
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
Itinerary
- Meals: Dinner
Today you will arrive in Amsterdam and make your way to your barge for 13.00 to board. 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 will be an option of a short bike ride, to warm our legs up. We’ll then enjoy a delicious evening meal as we get to know the people in the group.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We’ll start the day cycling via Schoonhoven, 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! From nearby Alblasserdam we’ll take our bikes aboard the ‘Waterbus‘, a fast ferry, for approx. 10 minutes, until we reach the historic town of Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
During your breakfast, enjoy a relaxing sail to Willemstad where you will start your day’s cycling. Willemstad is a beautiful old fortified town on the Haringvliet waterway. Your bicycle ride takes you to Tholen, once an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams, where many people fished for their living. Nowadays Tholen is connected to the mainland in various ways, but it is still a picturesque village with many relics of an eventful past.
In the afternoon you will once again board the ship which will sail to the port city of Antwerp, situated on the river Schelde. Antwerp is famous for handling up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds and is a city with a long list of attractions including: the City Hall, one of several majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical City Square Grote Market, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle. After dinner you can visit the beautiful old city center.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, we’ll cycle out of the port following the beautiful, yet capricious, tidal river upstream to St. Amands, soaking up the magnificent landscape around Schelde. It is without a doubt one of the natural highlights of the trip. The barge will be waiting for you in St. Amands, where you’ll stay for the night.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today you will continue to follow the river Schelde to Ghent where the ship will moor for the night. Ghent is a lively university city that boasts a rich history. Since Roman times Ghent’s position at the junction of Leie and Schelde Rivers has ensured that it has been a successful trading port. The city features an Opera House, 18 museums, more than 100 churches and over 400 historical buildings. Major attractions are St. Bavo Cathedral where a number of masterpieces of medieval art including the world famous ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by Jan van Eyck are kept, and the 91-metre-tall belfry of Ghent is one of three medieval towers that overlook the old city center.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
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.
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
E) Linen and towels provided
F) Coffee and tea on board the boat
G) Daily route information (1 set per cabin)
H) Ferry fares
I) Canal trip through Ghent
J) Entrance to Cathedral Antwerp
K) Visit to 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) Travel to barge on arrival day
I) Travel from barge on departure day
J) Meals not included on the itinerary
The Essentials
News, Reviews & Stories
Reviews
Ian, Glasgow, UKExcellent...The crew on board the barge and the guides were exceptionally able, friendly and helpful. The bikes hired were also excellent and any small adjustments were quickly and ably dealt with. Overall, an excellent holiday.