Amsterdam and Bruges bike and boat on Anna Antal

The Netherlands and Belgium by bike from Amsterdam on the Anna Antal

Day 1 - Amsterdam - Oude-Wetering - 15 km

Boarding at 2:00 p.m. at the latest on the Anna Antal. The boat must leave the plaza at 2.15pm due to the opening hours of the bridges and / or locks. After your boarding on the boat, installation in your cabin. This will be an opportunity to meet your guide, the captain, the crew and, of course, the other passengers.

Day 2 - Oude-Wetering - Gouda - 45km

From Uithoorn, the journey continues in the Green Heart along canal paths and along polders towards the famous cheese town of Gouda.
When we think of the town of Gouda, we only think of cheese, but there is much more: Local craftsman of pipes, syrup wafers, earthenware, painted stained glass, as well as a town hall in the magical aspect without forgetting of course, the incomparable canals.

Day 3 - Gouda - Dordrecht - 40km

Ride along the Dutch IJssel and Krimpenerwaard, the lowest polder in the Netherlands, on narrow cycle paths towards the Lek river which we will cross to continue to Kinderdijk by taking the ferry. You arrive at the famous windmills of Kinderdijk, this is the largest concentration of historic windmills.
After a nice excursion through the Alblasserwaard polder, you reach the shore of the "Merwede" (Beneden-Merwede).

Day 4 - Dordrecht - Zierikzee - 55 km

This morning you will sail during the breakfast towards the Delta of the great rivers. You will have the option of reducing the stage by sailing to Bruinisse where you can join the group. You will continue the route by bicycle to Zierikzee with a visit to the "Watersnoodmuseum" (Flood Museum).
Zierikzee is a beautiful town and the center of mussel culture. Zeeland mussels are known around the world.

Day 5 - Zierikzee - Middelburg - 50km

You cycle towards the North Sea, up to the Eastern Scheldt Dam which includes huge slides that can be lowered in the event of strong storms or high tides and thus protect the south-eastern Netherlands against the sea.

Oosterscheldekering is sometimes called the eighth wonder of the world.

After the dam, your route continues to Middelburg, passing through the picturesque town of Veere.
Old houses and churches, a Gothic-style town hall make Middelburg a pleasant city. You can also see the Roosevelt Academy.

Day 6 - Middelburg -  Ghent - 45km

It's the day of the great crossing!
Belgium is no longer very far.
Pass through a region of small villages, coves and winding dykes, before arriving at the Belgian-Dutch border at Sas de Gand (Sas van Gent), the old gateway to the port of Ghent.
If you choose the shorter bike stage, this is where you get on. As you cruise, you can observe the bustling traffic in the canal from Ghent to Terneuzen, as well as huge industrial complexes on the banks before arriving in Ghent. From the quay, you can easily go by tram to the medieval center of this resplendent city.

Day 7 - Ghent - Bruges - 45km

In the morning we will cycle through Ghent city center towards the scenic Leie region and the tranquil East Flanders countryside.
The region is characterized by forests and meadows, small villages and castles.
The last part of this route will take you from Aalterburg (the short stage) to Bruges via the old towpath along the Ghent-Ostend canal which is the oldest canal in Belgium.
The beautiful city of Bruges marks the end of your cycling and boat trip. In the afternoon and evening you can visit the old medieval center. You will definitely want to stay there one more day.

Day 8 - Bruges, end of the trip after breakfast, before 10:00 a.m.

Due to the navigation plan the route may be reversed or modified

Between Bruges and Amsterdam aboard the Anna Antal, bike and boat trip

Day 1 - Bruges - Ghent / 21 km

Boarding at 2:00 p.m. at the latest and installation in your cabin. Meet the crew and other passengers.
Take a first cycle tour along the canal from Ostend to Ghent. In Aalterbrug, board the Anna Antal to sail to Ghent, a dynamic and attractive city that dates back to the Middle Ages.

After dinner you can visit the city.

Day 2 - Ghent, Cycling to Dendermonde and navigation from Saint- Amands / 47km

After a tour of the old center of Ghent, get ready for a day along the Scheldt to Wetteren, a town with a real Flemish tavern! Then take the road to Berlare, the last village before Dendermonde, where you will board. You can taste a Belgian beer before getting back on the boat.
Troubadours, folk tales and processions have contributed to the fame of this city. You then sail to the village of Saint-Amands where you spend the night.

Day 3 - St. Amands - Antwerp / 40km

From St. Amands, the cycle path takes you along the Scheldt and the Durme and Schaussel Broek nature reserves. You can admire unique flora and fauna. Your route continues in Bazel, one of the most beautiful villages in Belgium.
You pass under the Scheldt through the Sainte-Anne tunnel to arrive in Antwerp. The tunnel is reserved for pedestrians and bicycles, it is a historical monument.
The city of Antwerp is steeped in history. You can see it by its centuries-old facades in the narrow streets, at the impressive Grand-Place or at Notre-Dame Cathedral. This is the opportunity to visit the Rubens House and the Plantin-Moretus Museum, the only museum in the world classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Anna Antal awaits you in the Willemdok, near the Museum of Modern Art (Museum Aan de Stroom, unfortunately closed on Mondays).

Day 4 - Antwerp, navigation to Kreekrak Sluizen and bike to Willemstad / 56km

In the morning, you sail through the large port of Antwerp to the Netherlands. Large seagoing ships and large harbor cranes form an impressive backdrop. The bike route starts at the Kreekrak locks for a beautiful ride on the Brabantse Wal, a nature reserve with a steep transition from high sandy soils to clay soils lower in the polders. Drive through polders to the ancient walled city of Willemstad, near the Volkerak Sluizen (Volkerak Locks). These locks represent a complex of four lock systems.

Day 5 - Willemstad - Gorinchem / 45km

Navigation to Werkendam. There you take the bicycle to cross the Land van Heusden en Altena region to the fortified town of Heusden. In the typical and narrow streets, you can admire many secular buildings, well preserved, and beautiful facades.
Along the river Waal you will find another walled city, Woudrichem. A ferry takes you across the river, where the Anna Antal awaits.

Day 6 - Gorinchem - By bike to Vianen - navigation to Utrecht / 50km

Follow the Linge river through the Betuwe. This region is known for its orchards and will be covered in flowers during the months of April and May. You then pass through the town of Leerdam, famous for its glass. From Culemborg, a small town on the Lek, you walk along the river to Vianen.
Embark until Utrecht. After dinner you can visit old Utrecht by bus. The city has very beautiful canals with small warehouses by the water, where there are bars and terraces. In addition to the Domtoren tower, Utrecht has many monuments to discover.

Day 7 - Utrecht - Amsterdam / 40km

While having breakfast, you cruise towards Breukelen, then take the bike following Holland's two most beautiful rivers, the Vecht and the Amstel. Take the time to admire the magnificent 18th century houses, with their superb gardens.

When you arrive in Amsterdam, you can leave your bike for an evening stroll around Amsterdam and discover all its treasures such as the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, Dam Square and its Royal Palace. You will probably want to stay there one more day ...

Day 8 - Amsterdam, end of the trip after breakfast, before 10:00 am.

Due to the navigation plan, the route may be reversed or changed.

General information : 

• 8 days 7 nights
• Comfort level of the barge : Standard
• Child prices : please contact us
• languages spoken on board: Dutch and English

Dates :

Departures 2023 :

Dates from Amsterdam on Saturdays 20/05, 03/06, 17/06, 15/07, 29/07, 12/08, 26/08, 09/09, 23/09/2023

• Low season: 15/07 to 12/08
• Mid season: 20/05 to 17/06 and 26/08
• High season: 09/09 and 23/09

Dates from Bruges on Saturdays 27/05, 10/06, 24/06, 22/07, 05/08, 19/08, 02/09, 16/09 and 30/09/2023

• Low season: 22/07 and 05/08
• Mid season : 03/06, 17/06, 01/07, 26/08, 09/09 and 07/10
• High season: 16/09

Included :

• Full board (picnic lunch)
• coffee and tea on board
• guide 
• minimum 3 city walks with the guide
• GPS tracks on request
• free wifi (limited to the deck and the lounge)
• Travel log: we will provide you with information about your stay and the itinerary upon validation of your reservation, subject to change.
• Online guided tour

Not included :

• Transport to the place of departure
• Personal expenses
• Visits
• All that is not mentioned in the section “included”

Options :

• Bike rental (helmet included)
• Theft insurance for rented bikes
• Cancellation insurance
• special meal supplement 

Level :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

Flat, very smooth roads and paths. 90% program on cycle paths.

Weather :

Contrary to popular belief, the temperature in the Netherlands is similar to the temperature in France. Near the coast, the weather is sometimes windy.

Technicality :

0 to 40 km of cycling per day, or about 3 to 4 hours of cycling. Easy route. No difficulties, accessible for anyone.

Bibliography :

Guide and maps about the Netherlands on cartovelo.fr
Guide and maps about Belgium on cartovelo.fr

Participants :

On board, you will meet an international community of all ages, men, women, singles and couples with children. We offer boats with 20 to 26 places in cabins of 2 and 3 people.

Accompaniment :

People responsible for your bike and boat holidays are : 
On board, the captain and his mate. They are responsible for the smooth running of the vacation on the boat, and bring the boat from stage to stage. The cook prepares the meals.
Participants are accompanied by a guide. This will help you in the event of a breakdown, advise you on the route to follow and give you the necessary tourist information. He or she is multilingual.

Meals :

Breakfast : on board, you will find a substantial and dutch breakfast, worthy of a cyclist.
Lunch : after the breakfast, you will prepare by yourself a “lunch” (sandwich, fruit, snack, drinks).
Snack : after the daily route, you will find, when you arrive on the boat, various drinks such as tea and coffee prepared for your return, with a cake.
Dinner : at least three very good quality dishes. After dinner, you will have a choice of coffee and tea.
Other drinks, such as wine, beer, lemonade and mineral water, are not included but can be purchased on board at a reasonable price.

Bike :

At the beginning, on Saturday afternoon, a bike corresponding to your height, will be assigned to you. After a test ride, you will sign a receipt. The bike (21-speed bike) will be at your disposal all week until Friday afternoon, when the bike is handed over. The bike will be fitted with panniers as well as an anti-theft device, a container and a tire repair kit. If you prefer a 4-speed bike, please let us know (this must be specified when booking). It will not be possible to order a bicycle once on the boat. If you take your own bike, it cannot be insured against theft by our company, you will have to make the necessary arrangements with your usual insurer. Do not forget your anti-theft. The return of your bike will be at your expense.

Transport :

By train : the departure towns for the bike and boat tours are served by the railway.
Amsterdam train station is very well connected : several trains daily run to and from France.
Thalys is faster.
By plane : AMSTERDAM international airport.

Your vehicle : 

We strongly advise against parking cars on the streets of Amsterdam. Information on guarded parking lots in the city can be found on the website Parking Centrum Oosterdok.

Cancellation insurance :

In order to guarantee the refund of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more, please click here.

Boat description : click here.