Amsterdam and Bruges bike and boat - Magnifique I

Amsterdam and Bruges by bike aboard Le Magnifique

Dreaming of a trip by bike and boat? This exceptional itinerary takes you from Holland to Belgium, from Amsterdam to Bruges. Cycling stages guide you through the most beautiful cities of Flanders and the Netherlands, such as Dordrecht, Ghent and Antwerp. Pedal by day and sail by night on the Magnifique I, a comfortable cruise ship for a full-board stay. 

Main points of interest:

• Amsterdam, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp
• the windmills of Kinderdijk
• Explore the Flanders region and its medieval towns
• Discover the Delta Plan.

Day 1 - Amsterdam - Vianen

Boarding, check-in and welcome by the crew on board Le Magnifique before 2pm. 
At 2pm, departure from Amsterdam for Vianen, a beautiful fortified village on the River Lek. After lunch, take time to explore the surrounding area by bike.

Day 2 - Vianen - Schoonhoven - Kinderdjik /32 km or 56 km

Navigation: Kinderdjik - Dordrecht

This cycling stage in the Netherlands takes you on a beautiful route to Schoonhoven - nicknamed Zilverstad ("Silver City") - a town renowned for its talented silver smiths since the 17th century. Later in the day, you'll cross the Alblasserwaard region to reach Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 large windmills. These windmills are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  From Alblasserdam, you'll take the "Waterbus", a fast ferry, which will drop you and your bike about 10 minutes from Dordrecht, one of Holland's oldest cities.

Day 3 - Dordrecht - Willemstad / Willemstad - Bergen op Zoom /42 km or 50 km

During breakfast on board, you'll sail to Willemstad. Your cycling tour begins here. Willemstad is a beautiful old walled town on the Haringvliet waterway. You'll cycle to Tholen, once an island in the middle of Zeeland's great creeks, where many people fished for a living. Today, Tholen remains a picturesque village with many relics of a turbulent past.

In the afternoon, you'll board Le Magnifique again, sailing to Bergen op Zoom, a fortified village on the Scheldt.

Day 4 - Bergen op Zoom - Kreekrak Lock / 21 km or 35 km / Kreekrak lock - Antwerp

Start this stage with a bike ride through the beautiful countryside around Bergen op Zoom. In the afternoon, sail to Antwerp. 

The city is famous for processing up to 80% of the world's rough diamonds, and invites you to discover its many attractions. Visit the Town Hall, one of the many majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance. You can also admire the historic City Square Grote Market, Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral and medieval Steen Castle. After dinner, head to the city's magnificent historic center. This is one of the highlights of your stay. 

This evening, you can dine in the restaurant of your choice. 

Day 5 - Antwerp - Temse - St Amands / 34 km or 49 km

 
Mount your bike and cycle along the Schelde river through picturesque countryside towards St Amands. It's a beautiful landscape you won't forget. It's probably one of the most incredible landscapes of the trip.

Day 6 - St Amands - Dendermonde - Ghent / 52 km

Today, you'll continue along the Schelde River to Ghent, where the ship will moor for the night at a lock a stone's throw from the city.

Ghent is a lively university town with a rich history. Since Roman times, Ghent's position at the junction of the Lys and Scheldt rivers has made it a prosperous trading port. Ghent boasts an opera house, 18 museums, over 100 churches and more than 400 historic buildings. The main attractions are St. Bavo's Cathedral, home to a number of masterpieces of medieval art, including Jan van Eyck's famous "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb", and Ghent's 91-meter-high belfry.

This is one of three medieval towers overlooking the old city center. Before dinner, hop aboard a small river boat for a guided tour of the historic city.

Day 7 - Ghent - Bruges /22 or 45 km

You leave Ghent by bike and cycle through the beautiful Flemish countryside of West Flanders to Bruges. The city is described as the "Venice of the North", probably because it is the most beautiful of all Flemish cities. Bruges attracts over two million visitors every year, who come to visit its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its many historical attractions. Bruges has managed to maintain its historic fabric over the centuries, so that today the city's original Gothic buildings are an integral part of its identity. You have the rest of the day to visit one of Bruges' many museums or simply admire its stunning beauty and culture over a café terrace. 

Day 8 - Bruges

End of tour after breakfast. Disembarkation until 9:30 am.

Cycling the Netherlands and Belgium from Bruges on the Magnifique I

Day 1: Bruges 

Embarkation between 1:00 and 2:00 pm in the port of Bruges aboard Le Magnifique. After settling into your cabin, a welcome meeting with the crew will take place. The boat departs at 2:00 pm. You'll be able to take your first cycling tour of the countryside around Bruges. 

We advise you to come to Bruges one or more days earlier to visit this exceptional city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 2: Bruges - Ghent

First leg of your Belgian cycling tour to Ghent, through the Flemish countryside along the canal. Take advantage of your afternoon to visit the city's historic center. Le Magnifique will dock for the night at a lock 30 minutes by bike from Ghent city center. Before dinner, enjoy a guided tour of the historic city center on a small boat.

Day 3: Ghent - Dendermonde / St. Amands - 40 km or 53 km 

Visit Ghent, then cycle through a varied landscape along the Schelde River to Dendermonde. A magnificent stage. Cycle or barge between Dendermonde and Saint-Amands, depending on the tides. Le Magnifique will be moored for the night in Saint-Amands.

Day 4: Saint-Amands - Temse - Antwerp - 32 km or 49 km

Start your day by following the Schelde River through the Temse region to Antwerp.

This port city is known for processing up to 80% of the world's rough diamonds.  The famous painter Paul Rubens was born in Antwerp.

Don't miss: the Town Hall, the historic City Square Grote Markt, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle.

Day 5: Antwerp - Kreekrak Locks | Kreekrak Locks - Tholen / 36 km or 20 km | Tholen - Willemstad - Dordrecht

Le Magnifique will cruise along the Schelde-Rhine canal and over the impressive Kreekrak lock system. Here, your bike tour takes you through the beautiful "Wouwse Plantage" forest to Tholen. This was once an island in the middle of Zeeland's great streams. Join the boat for an afternoon sail to Dordrecht. Halfway there, you'll see the huge Volkerak locks.

You'll head for Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Your guide will take you on an evening stroll and tell you all about the history of the Netherlands.

Day 6: Dordrecht - Kinderdijk | Kinderdijk - Schoonhoven - Vianen / 32 km or 57 km

Today, board the Waterbus, a fast ferry to Alblasserdam. You arrive in Kinderdijk, famous for its impressive row of 19 UNESCO World Heritage windmills.

You then cycle via Schoonhoven to Vianen, a pretty fortified town on the River Lek (Lower Rhine). Overnight in Vianen, with the option of an after-dinner stroll.

Day 7: Vianen - Breukelen | Breukelen - Amsterdam / 36 km or 46 km

During breakfast, Le Magnifique sails to Breukelen, where you disembark to begin your last day of cycling. Cycle along the River Vecht in a region famous for its architecture and large gardens. After passing through the villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen and Vreeland, you arrive in Nigtevecht, where you can visit a traditional cheese dairy. After the historic town of Muiden, you'll join the Magnifique for the last time in Amsterdam harbor.

Day 8: Amsterdam

End of your bike and boat trip in Amsterdam. Disembark after breakfast before 9:30 am.

General information :

• 8 days and 7 nights
• Comfort level of the barge : Deluxe
• Spoken languages on board : English, Dutch and notions of French
• Child prices : please contact us

Dates :

Departure dates 2024 :

Departures from Amsterdam on Tuesdays 

• High season: 07/05,21/05,04/06

Departures from Bruges on Tuesdays

• High season: 14/05,11/06

Included :

• Full board (picnic lunch)
• Online guided tour
• Coffee and tea on board
• Welcome cocktail
• bed linen and towels 
• daily cabin cleaning
• air conditioning
• wifi
• Daily itinerary explanations
• some guided walks
• Admission to the Red Star Line museum in Antwerp
• Canal trips in Ghent
• Tasting of Belgian products
• carbon taxes

Not included :

• Transport to the place of departure
• Personal expenses
• Visits

Options :

• Bike rental
• Personal bike location (mandatory if no rented bike)
• Theft insurance for rented bikes
• Cancellation insurance
• Extra night(s) at the start or end of the tour in a hotel in Amsterdam

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 55 km of cycling per day, or about 3 to 4 hours of cycling.

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.

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.
Each morning, if you wish, you can get benefit from advice on the route to follow and on additional tourist information.

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. There is no helmet on board.
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.

Boat description : click here.