Bike boat Amsterdam and Bruges on the Sailing Home

Discover the south of the Netherlands and Belgium by bike

Pedal by day and sleep in your floating hotel at night on this bike and boat tour aboard the Sailing Home. Discover 2 countries with exceptional cultural, environmental and gastronomic heritages: the Netherlands and Belgium. You can contemplate the glory of the Flemish towns in the Middle Ages, discover the polders, admire the famous mills of Kinderdijk and the picturesque Flemish countryside. You will have the opportunity to visit the cities of Bruges and Ghent and discover the Delta Plan, nicknamed the eighth wonder of the world! This cycling and boat trip will undoubtedly leave you with unforgettable memories with its beauty and diversity.

Day 1 - Amsterdam - Oude Wetering - 15 km

Boarding at the latest at 1:30 p.m. on board your boat. The boat must leave the plaza at 2.15pm due to the opening hours of the bridges and / or locks. After your embarkation on the boat, installation in your cabin. It will be an opportunity to get to know the crew and other passengers. Navigation to Oude Wetering then loop of 15 km by bike.

Day 2 -  Oude-Wetering - Gouda - 45 km

From Uithoorn, travel through the Green Heart along canal paths and along polders towards the famous cheese town of Gouda.
Also discover the local craftsman of pipes, syrup wafers, earthenware, painted stained glass windows, as well as a fairytale town hall without forgetting the incomparable canals.

Day 3 -  Gouda - Alblasserdam, then boat to Dordrecht - 40 km

Cycle along the Dutch IJssel and Krimpenerwaard, the lowest polder in the Netherlands, on narrow cycle paths to the Lek river and continue to Kinderdijk using the ferry. to get to the famous Kinderdijk windmills which are one of the most famous tourist spots in the Netherlands. Here you have the greatest concentration of historic windmills.
From the Lek dike you have a splendid view of the 19 mills which have recently been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
After a nice excursion through the Alblasserwaard polder, you will reach the shore of the "Merwede" (Beneden-Merwede).

Day 4 -  Dordrecht, navigation to Willemstad / Bruinisse, then bike to Zierikzee - 55 km

This morning you will sail during the breakfast towards the territory of 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 cycle route to Zierikzee with a visit to the "Watersnoodmuseum" (Flood Museum).
Zierikzee is a beautiful city and the center of mussel culture. Zeeland mussels are known around the world.

* Zeeland is largely at or below sea level. In 1953 the dikes were low and in poor condition. In the past, the risk of flooding was once every 80 years. Thanks to this anti-flood barrier (Stormvloedkering) this risk is now assessed at less than once every 4000 years ....

Day 5 -  Zierikzee - Middelburg - 50 km

Pedal towards the North Sea, towards the Eastern Scheldt Dam. The dam has huge slides which can be lowered in the event of strong storms or high tides and thus protect the south-eastern Netherlands from the sea.

When you pedal on it you will understand why this Delta Plan book was the hardest and most expensive to protect the country from flooding. Oosterscheldekering is sometimes called the eighth wonder of the world.
After the dam, continue to Middelburg after a visit to the picturesque town of Veere.
Middelburg is home to the Roosevelt Academy, of which the medieval Town Hall, located at the market square in the heart of Middelburg, is the main building.

Day 6 -  Middelburg - Sas van Gent, then navigation to Ghent - 45km

The great crossing!
With the ferry you will cross from Breskens to Zeeland Flanders. Belgium is no further.
Passing through an area full of small villages, coves and winding dykes, you arrive at the Belgian-Dutch border at Sas de Gand (Sas van Gent), the old gateway to the port of Ghent.
If you opt for the shorter cycle stage, you will embark here. While sailing you will see the bustling traffic in the canal from Ghent to Terneuzen, as well as huge industrial complexes on the banks before reaching Ghent. From the quay, you can easily go by tram to the medieval center of the city.

Day 7 -  Ghent-Bruges - 45km

In the morning, cycle through Ghent city center to the scenic Leie River region and the tranquil East Flanders countryside.
The region is characterized by forests and meadows, small villages and castles.
The last part of this step takes you from Aalterburg (the short stage) to Bruges via the old towpath along the Ghent-Ostend canal, the oldest canal in Belgium.
The city of Bruges marks the end of your bike & boat trip. In the afternoon and evening you can visit the old medieval center.

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 Belgium and Holland from Bruges on the Sailing Home

Come aboard the Sailing Home and discover Holland and Belgium, and the beautiful cities of Amsterdam and Bruges, by bike. You'll be able to admire a diverse landscape of polders, Dutch Flanders, creeks and winding dikes. 
It's a unique and warm journey that awaits you, made up of sharing, encounters and discoveries. 

Highlights of the trip : 

• Delta works
• Ghent, Bruges and Amsterdam
• Middelbrug
• Flemish towns

Day 1 - Bruges to Ghent, 21 km 

The barge is moored near the Bargeweg, a stone's throw from downtown Bruges and close to Bruges train station. Come aboard on Saturday between 12:30 and 1:30 pm. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea as you get to know the guide, skipper, crew and other passengers.
The boat leaves the quay at 2 pm.
On arrival in Ghent, you can take a bike ride along the canal from Bruges to Ghent. It's a gentle ride along towpaths and quiet roads. In Aalterbrug, the Sailing Home picks you up and sails back to Ghent.
Over dinner, the next day and the week's program are discussed. Instructions on cycling and safety procedures are also given.

Day 2 - Ghent

Free day to discover Ghent! This is a city proud of its past, with many well-preserved guild and patrician houses and old warehouses. Admire and visit the Gravensteen, a medieval castle, the Church of St. Nicholas (with 13th-century foundations), St. Bavo's Cathedral and the "Belfort" (belfry; 14th century). This lively town is packed with squares and cosy pubs.
Take advantage of the lively little squares where regulars come to eat until dawn on warm summer nights.
On this day, you can also go cycling with your guide. The bike route takes in the castles and luxurious villas of Destelbergen and the surrounding area, a lively town on the banks of the Scheldt.

Day 3 - Ghent to Middelburg, 45 km 

You leave Belgium and enter the Netherlands. Over breakfast, you'll sail to Sas van Gent before cycling to Zeeuws-Vlaanderen (Dutch Flanders). Take a short ferry trip from Breskens to Flushing and cross the Westerschelde. From Flushing, it's a 30-minute bike ride to Middelbrug, the capital of Zeeland.
The town of Middelburg has retained much of its historic and picturesque character. Beautiful 17th- and 18th-century merchant houses and warehouses line the canals. The medieval abbey is still used today as a museum and as the seat of the provincial government.

Day 4 - Middelburg to Zierikzee, 50 km

Cycle to the town of Veere, once an important trading center. From Veere, you cross the Veersgat dam to North Beveland and the Oosterschelde.
Huge locks are built into this dam and are sometimes closed during storms and high tides. They protect the south-western Netherlands from the sea. Cycling along the dike, you'll understand why it's one of the most difficult and costly challenges to protect the country and let sea water into the vast Delta area.
The Delta works are considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world by the American Society of Civil Engineers. 
After the dam, you reach Zierikzee.

Day 5 - Zierikzee to Willemstad by bike and sailing to Dordrecht, 55 km

Today's program includes a beautiful bike ride on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland. You'll visit Bruinisse.
The village's main source of income is mussel fishing.
On the Grevelingen dike, you can even see a statue of an open mussel. Continue on to Willemstad (a former fortified town), where you'll board the Sailing Home.
Sailing on to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands, situated between several busy waterways.

Day 6 - Dordrecht - sail to Gorinchem, cycle to Vianen, 50 km

From Gorinchem, you travel by barge to Woudrichem (an ancient fortified town), where you can visit the most famous castle in the Netherlands: Loevestein. You follow the Linge River through the Betuwe. This region is known for its many orchards and is covered in flowers in May. After the town of Leerdam, famous for its glass, you continue your cycling tour of Holland north to Vianen.

Day 7 - Vianen - sail to Breukelen and cycle to Amsterdam, 40 km

Over breakfast, the Sailing Home sails to Breukelen (Brooklyn). Cycle to Amsterdam along two of Holland's most beautiful rivers, the Vecht and Amstel.
Along the way, you'll admire pretty country houses and 18th-century mansions with their splendid gardens. The name Amsterdam derives from Amstelredamme. This means that the city grew out of a dam on the Amstel River. Enter Amsterdam by cycling along the Amstel River.
Holland's extensive network of cycle paths ensures a relatively easy ride back into the city, past some of the city's most remarkable landmarks.
In the evening, after a farewell dinner, you can enjoy a stroll along the canals or through the city center.

Day 8 - Amsterdam, end of trip 

Your bike and boat trip ends in Amsterdam after breakfast, before 10am. 

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

General informations :

• 8 days and 7 nights
• Boat comfort level: comfort premium
• Child rates: contact us

The dates :

Departure dates 2023 :

Departures from Amsterdam on Saturdays from 05/13 to 10/14/2023

• Low season: 14/10
• Mid-season: 19/08 to 02/09 + 30/09
• High season: 16/09

Departure from Bruges on Saturdays from 20/05 to 21/10/2023

• Low season: 12/08 and 21/10
• Mid-season: 26/08 and 07/10
• High season: 09/09 and 23/09

Included :

• Full board stay (picnic lunch)
• Travel book : We will provide you with information relating to the progress of your stay as well as the itinerary, subject to change.

Not included :

• Transportation to the starting point
• Personal expenses
• Visits

The options :

- Bike rental
- Additional night in Amsterdam at the start or end of the tour

Levels :

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 close to the temperature in France. Near the coast there may be wind.

Technicality:

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

Bibliography:

- Guide and maps on the Netherlands on cartovelo.fr
- Guide and maps on Belgium on cartovelo.f

The participants :

On board you 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.

Support :

On board, the captain and his boy. They are responsible for the smooth running of the holidays (on the boat) and take 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 and will advise you on the route to follow and give you the necessary tourist information. He or she is multilingual.

Meals :

- Breakfasts: on the boat, you will find a substantial and Dutch breakfast, worthy of a cyclist.
- Lunches: after breakfast you will prepare a 'lunch' yourself (sandwiches, fruit, snack, drink).
- Snack: After the daily trip you will find, when you arrive on the boat, various drinks, such as tea and coffee prepared for your return, with a cake.
- Dinners: minimum three dishes of very good quality. After dinner you have the choice between 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.

The bike :

Initially, you will be assigned a bike corresponding to your size. After a test run, you sign a receipt. The bike (a 21-speed bike, VTC) is at your disposal all week until Friday afternoon, when the bike is handed over.
The bikes are equipped with saddlebags as well as an anti-theft device, a container and a tire repair kit. If you prefer a 4-speed bike let us know! (This must be specified when booking). It is not possible to order a 4-speed 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. Don't forget your anti-theft device! The return of your bike will be at your expense.

Transport : 

- By train : The departure towns for the bike and boat circuits are served by the railway.
Amsterdam station is very well served, every day several trains come and go to France.
The Thalys is the fastest.
- By plane  : AMSTERDAM international airport.

Your vehicle :

We strongly advise against parking cars on the streets in Amsterdam. Information about guarded parking lots in the city can be found on the following website: http://www.naaramsterdam.nl

Cancellation insurance :

In order to guarantee the reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. 

Boat description : click here