Travel by Bike & Barge: A unique and “typical Dutch” concept, where a cycling holiday and a journey on a comfortable ship are combined. Cycling cruises are ideal for those who like to cycle during the day and explore beautiful areas, without giving up a comfortable way of travelling.
During our tours you don’t have to pack and un-pack your suitcases every day to travel from one beautiful place to the next!
During this tour some of the most beautiful cities in Holland and the Flanders region take centre stage: Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges.In these cities the tradition and charm of days gone by is still palpable. After you embark in Amsterdam, you will cross through a beautiful part of the Netherlands. You will, of course, pass by the 19 Dutch windmills in Kinderdijk. Via Dordrecht and Tholen, the ship then cruises through the “Delta” Province of Zeeland to Belgium.
You will spend the night in Antwerp, the city of Rubens, whose paintings can be admired in the cathedral. You will cycle along the beautiful tidal river Lower Schelde, towards the final destination of your tour, Bruges, the “Pearl of Flanders”.
Day 1: Amsterdam – Vianen (bike tour approx. 5 - 15 km / 3 - 9 mi)
Embarkation is at 1 p.m. You will check-in and the crew will welcome you on board. At around 2 p.m. the MS Mecklenburg will depart from Amsterdam for Vianen, a small fortified village on the River Lek. Once rental bicycles have been distributed you can enjoy a short ride to begin your week.
Day 2: Vianen - Schoonhoven – Kinderdijk - Dordrecht (bike tour approx. 32 -56 km / 19 - 34 mi)
This morning, following breakfast, you will cycle a beautiful route to Schoonhoven, which is nicknamed Zilverstad (Silver City), as it has been a city renowned for its highly skilled silver smiths since the 17th century. As you continue, cycling along the Lek River you will pass through the Alblasserwaard region to Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 large windmills, which are now a UNESCO cultural heritage listing.
Once you reach Alblasserdam, you will take the “Waterbus, a fast ferry that will take you and your bike in approx. 10 minutes to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland.
Day 3: Dordrecht – Tholen – Kreekrak lock – Antwerp (bike tour approx. 20 - 36 km / 13 -23 mi)
While you enjoy breakfast, the ship sail to Tholen.You will cycle through a wonderful forest area, “the Wouwse Plantage“, towards the south to the impressive Kreekrak lock, before continuing your journey, by boat, to Antwerp. Antwerp is not only known as diamond city, but also as the home city of world renowned painter Rubens. You will find some of his paintings in the “Onze Lieve Vrouwe (our lady) Cathedral”.
Day 4: Antwerp – Temse – Dendermonde (bike tour approx. 48 - 64 km / 29 - 39 mi)
Today you will head out of Antwerp on a beautiful cycle path that will lead you along the picturesque tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde, your home for the night. There is only one way to describe the landscape around the Schelde and that is “magnificent”. This is, without doubt, one of the natural highlights of the tour.
Day 5: Dendermonde – Ghent-Merelbeke (bike tour approx. 52 km / 32 mi)
The bike tour will once again follow the river Schelde today, heading in the direction of Ghent. Ghent is a lively university city; one with a rich and vibrant past. In the afternoon you can discover the city more and perhaps take some time to shop in the lively centre. The city was founded in Roman times, where the rivers Leie and Schelde converge. The convenient location has brought much prosperityto the city over the years, particularly in the late 13th, early 14th century.
The textile industry brought great wealth. In the city, many old patricians preserved. The impressive Cloth Hall (1425) brought cloth merchants together. The main church is the St. Bavo Cathedral, which is built accross different ages and in the different corresponding styles. In the cathedral are some masterpieces of medieval art, which "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by Jan van Eyck is the most famous. The ship is docked at the lock in Merelbeke, a suburb of Ghent (approx. 30 min by bike from the city centre).
Day 6: Ghent-Merelbeke – Moerbrugge – Bruges (bike tour approx. 33 - 41 km / 21 - 26 mi)
During breakfast the ship will sail again, thi time to Moerbrugge, a suburb of Bruges. You will start today's bike tour in the pleasant country side of Western Flanders around Bruges. Bruges, alsoknown as the Venice of the North, is perhaps the most beautiful of all the Flemish cities.
Its old centre, which dates back to the Middle Ages is almost completely intact. Bruges was , all those years ago, a thriving metropolis and center of commerce and art. You can still see this glory in the design of the beautiful buildings. Now, Bruges is also a nice town for shopping or going out.
Day 7: Tour around Bruges to the North Sea, (bike tour approx. 38 - 51 km / 23 - 31 mi)
The last ride of the tour takes you to a quiet canal along which you’ll find lots of poplars. You will ride through an attractive polder landscape with nice small farm houses to the North Sea coast. A long sandy beach with numerous café options should provide enough variety for any taste, for a lunch break. After which, you will head back to Bruges.
Day 8: Departure from Bruges
After breakfast till 09:30 am: end of the tour and disembarkation.
The terrain is flat. The itinerary uses cycle paths and quiet roads with little traffic.
Total distance cycled: 315 km
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.
Starting point of the cycling holiday: Amsterdam
We recommend flying to Amsterdam Schiphol airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.
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.
The Bike & Barge: Amsterdam to Bruges cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.
Included:
Not Included:
Journey to Amsterdam and from Bruges, parking fee, shuttles, bike rental, entrance fees and excursions, town maps, drinks on board, tips, insurances.
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.
You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. 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)
Men's Bike (Colour may vary)
Electric 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 and please make sure that you bring along with you 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.
Gears
7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).
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 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.
MS Mecklenburg
The MS MECKLENBURG is a small river cruiser with family atmosphere and your swimming hotel during the tour. On the partially roofed sun deck are sitting places (tables + chairs) and storage room for the bikes.
The salon with bar is a large room for common use and has a semi-separate restaurant area.
On board of this cosy ship are a total of 11 cabins for max. 22 guests. All cabins (approx. 8-9 m2) have shower + toilet, 2 lower beds and air-conditioning. Windows cannot be opened.
The interior of the ship is a non-smoking zone: smoking is only allowed on the sun deck. As a safety measure, a statutory smoking ban applies in all cabins; this means that all cabins and rooms on board are no-smoking zones.
Technical data:
Length: 41 m • Width: 5,05 m • Depth: 1,20 m • Passengers: max 22 • Crew: 3-4 • Currency on board: EURO. Only cash.
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.
Ship | Route Summary |
MS Mecklenberg | Amsterdam to Bruges |
Season | Date Band | Arrival Day |
Season 1: | 8th May 2021 | Saturday |
Season 2: | 3rd July - 18th September 2021 | Saturday |
Season | Prices per person |
Season 1: Main Deck: | £959 |
Season 2: Main Deck: | £1049 |
Bike Rental: | £70 |
Electric Bike Upgrade: | £155 |
Season | Prices per person |
Season 1: Main Deck: | £1360 |
Season 2: Main Deck: | £1529 |
Bike Rental: | £70 |
Electric Bike Upgrade: | £155 |
Date From | Date To |
---|---|
08 May 2021 | 08 May 2021 |
03 July 2021 | 03 July 2021 |
11 September 2021 | 11 September 2021 |