The Netherlands and Belgium are a cycling paradise with bike paths, flat terrain and plenty to see and do along the way. On this bike and barge tour you will discover the southern region of Zeeland in the Netherlands and dip into the West Flanders region of Belgium. By day you'll bicycle through polders (reclaimed wetlands rich for agriculture or pastureland) and small villages, in the evening you'll sleep on a luxury barge. Cruise through canals and pedal along bike paths between the world famous cities of Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges. Visit iconic places like Gouda (pronounced Gowda) and taste its famous cheese. Pedal past the famous windmills of Kinderdijk and delve deep into local culture when we meet local cheese farmers and visit a working windmill.
* We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the private room charge. This charge will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available it will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.
** For information about what your tour status means please see our FAQ page.
9 days, 8 nights (1 hotel night in Amsterdam, 7 nights aboard our luxury barge); meals as noted in itinerary; windmill visit; guided canal cruise of Ghent; guided visits in Antwerp and Bruges
Keep in Mind: We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
There are only 4 single supplements available. Cabin space is limited so consider the size of your luggage. A 25 inch suitcase will fit under the bed. WiFi may be sporadic onboard the barge.
For more questions about the Barge check out our Bike & Boat FAQ
Includes
9 days, 8 nights (1 hotel night in Amsterdam, 7 nights aboard our luxury barge); meals as noted in itinerary, including 7 packed lunches; windmill visit; 1 beer tasting; guided canal cruise of Ghent; guided visits in Antwerp and Bruges; and the usual (see below).
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Bike and Boat tour at the Bike and Boat Tour Style page.
Highlights: Amsterdam, bike fitting and test ride, welcome dinner
Welcome to the vibrant capital city of Holland, Amsterdam! We hope you arrived a few days early to visit some of the highlights of this colorful city — between its museums, canals, hip locales and lively night scene there is plenty to explore. Settle into our hotel where we’ll have our safety meeting and bike fitting followed by our first spin on the bikes before a special dinner together.
Highlights: Forts of Muiderslot and Weesp, town of Muiden, Bruekelen, dinner on board
Follow bike paths out of Amsterdam and head into the region of the Hollandic Waterline, a defense system born in the 17th Century where castles and military forts with integrated systems of flooding could be used to turn Holland into an island to keep out invaders. A century later the water froze creating a bridge for the French army to attack. This plan has left several imposing forts including Muiderslot and Weesp which we'll cycle past today. Enjoy local farmland and beautiful canals flanked by charming villas. We’ll pedal through Breukelen, the namesake of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Later, we'll cruise toward our landing spot for the night and enjoy dinner on-board.
2023 Barges: the May 6th departure is on the Fleur, the July 14th departure is on the Zwaantje.
2024 Barges: May 4th departure is on the Fleur, the July 12th departure is on the Fiep.
DAY 3: Bike to town of Gouda and Kinderdijk windmills
Highlights: Schoonhoven - famous for its silversmiths, Gouda cheese museum and tasting, UNESCO World Heritage Kinderdijk windmills
This morning our barge will cruise for a few hours to reach the town of Schoonhoven, famous for its silversmiths and carillon makers. Bicycle through town and check out the town hall’s clock-tower bells before heading to Gouda, famous for its orange cheese. Enjoy a visit to the town’s cheese museum, and pick-up some picnic supplies (cheese anyone?) to enjoy at your next stop: the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk. Here 19 majestic windmills are aligned to form a stunning sight. After exploring we'll keep pedaling south to rejoin our boat in Dordrecht. Enjoy dinner on-board and perhaps a leisurely walk in town to enjoy the center.
Highlights: Willemstad, a do-it-yourself-moving-bridge; picnic lunch; Roosevelt heritage museum; Tholen; working windmill visit
Another breakfast cruise takes us to Willemstad, a strikingly star shaped fortified town on the shores where the Holland Diep river splits into multiple rivers as it rushes out to sea. Experience the do-it-yourself-moving-bridge before reaching the town of Oud Vossemeer, where the Roosevelt name was very present in the 17th and 18th centuries (and still is), leading many to theorize that the American Roosevelt family whose Dutch ancestor arrived in the US in 1650 was probably from this town. Next we'll pedal south to Tholen which was once an island in this giant estuary-like environment, but is now connected to the mainland. We’ll enjoy a visit to a working windmill during our ride.
Highlights: Cruise into Antwerp; visit "Onze Lieve Vrouwe (Our Lady) Cathedral" home to several of Rubens' paintings
Set off on bikes for a delightful morning ride! We’ll get back to the boat before lunch to cruise into Antwerp, enjoying a unique view of the port and harbor as our barge makes its way to the city of diamonds. We’ll enjoy a guided visit of Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens' art in the city’s Cathedral. After which you can head off to visit the rest of the city, including the historic city center, the diamond district, or the Red Star Line Museum from where 2 million emigrants shipped off to North America between 1873 and 1934. Explore the city and enjoy dinner on your own this evening before returning to our boat for a restful night’s sleep.
Highlights: Schelde riverbank bike path; Sint Amands; Bosteels Brewery
We’ll leave the city of Antwerp and return to the countryside cycling on small roads and along the Schelde river bike path. We’ve arranged a special visit of a 200 year-old brewery, family-run now by the 7th generation. We will continue pedaling along the tidal river until we reach the quaint town of Sint Amands.
Highlights: Bicycle beside stately villas; Ghent's rich historic center
This morning we will continue to cycle along the river before branching north through historic marshes. These marshes are where sheep production thrived due to the nutritious grasses. Subsequently, Ghent became one of the richest cities in the world during the Middle Ages because of its woolen industry. A bike path along the Schelde river brings us to our boat, which we’ll board for lunch as it cruises closer to the city center. While we are docked in a suburb, we’ll transfer into the historical center for a visit. This lively university city is still one of the prettiest cities in Belgium. Admire its traditional, tall Flemish buildings towering over the small streets and plazas. Enjoy dinner on your own in one of the many restaurants or cafés.
Highlights: Breakfast cruise, Bruges, UNESCO World Heritage Site Medieval City Center
Start the day with a short breakfast cruise before setting off on your bicycle to ride into the crown jewel of Belgium, Bruges. We'll be moored in the city center, providing excellent access to Bruges's many treasures. Stroll along the canals that were once main arteries of the city and don't miss a visit to the medieval square and City Hall. This city is characterized by its fantastic architecture. Bruges is bustling with additional sites to see including the stepped gable houses, market square with the belfort, and historic neighborhoods such as the "Beguinage", a community of lay women from the 13th century to visit. We’ll enjoy dinner together on board our boat tonight.
Enjoy a guided walk of Bruges this morning before heading off on your own. We recommend that you spend a few more days enjoying Bruges's many sites and museums including a chocolate, diamond, and Belgian fry museum. Enjoy!
Meeting time 2 p.m. - on Day 1, meet your fellow cyclists and Tour Leaders at the Day 1 Hotel specified on the itinerary.
The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.
We recommend flying into Amsterdam (AMS).
How to get to the Day 1 Hotel:
Taxi from the airport to the Day 1 Hotel (40 min/EUR 60-75)
Or public transportation:
Commuter Train from the airport to "Amsterdam Centraal" (15 min/EUR 4-5)
Taxi from the Station to the Day 1 Hotel (10-15 min/EUR 15)
View Dutch train schedules at
www.ns.nl or
trainline.eu. On commuter-type and regional trains, pre-booking of tickets is not necessary.
Note:
As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are - in rare cases - subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.
Day 9: Departure Information
End of our bike and barge tour
Tour ends with a guided walk of Bruges at 11:30 a.m. at the below location:
We recommend you book your homebound flight for the next day.
If you'd like to spend more time in Bruges after the tour end, you may book your preferred arrangement directly with the above hotel, where our walking tour ends. You may also want to take a look at our other hotel recommendations here.
The below information will help you plan your departure. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio.
We recommend flying out of Brussels (BRU).
Bus to Brugge/Bruges train station (15 min, every 3-5 min/EUR 2), or taxi (10 min/EUR 13)
Train from Bruges to Brussels Airport (1.5 hours/fares vary)
View Belgian train schedules at belgianrail.be or Trainline.eu. On commuter-type and regional trains, reservations are not necessary.
Keep in Mind
We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
There are only 4 single supplements available. Cabin space is limited so consider the size of your luggage. A 25 inch suitcase will fit under the bed. WiFi may be sporadic onboard the barge.
For more questions about the Barge check out our Bike & Boat FAQ
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
To do right after you booked!
Read through your Reservation Confirmation and After you Book Information (link sent to you by e-mail), it has important information to help you plan your trip!
Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your home country.
Refer to your Tour Packet/Itinerary to see step-by-step arrival and departure information for your tour, meeting place and time, if a reservation on a complimentary ExperiencePlus! Shuttle (if applicable) is required, and other important information to help you plan your arrival and departure.
Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed.
Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights.
Begin your chosen training program.
Final payment is due 90 days (120 days for Bike &Barge/Boat tours) prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail we send 10 days prior to the due date for detailed instructions.
We'll email you your access code to Digital Daysheets, Hotel Itinerary, Participant Roster, names and contact information of your Tour Leaders, emergency phone numbers, and other important departure information about 2 weeks prior to your tour start date. All this will be provided to you via a feature called Experiences via the RideWithGPS App (tracks available but not necessary for navigation on Classic, Expedition and Bike & Boat tours).
Day of Your Flight
Get as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your one day of cycling gear in your carry-on. See you soon!
What to Expect on Tour
Bike and Boat Tour Style
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Bike and Boat tour at the Bike and Boat page.
Totally delightful experience. Scenic easy biking through beautiful and varied environments, extremely interesting guided tours, relaxing comfortable barge with great food and great people!
Starr and Phil T., Fort Collins, CO - July 2019
Great boat. Beautiful scenery. Great food. Good company (guests and tour leaders).
Jenny B., Beaconsfield, NSW - July 2019
This was a great trip - really well-organized, beautiful rides, great activities, good food.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Rolling hills
Hilly
Very hilly
Mountainous
Bike and Barge: Amsterdam to Bruges Plus! Belgium's Breweries
