Holland & Belgium Bike & Boat: Bruges to Amsterdam

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 World 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 on-board 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 CityBruges
End CityAmsterdam

Travel Themes

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

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Belgium
  • Netherlands

Attractions

  • Amsterdam
  • Bruges
  • Holland

Activities

  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Mountain Biking
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • River cruise
  • Sailing
  • Guided Group
  • Small Ship Cruises

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 / Warm-up ride and cruise to Ghent

You are responsible for making your own way to meet the barge, 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 make alternative a...

DAY 2: Tour Ghent / Cycle to Dendermonde and St. Amands

After breakfast, embark a local boat excursion to the center of Ghent with a guide, then explore on your own. Located at the confluence of the Scheldt and Leie rivers, this “City of 200 Bridges” was founded around 600 AD. Many of its beautiful buildings date to mediev...

DAY 3: Cycle from St. Amands / Continue ride to Antwerp

Cycle from St. Amands via Temse along the Sheldt River. You will ride through the village of Rupelmonde, pausing to admire its unique tidal watermill and statue of the mathematician and mapmaker Mercator. He was the world’s premier geographer in the 16th century and c...

DAY 4: Visit Antwerp / Cruise to Tholen

Today is a non-biking day. This morning, you will visit Antwerp, known as the “Diamond City” and the hometown of the painter Peter Paul Rubens. In the middle of the city, you’ll find the Cathedral of Our Lady and beautiful old townhouses around the Market Square. You’...

DAY 5: Cycle from Tholen to Willemstad / Cruise to Dordrecht

This morning, cycle from Tholen to Willemstad through tranquil agricultural land on the western edge of Brabant province, passing through the small town of Oud-Vossemeer. Claes van’t Rosevelt, ancestor of the American presidential family, emigrated from this village i...

DAY 6: Cruise to Alblasserdam / Cycle to Kinderdijk / Schoonhoven / Vianen

During breakfast, you will sail the River Noord to Alblasserdam where you will begin riding to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, 19 of Holland’s famous windmills—some more than 260 years old—adorn the horizon. After cycling along the old windmills, conti...

DAY 7: Arrive in Amsterdam

During breakfast this morning, you will cruise to Breukelen, a charming little town after which Brooklyn in New York is named. Begin cycling across a white drawbridge, the original “Brooklyn” Bridge, toward Amsterdam. Follow the beautiful Vecht and Gaasp rivers, which...

DAY 8: Depart Barge / Explore Amsterdam

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.

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
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Tour Operator

VBT Bicycling Vacations

premier
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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.

Why we love this operator
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
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: 11 - 36 miles| Biking: 2 - 4 hours| Group Size: 22

Trip ID
vbt-vbt-HoBeBi

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