Amsterdam-Bruges / Bruges-Amsterdam - Description

Flemish hospitality and history: From Amsterdam to Bruges*
During this tour, the beautiful historical Flemish cities of Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges are highlighted. But before we arrive there, you will get to know a very beautiful part of the Netherlands. After embarkation in Amsterdam, you bike along the winding river Vecht with its impressive castles on its banks, you visit a real Dutch cheese farm, where cheese is still produced according to traditional methods and you visit the Dutch windmills in Kinderdijk. From the fortified town Willemstad, which is situated on the impressive wide Zeeland streams, we head for Belgium. There we spent the night in Antwerp, the city of Rubens, whose paintings you can admire in the cathedral. You bike from Antwerp to Ghent along the beautiful tidal river Nederschelde, in order to breathe in the atmosphere of the days of old in the town center, with its impressive Belfort and the St. Baafs-cathedral, where you can admire the famous triptych of painter Jan van Eyck. Final destination is Bruges, with its picturesque town center probably the most beautiful of the historical Flemish cities.

*: depending on the departure date; otherwise from Bruges to Amsterdam.

Bruges-Amsterdam - Programme

Day 1 (Sat)

Arrival and embarkation in Bruges

Arrival and embarkation early afternoon in the beautiful city of Bruges, also called “Pearl of Flanders”. The crew of the MAGNIFIQUE will welcome you. You will have plenty of time to discover the beautiful historical city of Bruges.

Day 2 (Sun) Bruges – Ghent (bike tour ca. 40 km / 24 miles)

Today, your day starts on the water and the barge will leave Bruges early. Just outside, your first bike tour to Ghent through the flat land of West-Flanders will starts. You will meet the barge again near the historical centre of Ghent near the lock of Merelbeke. Enjoy the beautiful parts of Ghent during an evening stroll.

Day 3 (Mon)

Ghent – Dendermonde / St. Amands(20-45 km / 12-28 miles)

Today, the barge will sail over the river Schelde to Dendermonde, a nice town on the conjunction of the rivers Dender and Schelde. The bike tour leads along one of the most beautiful parts of the Schelde, a tidal river. Depending on high or low tide, the speed of the barge may vary. Therefore, tour leader and skipper will discuss which part of today’s tour will be covered by barge or by bike. Night in St. Amands.

Day 4 (Tue)

Dendermonde / St. Amands - Antwerp (ca. 45 km / 28 miles)

Today we will follow the Schelde further downstream over Baasrode and Temse to Antwerp. There is a beautiful cycling track along the river and the scenery is magnificent. Antwerp is well known as a major sea port, one of the world’s leading diamond and the city where the famous painter Rubens was born. In the Cathedral Of Our Lady we can admire his work. The Market Square around the cathedral are fringed by beautiful town houses from a rich past.

Day 5 (Wed)

Antwerp – Kreekrak locks - Tholen - Willemstad - Dordrecht (ca. 25-45 km / 15-28 miles)

The barge will sail over the Schelde-Rhine Canal, over the huge Kreekrak locks to Tholen, a former fishing village amidst the large streams of the province of Zeeland. Continue to the large Volkerak locks to the fortified town of Willemstad, to end in Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities of the Netherlands. Today, tour leader and skipper will discuss with you which part of the tour will be covered by barge or by bicycle.

Day 6 (Thu)

Dordrecht-Kinderdijk | Kinderdijk - Vianen (ca. 40 km 24 miles)

Today you will visit Kinderdijk, the most famous windmills in the Netherlands with 19 windmills in line (don’t forget your camera!). The windmills were constructed in the 18th century to pump water out of the low Alblasserwaard polder. You can visit one of the windmills. Then you cycle further through the Provinces Zuid-Holland and Utrecht to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek. In the evening you can explore this town.

Day 7 (Fri)

Vianen – Breukelen | Breukelen - Amsterdam (35 km / 21 miles)

First the ship cruises to Breukelen, where you disembark and your cycling tour starts. Ride along the small Vecht river: this area is well known for its beautiful mansions, small castles and beautiful houses with large gardens and parks. Over the small villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen and Vreeland to Nigtevecht, where you can visit a traditional cheese farm. Continue over Abcoude and Ouderkerk on the Amstel river to reach Amsterdam. You will meet your barge in the centre of the capital of the Netherlands.

Day 8 (Sat)

Amsterdam

After breakfast: end of the tour and disembarkation till 10:30 AM. If you wish, you can visit Amsterdam or one of its numerous museums, do some shopping or make a canal tour (not included).

In italics printed parts will be covered by ship.
**: Both possibilities are being offered: the guest can choose.
All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours .
Program + details barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons.

Amsterdam-Bruges / Bruges-Amsterdam - Details

Included:

- Tour and accommodation on board 8 days / 7 nights (Sat.-Sat.) from/to Amsterdam or Bruges, cabin in the booked category on board of the MS Magnifique;
- Full board (7 x breakfast, 6 x picnic lunch during bike tours, 7 x three course dinner incl. 1 glass of wine);
- Use of bed linen and towels (change of towels daily possible); daily short cleaning of the cabin;
- Welcoming drink and -speech on the first evening;
- Tour leader (multilingual) with daily briefings of the bike tours, some short city tours, daily guided bike tours: the tour leader is cycling with the group;
- Maps and info material on board;
- daily coffee and tea till 4 PM.

Not included:

- Transfers to/from the docking places in Amsterdam and Bruges;
- Reservation costs €15,00 (obligatory surcharge);
- Rental bicycle, other transfers, parking fee, entrance fees & excursions, fees for ferries;
- Drinks on board, personal insurances, gratuities (at your discretion).

Bicycles:

The bicycles on board are mostly unisex touring or. trekking bikes with normal mount (ladies model), 7 gears, hand brake and/or pedal brake and pannier bag. Other bikes (e.g. E-Bikes, children’s bikes, tandems etc.) are unfortunately not available on this tour.
Guests are also allowed to bring their own bicycles (at no extra cost). However, the crew or tour operator are in no way responsible for any damage, loss or theft of such bicycles. In the Netherlands bikers are not obligated by law to wear a bike helmet. Bike helmets are not available on board.

Background information:

The General Conditions (travel conditions) of CCH Tours B.V. (incl. Boat Bike Tours) apply to cycling cruises, as well as to confirmation and cancellation of such tours. We would be pleased to send a copy of these conditions on request. These conditions constitute an essential part of the travel agreement when booking a tour.
In principle, children are very welcome on board. However, before booking, we advise you to satisfy yourself that your child is able to manage a cycle trip of 30-60 km. Children’s bikes, tandems, parent-and-child tandems, slip streamers etc. or child’s saddles are available on request. Of course you may stay one or more days longer on board (children under the age of18 years must be under supervision).

The interior of the ship is a no-smoking zone: smoking is only allowed on the sun deck. As a safety measure, a statutory smoking ban applies in all cabins; this means that all cabins and rooms on board are no-smoking zones

Magnifique | Luxury ship

In February, the very well-equipped canal barge MAGNIFIQUE has been launched after having been refurbished and restyled. The 49 meters (161 ft.) long vessel offers 22 to max. 32 guests very comfortable accommodation in 12 cabins. Until 2008, the barge was operated under her former name "PRINCESS ROYAL" for river and canal cruises with guests from the USA.
In the period May through September, the MAGNIFIQUE will be offering various tours, for which you can book on an individual basis (per cabin): several "active cruises - highlights of Holland", various cycling cruises between Bruges an Brussels (Belgium) and between Bruges and Amsterdam. Click the link CYCLING CRUISES on top of this page for tour descriptions, departure dates and rates.
The MAGNIFIQUE is also available in full charter for groups and tour operators in periods throughout the year for shorter and longer tours in Holland and belgium, for events and as accommodation on location; tour programme, itinerary and catering can be offered customized, according to the wishes of the group.

On the main deck you wil find the spacious salon with large windows all around, accommodating a restaurant area, a bar, a lounge with cosy seats, as well as the partially roofed sun deck with tables, chairs, deckchairs and a whirlpool / jacuzzi. Bicycles can also be stored on deck. On the lower deck you will find 8 twin cabins (approx. 11 M² - 118 sq.ft. -, 2 single beds next to eachother), 2 suites (approx. 14 M² - 150 sq.ft. -, 2 single beds) and 2 single cabins (approx. 9 M² - 97 sq.ft.). All cabins have beds 90x200 cm, a flat screen TV, portholes (all windows can be opened), private facilities (bathroom with shower + toilet) and air conditioning. In some twin and both single cabins an additional bed as a bunk bed can be provided on request.