Freewheel - Bruges to Brussels

Bruges to Brussels

Belgium

From £655 P/P

On this one way cycle tour, you can follow a rodute carved dout by the Flemish Masters, through some of the most beautiful towns and cities in all of Belgium. Admire the artworks in the Old Masters Museum, Brussels. Discover St. Bavo Cathedral in Ghent, KMKSA and Rubens House in Antwerp, St. John’s Church in Mechelen and Groeninge Museum in Bruges.
In between destinations you will ride through many different regions, through the pleasant Belgian coutryside often by the side of a river, and following a beautiful route.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Bruges
Make your own way to the iconic city of Bruges. If you arrive early, make the most of your time in this wonderful, harmonious town. Explore the medieval looking buildings and feel the cobblestones beneath your feet. The city is picture perfect, with swans in the lake, stone archways and bridges, and pretty houses reflected in the canals all around you.

Day 2: Bruges– Maldegem (approx. 54 km)
Today's route follows the canal out of town. The Ghent-Bruges Canal, dating back to the 14th century, is one of the oldest in all of Belgium. The canal and it's towpaths form a green corridor that is vital to the biodiversity of the area. Later, you will pass quiet, traditional villages such as Moerbrugge, Maria-Aalter and Knesselare, before peddaling through the flat, Flemish countryside to Maldegem. This evening, you will have the chance to put your feet up and relax in Maldegem.

Day 3: Maldegem – Ghent (approx. 57 km)
The route today will guide you across the rural Meetjesland region, a cycling paradise of woods, meadowland and vast cropfields. Enjoy the play of light as you ride through the trees at Het Leen and Drongengoed. After that, you have an easy ride, through the flat Belgian landscape, to Eeklo, a small town known for its many sculptures. Finally, you will continue to Ghent. The Old Town of Ghent is like an open-air museum. A UNESCO Creative City of Music, the city is buzzing with art and culture. The music scene here is thriving. After dark, another side of the city comes to life, with a magical atmosphere brought to like by the town’s ingenious light plan.

Day 4: Ghent – Dendermonde (approx. 46 km)
For the most part, the River Scheldt will be your guide today. Allow it to lead you upstream, past a string of Flemish villages and towns. The 13th-century castle in the village of Laarne is an impressive landmark, and also serves as a great place for a break. It is also worthwhile making a stop in Dendermonde, to take a look at the Town Hall & Belfry and visit the Church of Our Lady, which boasts a beautiful baptismal font, dating back to the 11th century.

Day 5: Dendermonde - Antwerp (approx. 57 km)
Fairly soon, you will find yourself, once again by the side of the Scheldt. You will cycle atop the river dike towards Antwerp. As a delightful break, why not visit De Zilverreiger, a regional museum, dedicated to preserving knowledge of local trades and crafts from times gone by, such as clog making. After a ferry crossing of the Scheldt, you will reach Kruibeke, home to Wissekerk Castle. In the 10th century this was a so-called water castle; part of the defensive line protecting Antwerp along the river. Your day will come to an end in Antwerp, a city with a long beer tradition, countless cafes, and endless shopping opportunities.

Day 6: Antwerp – Mechelen (approx. 39 km)
There is only a short ride today, so you have plenty of time to discover more of Antwerp. Why not visit a museum, before setting off towards Mechelen. If military heritage interests you, stop off in Mortsel to visit Fort no. 4. One of the (at one time) 8 Brialmont Forts (1860-1864) that made up the defensive line of Antwerp. Constructed from brick with sandstone decorations, it stands on an island surrounded by a ditch and glacis. Later you will continue along quiet country lanes, before riding alongside the River Nete, to Duffel. This is, as you might have guessed, the town where “duffel” originated from. The heavy, woolly material was used initially for bags and later for duffle coats, which were made popular by the British Royal Navy and are still around today. In the 15th century, duffel was produced here and exported all over Europe: a profitable business for then-prosperous Duffel. At the end of the day, you will have reached Mechelen, a small but attractive town, where you can enjoy a well earnt rest, and maybe a beer!

Day 7: Mechelen - Brussels (approx. 65 km)
Tree-lined country lanes, will lead you past a series of ponds, along a river, around a wood, and finally through meadows and cropfields to Brussels. Along the way, pass Tervuren, known the Royal Africa Museum. In Brussels, you will find a fascinating mix of cultures, as can be seen in the streets, the architecture and even the menus of cafes and restaurants. Head for the Grande Place to enjoy a walk. Not only does Brussels have Manneken Pis, it also has the most delicious waffles, chocolates and pints. This is a city where culture vultures, shopaholics, and gourmets & gourmands can all make merry!

Day 8: Departure from Brussels
One last hotel breakfast buffet and your cycling holiday will come to an end. Make your own way home.
Route Overview

Route Overview

Easy and flat, suitable for all cyclists and families with children

Starting point of the cycling holiday: Bruges

Total distance cycled: 320 km (approx)

Route Map (For guidance only):

Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
Getting There

Getting There

For the start of this tour, we recommend flying into Brussels Airport (BRU).
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.

We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.

Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.

You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.

Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
What’s Included?
What’s Included?

The Bruges to Brussels cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.

Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
- Double room with private facilities
- Breakfast and dinner when half board supplement is paid
- Luggage Transfer
- English roadbook + map
- Handy roadbook holder
- VAT
- Booking costs
Not Included
- Flights to/from the start and finish
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
- Helmets
- Water Bottles
- Travel Insurance
- Bike Insurance (unless stated)
- Welcome Meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers (unless included)
- Bike Hire Available
Bike Hire

Bike Hire

About the Rental Bikes

This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes. Quality Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres are among the components that will ensure you have an enjoyable cycle tour.

You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation while. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.

Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)

Rental Bike PLUS

E - Bike (Colour may vary)

Accessories

If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided. Please ensure you bring any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.

All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.

You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.

Gearing information available on request.

Frame Sizing

When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided, and you will need to bring your own to use.

We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!

Bike Hire Insurance

This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel, and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.

Electric Bike Hire

Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging, and assistance up to 25 km/h. They have a range of around 120 km for each full charge.

E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
Hotels

Hotels

This cycling holiday stays in good quality 3/4* hotels with private facilities, all carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.

You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.

Date & Prices

You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.

2022 Cycling Holiday Dates & Prices:

Season	Date	Prices per person	Arrival Day
Season 1	07.04.– 22.09	£655	Thursday
Single Room Supplement:	All	£285

Bike Hire per person:

Bike Type	Price
Rental Bike:	£145
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£210

EXTRA NIGHT PER PERSON PER NIGHT PRICES (YOU WILL STAY IN THE SAME HOTEL AS PER THE CYCLE TOUR):

Location	Price DBL/BB	Single Supplement Price SGL/BB
Bruges/Brussels	£70	£105

Reference: BBT22

Date From	Date To	Price
07 April 2022	22 September 2022	£0

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