Bruges to Amsterdam Bike & Boat

Bruges to Amsterdam Bike & Boat (Premium) - Magnifique III

8 Days & 7 Nights 5 Read 10 reviews

Cycling on easy and flat paths alongside peaceful canals and winding rivers
Experiencing some of most beautiful cities in northern Europe, such as Amsterdam, Bruges and Antwerp
Encountering the incredible sight of the 19 windmills in Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Creating camaraderie with the multinational guests on board your boat
The freedom to relax and travel aboard your boat, while others cycle

Cycle and sail through Belgium and Holland to the historical cities of Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Amsterdam. Follow flat paths in traditional landscapes of small winding rivers and canals, polders, dykes and windmills, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk. Enjoy 7 nights aboard your “floating hotel” which is docked every night in interesting towns and cities. During the day you have the freedom to cycle through charming Belgian and Dutch countryside, or you can simply relax and cruise on the boat. After embarkation in the beautiful city of Bruges, also called the “Pearl of Flanders”, the boat makes its way Ghent, a lively university city. Next sail and cycle to Antwerp, home of Rubens and then on through the Kreekrak locks and to the province of Zeeland and the fortified town of Willemstad. The tours then brings you to Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities in Holland and to the Kinderdijk windmills and past beautiful mansions and small houses on the Lek River. Arrive in Amsterdam, your final destination.

Read All

What To Expect

This trip is graded easy to moderate and is well-suited to those who like to have the choice of joining a daily guided ride or cycle independently. Ride along canals, rivers and through the iconic sights of Holland and Belgium. At the end of each cycling day re-join your premium barge and enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow cyclist over a 3-course dinner.

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent active holiday.

Activity:

Bike and Boat | A combination of cycling and cruising or sailing, your overnight accommodation will be on boat or barge style accommodation.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families, Mixed Abilities, First Timers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveller this holiday would be suitable for is: 10 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Historical Journeys

Inspiration:

Most Popular
Classic

Grade & Terrain

Although almost completely flat this cycle tour is graded easy to moderate as the daily distance ranges between approximately 15-50 km. You will be biking mostly on the dedicated cycle paths alongside canals, rivers and through the iconic cities and towns of the region. This tour is well-suited to those who have never taken a cycling holiday before as it is flat and predominantly traffic-free and you also have the option of skipping the cycling and relaxing on board.

Navigation

The route is waymarked throughout and upon arrival on your boat you will be supplied with printed instructions and detailed maps for each daily bike tour. There is also an onboard multi-lingual tour leader who will give daily briefings of the cycle tours and who will also cycle the daily route should you wish to join him/her. This person can also be reached by mobile/cell phone should there be a breakdown or emergency.

Accommodation Information

You will spend each night on the MS Magnifique III in your comfortable cabin. Your boat is always docked at night and only sails during the day.

MS Magnifique III

The Magnifique III is a premium ship with a total of 21 cabins accommodating a maximum of 40 guests. The upper deck has 5 spacious suites (16 m²) with two separate single beds, a small sitting area and a “French Balcony”. The lower deck has 14 twin cabins (12 m²) with two separate single beds and there are also 2 single cabins (9 m² ).

All cabins have en-suite facilities with a shower, toilet and basin. The cabins on the lower deck have portholes (fixed for safety reasons), upper deck suites have sliding glass doors that can be partly opened. The air conditioning in all cabins can be individually regulated. Furthermore, you will find a flat-screen satellite TV, a mini-safe and a hairdryer in each cabin.

The power supply is standard European wall sockets. Should you require to recharge electronic items please bring appropriate adaptors. When there isn’t a mooring electrical supply, electricity on the boat is powered by a generator and therefore to enjoy a peaceful night on the boat, the generator will be turned off overnight.

Important: On prior request, the beds in most twin cabins and in all of the suite cabins, can be set together as a double bed. An additional bed is available in some twin cabins (and in one of the suites) for children up to age 16 (as a fold away bunk bed, above one of the other beds).

Upper Deck

On the upper deck, there is a tastefully furnished lounge with restaurant, a beautiful bar, a sitting area with cosy corners, a widescreen TV and large windows. Wi-Fi is available although connection speeds may vary. On the top deck, the barge has a whirlpool/Jacuzzi and some deckchairs to relax and enjoy the scenery while cruising.

Single Cabins and Solo Cyclists

Single cabins are available although a supplement is payable.

Meals

All meals onboard are included. Breakfast usually consists of fruits, granola, yoghurt, bread, cheeses, and meats. There are also extra cheeses, meats, bread and snacks to make yourself a picnic lunch each day. In the evenings, return to the comfort of your boat and enjoy a 3-course dinner with your fellow cyclists. Dietary requirements will be catered for where possible, please let us know at the time of booking if you have any dietary requirements. Some special or unusual dietary requests may incur a surcharge.

Included

7 x Overnight in a standard cabin
All meals included
Welcome drink and meeting on the first evening
Bike rental (modern 7-speed-hybrid bike with pedal brakes and panniers)
Daily briefing of the bike routes
Optional daily guided rides
24/7 local partner and UK telephone support

Excluded

Travel to Bruges / from Amsterdam
Fees for excursions or entrances
Snacks & drinks
Gratuities
Travel insurance

Extras

Additional nights in Amsterdam
Additional nights in Bruges
Electric bike hire (as a 7-speed bike is included this will just be a supplement)

When To Go

You can start your Amsterdam to Bruges to Bike & Boat tour on selected days between April and September. Prices vary depending on the boat, cabin and on the season.

Please note that these boats also operate in reverse from Amsterdam to Bruges and these departures are also on selected days between April and September. This Bike & Boat tour can be enjoyed from the spring right through to the autumn. Spring will be beautiful because all the tulips will be in bloom, but this is also the most popular time, so it is important to book early if you are thinking of going in April or early May.

Getting to the Start

Bruges is easily accessed by flights from Brussels Airport. Take a 90 minute train ride with Belgian Railways from the airport into the centre of Bruges. It is also possible fly into Antwerp Airport with a 1h25 train ride to Bruges.

By Train -There are also excellent rail links from all over Europe from Brussels and Bruges. Visit the Belgian Railways website to check train times and book tickets from Bruges to other European destinations.

Getting from the End

By Air - Amsterdam Schiphol Airport just outside Amsterdam, is a major European airport and is served by direct flights from most major UK and European airports as well as international destinations.

By Train - Amsterdam is linked with London, either via Paris or Brussels (around 5 hours) by high speed train. Visit Rail Europe for prices and booking.

By Ferry/Car - Ferries from the UK to Holland run from Harwich to the Hook of Holland, Hull to Rotterdam and Newcastle to Amsterdam. Direct Ferries lists prices and schedules.

Equipment

Bike Rental

The bikes onboard are 7-gear unisex hybrid bikes with pedal brakes and are included in the cost of your trip. There are also E-bikes available upon request (at a supplement). All rental bikes are equipped with a pannier (saddlebag). We strongly recommend that you bring your own helmet. There are a number of helmets that have been left on board but we cannot guarantee the fit or availability. Therefore we strongly advise you bring your own helmet.

Due to very restricted space on board, there is limited availability to bring your own bike – please check with us at the time of booking.

How fit do I need to be?

Which is the best airport to fly to?

How far in advance do I need to book?

What personal equipment do I need?

What happens if I can't cycle a stage?