Day 1: Vilvoorde (Brussels)
Individual arrival in Vilvoorde, a suburb about 10 km north of Brussels. The crew will welcome you aboard at 4:00 p.m.
Day 2: Vilvoorde – Willebroek, approx. 36 km
Your first bike tour takes you through Mechelen – remarkable for its density of more than 300 listed buildings, including eight churches, in less than three square kilometers – through green, rolling hills, past dreamy villages and stately country estates to the stage destination of Willebroek.
Day 3: Willebroek – Antwerp, approx. 46 km
From Willebroek, the route takes you via Lier to Antwerp. The port city on the Scheldt is the world center of diamond processing and offers numerous sights: the richly decorated Renaissance-style town hall, the historic Grote Markt, the seven-nave Cathedral of Our Lady, and the medieval Steen Castle.
Day 4: Antwerp – Sint Amands, approx. 40 km
Today, your bike tour takes you up the Scheldt towards Hemiksem, where, after a short climb, you can cycle leisurely to Rupelmonde. Here, where the Rupel flows into the Scheldt, follow the Rupel for a while and after a few kilometers you will reach the village of Niel, which is adjacent to the Walenhoek nature reserve. Here, between Niel and Boom, lies a historic brick-burning area where bricks have been produced since the Middle Ages. You then cross the Brussels-Rupel Canal and finally come to a water tower on the outskirts of St. Amands.
Day 5: St. Amands – Dendermonde – Ghent (Merelbeke), approx. 56 km
In the morning, take a boat trip on one of the most beautiful sections of the Scheldt to Dendermonde. From here, continue by bike along the Scheldt dam to your destination for the day. Worth seeing in Dendermonde: the Beguinage with its beautiful local history museum. A short coffee break on the beautiful Flemish Grote Markt is a must. Your destination for today is Ghent. Explore the beautiful old town of Ghent, partly by bike and partly on foot. In the Middle Ages, Ghent was the second largest city after Paris and has retained its architectural wealth in the city center to this day. Your ship will moor for the night just outside Ghent at the lock in Merelbeke, a suburb of Ghent, about 30 minutes by bike from the city center. Please note: If docking in Dedermonde is not possible due to the tide, this cycle stage will already start in St. Amands. Distance stays the same.
Day 6: Ghent – Lovendegem – Bruges, approx. 34 km
Morning departure for Lovendegem. Today’s entire cycle route follows the Ghent-Ostend Canal through the wide Flemish plain to Bruges. The “Venice of the North” is known throughout Europe as a city of art and museums. Bruges’ old town with its numerous canals is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today there is still time to admire the hustle and bustle around and on the Grote Markt.
Day 7: Round trip around Bruges, approx. 49-58 km
The bike tour takes you through the small town of Damme (birthplace of Till Eulenspiegel) and Groot Ter Doest with its impressive Ter Doest Abbey to Lissewege, the “most beautiful village in Flanders” – whitewashed houses cluster on both sides of a small canal and around the imposing village church. Afterwards, the tour continues to the seaside resort of Blankenberge. A long sandy beach and numerous cafés invite you to linger. After a 2-hour stay, return to Bruges.
Day 8: Bruges
After breakfast, disembark by 9:30 a.m. and return home or extend your stay in Bruges.
