Holland & Belgium Bike & Boat: Amsterdam to Bruges

8 days
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Group Tour
Enjoy the privacy of VBT’s exclusive barge as you journey through the charming canals of Holland and Belgium. Unpack only once, then relax in the comfort of your floating home—including a comfortable lounge and dining area—as you watch the scenery float past from the splendid sundeck. By day, cycle easy bike paths past Holland’s windmills and polder villages—...
From$4,695
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Cycle along tranquil rivers and past meadows, dairy farms, quaint villages, and polder countrysides.
    • Get acquainted with local people—and local life—during a visit to a family home.
    • Join a local guide for a boat tour of Ghent, whose history dates to around 600 AD.
    • View the famous Kinderdijk windmills, a UNESCO Heritage site.
    • Sip authentic Belgian beer during a special tasting on board.

What's this trip about?

    Enjoy the privacy of VBT’s exclusive barge as you journey through the charming canals of Holland and Belgium. Unpack only once, then relax in the comfort of your floating home—including a comfortable lounge and dining area—as you watch the scenery float past from the splendid sundeck. By day, cycle easy bike paths past Holland’s windmills and polder villages—rubbing elbows with bike-commuting locals along the way. In the evenings, enjoy delicious meals of local specialties prepared by your boat’s onboard chef—plus special treats such as a Belgian beer tasting, and a night of festive camaraderie at the home of our Dutch friends. With VBT’s deep roots in Holland and Belgium, there are many opportunities to experience the region’s rich cultural heritage with the people who live here.

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 22 people
Age range13 to 80 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityAmsterdam
End CityBruges

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel
  • Local Immersion & Homestays
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Small Ship Cruise
  • Sailing
  • Photography

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Mountain Biking
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • River cruise
  • Sailing
  • Short Cruise
  • Guided Group

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 22

Trip includes

    • Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
    • Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
    • Support Vehicle
    • Luggage Transportation
    • Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
    • Welcome Reception
    • Facilitated Cultural Experiences
    • Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1: Embark barge / Cruise to Vianen

You are responsible for making your own way to meet our barge. Plan to arrive between 1:00 and 1:45 p.m. Please note that you cannot embark before this time, as the barge is being prepared for you. If you are late, you must contact the barge as soon as possible to mak...

DAY 2: Cycle to Kinderdijk / Cruise to Dordrecht

After breakfast, cycle along the small canals of the rural region of Krimpenerwaard. You will trace the route of the river Lek through Schoonhoven, known as the “Silver City” for its long silversmithing tradition. Continue to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site w...

DAY 3: Cruise to Willemstad / Cycle to Tholen

This morning, enjoy a short language lesson while sailing to Willemstad, an old fortified town on the Haringvliet. Its massive walls were laid out in the shape of a seven-pointed star, each rampart named for one the seven provinces of the Republic of United Netherland...

DAY 4: Cruise to Antwerp, Belgium

Today is a non-biking day. This morning, take time to relax on board during a morning cruise to the impressive port of Antwerp. After brunch on board, you have the rest of the afternoon to explore. Antwerp is known as the “Diamond City” and the native city of painter ...

DAY 5: Cycle to Dendermonde and St. Amands

After cruising out of Antwerp, you will dock and mount your bike for a ride along the Scheldt River to Temse, pausing along the way for lunch on your own in Rupelmonde. In the afternoon, cycle past Wissekerke Castle in Basel, and enjoy magnificent river views as you c...

DAY 6: Tour Ghent

After breakfast, cycle from St. Amands to Ghent. Located at the confluence of the Scheldt and Leie rivers, this “City of 200 Bridges” was founded around 600 AD and boasts many beautiful buildings dating to medieval times, when the textile industry brought great wealth...

DAY 7: Arrive in Bruges

During breakfast, your barge cruises to Bruges. The barge will briefly dock farther along the waterway at Aalter Bridge, where the day’s cycling begins. The barge rejoins the main canal and meets us all in Bruges in the late afternoon. Alternatively, if you have chose...

DAY 8: Disembark Barge / Discover Bruges

After an included breakfast, your tour ends. It is important that you leave the barge no later than 9:00 a.m. so the crew can prepare for their next guests. Please refer to the information listed in the tour handbook.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,695
Price per day$587
Last Updated: 4/19/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with VBT Bicycling Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
579
Great
42
Average
11
Disappointing
4
Terrible
3
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Tour Operator

VBT Bicycling Vacations

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Since 1971, VBT has crafted immersive and authentic biking vacations for active travelers. When you travel with VBT, you’re not just another tourist—you’re a traveler. With us, you’ll experience your destination with the help of a local, bilingual trip leader with a passion for sharing their home with you. You’ll eat in local restaurants, stay in accommodations that have been family-owned for generations and cycle through vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. 


With VBT, you won’t just visit a place—you’ll immerse yourself in it. You might follow a centuries-old pasta recipe while taking a cooking class in Rome—or learn a folk dance in Croatia, followed by sharing a bottle of locally-produced Grk wine with your new friends. Exploring the world on two wheels lets you experience your surroundings on a deeper level.

 

VBT offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. Simply put, no other US-based active travel company offers an experience this rich for such a reasonable price. On our tours, you can see more sights, have more local experiences, and enjoy more delicious, authentic meals—all while staying in high-quality, boutique hotels and charming, family-run inns.

 

All you have to do is show up at the airport—we’ll handle the rest! From tour consultants who help you find the perfect vacation to expert local trip leaders who show you the best place for gelato, we take care of all the little details that make your trip memorable. We book your flights, arrange all your transportation and accommodations, and move your luggage between hotels. Our support vans are available to give you a lift up a hill or quickly fix a flat tire. VBT takes care of your travel details and creates unique itineraries so you can relax and enjoy your small-group vacation from start to finish.

 

Friendly camaraderie, cultural immersion, and casual comforts are the hallmarks of our vacations. Discover delightful people, beautiful hotels, foreign cultures, and fascinating lifestyles that will enrich your life and provide memories for years to come.

What they’re known for
VBT Cycling are renowned for offering exceptional guided and self-guided bicycle tours worldwide.

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Logistics

Accommodation

7 nights aboard a private canal barge

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

14 meals: 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners

Age Requirements
13 to 80 years
Additional Information

This tour offers easy terrain on bike paths and roads through both urban and rural areas. You will encounter traffic, especially in urban areas. Some of the bike paths are unpaved, and the terrain can lack shelter from the wind. Our VBT support vehicle is available every day at designated points for those who need assistance.

Daily Mileage: 10 - 44| Biking: 1 - 4| Group Size: 22

Trip ID
vbt-vbt-HoBe

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