Combine travel by both bike and boat in a tour that includes wonderful landscapes alongside the rivers together with cycle routes that allow you to enjoy an active as well as relaxing holiday far away from the main roads.
The Belgian Polderlandscapes offer a unique experience of nature. On this journey you will combine varied cycling routes and many interesting excursions with a pleasant stay on board of your swimming hotel MS Mecklenburg.
As there are only 11 cabins on board, you will enjoy this river cruise in a friendly and personal atmosphere. While you enjoy riding through the magnificent landscapes, MS Mecklenburg is following you on rivers and channels, and will be ready to act as your hotel ship at the end of the each day. If you prefer staying on board, you don't have to ride, and can also enjoy the landscapes from on board the ship.
Day 1: Individual arrival at Brussels
The MS Mecklenburg awaits you in the Brussels harbour. Embarkation and check-in is from 3 to 5 p.m. The crew will welcome you on board. The old town of Brussels is well worth seeing, so take some time to look around. Have a look at the Gothic town hall, the beautiful guild houses, the big market and the “Männeken Pis”.
Day 2: Brussels – Vilvoorde – Mechelen – Willebroek (cycle tour approx. 40 km/24 mi)
Early this morning, while you enjoy breakfast onboard, the MS Mecklenburg is shipping to Vilvoorde. From Vilvoorde you start your first ride, on a route that will lead you to Mechelen. Here, you will find aremarkable density of listed build-ings (classified as historical monuments), with more than 300 in the town. Among them you will find eight churches, all built within an area of only three square kilometres. While your ship travels along the Willebroek-canal, you are cycling through green, soft and hilly landscapes, passing sleepy villages and magnificent country estates until you finally reach Willebroek.
Day 3: Willebroek – Antwerp (cycle tour approx. 50 km/30 mi)
From Willebroek you will cycle today, over Lier, to Antwerp, the world’s centre of diamond-processing. Antwerp offers a number of interesting sights such as the renaissance style, and richly decorated town hall, the historic Grote Markt, the huge Liebfrauen Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle.
Day 4: Antwerp – Sint Amands – Dendermonde (cycle tour approx. 42 km/25 mi)
Today, your ride will take you up the river Schelde to Hemiksen. After a short section of uphill, you will be able to cycle comfortably to Rupelmonde. At this point, where the river Rupel flows into the river Schelde, you follow the river until you will reach the historic area of brick burning, where bricks have been produced since the Middle Ages and are still made to date. You will then cross the Brussels-Rupel-canal and arrive at Sint Amands. Continuing along the River Schelde, you will finally reach Dendermonde. A must do activity in the area is a coffee break at the wonderful Flemish market-place “Grote Markt”.
Day 5: Dendermonde – Ghent (Merelbeke) (cycle tour approx. 48 km/29 mi)
You are cycling from Dendermonde to Ghent. For this stop, MS Mecklenburg will be moored in the suburb of Merelbeke which is approx. a 30 minute cycle from the city centre. Discover partly by cycling and also on foot, the wonderful old town of Ghent. In the Middle Ages Ghent was the second largest city after Paris, and much of its historic and architectural wealth has been preserved in the historic city centre until today.
Day 6: Ghent (Merelbeke) over Vinderhoute to Bruges (cycle tour approx. 40 km/24 mi)
In the morning, we leave Ghent and head to Vinderhoute. The route today follows the Gent-Oostende-canal through the wide Flemish plain until you arrive at Bruges. Known as “The Venice of the North”, Bruges is renowned throughout Europe for its art and museums. Bruges’ old town, with its number of Grachten (small channels) belongs to the UNESCO world’s cultural heritage. Enjoy the bustle of activity around the Grote Markt (the big market place) while having a nice tea or coffee.
Day 7: Trip around Bruges to the North Sea (cycle tour approx. 55 km/33 mi)
Your final day on the bike will begin by taking you over Damme, Till Eulenspiegel’s place of birth, to the seaside. Here, you will find sandy beaches and a lot of cafés (you have the opportunity to swim in the sea there). Take the time for a pleasant and well earnt rest. After approx. 2 hours you are cycling back to Bruges.
Day 8: Departure from Bruges
Disembarkation after breakfast till 09:30 a.m. End of your trip.
These tours can be managed from everyone who is in normal shape. You cycle most of the time on asphalted cycle paths, side roads with less traffic, but also on field and forest paths. Only short parts are on main roads. If you do not want to cycle you can also stay on board or make a shorter bike tour.
Total distance cycled: 275 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.
We recommend flying to Brussels Zaventum or Brussels Charleroi 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: Brussels to Bruges via Ghent cycling holiday stays on-board a river cruise barge and local support if required.
Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
Not included:
Journey to Brussels and from Bruges, parking fee, shuttles, bike rental, entrance fees and excursions, town maps, ferry tickets, 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
MS Mecklenburg is a comfortable river boat with personal and familiar atmosphere. It is constructed to navigate small canals and low bridges. You sit on the partly covered sun-deck and enjoy the passing countryside. Maybe you prefer sitting in the salon with panorama windows to socialise, have something to eat and drink? The friendly staffs have been on board for many years, cook does his best to spoil you. The boat offers twin-bed cabins (about 8-9 sqm) for maximum 22 people with air condition (windows cannot be opened) and shower/toilet.
Technical data: length: 41 m; width: 5 m; height: 3.5 m; depth 1.2m approx. 4 crew members
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 Mecklenburg | Brussels to Bruges |
Season | Date Band | Arrival Day |
Season 1: | 22nd May | 5th June | 19th June| 17th July| 31st July | 14th August| 28th August | Saturday |
Season | Prices per person including bike hire |
Season 1: Main Deck: | £975 |
Standard Bike Hire: | £70 |
Electric Bike Hire: | £155 |
Date From | Date To |
---|---|
22 May 2021 | 28 August 2021 |