Discover the beautiful landscapes and charming towns of Belgium as you travel by bike and barge between Bruges and Brussels. Explore the magical town of Bruges, famous for its small channels, museums and picture postcard buildings. The cycling itinerary takes you to the North Sea and the seaside resort Blankenberge, and to medieval towns including Ghent and Antwerp. There is time to visit the market squares en route, and sample the local waffles, chocolate and beer. Cruise in comfort on the small barge, along beautiful and winding rivers and channels.
Day 01: Board boat in Bruges
The MS Mecklenburg, your floating hotel for the week, will await your arrival in the port of Bruges. Embarkation is between 3pm and 5pm, when the crew will welcome you on board. Take some time to discover Bruges – the ‘Venice of the North’ – widely known for its art and museums. Bruges’ old town, with its number of Grachten (small channels), is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Enjoy the bustle of activity around the Grote Markt (the big market place) while having a waffle, coffee or traditional Belgian beer. Dinner on board with the opportunity to meet your fellow cyclists. Overnight Bruges (for 2 nights).
Day 02: Round cycle from Bruges to the North Sea (55km / 34mi)
Our first cycle day takes us to Damme, Bruges’ former outer harbour which has a picturesque Market where you can see the statue of the poet, Jacob van Maerlant. Continue to the sea where sandy beaches and cafés abound. There is time to relax and perhaps take a swim before returning to Bruges.
Day 03: Bike to Ghent (Merelbeke), explore the old town on foot (40km / 25mi)
During breakfast the barge will cruise to Moerebrugge, where our cycle stage begins. Today we’ll follow the Gent-Oostende-Canal through the wide Flemish plain to Ghent. The barge will dock for the night at the lock in Merelbeke, a suburb of Ghent approx. 30min by bike from the city centre. After dinner, you can venture into Ghent and explore its old town alleys and quaint cobble stoned streets. In the Middle Ages, Ghent was the second largest city in Europe after Paris and its architectural wealth is well preserved. Overnight Merelbeke.
Day 04: Cycle to Dendermonde, by boat to Sint Amands (48km / 30mi)
Today we’ll cycle to Dendermonde, where you can enjoy a coffee break at the wonderful Grote Markt. In the evening the barge continues to Sint Amands, one of the most beautiful and winding parts of the route on the river Schelde. Overnight Sint Amands.
Day 05: Cycle to Antwerp (42km / 26mi)
From Sint Amands, we will cycle past the water tower and cross the Brussels-Rupel canal. We’ll continue through an historic area where bricks have been produced since the Middle Ages, then alongside the river Rupel to the river Schelde. From Rupelmonde it’s a comfortable ride to Hemiksem, then we again follow the river Schelde to Antwerp. The world’s centre of diamond-processing, Antwerp offers a number of interesting sights including its richly decorated town hall, the historic Grote Markt, the huge Liebfrauen Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle. Overnight in Antwerp.
Day 06: Cycle via Lier to Willebroek (45km / 28mi)
Following breakfast on board we will start our cycling, passing through suburban Antwerp via Lier along the river Nete to Willebroek, where the barge will be docked. Optional beer tasting on board subject to minimum numbers – additional payment applies locally. Overnight Willebroek.
Day 07: Bike to Mechelen and Vilvoorde, cruise to Brussels (40km / 25mi)
While the barge travels through the Willebroek canal, our last cycle day takes us through green, sometimes hilly landscapes to Mechelen and Vilvoorde. Mechelen has a remarkable density of more than 300 listed buildings (classified as historical monuments) including eight churches, all built within an area of only three square kilometres. From Vilvoorde we cruise to Brussels. Not only home of the sprout, Brussels has a magical town square (Grote Markt), interesting museums and some of the best waffles in the world. Enjoy wandering around the old town and sights including the Gothic town hall, the beautiful guild houses and the “Männeken Pis”. Overnight Brussels.
Day 08: Depart Brussels
Departure transfer to airport for flight back to home.
************END OF THE TOUR*************
| City | Night (s) | Ship |
| Burges | 02 | Hotel Velotel |
| Ghent | 01 | Hotel NH Gent Belfort |
| Dendermonde | 01 | Domus Portus |
| Antwerp | 01 | Guesthouse Bernardin |
| Willebroek | 01 | Aquavilla Bed & Breakfast |
| Brussels | 01 | Warwick Brussels |
– Meeting and assistance by our representative.
– 07 Nights accommodation
– Meals: 7 Breakfasts, 6 Picnic Lunches, 7 Dinners
– 7 speed unisex bike rental with handbrake or backpedal brake (8 speed electric bike available on request – supplement applies).
Bikes are equipped with pannier bag and bike insurance is included.
– Welcome drink and information meeting on the first evening
– Mid week cabin cleaning service
– Linen (including duvet and/or blankets) and change of towels as required
– All harbour, lock and bridge fees
– Emergency hotline
– GPX Tracks are available on request
– All present government taxes.
– International Airfare.
– Tips, gratuities, Portage, laundry, telephone calls, table drinks, camera/ video camera charges, or any other expenses of a personal nature.
– Visa fees, personal insurance.
– Any item not specified under cost includes.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– Sometimes, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.