Amsterdam to Ghent by Bike and Boat (and reverse) – 8 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 2
Duration: 7 Nights
Distance: 20 Miles/day average
Dates:
From Amsterdam: Apr 4, 11; May 2, 16, 30; Jul 4, 25; Aug 8, 29; Sep 12, 26, 2015.
From Ghent: Apr 18; May 9, 23;Jun 6; Jul 11; Aug 1, 15; Sep 5, 19; Oct 3, 2015
Tour price: €845
Start city: Ghent (Bruges), Belgium/Amsterdam, Holland
End city: Amsterdam, Holland/Ghent (Bruges), Belgium
Tour Description
This bicycle tour in the Netherlands and Belgium offers you a unique oppurtunity to get to know the lowlands at the North Sea. Experience lovely Amsterdam and old Dutch towns such as Gouda and Willemstad. You will then cross the border to Belgium to discover the Belgian pearls of Antwerp, Ghent and on top of that, Bruges!
Enjoy all this while you spend a week on the Anna Maria V, Tijdgeest, and Sarah boats, beautiful and comfortable boats that offer guests sundecks, dining room and much more!
This tour operates in two directions, from Amsterdam to Ghent or from Ghent to Amsterdam. See the daily program for more information.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Amsterdam to Ghent Day 1: Amsterdam and warm-up ride (6 miles/10 km) Day 2: Oude Wetering – Gouda (25 miles/40 km; 16 miles/25 km) Day 3: Gouda – Willemstad (25 miles/40 km) Day 4: Rest Day Day 5: Antwerp – Dendermonde (31 miles/50 km) Day 6: Dendermonde – Ghent (19 miles/30 km) Day 7: Tour of Bruges Day 8: Departure Ghent to Amsterdam Day 1: Arrival in Ghent Day 2: Visit Bruges, warm-up ride (9 miles/15 km) Day 3: Dendermonde – Antwerp (19 miles/30 km) Day 4: Rest day Day 5: Willemstad – Gouda (25 miles/40 km) Day 6: Gouda – Oude Wetering (25 miles/40 km; 16 miles/25 km) Day 7: Oude Wetering – Amsterdam (16 miles/25 km) Day 8: Departure from Amsterdam Included Services: Guided Bike Rentals: Guided All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge: Pedals: Seats: Helmets: *If you do bring your own bike, there will be a 20 Euros discount off of the tour package price.
This tour runs in both directions, from Amsterdam to Ghent and from Ghent to Amsterdam. Detailed itineraries for each direction are found below.
Apr 4, 11; May 2, 16, 30; Jul 4, 25; Aug 8, 29; Sep 12, 26, 2015
Embarkation and checking in aboard the hotel barge. In the afternoon the barge crosses the Amsterdam centre and heads for the village of Oude Wetering. In the evening there’s a short warm-up ride on the bike.
Overnight in Oude Wetering.
You enjoy an easy bike ride right through some real Dutch meadow lands and end your trip in cheese town Gouda. Free time in Gouda after your dinner. At most departures in April and May this day a visit to Flowerpark Keukenhof is planned for an extra cost; in this case the cycling itinerary will be shorter.
Overnight in Gouda.
First we sail to the world famous windmills of Kinderdijk. Via the old Dutch town of Dordrecht your way leads to the natural reserve Biesbosch to Moerdijk where the barge will pick you up. The sailing trip takes you to the beautiful walled town of Willemstad.
Overnight in Willemstad.
Today the barge sails right across the impressive waterways of Zeeland the ship will take you to the lively town of Antwerp in Belgium. After arrival your guide invites you for a short city walk and you have free time to explore this lively port town.
Overnight in Willemstad.
You cycle out of Antwerp for a ride through the pretty Flemish countryside alongside the river Schelde. You spend the night in the provincial town of Dendermonde.
Overnight in Dendermonde.
The river Schelde is a tidal river and thus the barge may have to wait for the high tide to continue. Therefore you disembark and cycle directly to the old city of Ghent. The tour leader will invite you for a walk across the wonderful town centre.
Overnight in Ghent.
By train you go to Bruges and your tour leader will make you acquainted with this unique town. Till halfway the afternoon you are free to discover Bruges. You return to Ghent by train.
Overnight in Ghent.
Check out and transfer by bus to Amsterdam airport.
Apr 18; May 9, 23; Jun 6; Jul 11; Aug 1, 15; Sep 5, 19; Oct 3, 2015
Transfer by bus from Amsterdam Airport to Ghent in Belgium. Embarkation and checking in aboard the hotel barge. The tour leader will invite you for a walk across the wonderful town centre.
Overnight in Ghent.
By train you go to Bruges and your tour leader will make you acquainted with this unique town. In the months of April and May a ride through the centre of Bruges in a horse-drawn carriage is planned for an extra cost. Till halfway the afternoon you are free to discover Bruges. By train you go to Dendermonde where the barge will stay for the night. In the evening there’s a short test ride in and around Dendermonde
Overnight in Dendermonde.
From Dendermonde you ride through the pretty Flemish countryside alongside the river Schelde to Antwerp. In the afternoon your guide invites you for a short city walk and after wards you have free time to explore the town centre. In the evening you may wish to visit some bars and have a good taste of Belgian beers.
Overnight in Antwerp.
In the morning there will be some more time to visit Antwerp. In the afternoon there’s a sailing trip over the Belgian-Dutch border to the beautiful walled town of Willemstad.
Overnight in Willenstad.
The barge will drop you at the edge of natural reserve Biesbosch and you start today’s cycle ride. You visit the windmills of Kinderdijk and will certainly enjoy the rural scenery that continue to cheese town Gouda. In the evening you may wish to join your tour leader for a short city walk.
Overnight in Gouda.
You enjoy an easy bike ride right through some real Dutch meadowlands and end your trip in a small village called Oude Wetering. At most departures in April and May this day a visit to Flowerpark Keukenhof is planned (see: exclusive), the cycling itinerary will be shorter. You may enjoy the quietness of the rural Dutch countryside before you arrive in busy Amsterdam tomorrow.
Overnight in Oude Wetering.
On the banks of the river Amstel you cycle in the direction of and then across the Amsterdam town centre to the mooring place of your barge. In the afternoon there’s time to explore the lively Dutch capital and do some shopping. In the evening there’s a city walk and you may wish to make a round trip of the famous Amsterdam canals.
Overnight in Amsterdam.
End of your bike and barge tour and check out.
Bikes included in tour package price:
The bikes will have FLAT pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
If you plan to bring your own seat, please ensure that it is a universal seat post.
Helmets are NOT available to be rented. We recommend, for safety and hygiene reasons, that you bring your own helmet, or purchase one upon arrival.
