Holland and Belgium Bike & Barge Amsterdam ​

Depart from the U.S. for the Netherlands. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

This evening, meet one of our VBT Trip Leaders at 6 p.m. in the lobby of the hotel for an introductory meeting before trying one of Amsterdam's wonderful restaurants for dinner on your own.

VBT No-Air Package guests: You are responsible for making your own way to meet our barge, the Iris, and to arrive between 1 and 1:30 p.m. Please note that you cannot arrive 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, as the barge will sail shortly after this time. The barge will be moored in Oosterdok, near the entrance of the NEMO museum and behind the Amsterdam Centraal train station. The contact telephone number is 0620 245 095 from within The Netherlands or ++31 620 245 095 from abroad. Please refer to the information listed in the tour handbook.

VBT Air Package and Pre-Trip Extension guests: After breakfast, make sure your luggage is packed and ready to be transported to the barge. At 9:30 a.m., meet one of our VBT Trip Leaders in the hotel lobby for a guided walking tour of Amsterdam, visiting many of the city's highlights. Board the barge at 1:45 p.m. in order to depart at 2 p.m. At the docks, meet the barge crew and your second VBT Trip Leader, who will welcome you aboard with refreshments. Cruise out of Amsterdam on the IJ waterway, catching glimpses of houseboats and floating houses. The barge stops before dinner for your warm-up ride, which goes along the river Vecht. This evening, gather with the group for a welcome dinner onboard. After dinner there is a crew presentation. We moor in Vianen, a small city on the river Lek.

After breakfast we cycle along small canals of the Krimpenerwaard. We pedal alongside the river through Schoonhoven, the “Silver City.” Continue on to the Kinderdijk UNESCO World Heritage Site, where 19 of Holland's famous windmills — some more than 260 years old — decorate the horizon. During a tour, we learn how these gems were used well into the 20th century. Then we cycle (or cruise, if you prefer) to Dordrecht, one of Holland's oldest towns and birthplace of the state of the Netherlands, fathered by William of Orange. We stroll through the city's historic center to get a glimpse of its rich past. This evening, your Trip Leaders will give you an insight into water management systems.  We moor tonight in Dordrecht.

This morning, enjoy a short language lesson whilst the barge sails to Willemstad, an old fortified town on the Haringvliet, where you can explore before cycling to Tholen. Then pedal through a quiet farmland area and pass through historical locks. Tholen was once an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams where many people fished for their living. Today, it is connected to the mainland, but it remains a picturesque village with relics of an eventful past. We have a picnic lunch at the historical locks before we arrive at our destination. Tonight, we will have a home hosted visit in Tholen.

After we cruise out of Antwerp, we begin another bicycle journey via Temse, Basel castle, and along the old Scheld River to Dendermonde. On the way, lunch is on your own near Basel castle

Our afternoon route continues past magnificent river views to Dendermonde, the centuries-old city with a Benedictine abbey at its center. Dinner is served aboard the barge tonight.  Before dinner you can learn more about Belgium’s beer during our onboard beer tasting.

After breakfast, we cycle from Dendermonde to Ghent. 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 back to medieval times. Eat lunch on board the barge before a guided boat excursion to the center of Ghent. Then explore the city on your own before dinner at a local restaurant.

During breakfast this morning, the barge cruises out of the city while cyclists who have chosen the longer ride option begin cycling toward Bruges. Others remain on board until Aalter Bridge, where the shorter cycling route to Bruges begins. The barge rejoins the main canal and arrives in Bruges in the late afternoon.

Regarded by many as Europe's best-preserved medieval city, Bruges is filled with beautiful houses, built by wealthy textile merchants that lined its network of canals. A 350-foot, 13th-century belfry tower, which houses Europe's most famous carillon, presides over the city's Market Square. You have ample time to marvel at the medieval ambiance of this lovely city and to walk its winding streets. Dine on the barge one last time this evening.

VBT No-Air Package guests: After breakfast, your tour ends. It is important that you leave the barge no later than 9 a.m. Please refer to the information listed in the tour handbook.

VBT Air Package guests and Post-Trip Extension guests: After breakfast, say goodbye to your barge crew and one Trip Leader, then walk through Bruges's winding streets to the hotel with your second Trip Leader. During the walk, you will get an orientation of the historic city center. Please note that the hotel check in time is 3 p.m. but the staff will do their best to get you to your rooms as soon as possible. After checking in, you have free time for independent exploration. VBT provides you with City Information in your Final Travel Booklet that includes recommendations on what to see and do in Bruges.

Bruges was northern Europe's leading trade center between the 13th and 15th centuries, based largely on thriving wool and textile industries. The city has been famous for its fine lace for 500 years; you may wish to visit one of the small cottage industries revolving around lace-making. Enjoy dinner on your own in town tonight.

Today is free for you to independently explore Bruges or one of the nearby villages. Dinner is on your own in town tonight.

After breakfast* meet in the hotel lobby for your transfer to the Brussels airport and your flight back to the U.S. Please note: Be sure that you are waiting at the designated time and transfer location.

Important: 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.

* 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.