From Bruges to Amsterdam (or vice-versa), the capital of the Netherlands, this trip will introduce you to two beautiful countries at the speed of your bike. Passing through the Belgian pearls of Gent/Gand and Antwerp on the Schelde River, you’ll experience the Flemish landscape with its windmills and farms. You’ll also have the chance to visit Kinderdijk, the UNESCO cultural heritage site with 19 windmills in a row.

This 7-day, 283 km tour takes place on well-groomed, flat roads. The route is considered easy, although it can be windy. If you wish, you can also extend the route on days 3, 4 and 5. For a total of 320km. At the end of the day, you can relax on the Magnifique III, a new boat fitted out for this type of tour.

Itinerary*

For reasons of organization, weather conditions or arrangements made by local authorities.

* The itinerary may be subject to change before and/or during the vacation.

D1: Bruges (11km)

Boarding time in Bruges is between 1pm and 2pm. After a welcome meeting with the crew at 2pm, it’s time to adjust to the bike and take a short tour of the countryside around Bruges. After lunch, the guide will take you for a short ride through the city center.

Discover the historic city of Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and aptly named the “Pearl of Flanders”. Visit one of Bruges’ many museums, or simply admire the astonishing beauty and culture of this unforgettable city from the comfort of a terrace café.

D2: Bruges – Gent/Gand (55 km)

Today, your day begins on the water, and the barge will leave Bruges early. Just outside the city, you start cycling through the flat country of West Flanders to the historic center of Gent/Ghent. Enjoy the beautiful Gent/Ghent area on an afternoon stroll. The barge is moored in Merelbeke (a small suburb of Gent/Ghent).

D3: Gent/Ghent – Dendermonde / St-Amands (40/55 km)

Today, the barge sails along the Schelde River to Dendermonde, a beautiful town at the junction of the Dender and Schelde rivers. The bike tour takes you along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Schelde, a tidal river. You’ll follow this beautiful tidal river downstream. The skipper will discuss with you the departure time of today’s tour. Overnight in St-Amands.

D4: St-Amands / Dendermonde – Antwerp (47/59 km)

Today, we’ll follow the Schelde river further downstream over Baasrode and Temse to Antwerp. There’s a lovely cycle path along the river and the scenery is magnificent. Antwerp is well known as a major seaport, one of the most important in the world, and the birthplace of the famous painter Rubens.

D5: Antwerp – Dordrecht (35/45 km)

The barge crosses the Schelde-Rhine canal, via the huge Kreekrak locks to Tholen, an old fishing village in the middle of the great rivers of the province of Zeeland. From Tholen, you’ll cruise along the impressive Volkerak lock to the fortified town of Willemstad, before arriving in Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Today, the skipper will discuss with you which part of the tour will be done by barge or by bike.

D6: Dordrecht – Vianen (50 km)

Today, the barge will take you to Kinderdijk, the most famous windmill in the Netherlands with 19 windmills (don’t forget your camera!). The windmills were built in the 18th century to pump water from the lower Alblasserwaard polder.
You can visit one of the windmills. Then cycle through the town of Schoonhoven to Vianen, a small fortified town on the River Lek. In the evening, you can explore the town.

D7: Vianen – Amsterdam (45 km)

First, the boat goes to Breukelen, where you disembark and begin your bike tour. Stroll along the small river Vecht. This region is famous for its beautiful manor houses, small castles and houses with large gardens and parks. Then the small villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen and Vreeland to Nigtevecht, where you can visit a traditional cheese farm. Continue on to Abcoude and Ouderkerk on the Amstel River to reach Amsterdam. You’ll meet your barge in Amsterdam harbor.

D8: Amsterdam

After breakfast, your tour ends and you disembark at 10:00 am.
If you wish, you can visit Amsterdam or one of its many museums, go shopping or take a canal tour (not included).

Itinerary

The Moselle and Saar valleys in Germany are the most popular cycling destinations in Europe. On a bike cruise, you can discover and experience it all.
In a nutshell, this is a “breathtaking” region, characterized by enchanting countryside, fairytale castles, award-winning vineyards on incredibly steep slopes and historic medieval towns and villages.

The Rhine’s peaceful little sisters, the Moselle and Saar, meander from one picturesque village to the next, offering unrivalled views of hilltop castles, stone-clad fortresses, perfect vineyards and much more. On a daily basis, as you cycle through this magical region, you’ll visit towns rich in culture, soak up unspoilt nature and meet local winemakers and bottlers. What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to relive the region’s rich history. This is definitely a bike cruise not to be missed! The cycle paths along the banks of the Moselle and Sarre rivers are either asphalted or paved, with no major gradients.

The Moselle, 544 km long, is the longest tributary of the Rhine and Germany’s second longest waterway, while the Saar, 246 km long, is the longest tributary of the Moselle. The history of the region on the banks of the Moselle and Saar rivers dates back to Roman times, some 2,000 years ago. Guests on a bike cruise have plenty to see: vineyards, beautiful half-timbered houses dating back to medieval times, Trier’s Porta Nigra, which dates back to Roman times and is Germany’s oldest defensive structure, and the “German Corner”, at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers in Koblenz and Saarbrücken, often referred to as “Little Venice”. These are just a few of the highlights of this memorable trip.

D1: Metz

Boarding and check-in take place at 2 p.m. in Metz. After a welcome meeting with the team, you’ll have time to adjust your bike and take a short test ride. After lunch, your guide will take you for a ride around Metz. Metz is a beautiful old town strategically located on a Roman trade route. The Cathedral of St. Etienne is France’s third-largest Gothic church, with its flying buttresses and stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall. Metz is full of stunning architecture, flowers and cafés.

We advise you to come to Metz one or more days earlier, to allow time to discover this interesting city.

D2: Metz – Remich (41 km/26 mi. or 49 km/31 mi.)

After breakfast, you’ll set off in the direction of Thionville. Your bike tour begins near this town.

Thionville was once the center of the French steel industry. It may look modern and industrial, but the town is ancient. The historic center features medieval ramparts, pretty gardens, old streets and the Basilica of Saint-Maximin. The route is pleasant, through the French countryside and pleasant villages. You pass the fortress of Sierck-les-Bains, one of the palaces inhabited by the powerful Dukes of Lorraine.

Through the Moselle valley, you cross the Franco-Luxembourg border at Schengen. Everyone in Europe has heard of the “Schengen Agreement”, but hardly anyone knows it’s named after this small Luxembourg town on the border of three countries. Crossing the border between Luxembourg and France, we experienced the result of this agreement: no border controls.

Near your final destination, Remich, you’ll visit the small village of Nennig, and stop off at what was once an ancient Roman villa. A tiled floor, resting in its original position, was once the centerpiece of this Roman villa. The scene (in 3 million pieces of tile) shows gladiatorial games in the amphitheatre.

D3: Remich – Saarburg (40 km/24 mi. or 48 km/ 29 mi.)

Here, the Moselle forms the border between Germany and Luxembourg. You’ll start to follow the river on the German side, but soon switch to the Luxembourg side. Here, you’ll visit a wine cooperative specializing in “Crémant”, the champagne of the Moselle. Then there are two cycling options: One is easy, but a little longer along the rivers.

The shorter option is a little more challenging, through the hills. Whichever you choose, the ride will take you to Saarburg, an interesting old town located in the most beautiful part of the Saar Valley. Here, the river banks are densely wooded.
Saarburg Castle was built here in the middle of the 10th century. In the middle of the town is a 20-metre-high waterfall. At the foot of this waterfall stands an old mill, which is powered by the small river. In this part of town, most of the old houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, which give Saarburg such a picturesque appearance, are still intact.

D4: Saarburg – Trier (32 km)

After breakfast, your guide will take you on a short bike ride to Trier. You’ll arrive around lunchtime. After a guided tour, you’ll have time to discover and enjoy Trier for yourself. Trier is known as Germany’s oldest city. It was founded around 15 BC by Caesar Augustus as Augusta Trevorum. As a commercial city and administrative center, Trier flourished in the late imperial period. This Roman golden age has left us a respectable number of monuments.

The most authentic is the city gate, Porta Nigra, built around 18 AD. Today, there is no dinner on board. You can choose one of Trier’s local restaurants.

D5 : Trier – Schweich | Schweich – Neumagen – Bernkastel-Kues (27 km/16 mi. or 53 km/32 mi.)

After a breakfast cruise, you’ll start your bike tour in Schweich. You’ve just entered the “Romantic Moselle”, the unofficial name for the Middle Moselle. Magnificent vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see. You pass the great names of the wine world: Trittenheim and Piesport. Trittenheim lies on a hairpin bend in the river, surrounded by grape-covered mountains. Piesport is popular with the British for its “little drops of gold”.

Around lunchtime, you’ll arrive in Neumagen, which was already a major wine-producing center in Roman times. You can decide to join the barge from here, or continue by bike to Bernkastel-Kues. This ancient and picturesque town, often visited, produces some of the finest wines in the Middle Moselle. The town’s pride and joy is its market square, with its picturesque half-timbered houses.
A walk to the castle offers a magnificent view.

D6: Bernkastel-Kues – Traben-Trarbach – Zell on the Moselle (45 km)

Today’s cycle tour takes you to the romantic village of Traben-Trarbach, on the left bank of the Moselle and famous for its Jugendstil (art nouveau) architectural style. Further along the river, your destination for the night is Zell on the Moselle, well known in the wine industry for its Zeller Schwarze Katz white wine. Zell is an ideal opportunity to discover the fine wines of the Moselle.

D7: Zell – Beilstein – Cochem (39 km)

Beilstein, the “Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle”, is one of the best-preserved historic villages along the river, and the highlight of today’s cycling tour. The village is dominated by the ruins of Metternich Castle, which you’ll have the opportunity to explore.

Then it’s on to your final destination, Cochem, a pleasant and distinctive Moselle town, with steep wine-covered mountains, wooded hills, an impressive castle and a picturesque square with beautiful half-timbered houses and cafés. An ideal place to enjoy a glass of local wine. A visit to Reichsburg Castle is also on the program.

D8: Cochem

End of excursion.
Disembarkation after breakfast, until 9:30 am.

Cycling tour by barge in the Netherlands
Available late March and early April

Cycle by barge through the tulip fields of Holland. Experience the “Tulip mania” that has attracted people from all over the world since the 16th century. On the program: magnificent scenery along canals and through fields, windmills, typical Dutch villages, the impressive Aalsmeer flower auction, the unique village of Zaanse Schans with its original houses and much more.

An unmissable experience and ideal for a first bike-boat trip.

What’s included:

• 5 or 7 nights in a double-occupancy comfort cabin with private bathroom aboard a barge;
• All meals during the cruise (excluding drinks);
• All ground transfers during the trip;
• Bike rental and insurance;
• From 14 to 22 cyclists accompanied by a local guide;
• Road book detailing all routes;
• One night’s accommodation in a 4* hotel in Amsterdam, including breakfast;
• Entrance to the Keukenhof garden;
• Contribution to the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents