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
Embarkation time in Bruges is between 13.00 and 14.00. After a welcome meeting with the crew at 14.00 there is time for bike fitting and a short test-ride through the countryside around Bruges. After dinner your guide will take you for a short walk through the center of town.
We recommend coming to Bruges for a few extra days before the tour starts, so you have plenty of time to really explore this UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical city, aptly named the “Pearl of Flanders”. While you‘re here, make sure you visit one of Bruges’ many museums or simply take in the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city from the comfort of a sidewalk café.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
You will start your first day of cycling pedaling towards Ghent through the beautiful Flemish landscape along the Ghent canal. On arrival in Ghent make sure you take some time to discover the best of what this historical city has to offer during an afternoon stroll. Ghent’s medieval center features lovely illuminated streets that are a must to explore, while the architectural richness in the center of the city has to be seen to be believed. During the Middle Ages Ghent was the 2nd largest European city, after Paris.
The ship will dock for the night at a lock, in a suburb of Ghent and approx. 30 cycling minutes from the city center. Before dinner a small canal boat will take you for a guided tour through the historic city.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast in Ghent you will cycle downstream through a diverse landscape along the tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde, located at the confluence of the Dender and Schelde rivers. There is only one way to describe the landscape along the Schelde and that is; magnificent. It is without doubt one of the natural highlights of the tour.
During this section of the Schelde the speed of the ship will be determined by the height of the tide. You will travel from Dendermonde to St. Amands by either bicycle or barge depending on the tides. Your floating hotel will be docked for the night in St. Amands.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Today we will follow the Schelde river further downstream through the Temse region to Antwerp. Over the centuries the Schelde river has held strategic importance for the Romans, Vikings, Spanish and Napoleon. Today it is a beautiful waterway just perfect for bike and barge holidays!
Antwerp, your destination for the day, is a harbor city famous for handling up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds and as the birthplace of the famous painter Sir Peter Paul Rubens. There are many highlights in the city to discover 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. Dinner will be in town in a restaurant of your choice (recommendations available on board).

- 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 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

Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit
Book your trip with a deposit of $375 per person until 90 days before departure.
Whats Included 
A) Barge accommodation (shared twin / double en suite cabins)
B) Linen and towels provided
C) Daily cabin cleaning
D) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L= Packed Lunch, D=Dinner)
E) English speaking local leader
F) Fully guided cycling tours and some short walking tours
G) Daily briefings
H) Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin) and / or GPX files (on request)
I) Coffee and tea on board
J) Fees for ferries / waterbus
K) Entrance Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp
L) Financial Protection through ABTOT
What's not Included 
A) Bike rental (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

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.
The Essentials
News, Reviews & Stories
Reviews
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.
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.