Brussels to Bruges

Day 1: Brussels - Vilvoorde
Day 2: Vilvoorde - Mechelen - Willebroek
Day 3: Willebroek - Antwerp
Day 4: Antwerp
Day 5: Antwerp - St. Amands - Dendergem
Day 6: Dendergem - Ghent
Day 7: Ghent - Bruges
Day 8: Bruges

Daily distances average 40 - 45 km per day. All distances are approximate. The above-planned itinerary is subject to change, even on very short notice,  due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, docking location changes, lock repairs,  etc.

Day 1: Brussels - Vilvoorde
Boarding between 12 and 2 pm.

Day 2: Vilvoorde - Mechelen - Willebroek
Sailing breakfast, then biking along the Zenne River to the historical town Mechelen. St. Rumbold's Tower is Mechelen's centerpiece,  a towering 15th-century cathedral, 318 feet (97 meters) and more than 500 steps high. Climbing to the top will be rewarded with a magnificent view over Mechelen and a glimpse of other cities such as Brussels, Antwerp, and Leuven. The cathedral is also home to some incredible art. In the luminous baroque interior, you'll find The Crucifixion, a marvelous painting by the famous master Anthony Van Dyck, and dozens of other fine artworks. Peter Paul Rubens is considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time. Go to St. John's Church and admire his 17th-century masterpiece 'Adoration of the Magi'. Rubens himself called it one of his best works ever. After the visit of Mechelen, you’ll bike along the tidal river the Dijle to an authentic pub near the lock of Zennegat. It seems as if time stood still here. Then to the (small) rivers Nete and Rupel you will enter the estuary of the river Scheldt, the vein of Belgian wealth, then and now. You will meet the Feniks in Willebroek for the night.

Day 3: Willebroek - Antwerp
You will bike on the meandering dikes along the Rupel and Nete to the picturesque city Lier, with its medieval town center. We will continue our bike tour through Flemish Brabant (a Belgian province) to the well-known harbor city Antwerp. The Feniks will be moored in the old Willemsdok, once the center of naval merchant activities, now still a beautiful place to berth.

Day 4: Antwerp
Today a stopover in Antwerp to give you the opportunity to visit exhibitions of the Flemish Masters such as:
• House of Peter Paul Rubens, the absolute top painter of the late 16th and early 17th century.
• The “Museum aan de Stroom” (MAS), meaning the Museum at the river Scheldt.
• Museum of Contemporary Art; one of the leading Belgian museums for contemporary art.
• Possible excursion by tram or bike to the Coogels-Osy-Lei, a neighborhood with many houses in Art-Deco, Art-Nouveau, ane Jugendstil style.

Day 5: Antwerp - St. Amands - Dendergem
Bike tour through marvelous nature upstream along the river Scheldt. Via Temse to St. Amands where we will visit the Morocco-Stone-Exposition. From St. Amands we will sail on the river to Dendermonde for the night.

Day 6: Dendergem - Ghent
Another beautiful bike ride of 50 Km upstream the Scheldt to Ghent. Visit of the medieval town center including a city walk. The St. Baafs cathedral with the triptique of the Lamb God’s of the brothers Van Eijk is not to be missed.

Day 7: Ghent - Bruges
Bike ride along the canal of Ghent to Ostend through the varied Flemish farmland to the end of this tour: Bruges. The Feniks will moor at the Bargeweg approx. 5 minutes from the medieval town

Day 8: Bruges

Looking for more?  View all of our featured bike and boat tours, or our full list of bike trips.

Aboard the comfort class boats, the Feniks

• Feniks

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  Comfort Class Boat

  Hybrid bike

  The hybrid bikes available are 21-speed bikes with handbrakes. They are equipped with a panner, water bottle, and lock. It is possible to bring your own pedals and saddle. Read More

  Electric bikes

  For those bikers who like to have some support while biking in the hills, there are different styles of electric bikes. They are equipped with a panner, water bottle, and lock. It is possible to… Read More

  This comfortable little vessel is the pride and joy of its captain/owner, Marius. As is true for many of our boats, the Feniks was originally built as a freighter, but then converted into a hotel passenger ship in 1992. Since then, she has undergone several renovations. Wearing her history well, you will find a welcoming atmosphere on board, a crew ready to serve, and great food showcasing local cuisine featuring fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the market to the table. Read More