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Duration
8 days
Activities
  • self guided cycle
Accommodation
  • 7 nights in a twin share cabin
Meals
  • 6 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

Price

$1920USD

 
 

Overview

Trip Code: UBR

Trip highlights


  • Discovering the vibrant cities of Bruges and Amsterdam by bike and on foot
  • Cycling through scenic countryside and past locks, windmills and cheese farms
  • Visiting interesting towns such as Antwerp, famous for its nightlife and Ghent with its cobble stone streets
  • Enjoying the camaraderie of your fellow passengers aboard a comfortable barge
  • Sampling local specialties including Belgian waffles, beer and mussels

Experience the great cities of western Belgium and the Netherlands on this classic barge and bike trip between Bruges and Amsterdam. En route visit Antwerp and Ghent whose historic centres will enchant you with their history and refined culture. Wind your way by bike along the Vecht river with its impressive mansions and country houses, visit a cheese farm and the 19 windmills in Kinderdijk. Via Dordrecht and Kreekrak lock, the barge cruises from Belgium through the 'delta' province of Zeeland. Cycling on your own with a set of maps and directions or with the guide - the choice is yours. In the evenings, relax on board your comfortable barge or explore the towns on foot.

Trip Grading

introductory

More info about grading system

Traveller Rating

 

Make your own way to Bruges and the docking location. Embarkation is from 1-2 pm. After a welcome meeting with the crew at 2pm there will be a bicycle fitting and short test-ride through the countryside around Bruges. After dinner on board the tour leader will take you for a walk through the centre of town. Bruges is known as the "Venice of the North" and the "Pearl of Flanders". We recommend coming one or two days earlier so you have time to discover its treasures. Perhaps the most beautiful of all Flemish cities, the medieval Old Town is almost completely intact and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the Middle Ages it was a metropolis and centre of commerce and art, and you can see this glory in the beautiful buildings. It is also a nice town for shopping or going out - sample a waffle, coffee or traditional Belgian beer around the Grote Markt (the main square). *If you arrive early, it's possible to leave your luggage on board from 11am.

Meals:  D

Your cycle tour starts early today in the outskirts of Bruges, from where you will pedal through pleasant Flemish countryside along the Ghent canal towards the historical centre of Ghent. It is a lively university city with a rich past, and in the afternoon you have the opportunity to discover its beauty on foot. The city was founded in Roman times, where the rivers Leie and Schelde converge. The convenient location has over the years brought much prosperity - in the Middle Ages it was the second largest European city after Paris. The textile industry brought great wealth, with the Cloth Hall established in 1425 bringing many merchants together, and many aristocrats remain today. The main church St Bavo Cathedral reflects different periods in history and building styles, and houses some masterpieces of medieval art, the most famous of which is "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by Jan van Eyck. The barge will dock at the lock in Merelbeke, a suburb of Ghent approx. 30min by bike to the city centre.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast in Ghent you will cycle downstream through a diverse landscape alongside the tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde, a friendly little town, located at the junction of the Dender and Schelde Rivers. The River Schedle stretches for 435km through northern France, western Belgium and the southwestern part of the Netherlands and is connected by several canals to the basins of the Rhine, Meuse and Seine Rivers. It has always had considerable commercial and strategic importance over the years. Dendermonde has a beautiful town hall on its main square. The ideal place to relax and enjoy a nice Belgian beer after your ride. Worth visiting is the St Alexius Beguinage, where you can learn about housekeeping, work and recreation in the lives of former generations. Overnight in Dendermonde.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you will follow the Schelde river further downstream through the Temse region and the small village of Baasrode to the lively port town of Antwerp. This part of the route is along a beautiful and winding section of the Schelde which over the centuries held strategic importance for the Romans, Vikings, Spanish and Napoleon. Antwerp, where the boat is moored overnight, is known as the diamond city and has an abundance of jeweller's shops. Peter Paul Rubens lived and worked in Antwerp in the 17th century, producing paintings popular with nobility and art collectors throughout Europe and you will find some of his paintings in the “Onze Lieve Vrouwe" (our lady) Cathedral. Other highlights include the City Hall, one of many majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical City Square Grote Market and the medieval Steen Castle. Dinner is not included this evening so you are free to dine in one of the many restaurants in the historic centre of Antwerp.

Meals:  B,L

In the morning we cruise through the Schelde-Rhine Canal and through the imposing Kreekraksluis (Kreekrak lock). The cycle tour starts through the beautiful 'Wouwse Plantage' forest before leading to Tholen, a former fishing village set amidst the large streams of the province of Zeeland. At Tholen you board the boat for an afternoon cruise to Dordrecht, passing through the impressive Volkerak lock system en route. After dinner there will be an evening walk with the tour leader to the town centre of Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning a fast ferry takes you to Alblasserdam, from where it is a short cycle to the famous 19 UNESCO listed windmills of Kinderdijk. The windmills were constructed in the 18th century to pump water from the low Alblasserwaard polder. There is a visitor centre and windmill where you learn more about Dutch water management. Continue cycling to the 'Silver City' of Schoonhoven, renowned for its talented silversmiths, and on to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek. In the evening you can explore the town.

Meals:  B,L,D

During breakfast the barge will cruise to Breukelen, where the final day of cycling starts. You will ride along the Vecht River in an area famous for its sprawling mansions, small castles and beautiful houses with large gardens and parks. Pass through the small villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen and Vreeland and arrive at Nigtevecht, where you can visit a traditional cheese farm. Continue cycling through the historical town of Muiden to Amsterdam and the barge's mooring place in the harbour for your last evening aboard. Later you can explore the lively Dutch capital on foot or cycle around the famous Amsterdam canals.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast the journey comes to an end as you say farewell to the guide and crew. Check out by 9:30am.

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.


Inclusions

  • 7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 6 dinners (does not include drinks) *
  • Continental breakfasts are served and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. At breakfast you will prepare your packed lunch for the day which will be sandwiches, fruit & juice. If you choose not to cycle on a particular day, the crew will serve lunch on board. Dinner will consist of three courses inclusive of either a pasta, vegetarian or meat dish.
  • 7 nights accommodation aboard a Category A barge (Fluvius) with ensuite facilities on a twin share basis. All cabins are air conditioned, twin share cabins are configured with two lower beds, while double cabins are configured with a double bed.
  • The trip price is based on a standard twin cabin below deck - supplement applies for other cabin categories (twin cabin upper deck, double cabin upper deck or single below deck cabin) except a small twin cabin main deck where a discount applies. We do not match clients together so if you are travelling solo you will need to book a single cabin (limited and on a request basis).
  • Rental bike with helmet and pannier (e-bike available on request - supplement applies)
  • Experienced multilingual tour leader for daily briefings (while the trip is self guided, the tour leader also cycles the tour and is available during the day to assist if required). Optional guided package available - supplement applies
  • Cycling Map (1 per cabin) plus navigational App with GPS tracks
  • Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening
  • Several short walking tours
  • Linen and change of towels as required
  • Daily cabin cleaning
  • Daily tea and coffee during breakfast and 3-4pm
  • WIFI
  • Carbon offset
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to Bruges and from Amsterdam
  • Meals not listed as included, drinks other than afternoon tea & coffee
  • Special dietary requirements (except Vegetarian). A supplement is payable for example lactose or gluten free diets - EUR70pp (subject to change) paid locally on board.
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Entrance fees and excursions not listed as included
  • Transfers not listed as included
  • Tips - while not obligatory, it is customary to offer a tip if the guide and crew have done a good job. As a guide we suggest EUR30-60 per person (to be distributed between the guide/s, captain and crew).
  • Optional canal tour of Amsterdam - tickets can be purchased on board
  • Fees for ferries and Waterbus
  • Guide - this is a self guided cycle trip. Optional guided package - supplement applies. Includes Fees for ferries and Waterbus
  • Bike insurance. Optional bike insurance is available (Limitation of Liability for damage), fee applies, must be prepaid - ask our team
  • Items of a personal nature

Cabins


Bike information


Grading

introductory  

INTRODUCTORY - GRADE 1 The cycling is introductory (1) grade with daily cycling distances from 11 to 63km (6 to 39mi). As with all of our cycling programs, wind and poor weather could make the trip grade change. Should you not wish to cycle there are walking options available. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos, visit a museum or enjoy the market places in many of the interesting towns visited. It is considered suitable for children, as long as they have road sense, are familiar with the workings of a bike (gear change etc) and are comfortable cycling alongside moving vehicles at times. Electric bikes are available for a supplement and when used will ensure the cycling is comfortable for less physical cyclists - however it is still essential that you are comfortable cycling on roads and in light traffic in variable weather conditions. *For safety reasons, we highly recommend that cycle helmets be worn during cycle sections.


Departure dates


Notes

Note:
All departures are on board the Fluvius.
Note:
Guided package extra. On all departure dates you can book a “fully guided” option. That means you will cycle with a tour leader in a small group of max. 20 guests (limited availability).
Note:
For departures running in reverse, see our 'Amsterdam to Bruges - Comfort' - trip code UAM. We also have Deluxe and Comfort Plus versions of the trip. Deluxe, guided, see trip codes BRA & ABR (reverse). Comfort Plus, self guided, see UDH & UAH (reverse)
1
Discount applies for the 5 Oct departure

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$1920USD

Options & Supplements*
  • Discount for 5 Oct 2025 departure (pp)USD$-41
  • Optional Bike insurance (limitation of liability-damage) - standard bikeUSD$20
  • Optional Bike insurance (limitation of liability-damage) - e-bikeUSD$40
  • Optional Guided PackageUSD$160
  • E-bike SupplementUSD$210
  • Upper Deck Twin Cabin (smaller than an upper double) - supplementUSD$230
  • Upper Deck Double Cabin (larger than an upper twin) - supplementUSD$520
  • Single Supplement (single use of small twin lower deck cabin )USD$740
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews


Why travel with us

Making Europe Affordable

We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.  

Self-Guided Specialists

Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.

Our Wide Range

With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love. 

Videos

Amsterdam to Bruges Bike and Barge | UTracks Active Travel

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