cycling tour to Hemiksem, to reach Antwerp. This harbor city on the river Schelde is one of the world’s major diamond cities and has many highlights: the City Hall is one of several majestic buildings constructed in the Renaissance, the historical City Square Grote Markt, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle. Dinner in a restaurant of your choice (not included).
Day 6: Antwerp - LIer - Willebroek, 21 or 34 mi. (34 or 54 km)
Just after breakfast you will leave the ship and cycle through the quiet suburbs of Antwerp, with nice villa’s and manicured gardens, to Lier. The city of Lier has 2 UNESCO World heritage sites, the Beguinage and the Belfry. Beguinages are closed courtyards – where, in past centuries, widows and unmarried women led a religiously inspired, but independent life. Self-rule occurred under the leadership of a “grand dame”. From Lier you cycle along the small river Nete to Willebroek, where the ship will be waiting for you.
Day 7: Willebroek - Mechelen - Zemst, 23 mi. (38 km) Zemst - Brussels*
While the barge is sailing over the Willebroek canal, you will ride your last cycling tour through green, soft slanted hilly country via Mechelen to Zemst. Remarkable in Mechelen is that over 300 buildings on less than 3 square kilometers are listed as historical buildings; 8 of these are churches. From Zemst you will meet the barge and sail to Brussels*. Your tour leader will take you for a walk through the historical city center, along the gothic town hall and the beautiful guild houses on the Grote Markt.
*Day7/8: your barge may also stay for the night in/near Zemst, to sail to Brussels on early Saturday morning during breakfast.
Day 8: Brussels
End of tour. Disembarkation after breakfast by 9:30 am.
Brussels to Bruges
Day 1: Brussels
Day 2: Brusels - Zemst*| Zemst - Mechelen - Willebroek, 23 mi. (38 km)
*Day1/2: Your barge may already leave Brussels on Sat. evening during dinner to sail to Zemst and stay there for the night, instead of staying in Brussels for the first night
Day 3: Willebroek - Antwerp, 21 or 34 mi. (34 km or 54 km)
Day 4: Antwerp - Temse - St. Amands, 21 or 31 mi. (34 km or 49 km)
Day 5: St. Amands - Dendermonde | Dendermonde - Ghent, 32 mi. (52 km)
Day 6: Ghent - Bruges, 13 or 28 mi. (22 or 45 km)
Day 7: Tour around Bruges to the North Sea, 23 or 31 mil (38 or 51 km)
Day 8: Bruges
Bruges to Brussels
Day 1: Bruges
Day 2: Bruges, roundtrip to North Sea, 33 mil (55 km)
Day 3: Bruges - Moerebrugge | Moerebrugge - oostende - Ghent, 24 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Ghent - Dendermonde, 29 mi. (48 km) Dendermonde - St. Amands
Day 5: St. Amands - Temse - Antwerp, 25 mi. (42 km)
Day 6: Antwerp - Lier - Willebroek, 27 mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Willebroek - Mechelen - Vilvoorde, 24 mi. (40 km) Vilvoorde - Brussels
Day 8: Brussels
Day 1: Bruges
Individual arrival in Bruges. The Gandalf awaits you in the Bruges harbor. Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board is from 3 to 5 p.m. Before or after boarding take the opportunity to explore this lovely city of art, widely described as the “Venice of the North”. You can enjoy the ambience of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical center during a leisurely walk, take in the hustle and bustle of the Grote Markt square (Great Market square), visit one of Bruges many museums or simply enjoy the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city from the comfort of a sidewalk café.
Day 2: Bruges, roundtrip to North Sea, 33 mi. (55 km)
Your first day of cycling will take you through Damme, the birthplace of the impudent Middle Ages trickster Till Eulenspiegel, to the seaside resort of Blankenberge. Visit anyone of numerous cafés and, if you want to cool down, enjoy a swim in the North Sea. After approx. 2 hours you will cycle back to Bruges and the ship.
Day 3: Bruges - Moerebrugge | Moerebrugge - oostende - Ghent, 24 mi. (40 km)
While you enjoy breakfast the barge Gandalf will sail to Moerebrugge where you will start your day’s cycling. With the historical city of Ghent your destination today you will cycle via Oostende along the Ghent-Oostende-canal through the beautiful Flemish landscape. The town center of Ghent features lovely illuminated streets that are a must to explore, while the architectural richness in the historical center of the city has to be seen to be believed. During the Middle Ages, after Paris, Ghent was the 2nd largest European city. The Gandalf will dock for the night at the Merelbeke lock, a suburb of Ghent and approx. 15 cycling minutes to the city center.
Day 4: Ghent - Dendermonde, 29 mi. (48 km) Dendermonde - St. Amands
After breakfast in Ghent you will cycle through a diverse landscape to Dendermonde which is located at the mouth of the Dender River where it flows into the Schelde River. Here you can enjoy some time off your bicycle with a coffee or a cup of tea at the beautiful Flemish Grote Market square. In the evening shipping to St. Amands one of the most beautiful and winding parts of the route on the river Schelde.
Day 5: St. Amands - Temse - Antwerp, 25 mi. (42 km)
Your cycle route for the day starts in St. Amands and takes you over the Brussels-Rupel canal and on to an historical brick factory situated between Boom and Niel where bricks have been manufactured since the Middle Ages. After cycling through the countryside to Rupelmonde and later Hemiksem you will finally reach Antwerp, your destination for the night. Antwerp is a harbor city situated on the river Schelde famous for handling up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds. 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 6: Antwerp - Lier - Willebroek, 27 mi. (45 km)
After breakfast you will cycle through the leafy suburbs of Antwerp and past typical Belgian villas that feature beautiful trees, manicured gardens and picturesque facades to Lier. From here you cycle along the small river Nete and on to Willebroek where the ship will be waiting for you. When there is enough interest, a beer tasting will be held on board (to be paid on board).
Day 7: Willebroek - Mechelen - Vilvoorde, 24 mi. (40 km) Vilvoorde - Brussels
While the barge sets sail along the Willebroek canal, your final day’s cycling will see you pass through the picturesque countryside via Mechelen to Vilvoorde. Mechelen is a remarkable city that boasts more than 300 buildings that are historically listed. Of these, 8 are churches – all on less than 3 square kilometers! From Vilvoorde you will board the Gandalf for the trip to Brussels, where you can walk through the historical city center, visit the Grote Markt square (Great Market square), arguably Europe’s most beautiful medieval square lined with guild houses or marvel at the Gothic town hall.
Day 8: Disembarkation and departure
Brussels to Bruges
Day 1: Brussels
Day 2: Brussels - Vilvoorde | Vilvoorde - Mechelen - Willebroek, 24 mil (40 km)
Day 3: Willebroek - Antwerp, 30 mi. (50 km)
Day 4: Antwerp - St. Amands | Dendermonde, 30 mi. (50 km) St. Amands - Dendermonde
Day 5: Dendermonde - Ghent, 29 mi. (48 km)
Day 6: Ghent - Vinderhoute - Bruges, 24 mil (40 km)
Day 7: Tour around Bruges to the North Sea, 33 mi. (55 km)
Day 8: Bruges
Italicized sections reflect itinerary by boat.
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Pricing Information
Travel Details
This tour is run by Boat-Bike Tours.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.
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Brussels to Bruges Bike and Boat Tour Boats + Barges
Magnifique Netherlands Deluxe Class Boat The boat is 63 meters long and accommodates maximum of 30 guests, sailing under the Dutch flag and management. Other features include a beautiful salon with a spacious bar, a sun deck equipped with comfortable chairs, and a small whirlpool to relax in at the end of a long day of cycling. Delicious meals are served daily in the restaurant area.
Gandalf Netherlands, Belgium Standard Class Boat The classic MS Gandalf is a comfort class passenger ship that can accommodate 20 guests. Almost everything on this barge is on one level, including the comfortable salon which has scenic panoramic windows.
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Customer Feedback
Robert B. 3 months ago
Excellent Boat, best cabins, & cheap beer
Boat: Quo Vadis
Reply
Patricia D. 5 months ago
We really enjoyed the scenery on this trip and not cycling on main roads. Love when we are on cycle paths and not in traffic. The boat was first class and the crew on the Magnifique III went out of their way to accommodate all our needs. The chef made all the meals very unique and we were able to sample the various foods of the region. A wonderful vacation.
Reply
Lynda B. 5 months ago
Most Memorable Part? The camaraderie, the cuisine, our cabin!
Reply
Joanne M. 5 months ago
"Taking a vacation aboard the new Magnifique III is a ""must do"" for cyclists in Europe. We received a warm welcome as soon as we arrived and we were invited to a walking tour of Brussels by our guide on the first day. When we returned to the ship for dinner, we were introduced to an amazing team of individuals who went out of their way to ensure our vacation experience was outstanding. The chef announced the menu enthusiastically each evening which we followed with applause as our palates drooled in anticipation. We were never disappointed as the dinners were fantastic. We even had a barbecue on the deck, one evening, with a tasty selection of chicken, sausage, steak, or shrimp available to us.
The competent tour guides led us through the sights of Belgium each day and gave us a host of valuable information. We all appreciated the option to join a slower group or a faster group of cyclists each day. The cycling was well paced with Read more… appropriate breaks for beverages, if desired. We liked the format of parking our bicycles in each city and the guide would take us a walking tour pointing out the recommended sights for us to go back and visit at our leisure in the same afternoon. The medieval cities that were spread throughout Belgium awed us and we were fortunate to have ideal weather to spend all day outdoors.
When we returned to the Magnifique III, there was always a delightful treat awaiting such as an assortment of delicious cheese or decadent squares or baked treats served with ice cold flavoured waters to quench our thirst.
Our friends couldn't wait to enjoy the outdoor hot tub on the upper deck after a day of cycling and they found it so relaxing. We enjoyed our comfortable cabin to re-group and get ready for dinner and the social evening ahead.
After dinner, one evening, our guides took us to tour an art gallery in a local town. On another evening, we enjoyed a ""trolley tour"" of Antwerp after dinner.
Thomas, our guide, also hosted a ""beer tasting"" one evening on board and he dressed in costume which engaged us in the event. One of our cyclists downloaded some chanting music to complete the picture and it was an entertaining evening.
On day 6, we had a choice to remain on the boat until 11 a.m. while we enjoyed cruising along the canal from Ghent towards Bruges. It was a wonderful experience to be outdoors on deck enjoying the peace of the countryside as we sailed along. This was followed by scenic cycling beside the same canal.
in the early evening, our guide, Thomas, led us on an informative walking tour of Bruges. This was followed by an opportunity to eat at local restaurant which we enjoyed.
At dinner and at breakfast, we sat at tables of ten in the sunny dining room which gave us many opportunities to meet and get acquainted with the other guests from other countries and provinces making the whole tour so worthwhile. The staff were very friendly and extremely helpful.
On our final evening, the dining room was divided into two tables of twenty. One of the guests suggested each cyclist make a statement about what he/she had enjoyed most about the tour. Each person made a brief sincere presentation or a jovial comment and it was so entertaining. The meal was superb! After dinner, we all chatted for a while and the evening concluded with a spontaneous dance. It was a memorable night! Our whole tour was one I'll never forget and I will continue to recommend to everyone."Tourist tip: There is a nice grocery store in the downstairs of building not far from the Cathedral where you can buy necessities including chocolate bars.
Boat: Magnifique III
Reply
Dorothy M. 2 years ago
Wow, our trip was phenomenal! The barge was excellent, the food was gourmet (seriously) and the riding was great! Although rain was predicted everyday, we never rode in the rain. The weather improved and we saw rain twice while on the barge. The Magnifique II and the crew could not have been better. We are already looking forward to a trip next year!!!
Boat: Magnifique II
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Robert K. 2 years ago
Most memorable part: The small number of passengers and the bonding and friendships which grew. Also, the lovely relaxed biking through the countryside, villages and towns with the guide providing more than adequate explanations when required. Everything worked like clock work and was well organized.
Boat: Magnifique
Reply
Wendy D. 2 years ago
This was a fabulous holiday in every way. Already looking to plan another for next year. Loved every part of it. What a great way to see the country, get some exercise and vacation in style. The crew on the Quo Vadim were wonderful, the food was great and the biking experience fabulous. Well done!
Boat: Quo Vadis
Reply
Wheaton L. 2 years ago
Fabulous holiday in every way and great value. Already looking to book another like this trip next year. Thank you!
Boat: Quo Vadis
Reply
Patricua O. 2 years ago
The tour guide was excellent. Also the Captain and crew were excellent. It was a wonderful way to meet people, get some exercise, sightsee and enjoy lovely food. The Quo Vadis has an excellent chef. All of the crew spoke English, German and I believe also French and Spanish. They looked after the group so well, nothing was too much trouble. I would recommend this tour without hesitation.
Boat: Quo Vadis
Reply
Henry S. 2 years ago
Our guide, Arie, was terrific! The chef, Chris (I think), was fantastic! The whole bike/barge week was a 5 out of 5 experience
Boat: Magnifique
Reply
Jeff S. 3 years ago
The bike and barge trip aboard the Magnifique was amazing. Could not have asked for a better trip! Can't wait to go on another bike and barge trip.
Boat: Magnifique
Reply
George Pappas 3 years ago
We have made two bike and barge tours in the Netherlands and thoroughly enjoyed both trips. We are looking forward to another trip this coming spring on a barge with low beds. (Bunk beds are not as easy to use as we get older.)
Boat: Quo Vadis
Reply
Terry Brannigan 3 years ago
We loved the size of the group. We are now ready for a self guided trip.
Boat: Quo Vadis
Reply
Maryellen Doyle 3 years ago
Barge Quo Vadis was intimate and comfortable. Although small, our cabin had sufficient shelving available to store our clothes (we used ebags pouches to keep biking stuff and hanging out later stuff organized). Our very large roller duffels collapsed enough to store under the beds. The bathroom was fine and we eventually realized the shower squeegee was for the floor - to bring the water towards the drain in middle. Wifi was very limited as the captain made his hotspot available to us but that only seemed to work at the end if the dining room closest to his quarters. We would have liked more seating areas as you had a small sofa/ chairs seating area bordering the dining tables but once filled you would have to sit at a dining table to read etc. The outside seating area actually would seat twenty but appeared smaller....would have liked a bigger outside area too. The staff was wonderful. The bikes were great and i loved my ebike (you have to pedal every bit as much as on Read more… a regular bike but you are always "assisted" so you never break a sweat or have to huff puff if encountering an incline or a headwind. In truth i probably would have liked some kind of arrangement where we had the option to do a bit more touring on foot/ time in cute little towns, vs all the time on the bike. We did see things I never would have seen on my own and Belgium is fascinating....hence the wish to actually have had a bit more time in towns like Mechelen where we had a one hour lunch stop and then were on our way. For my next trip i would also invest in a pair of rain pants. I did not know about them but all the Swiss ladies jumped into them as well as their rain jackets when clouds opened up three times as we cycled. One other wardrobe tip...we were spending four weeks in Europe and packing was an issue. I did not bring sneakers which i would only have used while biking, then having to lug for three weeks through fashionable France. Instead my black Sketchers, GO WALK line, did the trick for both a great bike shoe and a walking shoe in France.
We really enjoyed the trip in general and would just search out a barge with a bit more public space were we to do a future trip. "
Boat: Quo Vadis
Reply
Wendy 2 years ago
Hi Maryellen,
My husband and I are going on the trip this August. Thank you for your informative review. I just had one question. You mentioned rain pants. What time if year did you go?
Any other tips as well?
Thank you so much.
Reply
Maryellen 2 years ago
Wendy
I think our tour started in Aug 30 or close. Note that we did not have any rain DAYS but several times showers threatened and would hit in early afternoon for a bit - or one time linger for a couple hours but we were mostly touring in a city then so ducked into cathedrals etc but then had athree mile ride back to the barge. Note - I brought my helmet from US and I also had a visor which, if raining, i somehow layered with my helmet, then pulled my rain jacket hiid iver too - the visor kept the rain off my face. Have a great trip,
Boat: Quo Vadis
Reply
Archie Benton 4 years ago
Our Brussels to Brugge trip was an incredible experience. The biking was fantastic, the boat was great, and the staff superb. We even traveled with wonderful fellow travelers on the trip! So many kind people. I had heard great things about this trip too but it turned out even better than my expectations! What can I say? The food was excellent. The service was excellent. The camaraderie was wonderful. We were on the Magnifique and it was magnificent. Thank you!-Archie, Nancy and Zach August 2015
Boat: Magnifique
Reply
Larry and Nancy Bern 6 years ago
We just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our experience on the August 31st Brussels to Bruges Bike and Barge tour. The accommodations, the staff, the food and even the bikes were all top notch. Peter is a wonderful chef, Leah was a great guide, Walter and Carel were great captain, Carel barbecue was over the top!! It took us a few days to adjust to the biking, as most of us have not done much city biking. But by the end of the trip most of us were doing pretty well. Larry and I would recommend this trip to anyone!
Boat: Magnifique
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