Holland and Belgium Bike & Boat: Bruges

Depart from home for Belgium. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary.

Upon arrival at the Brussels airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. If any portion of your luggage appears to be lost, fill in a PIR form before leaving the customs area — VBT representatives are not allowed into the customs area. (Please note: Also make certain that your VBT luggage tags are affixed to your bag so your VBT representative can identify you.)

After exiting customs, enter the arrival hall and look for your VBT representative holding a VBT sign. Please wait here while your representative helps make arrangements for your transfer via taxi or minibus to your Bruges hotel (transfer time is approximately 1 hour, depending on traffic). The transfer company’s name is Taxi Snel, telephone number +32 50 36 36 49.

Please note: Hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m. There will be a VBT group checking out of the hotel, so please do not plan for your room to be available earlier. VBT and the hotel appreciate your understanding and cooperation. You may leave your bags with reception while you explore Bruges. There is so much to see and do just around the corner. VBT provides you with City Information that includes recommendations.

Seek out a restaurant for dinner on your own tonight.

Hotel: Hotel Navarra

VBT Air Package and Pre-Trip Extension guests: After breakfast, spend more free time in Bruges. Make sure your luggage is packed and ready to be transported to the barge before 9:45 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., join our VBT Trip Leader in the hotel lobby and walk together to our barge in time for a 2:00 p.m. departure. At the docks, meet the barge crew and our second VBT Trip Leader, who welcome you aboard with refreshments.

You will cruise out of Bruges on a charming canal. The barge stops before dinner so you can join your Trip Leaders for a warm-up ride into the heart of Flanders.

This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner on board and learn a bit of Flemish and Dutch during a fun language class. You will moor in Ghent, one of Belgium’s most beautiful cities.

Please note regarding Wi-Fi onboard the barge: Due to the nature of the barge movements, internet access is not always available. As such, if stable internet access is critical to you, VBT recommends that you purchase your own bundle before traveling overseas.

Please note regarding Ride with GPS: Due to the limited Wi-Fi on board, VBT also recommend downloading your VBT Maps & Routes Notes from a WI-FI zone prior to arrival on the boat if you wish to use Ride with GPS on your smartphone. During your vacation, you will be able to follow these route notes on your smartphone with turn-by-turn voice navigation as you ride. This option is in addition to VBT’s traditional printed maps and route notes available on tour.

Hotel: Barge Fiep
Meals: B (included for Air Package guests only), D
Daily Options: 12 miles (19km)

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 Schelde 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 to Ghent’s merchants. Many old patrician houses have been preserved in the city center. One historic building is the Cloth Makers’ Hall, built in 1425. The city’s major church is St. Baaf’s Cathedral, constructed and enhanced in various styles over many centuries. In the cathedral, admire a number of masterpieces of medieval painting, including Jan van Eyck’s famous Adoration of the Lamb. (On Sunday morning there is a service in the cathedral, and it is not possible to see this famous painting—only the replica.) Lunch is on your own in Ghent.

After lunch, enjoy a scenic ride out of the city. Your bike path parallels the Schelde River. You will cycle through small “polder” villages and past marshy grasslands, ponds and picturesque creeks. A Berlare-Appels ferry takes you to the south shore of the Schelde, where you will cross the Dender River locks system and rejoin your barge. Your destination today is Dendermonde, a centuries-old city with a Benedictine abbey and pretty market square at its center. This evening, enjoy a Belgian beer tasting and crew presentation.

Hotel: Barge Fiep
Meals: B, D
Daily Options: 18 or 20 miles (28.9 or 31.6 km)

Cycle from Dendermonde 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 created both the terrestrial and celestial globes. Arrive in Bazel for lunch on your own, with time to explore its picturesque church square and Wissekerke castle. Continue cycling through farmland and tiny villages to Antwerp, Belgium’s second largest city.

Meet the barge at one of Antwerp’s historic docks in the afternoon, then walk into town to dine on your own in one of the many restaurants and enjoy a free evening.

Hotel: Barge Fiep
Meals: B
Daily Options: 15.5, 23 or 36 miles (24.7, 36.3 or 58.4 km)

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’ll have plenty of time to explore all of the delights during free time this morning.

After enjoying lunch on your own in Antwerp rejoin the barge and relax while cruising through the impressive port and along the quieter canals to Tholen. After dinner onboard the barge, we’ve invited some local families to meet you at the barge and accompany you back to their homes for an evening of camaraderie and cultural exchange.

Hotel: Barge Fiep
Meals: B, D
Daily Options: Non-biking day

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 in 1649 for a better life. Later, you will coast into Willemstad, an old fortified town on the Haringvliet. The 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 Netherlands.

Meet your barge here and set sail during lunch to Dordrecht. The barge moors in the city’s historic center, making for an easy and delightful afternoon of exploring. Dordrecht is one of Holland’s oldest towns and birthplace of the state of The Netherlands, founded by William of Orange. This evening, explore more of the town on your own and find a restaurant for dinner.

Hotel: Barge Fiep
Meals: B, L
Daily Options: 28 or 29 miles (44.8 or 46.8 km)

During breakfast, you will sail the River Noord to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, 19 of Holland’s famous windmills — some more than 260 years old — adorn the horizon. After your visit, cycle through the beautiful canal and meadow landscapes of Alblasserwaard to Schoonhoven or “Silver City” for its long silversmithing tradition. Here re-board the barge and enjoy lunch. After lunch you have the option to cycle or cruise to Vianen.

If you choose our longer option, you will pass a landscape of wide polders separated by numerous canals. These patches of land reclaimed from the sea average an elevation of six feet below sea-level. An afternoon route leads through a series of villages and hamlets, where your trails skirt the backyards of locals. You will also ride along the Lek River dike and gain clear views of the different water levels.

Spend the night in Vianen, a small city on the River Lek.

Hotel: Barge Fiep
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 17 or 33 miles (27.3 or 53.1 km)

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 rivers Vecht and Amstel, which lead right into the city. Along the river Vecht, pass magnificent 17th-century mansions and country estates built by prosperous Amsterdam merchants. You will stop for a picnic lunch along the way. Tonight, enjoy our last dinner on board.

Hotel: Barge Fiep
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 15, 20 or 27 miles (23.3, 32.2 or 44.2 km)

VBT Air Package guests and Post-Trip Extension guests: After breakfast, say goodbye to your barge crew and VBT Trip Leader, then join your other Trip Leader for an orientation walk through Amsterdam’s canal-lined streets to your hotel. Please note that check-in time is 3:00 p.m., but the staff will do their best to get you to your rooms as soon as possible. After checking in, explore Amsterdam and enjoy dinner on your own. VBT provides you with City Information that includes recommendations on what to see and do in the city.

Hotel: Hotel Vondel
Meals: B

After breakfast,* meet in the hotel lobby to transfer to the Amsterdam airport and your departing flight back home.** Be sure you are waiting at the designated time and transfer location.

*Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the front desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

**VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder.” The transfer is prearranged by VBT and is prepaid. VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Meals: B

VBT-Bicycle-Vacation-only guests: 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 arrangements. We sail at 2:00 p.m.

The barge will be moored next to bus parking Buiten Katelijnevest in central Bruges.

You will cruise out of Bruges on a charming canal. The barge stops before dinner so you can join your Trip Leaders for a warm-up ride into the heart of Flanders.

This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner on board and learn a bit of Flemish and Dutch during a fun language class. You will moor in Ghent, one of Belgium’s most beautiful cities.

Please note regarding Wi-Fi onboard the barge: Due to the nature of the barge movements, internet access is not always available. As such, if stable internet access is critical to you, VBT recommends that you purchase your own bundle before traveling overseas.

Please note regarding Ride with GPS: Due to the limited Wi-Fi on board, VBT also recommend downloading your VBT Maps & Routes Notes from a WI-FI zone prior to arrival on the boat if you wish to use Ride with GPS on your smartphone. During your vacation, you will be able to follow these route notes on your smartphone with turn-by-turn voice navigation as you ride. This option is in addition to VBT’s traditional printed maps and route notes available on tour.

Hotel: Barge Fiep
Meals: B (included for Air Package guests only), D
Daily Options: 12 miles (19km)

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 Schelde 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 to Ghent’s merchants. Many old patrician houses have been preserved in the city center. One historic building is the Cloth Makers’ Hall, built in 1425. The city’s major church is St. Baaf’s Cathedral, constructed and enhanced in various styles over many centuries. In the cathedral, admire a number of masterpieces of medieval painting, including Jan van Eyck’s famous Adoration of the Lamb. (On Sunday morning there is a service in the cathedral, and it is not possible to see this famous painting—only the replica.) Lunch is on your own in Ghent.

After lunch, enjoy a scenic ride out of the city. Your bike path parallels the Schelde River. You will cycle through small “polder” villages and past marshy grasslands, ponds and picturesque creeks. A Berlare-Appels ferry takes you to the south shore of the Schelde, where you will cross the Dender River locks system and rejoin your barge. Your destination today is Dendermonde, a centuries-old city with a Benedictine abbey and pretty market square at its center. This evening, enjoy a Belgian beer tasting and crew presentation.

Hotel: Barge Fiep
Meals: B, D
Daily Options: 18 or 20 miles (28.9 or 31.6 km)

Cycle from Dendermonde 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 created both the terrestrial and celestial globes. Arrive in Bazel for lunch on your own, with time to explore its picturesque church square and Wissekerke castle. Continue cycling through farmland and tiny villages to Antwerp, Belgium’s second largest city.

Meet the barge at one of Antwerp’s historic docks in the afternoon, then walk into town to dine on your own in one of the many restaurants and enjoy a free evening.

Hotel: Barge Fiep
Meals: B
Daily Options: 15.5, 23 or 36 miles (24.7, 36.3 or 58.4 km)

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’ll have plenty of time to explore all of the delights during free time this morning.

After enjoying lunch on your own in Antwerp rejoin the barge and relax while cruising through the impressive port and along the quieter canals to Tholen. After dinner onboard the barge, we’ve invited some local families to meet you at the barge and accompany you back to their homes for an evening of camaraderie and cultural exchange.

Hotel: Barge Fiep
Meals: B, D
Daily Options: Non-biking day

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 in 1649 for a better life. Later, you will coast into Willemstad, an old fortified town on the Haringvliet. The 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 Netherlands.

Meet your barge here and set sail during lunch to Dordrecht. The barge moors in the city’s historic center, making for an easy and delightful afternoon of exploring. Dordrecht is one of Holland’s oldest towns and birthplace of the state of The Netherlands, founded by William of Orange. This evening, explore more of the town on your own and find a restaurant for dinner.

Hotel: Barge Fiep
Meals: B, L
Daily Options: 28 or 29 miles (44.8 or 46.8 km)

During breakfast, you will sail the River Noord to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, 19 of Holland’s famous windmills — some more than 260 years old — adorn the horizon. After your visit, cycle through the beautiful canal and meadow landscapes of Alblasserwaard to Schoonhoven or “Silver City” for its long silversmithing tradition. Here re-board the barge and enjoy lunch. After lunch you have the option to cycle or cruise to Vianen.

If you choose our longer option, you will pass a landscape of wide polders separated by numerous canals. These patches of land reclaimed from the sea average an elevation of six feet below sea-level. An afternoon route leads through a series of villages and hamlets, where your trails skirt the backyards of locals. You will also ride along the Lek River dike and gain clear views of the different water levels.

Spend the night in Vianen, a small city on the River Lek.

Hotel: Barge Fiep
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 17 or 33 miles (27.3 or 53.1 km)

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 rivers Vecht and Amstel, which lead right into the city. Along the river Vecht, pass magnificent 17th-century mansions and country estates built by prosperous Amsterdam merchants. You will stop for a picnic lunch along the way. Tonight, enjoy our last dinner on board.

Hotel: Barge Fiep
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 15, 20 or 27 miles (23.3, 32.2 or 44.2 km)

VBT-Bicycle-Vacation-only guests: After 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.

Meals: B