Cycling Holidays - Bruges and Flanders Fields

Bruges and Flanders Fields

Belgium

From £650 P/P

On this unique self guided tour you will cycle through Western Flanders and Bruges. Most WWI-related places of interest are situated within the Bruges – Panne - Ypres triangle. If you want to stay longer, just book an extra night.

The happy highlight of this holiday is the wonderful town of Bruges. Preserved, renovated and added to in just the right medieval look, it is a harmonious and satisfying whole - cobbles and all. It feels like a fairytale village, complete with swan lake. Ypres, too, is lovely. After the devastation of WWI, it was restored to its former glory and recalls the days when the town was a proud commercial centre for quality cloth - woven fabric made from wool - in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Our route is signposted according to the cycling-by-numbers system. You will cycle along country lanes, tow paths, forest paths and cycling paths; past meandering brooks and dead-straight canals; behind the dunes and along the sea; through rolling meadows and endless cropfields. Battlefields, museums, cemeteries and memorials can be visited on Days 6 and 7 of this tour.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Veurne (Fumes)

Make your own arrangements for travel into Veurne. The charm of the quaint Old Town will delight you. The traditional market square is arguably one of the most beautiful in Belgium.

Day 2: Veurne (Fumes) – Oostende (Ostend) (approx. 41 km)

On your first ride you will make your way up the North Sea coast. The art entheusiasts among you may be interested to visit the museum dedicated to painter Paul Delvaux (1897-1994). Later, you will reach the well-known beach resort of Koksijde, which boasts the highest dune top on the coast.

Proceed to Nieuwpoort, formerly a beacon for sailors at sea, this city is best-known for the battle that took place here in 1600 AD between a Spanish army and a Dutch army, including English and Scottish regiments. If you prefer more modern history, visit the West Front visitors’ centre where you can find out what happened here between 1914-1918. Top off your day in the beach resort of Oostende (Ostend), where you can watch the sun set over the sea.

Day 3: Oostende (Ostend) – Brugge (Bruges) (approx. 39 km)

We have planned a short trip for today to ensure you have plenty of time to explore the beautiful city of Bruges. A good place to stop for a break is the village of Stalhille. Directly below the church tower you will find Antonie Demonie, master of many trades, glass-blower, basket weaver, beekeeper. While you sit and enjoy the view of the polder, savour a cup of honey tea or a glass of honey beer.

Later, you can wander through the peaceful nature reserve; the Meetkerkse Moeren: low-lying, open wetland where wild flowers grow in the meadows and where marilandica poplars are being reintroduced to provide shelter to bats and birds. Finally, end your day in style in the heart of Bruges! This lively and captivating town can be appreciated both in the day and by night.

Day 4: Brugge – Roeselaere (approx. 59 km)

Today's ride follows a delightful route through the woody Houtland region. Here you will find a landscape dotted with lovely castles and country estates. Near Oostkamp you can admire Pecsteen, Raepenburgh and Lakebos castles. Stop off in Torhout, Gitsberg and Hooglede, before finally setting course for Roeselaere.

Day 5: Roeselaere – Kortrijk (Courtrai) (approx. 36 km)

In 1995 a project began, to transform farmland into Rhodesgoed woods. Poplar and willow were planted and paved the way for slow-growing oak, ash, cherry and beech. Today you can enjoy these very woods, interspersed with wild-flower meadow. Already the area counts a great many different species of plants and animals, thanks in part to numerous ponds and meandering Rhodebeek brook.

Take a break in the town of Izegem. A town famous for its shoes, those fashion focused among you may want to wander the halls of Eperon d’Or museum. It showcases not only the finest “Chaussure d’Iseghem” shoes, but also everything to do with shoe and brush production and the town’s industrial heritage. Later, you will cycle through the slightly rolling, open landscape of West Flanders, to Kortrijk on the River Leie (Lys). Take time to stroll around town. There is loads to see; the Belfry, Town Hall, beguinage and Gravenkapel, a chapel and mausoleum for the Counts of Flanders. The medieval Broel towers used to be part of the town’s fortifications and guarded the stone bridge across the river. St. Anthony’s church of the Passionist Fathers, is a wonderful and colourful experience for all its visitors. Hopefully it is open, so you can see the greens, browns and golds in the painted interior.

Day: 6 Kortrijk (Courtrai) – Ieper (Ypres) (approx. 43 km)

Follow the River Leie out of town and head towards Menen (Menin). At the town museum you can discover the incredible military history of this border town. Forty-eight thousand German soldiers lie buried in Menen War Cemetery. Further on at Dadizele and Zonnebeke the ‘Passchendaele 1917’ Memorial Museum, is dedicated to the madness of the Battle of Passchendaele. From here you can walk a 3-km route to Tyne Cot Cemetery, where nearly twelve thousand Commonwealth graves can be found, and a wall with the names of another 35,000 soldiers stand in honour to those with no known grave. Polygon Wood was the scene of fighting in the First, Second and the Third Battles of Ypres. The pinewoods are now the site of two British war cemeteries as well as memorials for soldiers from Australia and New Zealand.

There is a free app you can download onto your mobile device, 'Ypres Salient 1914-1918' to help you explore the landscape around Ypres. You will end the day in Ypres. ‘In Flanders Fields’ Museum is housed in the immense and magnificent Lakenhalle (Cloth Hall) on the main Market Square. Each night, a poignant ceremony takes place at 20.00 hrs, under the Menin Gate, in memorial of the soldiers who lost their lives in the trenches and whose graves are unnamed: Buglers play the “Last Post”.

Day 7: Ieper (Ypres) – Veurne (Fumes) (approx. 57 km)

The Allied soldiers wounded in the Ypres Salient were taken to Lijssenthoek, just outside the town of Poperinge. From 1915 this was the scene of four large British field hospitals. Ninety-seven percent of the wounded, were treated there and eventually moved on, however, 11,000 soldiers of thirty different nationalities were not as lucky. Their final resting place is in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Because most of them were alive upon arrival at the field hospital, their names were known and appear on the gravestones. Today, the excellent visitors’ center, althought still a work in progress, shares more and more photographs and stories linked to specific individuals.

On to lighter matters. You will continue your ride to Poperinge. This lovely town is home to a Gothic Town Hall and three gothic churches. Visit the Hop Museum where colourful characters introduce you to the world of Belgian beer and hop culture. Later on you will pass St.Sixtus Abbey in Westvleteren. The monks are Cistercians of Strict Observance or Trappists. They pray and read, and for their manual work… labour in the brewery! This is one of six Belgian abbeys that brew Trappist beer. Later, you can cycle on the winding roads of West Flanders, past glistening streams, scattered villages and vast cropfields, back to your start destination, Veurne.

Day 8: Departure from Veurne

This morning, following breakfast, your holiday will come to an end. It’s time to return home.
Route Overview

Route Overview

Our self guided route is signposted according to the cycling-by-numbers system. You will cycle along country lanes, tow paths, forest paths and cycling paths; past meandering brooks and dead-straight canals; behind the dunes and along the sea; through rolling meadows and endless cropfields.

Route Maps (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.

Total distance cycled: 275 km

Starting point of the cycling holiday: Veurne
Getting There

Getting There

We recommend flying to either Lille, Ostend-Bruges , Brussels or Brussels Charleroi airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday. Trains from Brussels to Veurne take approx. 2 hours.

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 and Flanders Fields self guided cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.

Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
- 7 nights in 3/4* Hotels
- Room with shower / bath and toilet
- 7 x breakfast Luggage transport (1 piece/person)
- Map, tourist information and road description in English
- Service-Hotline (also in weekends)
- Possibility for half board (3 course dinner)
Not Included
- Flights to/from the start and finish
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Helmets
- Water Bottles
- Travel Insurance
- Bike Hire (optional extra, includes Rental Bike Insurance)
- Bike Insurance (unless stated)
- Welcome Meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers (unless included)
Bike Hire

Bike Hire

This cycling holiday uses hybrid bikes with gearing suitable for the local terrain. All bikes are regularly maintained and offer comfort along with good quality components.

You will receive an accessories package including a bicycle pannier bag with a good capacity, repair kit, lock, key, and air pump.

When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly.

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.

E-Bike Upgrades:

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 with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.

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 self guided cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities 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.

Please note that the hotel list is subject to change and should be used as a guide only. We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival.

Bruges and Flanders Fields Sample Hotel List

Roeselare Park Hotel

Ypres Hotel O

Diksmuide T Withuis

Bruges Velotel

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

Call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.

2021 Cycling Holiday Prices:

Season	Date Band	Arrival Day
Season 1:	05.06. to 30.10.2021	Saturdays

Category A Information:

Season	Prices per person
Season 1:	£650
Hybrid Bike:	£145
E-Bike:	£210
Single Room Supplement :	£290
Bed & Breakfast:	Included
Half Board:	£200

Hotel Category Descriptions:

Category Type	Accommodation Overview
Category A:	3* / 4* Hotels

Extra Nights (You will stay in the same hotel as per the cycle tour):

Location	Prices from (DBL/BB)
Veurne:	£(call)

Date From	Date To
05 June 2021	30 October 2021

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