Holland & Belgium Bike & Boat: Amsterdam to Bruges

Your vacation is about to begin! Spend your first night aloft and arrive ready for an unforgettable trip.

A VBT representative will greet you at the airport to start your adventure off right. A complimentary car service will whisk you to your centrally located hotel. From here, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming city at your leisure.

After an included breakfast, make sure your luggage is packed and ready to be transported to the barge. At 9:30 a.m., meet one of your VBT trip leaders in the hotel lobby for a walk to city center, passing some of the city’s highlights and taking some free time for lunch on your own. You will board the barge at 1:45 p.m. and depart at 2:00 p.m. At the docks, meet the barge crew and your VBT trip leaders, who will welcome you aboard with refreshments. Cruise out of Amsterdam on the IJ waterway, catching glimpses of houseboats and floating houses.

Later, gather with the group for a welcome dinner on board while cruising. You moor overnight in Vianen, a small city on the river Lek.

Today's Ride Choices

Afternoon: Nigtevecht to Breukelen Warm-up — 17 km (10 miles)

What to Expect:

The warm-up ride starts at Nigtevecht, at the connector between the old river and the modern Amsterdam-Rhine canal. Although the road is quiet, it is narrow, and you will encounter some light traffic. You will cross the original Brooklyn Bridge into Breukelen town, the home of the first settlers in New Amsterdam (New York).

Cumulative Distance Range: 17 km (10 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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 where 19 of Holland’s famous windmills—some more than 260 years old—adorn the horizon. Then you ride to Alblasserdam and cruise from here to Dordrecht, one of Holland’s oldest towns and birthplace of the state of the Netherlands, founded by William of Orange. Enjoy dinner on board in Dordrecht, where the barge moors overnight. After dinner, stroll through the city’s historic center to get a glimpse of its rich past with one of your trip leaders.

Today's Ride Choices

Morning: Vianen to Schoonhoven — 26 km (16 miles)

Afternoon: Schoonhoven to Alblasserdam via Kinderdijk — 30 km (19 miles)

What to Expect:

Today’s ride starts in Vianen. First, you cross a big bridge over the River Lek. The next stretch leads you through villages in the Krimpenerwaard Polder, where a small fietspad (bike path) takes you through private backyards. In the small old city of Schoonhoven, choose a restaurant for lunch on your own. You can board your barge, disembark, or continue riding here.

From Schoonhoven, you’ll cross the River Lek by ferry. The route continues to Nieuwpoort town and into the Alblasserwaard Polder. This is mainly dairy farming and pastureland with black-and-white Frisian cows and variety of waterfowl. Your fietspad continues through Kinderdijk amid the country’s largest collection of traditional windmills.

Cumulative Distance Range: 26 – 56 km (16 – 35 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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 Netherlands. Your bike ride begins with a guided tour of this town.

Then cycle to Tholen, once an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams where many people fished for a living. Today, it is connected to the mainland, but it remains a picturesque village with relics of an eventful past. Pedal through quiet farmlands, and pause for a picnic lunch at historic locks before arriving in Tholen. Here, you will rejoin the barge and enjoy dinner on board. Afterward, 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.

Today's Ride Choices

Morning: Willemstad to Dintel Locks — 24 km (15 miles)

Afternoon: Dintel Locks to Tholen — 26 km (16 miles) OR Dintel Locks to Tholen including loop — 35 km (22 miles)

What to Expect:

Ride through the relatively “new” rural agricultural corner of western Brabant province. It is a country of potatoes and sugar beets. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at the historic Dintel River Locks. Afterward, cross the bridge to Tholen, a former island in Zeeland province reaching Oud-Vossemeer, the home of the Roosevelt family. Finally, arrive in Tholen, the tiny island capital.

Cumulative Distance Range: 24 – 59 km (15 – 37 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 Peter Paul Rubens. You may wish to visit the Cathedral of Our Lady and the Market Square, lined with beautiful historic townhouses. Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own in a local restaurant.

Today's Ride Choices

What to Expect:

Non-biking day: Cruise to and explore Antwerp

Included Meals: Brunch

After breakfast in Antwerp, you will 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 cycle to Dendermonde, a centuries-old city with a Benedictine abbey and pretty market square at its center. Continue cycling on to St. Amands, a small village on a beautiful bend in the river. Before dinner on board tonight, you can learn more about Belgian beer during an onboard beer tasting.

Today's Ride Choices

Morning: Antwerp to Temse — 34 km (21 miles)

Afternoon: Temse to Sint-Amands — 26 km (16 miles)

What to Expect:

Begin your route with a small ferry ride across the Scheldt River followed by a short spin to view a special bike-and-pedestrian tunnel under the river (option to ride through the tunnel). Afterward, cycle through typical Flanders’ countryside, crisscross through agricultural and quiet suburban areas to reach Kruibeke with its Wednesday market. You’ll arrive back at the Scheldt pausing for lunch in Rupelmonde, with 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. In the afternoon, you will follow the river again, on either side, crossing it by bridge and with ferries. This section of the ride is most scenic, over the Temse Bridge, to the city of Temse, once a trading center. Next, ride on the Scheldt Dike to the Mariekerke ferry. Then continue cycling to our mooring in St. Amands.

Cumulative Distance Range: 26 – 60 km (16 – 37 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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 to Ghent’s merchants.

After a leisurely lunch on board the barge, embark a local boat for an excursion into the center of Ghent with a guide. You’ll also have time to explore this attractive medieval canal city on your own. Many old patrician houses have been preserved in the city center. One historic building is the 1425 Cloth Makers’ Hall, where textile merchants met and traded. 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. Try one of the local restaurants for dinner on your own.

Today's Ride Choices

Morning: Dendermonde to Ghent — 40 km (25 miles)

What to Expect:

Today, there is only a morning ride. In the afternoon, you will visit Ghent. After Berlare village you’ll divert through more quaint villages and scenic agricultural lands to the lovely town of Schellebelle. After some pedal strokes on the river dike, you’ll follow a suburban stretch to the large locks of Merelbeke. regroup at Brewery Huijghe in Melle where they brew the best beer in the world with the iconic pink elephant! Then, cycle a short distance where you’ll embark for lunch on board while the barge sails to its canal mooring site.

Cumulative Distance Range: 40 km (25 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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. Alternately, if you have chosen the longer ride option, you will cycle to Bruges with an extra countryside ride via Damme.

Regarded by many as Europe’s best-preserved medieval city, Bruges is laced by a network of canals lined by beautiful houses built by wealthy textile merchants. A 350-foot (106.7-meter), 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.

Today's Ride Choices

Morning-Afternoon: Aalterburg to Picnic — 10 km (6 miles) | Picnic to Damme — 16 km (10 miles) | Damme to Bruges — 10 km (6 miles)

What to Expect:

After an early-morning barge cruise, disembark at Aalterburg to start biking through one of the prettiest parts of the Flemish countryside. On the last miles to Bruges, you will follow the canal. The longer option diverts through the countryside via an old abbey and Damme, an ancient literary town and former Bruges harbor.

Cumulative Distance Range: 25 – 51 km (16 – 32 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After an included breakfast, say goodbye to your barge crew and one trip leader, then walk through Bruges’s winding streets to the hotel with one of you trip leaders, enjoying an orientation of the historic city center along the way. There is so much to see and do just around the corner. VBT provides you with city information that includes recommendations.

Bruges was northern Europe’s leading trade center between the 13th and 15th centuries, driven largely by its 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 lacemaking. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight.

Included Meals: Breakfast

From your centrally located hotel, walk the cobbled streets of this enchanting town. Be sure to go to the top of the Belfort Tower for a panoramic view of the splendid medieval cityscape. You may want to visit the 12th-century Basilica of the Holy Blood, said to contain a small vial of Christ’s blood that was brought to Bruges from the Holy Land in 1149. Or stop by the Memling Museum, housed in one of the oldest surviving medieval hospitals in Europe.

Tonight, try one of Bruges’ wonderful restaurants for dinner on your own using VBT’s city information as your guide.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After an included breakfast this morning, complimentary transportation to the Brussels airport will be provided (an approximately one hour and 45 minutes to two-hour drive, depending on traffic) for your departing flight.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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 make alternative arrangements. The barge will be moored in Oosterdok, near the entrance of the NEMO Museum, behind the Amsterdam Centraal train station. Please refer to the information listed in the tour handbook. The barge sails at 2:00 p.m.

You will dock for our warm-up ride, which follows the river Vecht. Later, gather with the group for a welcome dinner on board while cruising. You moor overnight in Vianen, a small city on the river Lek.

Today's Ride Choices

Afternoon: Nigtevecht to Breukelen Warm-up — 17 km (10 miles)

What to Expect:

The warm-up ride starts at Nigtevecht, at the connector between the old river and the modern Amsterdam-Rhine canal. Although the road is quiet, it is narrow, and you will encounter some light traffic. You will cross the original Brooklyn Bridge into Breukelen town, the home of the first settlers in New Amsterdam (New York).

Cumulative Distance Range: 17 km (10 miles)

Included Meals: Dinner

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 where 19 of Holland’s famous windmills—some more than 260 years old—adorn the horizon. Then you ride to Alblasserdam and cruise from here to Dordrecht, one of Holland’s oldest towns and birthplace of the state of the Netherlands, founded by William of Orange. Enjoy dinner on board in Dordrecht, where the barge moors overnight. After dinner, stroll through the city’s historic center to get a glimpse of its rich past with one of your trip leaders.

Today's Ride Choices

Morning: Vianen to Schoonhoven — 26 km (16 miles)

Afternoon: Schoonhoven to Alblasserdam via Kinderdijk — 30 km (19 miles)

What to Expect:

Today’s ride starts in Vianen. First, you cross a big bridge over the River Lek. The next stretch leads you through villages in the Krimpenerwaard Polder, where a small fietspad (bike path) takes you through private backyards. In the small old city of Schoonhoven, choose a restaurant for lunch on your own. You can board your barge, disembark, or continue riding here.

From Schoonhoven, you’ll cross the River Lek by ferry. The route continues to Nieuwpoort town and into the Alblasserwaard Polder. This is mainly dairy farming and pastureland with black-and-white Frisian cows and variety of waterfowl. Your fietspad continues through Kinderdijk amid the country’s largest collection of traditional windmills.

Cumulative Distance Range: 26 – 56 km (16 – 35 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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 Netherlands. Your bike ride begins with a guided tour of this town.

Then cycle to Tholen, once an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams where many people fished for a living. Today, it is connected to the mainland, but it remains a picturesque village with relics of an eventful past. Pedal through quiet farmlands, and pause for a picnic lunch at historic locks before arriving in Tholen. Here, you will rejoin the barge and enjoy dinner on board. Afterward, 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.

Today's Ride Choices

Morning: Willemstad to Dintel Locks — 24 km (15 miles)

Afternoon: Dintel Locks to Tholen — 26 km (16 miles) OR Dintel Locks to Tholen including loop — 35 km (22 miles)

What to Expect:

Ride through the relatively “new” rural agricultural corner of western Brabant province. It is a country of potatoes and sugar beets. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at the historic Dintel River Locks. Afterward, cross the bridge to Tholen, a former island in Zeeland province reaching Oud-Vossemeer, the home of the Roosevelt family. Finally, arrive in Tholen, the tiny island capital.

Cumulative Distance Range: 24 – 59 km (15 – 37 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 Peter Paul Rubens. You may wish to visit the Cathedral of Our Lady and the Market Square, lined with beautiful historic townhouses. Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own in a local restaurant.

Today's Ride Choices

What to Expect:

Non-biking day: Cruise to and explore Antwerp

Included Meals: Brunch

After breakfast in Antwerp, you will 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 cycle to Dendermonde, a centuries-old city with a Benedictine abbey and pretty market square at its center. Continue cycling on to St. Amands, a small village on a beautiful bend in the river. Before dinner on board tonight, you can learn more about Belgian beer during an onboard beer tasting.

Today's Ride Choices

Morning: Antwerp to Temse — 34 km (21 miles)

Afternoon: Temse to Sint-Amands — 26 km (16 miles)

What to Expect:

Begin your route with a small ferry ride across the Scheldt River followed by a short spin to view a special bike-and-pedestrian tunnel under the river (option to ride through the tunnel). Afterward, cycle through typical Flanders’ countryside, crisscross through agricultural and quiet suburban areas to reach Kruibeke with its Wednesday market. You’ll arrive back at the Scheldt pausing for lunch in Rupelmonde, with 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. In the afternoon, you will follow the river again, on either side, crossing it by bridge and with ferries. This section of the ride is most scenic, over the Temse Bridge, to the city of Temse, once a trading center. Next, ride on the Scheldt Dike to the Mariekerke ferry. Then continue cycling to our mooring in St. Amands.

Cumulative Distance Range: 26 – 60 km (16 – 37 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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 to Ghent’s merchants.

After a leisurely lunch on board the barge, embark a local boat for an excursion into the center of Ghent with a guide. You’ll also have time to explore this attractive medieval canal city on your own. Many old patrician houses have been preserved in the city center. One historic building is the 1425 Cloth Makers’ Hall, where textile merchants met and traded. 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. Try one of the local restaurants for dinner on your own.

Today's Ride Choices

Morning: Dendermonde to Ghent — 40 km (25 miles)

What to Expect:

Today, there is only a morning ride. In the afternoon, you will visit Ghent. After Berlare village you’ll divert through more quaint villages and scenic agricultural lands to the lovely town of Schellebelle. After some pedal strokes on the river dike, you’ll follow a suburban stretch to the large locks of Merelbeke. regroup at Brewery Huijghe in Melle where they brew the best beer in the world with the iconic pink elephant! Then, cycle a short distance where you’ll embark for lunch on board while the barge sails to its canal mooring site.

Cumulative Distance Range: 40 km (25 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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. Alternately, if you have chosen the longer ride option, you will cycle to Bruges with an extra countryside ride via Damme.

Regarded by many as Europe’s best-preserved medieval city, Bruges is laced by a network of canals lined by beautiful houses built by wealthy textile merchants. A 350-foot (106.7-meter), 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.

Today's Ride Choices

Morning-Afternoon: Aalterburg to Picnic — 10 km (6 miles) | Picnic to Damme — 16 km (10 miles) | Damme to Bruges — 10 km (6 miles)

What to Expect:

After an early-morning barge cruise, disembark at Aalterburg to start biking through one of the prettiest parts of the Flemish countryside. On the last miles to Bruges, you will follow the canal. The longer option diverts through the countryside via an old abbey and Damme, an ancient literary town and former Bruges harbor.

Cumulative Distance Range: 25 – 51 km (16 – 32 miles)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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 Vacation Preparation Handbook.

Included Meals: Breakfast