Cycling Holidays - Brussels to Bruges via Ghent

Brussels to Bruges via Ghent

Belgium

From £655 P/P

Enjoy relaxed cycling between sea, canals and dunes on this self-guided holiday from Brussels to Bruges. Explore the rich architecture of churches, abbeys, castles and windmills and visit the historical art cities of Brussels, Leuven, Mechelen, Ghent and Bruges.

Stay at the pretty seaside towns of De Haan and Blankenberge and savour the gastronomy and atmosphere in cafés and restaurants where you can sample some of the 350 different kinds of beer on offer!

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Itinerary
Itinerary

1st day: Arrival in Brussels

Brussels, the capital of Europe and hub of art, culture and politics. This is where your tour begins, take advantage of your time in this wonderful metropolis.

Brussels is one of the greenest cities of Europe; discover its historical beauty, galleries, small streets and multicultural soul. A must for every visitor is the great market square, the Atomium, the Parlamentarium, Manneken Pis and Art Nouveau buildings, the icons of the city. Brussels is a city full of hidden treasures.

2nd Day: Brussels – Mechelen, (approx. 65km)

The first day of riding will bring you to Leuven. This city is not only known as university city, home to the oldest university in Belgium, but also as a beer city.

A walk in Mechelen, a city on the river Dijle, will show you all the most important historical buildings. These were erected during the time of the Burgunds. St. Rombouts-cathedral, is certainly worth a visit, as are the palaces of Margarete of York and Margarete of Austria. You can also visit Kazerne Dorsin from WW2, or the toys’ museum, in this varied and interesting city.

3rd Day: Mechelen – Antwerp, (approx. 39km)

There are many surprises and treats in store on today's ride. In the town of Sint-Kathelijne-Waver, at the Ursuline Institute, you will find an exquisite blend of art nouveau, neo-Gothic, neo-Empire and art deco. Best of all has to be the winter garden! Feast your eyes on this masterpiece of art nouveau style! Back outside, you will continue through countryside to Duffel, on the River Nete, then to Mortsel and Berchem. If you are into military heritage, stop off in Mortsel to visit Fort no. 4 (of originally eight Brialmont Forts (1860-1864)) of the defensive line of Antwerp. It is built in brick with sandstone decorations and stands proud on an island. Your day will come to an end in Antwerp, a city with a long beer tradition and countless charming cafes. Discover the beautiful Old Town or go shopping. You will find plenty of places to pick up antiques and curio’s, home deco, vintage fashion finds, or even diamonds!

4th day: Antwerp – Dendermonde (approx. 57 km)

For most of your ride today, the River Scheldt will show you the way. Near Kruibeke, you will find Wissekerk Castle. Way back in the 10th century this would have been known as a 'water castle' and served as part of the defense line of Antwerp. A little farther on, you will cross the Scheldt by ferry, before proceeding, atop the river dike, to De Zilverreiger. Here, you will find a regional museum dedicated to preserving knowledge about former local trades such as, basket weaving, river fishery, cooperage (barrel making), flax processing and clog making.

5th Day: Dendermonde – Gent (Ghent) (approx. 46 km)

Today, you will find yourself soon returning to the river banks of the Scheldt. You will ride past a string of traditional Flemish villages and towns. Laarne Castle is a great place to take a short break, before continuing on to Ghent. The Old Town of Ghent is like an open-air museum. This UNESCO designated Creative City of Music has a thriving culture of arts and music. Festivals, musical institutions, the carillon, concerts, students of music having a singsong on the quays… music is in the air of the very city. In the evenings the atmosphere is magical, thanks, in some part to the town’s ingenious light plan.

6th day: Gent (Ghent) – Maldegem (approx. 57)

As you head west, you will discover the rural Meetjesland region, a cycling paradise with woods, meadowland and vast cropfields. The ride through the flat landscape to Eeklo, a small town known for its many sculptures, is pleasant and easy. You can then cycle through the Het Leen and Drongengoed woods. This evening, its time to realx and put your feet up in Maldegem.

7th day: Maldegem – Brugge (Bruges) (approx. 54)

Today will offer you another lovely route, as you head through the flat Flemish countryside. After Maldegem you will pass some quiet villages including Knesselare, Maria-Aalter and Moerbrugge. Later in the ride, you will follow the Ghent-Bruges canal. Dating back to the 14th century, its is one of the oldest in the country. Together with its towpath verges, it forms a green corridor that is vital to the area's biodiversity. Your destination Bruges is a true gem for Belgium. The charming town has cobbled roads, medieval-looking buildings and a fairytale ambiance.

8th day: Departure from Brugge (Bruges)
All good things must come to an end. Check out of the hotel, after breakfast today. Your holiday has come to an end.
Route Overview

Route Overview

This tour starts in Brussels. Quiet roads and mostly cycle tracks along the Flanders Cycle Route, 90% signposted. Roadbook with detailed description in English.

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.

Total distance cycled: 275km

Starting point of the cycling holiday: Brussels
Getting There

Getting There

We recommend flying to Brussels Zaventum or Brussels Charleroi airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.

Arrival by plane: Brussels airport is about 15 kilometres from the centre of Brussels. You can take a taxi (approx. € 40,00) but it is cheaper to take a direct train to Brussels Central-station (every 15 min.) for hotel Atlas. This will cost € 8,80 per person. From Charleroi (Brussels-South) there is a direct bus to Brussels Central-station (€ 14,00) or you can take the bus to the train station of Charleroi and onwards the train to Brussels Central-station (€ 15,80).

Arrival by train: On arrival at the station ’Brussels-Central’ you are at less than 1 kilometre from the Atlas-hotel. Taxis are waiting outside the train station. For the NH Brussels Louise: Take the train to the Brussels Midi station. From there, take metro line 2 or 6 in the direction of Simonis (Elizabeth) and go to the Louise metro station. Walk 2 minutes until you reach Stephanie Place and take a right onto Chaussée de Charlerois, where the hotel is located. Arrival by car To the Atlas hotel This hotel lies in the centre of Brussels in the ‘Oude Graanmarkt’, a side street of Antoine Dansaertstraat. This street is just in front of the ‘Bourse’ and about 400 meter away from Brussels Central Plaza. You follow directions to Brussels ‘Centre’ and then onwards to ‘Brouckère’. In front of the ‘Bourse’ you turn into the ‘Aug. Orts Straat and 100 Meter further straight ahead in the ’Dansaertstraat’. 200 Meter further you turn left into ’Oude Graanmarkt’ and 20 meter further on your left hand side you will find the Atlas-Hotel. As in most bigger cities parking is quite a problem.

For parking free of charge you’ll have to walk a little and can not be recommended. In any case don’t leave anything valuable in your car. A better option is to take one of the several guarded parking lots. They normally cost around € 14 per day. The Atlas hotel itself provides a very limited number of parking lots at a price of € 8,70 per day. However they can not be reserved ahead. You will find more capacity in: - Parking Dansaert: Place du nouveau Marché aux Grains - Parking 58: Rue de l‘Evêque 1 - BE01/BE02 page 3/10 - - Parking Alhambre: Emile Jacquemainlaan - Parking Monnaie, Place de la Monnaie 25 To the NH Brussels Louise You follow directions to Brussels Centre and on the inner Ring you take the exit Louise. You follow the Avenue Louise until you reach Stephanie Place and take a right onto Chaussée de Charleroi.

The NH Brussels Louise provides a very limited number of parking lots at a price of € 20 per car per day. They can not be reserved ahead. You will find more car parks at around € 20 per day in: - Parking Stephanie-Louise: Avenue Louise 83 a Parking in Bruges As your bike-tour ends in Bruges we can recommend parking your car in Bruges. Bruges is a smaller town which is easy to find and where you can park more easily.

There are different car parks in Bruges. The car park next to the train station is the biggest and costs only € 3,50/day. When you park there, you receive a bus ticket free of charge to go to the Bruges city centre. From the station you have direct trains that will take you in 50 minutes to Brussels Central-station. In Bruges you also have the possibility for a guarded parking lot, which costs approx. € 9 per car per day (€ 8,70 at parking ‘t Zand next to the NH Brugge) or you could park for free at the hotel Velotel. So if you bring your own bikes it is definitely worth it to first bring your bikes and suitcase to Brussels and then drive your car to Bruges (approx. 100 km) and return to Brussels by train.

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

Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
- 7 days / 6 nights in 3*/4* hotels (mostly 4*)
- Room with shower / bath and toilet
- 6 x breakfast buffet
- Luggage transport (1 piece / person till 20 kilos)
- Map, tourist information and road description
- Service-Hotline (also at weekends)
- Local taxes, except in Brussels and Bruges.
- Possibility for half board (6 × 3-course meal)
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 and 4 * 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.

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	09.04.– 25.09	£655	Saturday
Single Room Supplement:	All	£285

Bike Hire per person:

Bike Type	Price
Rental Bike:	£115
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£190

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
Brussels/Bruges	£70	£105

Reference: BBT22

Date From	Date To
09 April 2022	25 September 2022

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