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Flanders by Bike + Boat

From Brussels to Bruges or vice versa

Route

Tour profile:

Mostly flat, on quiet roads and asphalted bike paths along channels. Some hilly steps have to be taken.

Itinerary Brussels-Bruges

Day 1: Brussels
Individual arrival in Brussels. The ship awaits you in the Brussels harbour where the crew will welcome you on board. Embarkation from 3 to 5pm. Take some time to explore the capital of Belgium: Just take a walk through the historical city centre, along the gothic town hall, the beautiful guild houses on the Grote Markt.

Day 2: Brussels - Vilvoorde - Mechelen - Willebroek, approx. 40 km

During breakfast the barge will sail to Vilvoorde. During your first bike tour you will visit Mechelen; remarkable about Mechelen are the over 300 buildings listed as historical building, 8 of these are churches, on less then 3 square kilometres. Continue through green, soft slanted hilly country, along picturesque villages and large country estates to Willebroek. In the mean time the barge will sail over the Willebroek canal to today’s destination.

Day 3: Willebroek - Antwerp, approx. 50 km

Tour from Willebroek via Lier  to Antwerp. This harbour city on the river Schelde is one of the worlds major diamond cities and has many highlights: the City Hall is one of several majestic buildings constructed in the Renaissance, the historical City Square Grote Market, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle. (Dinner when on Magnifique I or II not included in Antwerp, the tour guide will recommend you restaurants for your dinner.)

Day 4: Antwerp - Sint Amands / Dendermonde, approx. 42-56 km

Today’s bicycle tour will lead you upstream the river Schelde to Hemiksem: after just a short ascent you can easily continue cycling to Rupelmonde. Here, where the Rupel flows into the Schelde, you follow the Rupel for a little while and after a few miles you will reach the village Niel, that lies next to the nature reserve Walenhoek. Between Niel and Boom is a historical area where bricks are being manufactured since the Middle Ages. Cross the canal Brussels-Rupel to the water tower of St. Amands. Further again along the Schelde till you reach the beautiful city Dendermonde, the destination of today’s bike tour.  A "must" is a short stop for a drink on the beautiful Flemish market square Grote Markt of Dendermonde.

Day 5: Sint Amands / Dendermonde - Ghent, approx. 48 km

Today’s cycling tour will lead you to the beautiful city of Ghent, where the ship will be moored in Merelbeke, a suburb. Explore the pedestrian area in the town centre of Ghent, part by bike and part on foot. The architectural richness in the historical centre of the city of Ghent (during the Middle Ages the 2nd largest European city just after Paris), has been maintained well. (docking place is the lock of Merelbeke, ca. 15 cycling minutes to the city centre of Ghent).

Day 6: Ghent - Vinderhoute - Bruges, approx. 40km

After breakfast, you will leave for Vinderhoute. Part of the cycling tour leads along the canal Ghent to Oostende through the stretched Flemish landscape, until you reach Bruges. The "Venice of the North" is well known as an important city of art and museums. Its city centre with lots of canals is put on the World Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO. Enjoy a cup of coffee or  tea while over viewing the Grote Market square with its hustle and bustle.

Day 7: Tour around Bruges and to the North Sea, approx. 55 km

The last bike tour takes you first to a quiet canal along where you’ll find lots of poplars, through an attractive polder landscape with nice small farm houses. Then via the small city of Damme to the North Sea cost. A 12 kilometre long sandy beach, numerous cafés and the attractive dune landscape of "Het Zwin" (a unique nature reserve) provide enough variety during your lunch break. Then back to Bruges while riding along a small canal.

Day 8: Bruges

Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 am and individual departure or extension in Bruges.

Itinerary Bruges-Brussels

Day 1: Bruges
You will find your ship in the port of Bruges and the crew welcomes you on board. Embarkation between 3 and 5 pm. Take some time to discover the interesting city of Bruges – The Venice of the North – is widely known in Europe for its art and museums. Bruges’ old town with its number of Grachten (small channels) belongs to the UNESCO world’s cultural heritage. Enjoy the bustle activity around the Grote Markt (the big market place) while having a nice tea or coffee.

Day 2: Tour around Bruges to the North Sea, approx. 55 km
Your first cycle tour will take you at the beginning over Damme, Till Eulenspiegel’s place of birth to the seaside resort Blankenberge. Sandy beaches and a lot of cafés (you can swim in the sea there) will give you the opportunity for a nice rest. After approx. 2 hours you are cycling back to Bruges.

Day 3: Bruges - Vinderhoute - Ghent, approx. 40 km
During breakfast your barge is shipping to Moerebrugge. The whole cycle route follows the Gent-Oostende-Channel through the wide Flemish plain to Gent. After dinner, the wonderful lights of the old town alleys invite you to a romantic evening walk. In the Middle Ages Gent was the second largest city after Paris and has preserved its architectural wealth in the historic city centre until today. Anchor place is in Merelbekee - approx 15 km away from the old town of Ghent.

Day 4: Ghent - Sint Amands / Dendermonde, approx. 48 km
After breakfast you are going by bike to Dendermonde today. A coffee break on the wonderful Flemish Grote Markt is a must. In the evening shipping to Sint Amands one of the most beautiful and winding parts of the route on the river Schelde.

Day 5: Sint Amands / Dendermonde - Antwerp, approx. 42 km
In Sint Amands you start today’s cycle tour. You are passing the water tower and cross the Brussels-Rupel-Channel. After that you are cycling through a historic area of brick burning, where bricks have been produced since the Middle Ages until today. Then you follow the river Rupel until you come to the river Schelde. From Rupelmonde your are comfortably cycling towards Hemiksem, then down the river Schelde to Antwerpen, the world’s centre of diamond-processing and your today’s destination. Antwerp offers a number of interesting sights such as the richly decorated town hall in renaissance style, the historic Grote Markt, the huge Liebfrauen Cathedral und the medieval Steen Castle. (Dinner when on Magnifique I or II not included in Antwerp, the tour guide will recommend you restaurants for your dinner.)

Day 6: Antwerp - Willebroek, approx. 45 km
After breakfast you are going by bike via Lier to Willebroek where your ship is already waiting for you.

Day 7: Willebroek - Mechelen - Vilvoorde - Brussels, approx. 40 km
While your ship is going through the Willebroek-Channel today, your last cycle tour is leading you through green, soft and hilly landscapes over Mechelen to Vilvoorde. In Mechelen, you will find the remarkable density of more than 300 listed buildings (classified as historical monuments), among them eight churches, all built within an area of only three square kilometres. From Vilvoorde you are shipping to Brussels. Take some time to wander around the old town that is worth seeing, having a look at the Gothic town hall, the beautiful guild houses, the big market and the "Männeken Pis".

Day 8: Brussels
Disembarkation after breakfast until 09.30 am and individual departure or extension in Brussels.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements we reserve the right to make changes of routing and program.


Services

Included Services:

  • 7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities
  • fullboard (breakfast, packed lunch for cycle tours or midday snack, three-course-dinner- not included in Antwerpen when cruising with Magnifique I or II)
  • coffee and tea in the afternoon
  • welcome drink
  • daily tour info on board
  • some short city tours
  • daily full guided bike tours (printed instructions and detailed maps for individual cyclists available)
  • daily short cleaning of the cabin
  • use of bed linen and towels (daily change of towels on request)
  • all charges for harbours, bridges and locks
  • maps and information material per cabin
 

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type

    Extras

    Additonal bed
     
       
    MV Quo Vadis on request
       
    Bicycles & equipment  
    7-speed bike UNISEX 70
    E-bike 165
       
    Additional night Brussels*  
    Brussels (dbl/sgl) on request
    Bruges (dbl/sgl)* on request
       
     

    Best - Price - Guarantee

    If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!
    All prices per person in EUR

    Ship

    Welcome on board of the MV QUO VADIS!

    The ship is comfortably furnished, cosy and you will feel well on board. The ship offers a tasteful open salon with corner seats, a restaurant, a small bar and a sundeck with sun sails. You will find interesting cycle tours and a warm hospitality on board MV QUO VADIS. Regularly live music (there are a guitar and a piano onboard). The captain and his crew are looking forward to meeting you. You can also find more information under www.quovadis.nu


    TECHNICAL DATA

    Length: 45 m
    Width: 6,60 m
    Height: 5,50 m
    Draft: 1,50 m
    approx. 4 crew members


    CATERING

    The catering consists of  7 x breakfast, 6 x picnic lunch during bike tours, 7x three course dinner.

    The cook on board is a member of the crew and prepares the breakfast and the 3-course dinner.
    The cyclists can prepare lunch packages for the cycle tours. For those who want to stay on board lunch snack will be served on board.


    CABINS

    12 comfortable outside cabins with shower/WC, two single beds and air condition (windows cannot be opened)


    LANGUAGES ON BOARD

    German, English

    Bicycle


    Bicycles inclusive panniers

    Touring bikes

    Our bikes are state-of-the-art quality bikes based on proven brand quality of the bicycle manufactory Velo de Ville. All Velo de Ville bikes use only braking systems from renowned manufacturers such as Magura or Shimano. Minimum body height for our rental bikes: 1.50 m

    The following rental bikes (including pannier) are available for you:

    • 7-speed UNISEX touring bikes
    • 8-speed E-bikes

    E-bikes | Electrical bikes | Pedeclecs

    We provide you with modern quality e-bikes (pedelecs) with Nexus 8-speed hub gears, gradually selectable aid of pedaling power, puncture-proof tires and deep UNISEX comfort entry. The electric bikes from Velo de Ville are equipped exclusively with Bosch mid-mounted motors and fully integrated 500 Wh Bosch batteries. The design of the batteries allows them to almost disappear into the frame. This gives you better weight distribution and a low center of gravity without missing the convenience of easy entry. You save your battery by starting with as low a support as possible and increasing as needed. Please note that with the newer models of our e-bikes it is not possible to attach handlebar bags due to the additional fixed speedometers and wider handlebars.

    IMPORTANT: Please reserve ebikes early, as they are only available in very limited numbers.


    Breakdowns

    Bicycle breakdowns can happen, also when bikes are well serviced and maintained, flats can be fixed by yourself. If there’s a difficult repair, you may call the local representative. Please don´t get any repairs done on the bike without informing the touroperator/local representative and their approval.


    Own Bikes

    If you bring your own bicycle, please pay attention to the following aspects: You are personally responsible for your own bike on board and ashore. Protect your bike against theft on board, as well as on land with a lock. The bikes will be brought on board and from board by the crew. Due to the local conditions we cannot prevent scratches and damages on the bikes. Please understand that we cannot accept any liability. The bikes on board are exposed to weather conditions because the parking is not covered. Please bring along your own spare material and repair kit for your bike.

    Useful

    ARRIVAL - PARKING - DEPARTURE

     

    ARRIVAL BY PLANE

    Airport: Brussels (BRU)


    ARRIVAL BY CAR

    Parking Bruges:
    Guarded parking areas at the main station (Stationsplein), approx. € 4,- per day (subject to change), no reservation possible OR
    "Ringstraße", near the docking station, parking free of charge, only less parking spaces available, unguarded. Transfer by taxi from Stationsplein to ship berth approx. € 11,-

    Parking Brussels:
    Guarded parking areas at station Gare Du Nord approx. € 15,- per day (subject to change), approx. 5 km from the docking station. No reservation possible. Transfer by taxi from Gare Du Nord to ship (approx. 10 min.) approx. € 20,-


    ARRIVAL BY TRAIN

    Train station: Bruges, Brussels


    TRANSFER

    Return transfer by train from Brussels to Bruges or the other way approx. € 20,- per person


    PARTICIPANTS

    Minimum: 24 people
    Maximum: 40 people


    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    diet food possible (except vegan), please tell us with your booking or at least 2 weeks before departure, € 25 payable locally

     

    Wi-Fi: available on board (limited access), if you need more data volume please contact the crew. Please remember that during your bika & barge tour the internet connection may be unstable sometimes.


    Videos

    Travel stories

    5,3 of 6 Stars | 8
    5.6 03.09.2018 | Cathie H. Flanders by Bike + Boat

    Wonderful tour of Belgium

    • Overall satisfaction 6
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 4
    • Information at the beginning of the tour 5
    • Accomodation 6
    • Board 6
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 6
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 5
    more
    0 16.07.2018 | Barbara B. Flanders by Bike + Boat

    Bike and Boat Tour - Bruges to Brussels

    We enjoyed ourselves immensely. Blessed with good weather and friendly company combined with outstanding service and help from the team on the MV QuoVadis. The only comment we have is that we had expected to navigate ourselves in line with previous ...
    more
    5.4 27.06.2017 | Randi Y. Flanders by Bike + Boat

    Flanders 2017

    We had a very nice warm week in Flandern - we are satisfied "with everything" - the crew was really friendly and the other guests was friendly too - we enjoyed the week and will recommand to people "we know". We like to bike without guide - use the ...
    • Overall satisfaction 6
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Information at the beginning of the tour 5
    • Accomodation 6
    • Board 6
    • Route description 5
    • On-site assistance 3
    • Route-character 6
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 5
    more
    4.4 05.09.2016 | Maria V. Flanders by Bike & Boat

    Luxury bike tours

    Hello, thank you for helping organise the tour. We were very satisfied with the quality of the boat. We wish that there would be more high quality bike and boats tours on your site!
    • Overall satisfaction 5
    • Booking handling 5
    • Travel documents 4
    • Information at the beginning of the tour 4
    • Accomodation 5
    • Board 5
    • Luggage transport 4
    • Route description 4
    • On-site assistance 4
    • Route-character 4
    • Bicycle + equipment 5
    more
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