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 April

This wonderful bike and barge trip that starts and ends in Amsterdam, takes you through the provinces of South- and North Holland while spring flowers are in bloom. You will spend time in the historical cities of Haarlem, Leiden, Gouda and Alkmaar and learn about the water management of these lowlands at the North Sea.

You will also visit the famous Keukenhof gardens, known by the hundreds of thousands of blooming tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other bulb flowers. The world-famous Aalsmeer flower auction is on the program where an astonishing volume of beautiful flowers are being traded daily and exported all over the world the World.

One night the barge mooring is at the open air museum ‘the Zaanse Schans’ with its windmills, cheese farm and picturesque wooden houses. You will be surprised by the beautiful, varied scenery and the wonderful cycling paths of Holland.

The ship – Your sailing hotel

In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. You’ll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. It’s also possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are rental bikes on board, but you can also bring your own if you mention it when booking (not possible on Fleur).

Fully Guided

Accompanied by a competent, professional and multilingual tour leader, you and the group will visit interesting sights and places on the daily cycling tours. During the bike tour, they will explain the local history and culture behind the things you encounter along the way. You can also choose to ride individually with the help of our Ride with GPS app and our BBT cycling map (available on board).

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;
• 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

7-speed bikes and e-bikes are available for rent, but you can bring your own bike.

8-day circuit

Day 1   Amsterdam – Spaarndam | Spaarndam – Haarlem (13 km)

You are welcome to check in at 2 p.m. The crew will welcome you with coffee and tea. At 2.30 p.m. the barge leaves the harbor. While the barge sails to Haarlem, your tour leader will tell you about the tour, the cycling and safety. From Spaarndam you have the option to do a little test ride. After dinner on board, the tour leader will take you on a town walk through the beautiful city centre of Haarlem.

Day 2   Haarlem – Keukenhof – Leiden (37km)

Today’s trip leads you through the oldest tulip fields of Holland, including a visit of the Keukenhof gardens. This is the most beautiful bulb park in the world. Keukenhof is the place where the spring breaks. An overwhelming blaze of colors; seven million flowering tulips in a magnificent 80-acres’ background of traditional and modern gardening architecture. You also can admire the various hyacinths, daffodils and many other colorful flowers. In the afternoon you cycle to the city of Leiden. Dinner on board and after that you can join the walk through town.

Day 3   Leiden – Gouda                (36 ou 41km)

After breakfast you will cycle out of Leiden. You will travel through the ‘green heart’ of Holland. Near Zoeterwoude, you will visit a cheese farm where you will learn about the cheese-making process and you will have the opportunity to taste the results. In the afternoon you reach Gouda, famous for the Gouda cheese. Gouda has an attractive compact center with her pretty market square and Gothic town hall. The main church of Gouda, devoted to Saint John, is world famous for its stained glass windows. After dinner you can join the walk through town.

Day 4    Gouda – Alphen a/d Rijn | Alphen a/d Rijn – Kudelstaart or Oude Wetering     (20 or 44km)

We stay in Gouda this morning. You have the opportunity to do some shopping and to visit the market square with its cheese weigh house or you can visit the St. Johns church. We leave by barge around noon and have a light lunch on board. From Alphen aan den Rijn you cycle through the ‘green heart’ of South Holland via river Drecht and Amstel-Drecht channel to Kudelstaart or Oude Wetering.

Day 5   Kudelstaart/Oude Wetering – Flower auction* | Aalsmeer – Amsterdam | Amsterdam – Zaanse Schans    (30km)

At 6.30 a.m. you can drink an early cup of coffee. After that you cycle to the flower auction* of Aalsmeer, the largest of Europe. Here, huge quantities of flowers are trucked in and sold every day, after which they are distributed all over Europe. After your visit you return on board (around 9 a.m.) for a late breakfast while the barge sails to Amsterdam. You will enjoy a nice cruise, right through the city.

Today’s cycling tour takes you from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, a unique hamlet where people live and work, with original houses and windmills from the river Zaan area. The hamlet is dominated by operating windmills, the oldest built in 1673, for grinding mustard, spices, paint and oil and for sawing wood into planks. As you walk through the village you will see a clock museum, an old-fashioned grocery store, a house with period furniture, a clog maker and a cheese farm.

The Princesse Royal is docked in Zaandam tonight. From the Zaanse Schans, it is a 5.5 km bike ride to this docking place.

*The Aalsmeer flower auction is closed on weekends and public holidays and is an optional visit (entrance is incl.). On some departures, the visit may not be possible.

Day 6   Zaanse Schans/Zaandam – Alkmaar    (38km)

This morning you cycle to the Hortus Bulborum, a unique garden museum dedicated to the preservation of rare and historic bulbs. More than 4,000 tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other flowers are planted here. Your cycling tour continues to Egmond at the Northsea. The tour goes through the dunes to Alkmaar. This town is known as a Dutch cheese city. As you wander through the streets you’ll be amazed by the beauty of Alkmaar’s Old Town, with its well-preserved 17th century buildings and narrow, winding canals. Dinner in town at your own account.

Day 7    Alkmaar – Amsterdam     (35 ou 53km)

After breakfast your cycling tour leads you to the former windmill complex of the Schermer Polder. Here we visit the Schermerhorn Windmill Museum. Your next stop is the beautiful town of De Rijp. Centuries of history are still evident here in De Rijp’s wooden facades, beautiful church, lock and town hall. From here, your ride continues back to Amsterdam. In the late afternoon or evening there is time for a canal tour through the famous canals of the city.

Day 8   Amsterdam

End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.