
Highlights
- Staying on board a charming Dutch Barge
- Cycling through beautiful Flemish cities
- Enjoying a leisurely evening meal, with a friendly mix of nationalities
- Viewing the impressive 17th century windmills at Kinderdijk
- Discovering the birthplace of the legendary Flemish artist Rubens
- Marvelling at the illuminated city centre of Ghent
Would absolutely recommend Skedaddle – service and product were excellent. I loved this vacation. I saw areas of Netherlands and Belgium that the average traveler would never see.
Itinerary
- Meals: Dinner
Today you will arrive in Amsterdam and make your way to your barge for 13.00 for boarding. Around 14.00 the barge will sail to Vianen, a charming fortified town on the River Lek, where the barge will spend the night. Here the bicycles will be distributed and there may be an option of a short bike ride to warm our legs up before our cycling journey. We’ll then enjoy a delicious evening meal, while we get to know the rest of the group.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We’ll start the day cycling via Shoonhoven, known as the Silver City due to it’s reputation for talented silversmiths since the 17th Century, to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk and its impressive row of 19 windmills. Make sure you have your camera handy! We’ll take the waterbus (a fast ferry) from Alblasserdam, that will take you and your bike to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland, where we’ll jump back onboard the barge for the night.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We’ll start today with a relaxing sail to Tholen during breakfast, before cycling through the forested area known as the Wouwse Plantage. After the impressive Kreekrak lock we’ll rejoin the barge and sail through the famous port of Antwerp into the city. Antwerp is known as the diamond city and is also the native city of the painter Rubens. Some of Rubens’ paintings are displayed in the city’s cathedral. After dinner there’s time to explore the beautiful city centre.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, we’ll cycle out of the port following the beautiful, yet capricious, tidal river upstream to Dendermonde, soaking up the magnificent landscape around Schelde. The barge will be waiting for you in Dendermonde, where you’ll stay for the night.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today we will cycle by the River Schelde in the direction of Ghent, a lively university city, with a rich past. In the afternoon you will have time to explore the city, making sure you see the illuminated city centre! The city of Ghent was founded in Roman times and is located on the confluence of the River Leie and Schelde. The convenient location of the rivers brought much prosperity, particularly in the late 13th and early 14th century, making the city very interesting to explore. Tonight the barge will dock in a suburb of Ghent.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We’ll leave the city and cycle through the pleasant countryside of Western Flanders to Bruges, known as the Venice of the North. One of the most beautiful Flemish cities, Bruges’ old town dates back to the middle ages and is completely intact; it is also a UNESCO World Heritage listed town centre.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We’ll cycle out of Bruges, along a quiet canal lined with poplar, through attractive polder landscape littered with small farm houses to the North Sea Coast. Here you’ll find a 12 Km long sandy beach, with numerous cafes. You can also explore the attractive dune landscape of Het Zwin, a unique nature reserve, before heading back to Bruges.
- Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast it’s time to say goodbye to the crew and your fellow travellers, before starting your journey home. Disembarkation is 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 vacation? If you’re looking for an opportunity to try some quiet roads, cycle paths or some accessible, cycle friendly routes these trips 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 trip to ride their bikes relatively frequently at home, perhaps commuting to work or heading out for some leisurely rides at the weekend.
The barge accommodations were exceptional in our opinion. This is travelling in style with ample meals and wonderful four course dinners often served while the barge was travelling down scenic canals. And the entire crew was helpful and attentive.
Dates & Prices
Late Availability
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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
E) Linen and towels provided
F) Coffee and tea on board the boat (until 16.00)
G) Daily route information (1 set per cabin)
H) Ferry fares
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) Travel to barge on arrival day
I) Travel from barge on departure day
The Essentials
News, Reviews & Stories
Reviews
Bill & Lennie, USAThis is travelling in styleThe barge accommodations were exceptional in our opinion. This is travelling in style with ample meals and wonderful four course dinners often served while the barge was travelling down scenic canals. And the entire crew was helpful and attentive.
Lisa, CanadaI loved this vacation.Would absolutely recommend Skedaddle – service and product were excellent. I loved this vacation. I saw areas of Netherlands and Belgium that the average traveler would never see. The bike and barge was a prefect mix – cycle all day and relax on a nice river cruise ship at night. There were many extras i was not expected like the evening walking tours that made the experience just that much better.
The Guardian (June, 2019), 10 of the best easy cycling holidays in EuropeAs seen in the press...The Netherlands is paradise for cyclists: almost completely flat, with courteous drivers and segregated cycle paths everywhere. Cycling from Amsterdam across the border to Bruges, in equally bicycle-friendly Belgium, is perfectly possible in a week, but the distances are a little challenging: the first day’s ride, from Amsterdam to Gouda, is 80km. Another possibility is an organised bike and barge trip, sailing some of the way and cycling the rest, and eating and sleeping on board. A typical itinerary would involve rides of about 40km a day, spending nights in Dordrecht, Antwerp, Dendermonde and Ghent. From Bruges, there is a 37km loop to the beaches of the North Sea coast. And if it all gets too much, there is the option to skip a day’s cycling and stay on the barge.
Italia, Ontario, CanadaVery EnjoyableAll six days had interesting and varied points of interest along the way. Our guide, Tom, made us feel very safe. We appreciated his relaxed attitude, his knowledgeable and interesting comments on the culture and places we visited
Sandra, Kent, UKSo photogenicReally enjoyed the cycling over the various islands on the coast and the picturesque towns of Willemstad, Zierikzee, and Middelburg. Fantastic tasty meals, excellent care for my vegetarian requirements.
The Mirror (May 2016)As seen in the press...This gently paced route is great for less experienced cyclists and is led by a tour guide. During the week-long trip you will stay on a traditional Dutch barge, starting in Amsterdam and stopping at Antwerp, Ghent and Dordrecht before arriving in Bruges.