Amsterdam – Gouda – Bruges by Bike and Boat

Overview

Unlock the essence of Holland and Belgium united along one route which combines insight into the Netherlands' Golden Age and exploration of the Flemish trade cities of the Middle Ages. Plus, of course, Holland's own world wonder - the Delta Works. As you ride, you'll notice the contrast between the green polder landscapes of water, tranquil winding roads and quaint villages, and the old world islands of Zeeland with its pastures, creeks, dikes, and dams. Explore the picturesque Flemish countryside between the iconic Belgian cities of Ghent and Bruges. The great rivers are a prominent feature in this part of the Netherlands and Belgium and this bike tour is your opportunity to unlock the essence of these two beautiful countries. The Amsterdam - Bruges (and reverse) itinerary is available on a number of boats on various dates. Please check Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Princesse Royal, Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Magnifique II (and reverse), Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Magnifique III (and reverse), Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Magnifique IV (and reverse), Amsterdam – Gouda – Bruges by Bike and Boat, Bruges – Antwerp – Amsterdam by Bike and Boat, and Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Fluvius (and reverse) for additional dates. The ship crew and tour guide were very fun, knowledgeable & interesting people. The food was amazing! The guests were interesting. The accommodations were comfortable. The trip follows an interesting route along canals and through small towns. It avoids roads for the most part following bike paths. There are ALOT of bikes on the paths so you need to pay attention. Whilst this was a very easy cycling trip, but for us it was a real eye opener as we had never travelled to The Netherlands or Belgium before. It was great to the way the Dutch and Belgians have set up the communities to survive against the ever present threat of inundation. The countryside is beautiful and the way communities are set up is fascinating. The old towns and cities have their own style, different to Spain and Italy, so if you are interested in the old buildings and windmills, you won't be disappointed. The entire staff on the boat were excellent and meals were superb. Companionship within the cycling group was also very good. The barge is moored at the Oosterdok in central Amsterdam, near the train station. Arrive on board the ship, offload your luggage in your cabin, and enjoy a refreshing cup of tea or coffee. As you rest, you'll have the opportunity to get to know your guide, crew, and fellow passengers. Embarkation is between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m., and the barge leaves the dock at 2:00 p.m. From Oude Wetering you will continue your tour over country roads, banks, and channels through the Green Heart and polders to the city known for its cheese: Gouda. This day is Sunday, the day many Dutch take out their bikes for a ride, and you can join them! From Gouda, you will cycle along quiet country roads and narrow cycling paths to Dordrecht. The route leads you past scenic polders and through Krimpenerwaard, the deepest-lying polder in the Netherlands. Upon reaching the dyke along the River Lek, you’ll take a ferry across to Kinderdijk. From the embankments of the Lek, you’ll enjoy an amazing view of the 19 windmills, now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Dordrecht, you will sail to the 17th-century fortified town of Willemstad. After a short stop to explore this charming little town, you continue past the Volkeraksluizen—one of the busiest lock complexes in Europe. The route then leads you through a flat polder landscape toward the woodlands surrounding Bergen op Zoom. After passing through this lively town, you will cycle over the “Brabantse Wal,” a wooded sand ridge formed during the Ice Ages. This area is well-known for its delicious strawberries and asparagus. This morning, you will first cross the Scheldt River via the historic St. Anna Tunnel, using the escalator with its moving wooden stairs—a truly unique experience. Cycling along the Scheldt, you pass Basel, considered one of Belgium’s most beautiful villages, and Rupelmonde, the birthplace of the famous 16th-century cartographer Gerardus Mercator. The day begins with a leisurely sail to Dendermonde. After disembarking, you will explore the beautiful market square, featuring the impressive 14th-century town hall and belfry. From there, you cycle along the Scheldt River to Berlare and later to Wetteren, known for its rose nurseries. Wetteren is the last stop before Ghent, making it the perfect place to enjoy a taste of Belgian beer before reaching the city and reboarding the ship. This morning you will cycle through Ghent to the scenic countryside of Oost-Vlaanderen (East-Flanders), defined by its woods, fields, small villages, and castles. From the Aalterbrug (also for the shorter route) the last part of this route takes you over the former towpath along the canal of Oostende-Gent, the oldest canal in Belgium, to Bruges. The Godefridus van Aemstel has been cruising since 2001. It has 13 cabins which can accommodate up to 26 overnight guests. This beautiful passenger ship has a salon and bar for relaxing, along with a sundeck. The Floor van Aemstel is a unique vessel that was constructed on the dismantled shell of a seafaring freight logger. It is a nostalgic reminder of ferries that sailed to Dutch islands in the past. The Anna van Aemstel (formerly the Wending) is a former freight barge that started a new life in the early 1990s as a passenger motor barge. Since then, the Anna van Aemstel is a familiar vessel. The Clair de Lune, originally built in 1982 and renovated in 2014, is a cozy barge that travels in Holland, Belgium, and France. The boat features a salon with large windows, comfortable seating, and a dining area. A former shuttle barge converted into a passenger ship, the Peter van Aemstel (formerly Anna Antal) is an exclusively cozy experience. In 2012, the saloon and cabins were fully renovated. Many of these barges are former working river vessels, converted specifically for this kind of passenger vacation. The barges comply with the strict safety regulations set forth by the Dutch Shipping Inspection Authorities. Do not expect a luxury cruise ship. The experience of the tour is built around guests being active cyclists, and the layout of the barge supports a social environment in common spaces. 24-speeds with handbrakes, Step-through frame for passengers from 4'11 to 5'10'' / 150cm - 178cm, Men's frames for passengers from 4'11 to 6'8'' / 150cm - 203cm, Equipped with: Pannier bag, A fixed locked, Water bottle, Bike helmet 9 speed, Bosch motor, Integrated battery, Handbrakes, Shimano Derailleur, Selle Royal Essenza+ saddle, For passengers from 5'1 to 6'6 / 155 cm - 198 cm, Equipped with: Pannier bag, Bike helmet, Bike lock, Water bottle. E-bikes feature a small electrical engine and battery that assist and ease your pedaling but you still have to pedal yourself. While riding an e-bike can greatly contribute to the enjoyment of your trip, it is not intended for untrained cyclists as it is not easy to handle such a bike. The engine and battery make the bike much heavier than a regular bike and it also accelerates faster. Handling it well requires good basic cycling skills and confidence. We can provide children's bikes, trailers, child seats, and tandems upon request. 7 nights accommodation on board (including bed linens, 2 towels), Breakfast and dinner on board, Lunch packages when on the road, Standard bike rental, Minimum 3 city walks with tour guide, Coffee, tea, and afternoon snack on board, Tour guide, cycles with the group, Tour information (1 per cabin), Navigational app (including GPS Tracks), Ferry fares on the route, Free WiFi (limited available in lounge and on deck), GPS tracks (upon request), Rental bike insurance. Although the tour is guided, if you wish to cycle any of the days on your own, you have access to the navigational app. Note: Gluten-free and dairy-free options are available for an additional surcharge (see “Extra Options” under Pricing). Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate vegan meals. Listed prices are per-person and based upon double occupancy. Prices are based on fuel costs at the time prices are set. This is often months or years in advance. In rare circumstances, extra fees may apply for fuel cost increases. The tour follows a flat terrain route. When cycling through towns/cities/villages you share the road with other traffic. In the countryside, you mainly cycle on cycle paths (~70-80% of the route). Tour start Nearest aiport and train station: Amsterdam, Holland. Tour end Nearest airport and train station: Brussels, Belgium.

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

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What's Included