
Holiday Highlights
- Staying on board a charming Dutch Barge
- Cycling through beautiful Flemish cities
- Enjoying leisurely evening meals, with a friendly mix of nationalities
- Viewing the impressive 17th century windmills at Kinderdijk
- Exploring the birthplace of famous Flemish artist Rubens
- Marvelling at the illuminated streets of Ghent
I felt it would be a wonderful experience, but it turned out to be better than I could hope for. First rate in every way. The pre holiday service by Skedaddle was also excellent, any questions I had were always answered promptly and professionally!
Itinerary
- Meals: Dinner
Today you will arrive into Bruges and make your way to your barge for 13.00 to board (boarding between 13:00 and 14:00). After a welcome meeting with the crew at 14:00, there’ll be time for a bike fitting and a short test ride through the countryside surrounding Bruges. After dinner your guide will take you for a short walk through the centre of Bruges.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We’ll start our day today on the water as the barge leaves Bruges early in the morning. Just outside the city, our first bike tour through the flat lands of West-Flanders, to Ghent, begins. Our destination today is the historical centre of Ghent, which you can explore during an afternoon stroll; the town centre features lovely illuminated streets which are simply unmissable! The barge is docked in Merelbeke (a small suburb), which is just a 30 minute cycle from Ghent city centre.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today, the barge will sail over the River Schelde to Dendermonde, a nice town on the confluence of the River Dender and Schelde. We’ll cycle the route, that leads us along one of the most beautiful parts of the River Schelde as we follow this beautiful tidal river downstream. Depending on high or low tide, the speed of the barge may vary, therefore, the skipper will discuss the departure time with you for today’s tour. In the afternoon, we will travel from Dendermonde to St. Amands, either by barge or bike, depending on the tides.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Today we will follow the River Schelde further downstream over Baasrode and Temse to Antwerp. There is a beautiful cycling track along the river and the scenery is magnificent! Antwerp is well known as a major sea port and the city where the famous painter Rubens was born. If you‘re an art lover, you should take some time to visit the cathedral where you can admire his paintings. Antwerp is also famous for handling up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today the barge will sail along the Schelde-Rhine Canal, over the huge Kreekrak lock system. Here your bicycle tour starts through the beautiful Wouwse Plantage forest to Tholen, a former fishing village amidst the large streams of the province of Zeeland. From Tholen you will join the ship again for a nice afternoon sail to the city of Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities of the Netherlands. The guide will take you for an evening walk and tell you about the history of the
Netherlands.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today the Waterbus, a fast ferry, will bring you and your bike to Alblasserdam, from where you cycle to Kinderdijk, the most famous windmills in the Netherlands with 19 UNESCO cultural heritage-listed windmills in a row (don’t forget your camera!). The windmills were constructed in the 18th century to pump water out of the low Alblasserwaard polder; here you can visit one of the windmills to get a real insight into times gone by. We’ll then cycle via the Silver City of Schoonhoven to Vianen, a tranquil, fortified town on the River Lek, where we will spend the night.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We’ll start our day with a gentle cruise to Breukelen, where we will disembark and start our final day of cycling along the Vecht River. Today we’ll be biking through an area well known for its beautiful mansions, small castles and grand houses with large gardens and parks. We’ll ride through the small villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen and Vreeland to Nigtevecht, where we can visit a traditional cheese farm. We continue through Muiden to finally reach our destination; Amsterdam!
- Meals: Breakfast
Today it’s time to say goodbye to our floating home, as we disembark the barge and depart after breakfast, by 09:30am.
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
The route follows mostly flat terrain along quiet roads and cycle paths. Around 50% of the route is shared with traffic, and 50% is on cycle paths where you’ll be separated from motor vehicles. If any of the days are too long, or you would just like to put your feet up for a day, there is the option to stay on board the barge during the day. Due to the leisurely nature of the tour we do recommend a hybrid bike, however as the majority of the route sticks to tarmac the route is suitable for road bikes. (There may however be short sections on cobbles or hard-packed gravel or dirt roads where you may have to take extra care).

Leisure Cycling Grade
Distances generally between 15-30 miles / 24-48 kms per day
For those looking for an easy-going route
Mainly on the flat
Some undulations and the odd cheeky challenge
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
Maybe you have recently got into cycling and would like to do more over consecutive days, or maybe you‘re looking for a more energetic alternative to your usual holiday? If you‘re looking for an opportunity to try some quiet roads, cycle paths or some accessible, cycle friendly routes these holidays might be for you. You’ll come across some gently undulating terrain and the odd cheeky challenge, so we’d generally expect those on a Grade 2 holiday to ride their bikes relatively frequently at home, perhaps commuting to work or heading out for some leisurely rides at the weekend.
Dates & Prices

Private Departures
Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.
Whats Included 
A) Barge accommodation (shared twin / double en suite cabins)
B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Packed Lunch, D=Dinner)
C) English speaking local leader
D) Daily route information (1 set per cabin)
E) Linen and towels provided
F) Coffee and tea on board the boat
G) Entrance into the cathedral Antwerp
H) Canal trip through Ghent
I) Visit Kinderdijk mills
What's not Included 
A) Bike hire (available if required)
B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
C) Single cabin (available if required)
D) Travel insurance
E) Personal clothing and equipment
F) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)
G) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route
H) Ferry fares
I) Travel to barge on arrival day
J) Travel from barge on departure day
K) Meals not included on the itinerary
The Essentials
News, Reviews & Stories
Reviews
Rick, North Vancouver, CanadaMemories made that will last forever...I felt it would be a wonderful experience, but it turned out to be better than I could hope for. First rate in every way. Wonderful crew, barge, cycling and the group I shared it with. I could not ask for more!! The Magnifique was so beautiful to behold. It holds about 30 and that is ideal. The cabins were very good, too.
The pre holiday service by Skedaddle was excellent, any questions I had were always answered promptly and professionally!
I just can’t say enough about the Tour. Everyday was special. And each just got better and better. I am looking forward to doing more in the future. I smile at the memories and they will stay with me forever.
Patricia, USAExcellent holiday and service from Skedaddle...The Magnifigue ll was far beyond my expectations. We got the delux accommodations and were super pleased. The boat was spotless, always, and the staff was superb. Coffee always available and lovely snacks when we arrived back after a day of biking. The last 2 days in Holland were perfect, lovely countryside, and great stop at a cheese farm.