Amsterdam > Bruges

• Day 1: (Saturday): Amsterdam–Vianen

  Embarkation and check-in is at 2 pm, where your crew for the week will be waiting to welcome you on board. At around 2 p.m. the ship will depart from Amsterdam for Vianen, a small, fortified village on the Lek River. After dinner you have the opportunity to enjoy a short first test ride through the surrounding area.

• Day 2: Vianen–Schoonhoven–Kinderdijk – Dordrecht 56 km/34 miles

  Today you will cycle along a beautiful route to Schoonhoven – nicknamed Zilverstad (“Silver City”) – a city renowned for its talented silver smiths since the 17th century. Later in the day as you cycle through the Alblasserwaard region you will reach Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 large windmills. All 19 windmills have a UNESCO cultural heritage listing and are a definite highlight – you will have the opportunity to visit one so don’t forget to bring your camera! From nearby Alblasserdam you will take the “Waterbus”, a fast ferry, that will take you and your bicycle in approx. 10 minutes to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland.

• Day 3: Dordrecht–Willemstad / Willemstad–round tour close to Bergen 42 km/26 miles / 50 km/31 miles

  As you enjoy your breakfast aboard the ship, the ship will sail to Willemstad where you will start your day’s cycling. Willemstad is a beautiful old fortified town on the Haringvliet waterway. Your bicycle ride goes to Tholen, once was an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams, where many people fished for their living. Nowadays Tholen is connected to the mainland in various ways.
  Then you cycle on to the destination of this trip, Bergen op Zoom. Bergen op Zoom is a historic fortified town that once lay on the open waters of the Oosterschelde. After dinner you can take a walk through the old town. Narrow streets, old town, market and church squares and idiosyncratic monumental buildings show the history of a rich and eventful past that goes back more than eight hundred years.

• Day 4: Bergen (round tour close to) – Kreekrak lock / Kreekrak lock – Antwerp 21 km/13 miles / 35 km/21 miles

  In the morning you will enjoy a small bike ride through the beautiful “Wouwse Plantage” surrounding Bergen op Zoom. In the early afternoon you will once again board the ship which will sail to the port city of Antwerp, situated on the river Schelde. Antwerp is famous for handling up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds and is a city with a long list of attractions including: the City Hall, one of several majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical City Square Grote Market, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle. Dinner tonight (not included) will be in town in a restaurant of your choice (recommendations available on board).

• Day 5: Antwerp – Temse – St. Amands 34 km/21 miles / 49 km/31 miles

  This morning you will cycle out of Antwerp along a picturesque section of the Schelde River to St. Amands your home for the night. There is only one way to describe the landscape around the Schelde and that is “magnificent”. It is without doubt one of the natural highlights of the tour.

• Day 6: St. Amands – Dendermonde | Dendermonde – Ghent 52 km/32 miles

  Today you will continue to follow the river Schelde to Ghent where the ship will moor for the night at a lock in a suburb of town. Ghent is a lively university city that boasts a rich history. Since Roman times Ghent’s position at the junction of Leie and Schelde Rivers has ensured that it has been a successful trading port.  In total the city features an Opera House, 18 museums, more than 100 churches and over 400 historical buildings. Major attractions are St. Bavo Cathedral where a number of masterpieces of medieval art including the world famous ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by Jan van Eyck are kept and the 91-metre-tall belfry of Ghent, one of three medieval towers that overlook the old city center. Before dinner a small canal boat will take you for a guided tour through the historic city.

• Day 7: Ghent – Bruges 22 km/13 mi. / 45 km/28 miles

  Today you will cycle from Ghent through the beautiful Flemish countryside of western Flanders to Bruges, widely described as the ‘Venice of the North’ and arguably the most beautiful of all the Flemish cities. Bruges attracts more than two million visitors every year who come to see the picturesque medieval town center of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic city and a long list of historic attractions. An outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement, Bruges has managed to maintain its historic fabric as it has evolved over the centuries, with the result that today the city’s original Gothic buildings form an integral part of the town’s identity. While you are here you can visit one of Bruges many museums or simply take in the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city from the comfort of a sidewalk café.

• Day 8: Bruges

  End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.

Bruges > Amsterdam

• Day 1 Saturday: Bruges 15 km/9 miles

  Embarkation time in Bruges is between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The ship awaits you in the Bruges harbor. After a welcome meeting with the crew at 2 PM there is time for bicycle fitting and a short test-ride through the countryside around Bruges. After dinner the guide will take you for a short walk through the center of town.
  We advise you to come to Bruges one or more days earlier, so that you will have plenty of time to discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical city of Bruges, aptly named the “Pearl of Flanders”. While you are there make sure you visit one of Bruges many museums or simply take in the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city from the comfort of a sidewalk café.

• Day 2: Bruges–Ghent 35 km/21 miles / 57 km/36 miles

  You will start your first day of cycling by pedaling towards Ghent through the beautiful Flemish landscape along the Ghent canal. On arrival in Ghent make sure you make the effort to discover the best of what this historical city has to offer during an afternoon stroll. Ghent’s medieval center features lovely illuminated streets that are a must to explore, while the architectural richness in the center of the city has to be seen to be believed. During the Middle Ages Ghent was the 2nd largest European city, after Paris. The ship will dock for the night at a lock, in a suburb of Ghent and approx. 30 cycling minutes from the city center. Before dinner a small canal boat will take you for a guided tour through the historic city.

• Day 3: Ghent–Dendermonde /St. Amands 40 km/24 miles / 53 km/32 miles

  In the morning you will spend some time in Ghent. Later in the morning you will cycle downstream through a diverse landscape along the tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde located at the confluence of Dender and Schelde rivers. There is only one way to describe the landscape along the Schelde and that is: “magnificent”. It is without doubt one of the natural highlights of the tour. During this section of the Schelde the speed of the ship will be determined by the height of the tide. You will travel from Dendermonde to St. Amands by either bicycle or barge depending on the tides. Your floating hotel will be docked for the night in St. Amands.

• Day 4: Dendermonde–Antwerp 63 km/39 miles

  Today we will follow the Schelde River further downstream through the Temse region and the small village of Baasrode to Antwerp. This part of the route is along a most beautiful and twisting section of the Schelde which over the centuries held strategic importance for the Romans, Vikings, Spanish and Napoleon. Antwerp, your destination for the day, is a harbor city situated on the river Schelde famous for handling up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds and as the birthplace of the famous painter Sir Peter Paul Rubens. There are many highlights in the city to discover including: the City Hall, one of several majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical City Square Grote Market, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle.

• Day 5: Antwerp – Kreekrak locks – Tholen – Dordrecht 20 km/13 / miles 36 km/23 miles

  This morning, the ship will sail along the Schelde-Rhine Canal and over the huge Kreekrak lock system. Here your bicycle tour starts through the beautiful “Wouwse Plantage” forest to Tholen, Tholen once was an island in the middle of the large Zeeland streams, where many people fished for their living. Nowadays Tholen is connected to the mainland in various ways. But it is still a picturesque village with many relics of an eventful past. From Tholen you will join the ship again for a nice afternoon sail to the city of Dordrecht. Halfway the ship will pass the impressive Volkerak lock system.
  Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands is your destination for the day. The guide will take you for an evening walk and tell you about the history of the Netherlands.

• Day 6: Dordrecht–Alblasserdam / Kinderdijk – Schoonhoven–Vianen 32 km/19 miles / 57 km/36 miles

  Today you will start your tour with the “Waterbus”, a fast ferry that will take you and your bicycle in just 10 minutes to Alblasserdam. After just a few minutes of cycling you will reach Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 UNESCO cultural heritage-listed windmills – one of which you can visit (don’t forget your camera!). The windmills were constructed in the 18th century to pump water out of the low Alblasserwaard polder (a polder is a low-lying tract of land enclosed by embankments). You will then continue to cycle via Schoonhoven to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek (Lower Rhine), where you will stay for the night and where you can explore at your leisure after dinner.

• Day 7: Vianen – Breukelen – Amsterdam 46 km/28 miles / 46 km/28 miles

  During breakfast the ship will cruise to Breukelen where you disembark to start your final day of cycling. Ride along the Vecht River in an area famous for its beautiful mansions, small castles, impressive houses and their large gardens. After cycling through the villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen and Vreeland you will arrive at Nigtevecht where you can visit a traditional cheese farm. Continue cycling through the historical town of Muiden and on to Amsterdam where you will meet the barge for the final time in the Amsterdam harbor.

• Day 8: Amsterdam

  End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.

Premium Boat Magnifique II

The premium ship Magnifique II was constructed in 2015/2016. The proud owner, Walter van Berkum, is one of the most experienced ship builders and operators of the fleet: he converted several former cargo ships into beautiful passenger ships. By constructing the Magnifique II, Walter was the first one to introduce “upper deck suites” for smaller passenger barges. The Magnifique II has set new standards for comfort for bike and barge tours. The vessel sails under Dutch flag and management and is a very popular ship on several tours in The Netherlands and Belgium.

• Description of the cabins

  The upper deck has four spacious suites (14 m² – 151 sq.ft.) with two separate single beds, a small sitting area and large panoramic windows, of which the middle part can be opened. The lower deck has thirteen cabins: one premium twin cabin (13 m² – 140 sq.ft.) with two separate single beds and a small sitting area and twelve beautiful twin cabins (11 m² – 118 sq.ft.) with 2 separate single beds. In most cabins, on prior request, the beds can be set together as a double bed. On request, an extra bed is available in two twin cabins and one upper deck suite for children up to age 16 (above one of the other beds).
  All cabins have en-suite facilities with a shower, toilet and sink. The cabins on the lower deck have portholes (fixed for safety reasons), upper deck suites have 2 m / 6.6 ft. wide windows (which can be partly opened) and the air conditioning in all cabins can be individually regulated. Furthermore, in each cabin you will find a flat screen satellite TV, a mini safe and a hair dryer.

• Description of the ship

  The upper deck has a large, tastefully furnished and spacious salon with air conditioning, a restaurant area, a beautiful bar and a lounge area with cozy sitting area, a wide screen TV and large panoramic windows. Wi-Fi is available. The Magnifique II has a beautiful, partly covered teak wooden sun deck with chairs and tables on the aft deck and a cycle storage on the front deck. On the top deck, the barge has a whirlpool/Jacuzzi and some deckchairs to relax while you enjoy the scenery when cruising.

• Facts about the ship

  Length: 63 m (207 ft.)
  Width: 7.2 m (24 ft.)
  Crew: 5
  Cabins: 17
  Pass: 37 (max.)

• Photos of the ship

  

   

  

  

Premium Boat Magnifique III

Our premium ship Magnifique III was launched in 2018. The proud owner, Walter van Berkum, one of the most experienced ship builders and operators of the fleet, already converted several former cargo ships into beautiful passenger barges. The Magnifique III meets the highest standards for comfort for bike and barge tours. The vessel sails under Dutch flag and management on several tours in The Netherlands and Belgium.

• Description of the cabins

  The upper deck has five spacious suites (16 m² – 172 sq.ft.) with two separate single beds, a small sitting area and a “French Balcony”: ceiling-to-floor sliding glass doors. The lower deck has fourteen beautiful twin cabins (12 m² – 129 sq.ft.) with two separate single beds and two single cabins (approx. 7 – 9 m² / 75.3 – 97 sq.ft.). In most cabins and all suites, on prior request, the beds can be set together as a double bed. On request, an additional third bed is available in one of the suites and one of the twin cabins for children up to age 16 (Pullman bed, above one of the other beds).
  All cabins have en-suite facilities with a shower, toilet and basin. The cabins on the lower deck have portholes (fixed for safety reasons), upper deck suites have sliding glass doors that can be partly opened. The air conditioning in all cabins can be individually regulated. Furthermore, in each cabin you will find a flat screen satellite TV, a mini safe and a hair dryer.

• Description of the ship

  The upper deck has a large, tastefully furnished salon with a restaurant area, a nice bar and a lounge area with cozy sitting corners, a wide screen TV and large panoramic windows. There are also two TV screens (a camera and a navigation system) to see the real-time movement and position of the barge. Wi-Fi is available. Large glass doors open to the beautiful partially roofed teak wood sundeck with chairs and tables on the aft deck. There is a cycle deck on the front deck. On the top deck, the barge has a whirlpool/Jacuzzi and some deckchairs to relax and enjoy the scenery while cruising.

• Facts about the ship

  Length: 67 m (220 ft.)
  Width: 7,2 m (23.6 ft.)
  Crew: 5
  Cabins: 21
  Pass.: 40 (max.)

• Photos of the ship

  

   
  

  

Premium Boat Magnifique IV

Following the overwhelming success of our premium barges Magnifique, Magnifique II (2016), and Magnifique III (2018), we are proud to announce the construction of a new sister for the family: the Magnifique IV. This new addition will sail for Boat Bike Tours and Cultural Cruises Europe as of spring 2020.
Master shipbuilder Walter van Berkum is one of the most experienced operators of our fleet, having already converted several former cargo ships into luxury passenger barges. As the proud owner of the Magnifique IV, he is dedicated to ensuring this beautiful ship meets the highest standards of quality and comfort for our bike and barge tours.
The Magnifique IV will sail under the Dutch flag and host several tours in the Netherlands and Belgium. Accommodating no more than 36 passengers plus crew, the vessel is designed to create a welcoming atmosphere and personal experience for everyone on board.

• Description of the cabins

  In addition to the bar and lounge area, the upper deck houses 10 generous suites, while the lower deck houses eight twin cabins and the dining room. The spacious suites, each measuring 16 m² (172 ft²), have two separate beds, set next to each other as a hotel style bed (200 x 160 cm – 78 x 62 inches), a cozy sitting area, and a large sliding window.
  The twin cabins below deck, measuring 12 m² (129 ft²) feature two single beds and fixed portholes. All cabins have their own private bathroom with shower, basin and toilet; as well as individually-regulated air-conditioning, flat screen satellite TV, mini safe and hair dryer.

• Description of the ship

  The Magnifique IV’s upper deck features a spacious and tastefully-decorated salon with air conditioning, a bar and lounge area. Here you will find large panoramic windows, a widescreen TV, and information screens displaying the barge’s real-time location. Wi-Fi is also available.
  The comfortable and inviting restaurant is separated from the kitchen by a glass wall, so you can see our talented chefs in action. Large glass doors open onto a beautiful partially-covered teak sundeck, furnished with tables and chairs.
  The front deck has space to accommodate bicycles, while the top deck boasts a hot tub and deckchairs, from which you can enjoy the scenery.

• Facts about the ship

  Ship length:        67 m (220 ft)
  Ship width:         7.2 m (23.6 ft)
  Ship height:        5.9 m (19.4 ft)
  Ship depth:        1.5 m (4.9 ft)
  Cabins:               18
  Passengers:        36 guests (plus crew)
  Launch date:      Spring 2020

• Photos of the ship

  

   

  

  

• Incluided services

  8 days / 7 nights
  7 x breakfast
  7 x Packed lunches
  7 x 3-course dinner
  Coffee and tea on board during breakfast and after the cycling tours, till 4 PM
  Welcome drink
  Use of bed linen and towels
  Daily cleaning of the cabin
  Climate-controlled cabin
  Daily briefings
  Fully guided cycling tours
  Some short walking tours
  Maps and notes for cycling tours 1 x set per cabin
  GPS tracks
  Use of a waterproof pannier bag
  Fees for ferries/waterbus
  Wi-Fi
  Carbon offset payment to the non-profit organization Justdiggit

• Not incluided services

  Drinks
  1x diner
  Bicycle rental or E-bike rental
  Helmet
  Personal insurances
  Gratuities at your discretion
  Entrance fees and excursions
  Transfers to/from the docking place
  Parking fees

• Bikes

  Bicycles: unisex city bike with a low-entry and a riding position that is upright and comfortable. The bike is handmade in the Netherlands by Azor, specially designed by Boat Bike Tours. The bike consists of a lightweight aluminum frame and is equipped with responsive roller brakes (handbrake), a Shimano 7 speed nexus drive, Selle-Royal gel saddle (adjustable), an easy to use lock (fixed on frame) and the Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tyre. This all results in a lightweight, stable and reliable bike, good for many miles on the saddle.
  E-bike: Azor Steps with Nexus 7 gears and hand brakes. The crank Shimano motor (400 WH) offers 4 support levels, The E-bikes have a comfortable gel saddle and a lock on the frame (or a comparable brand/model).
  Own bike: Bicycle rent is optional. Guests are also allowed to bring their own bicycles/e-bikes (limited number of parking places available). Guests can book a parking place for a normal bicycle or a parking and charge station for an e-bike for a small additional fee. For safety reasons it is no longer possible to charge the batteries of your own e-bikes in the cabin. The crew will inform you where on deck/ on board you can recharge your battery. However, the crew or tour operators are in no way responsible for any damage, loss or theft of guests own bicycles or e-bikes.

• Good to know

  You can also choose to ride individually with the help of a map and route notes (available on board). GPS tracks will be sent to you 4 weeks before the start date of the tour.
  In case you prefer a day of rest, you can skip the bicycle tour and relax on board while cruising to the next town.
  On the arrival day is it possible to bring your luggage on board from 12-noon.
  Transfer between Amsterdam and Bruges: There is a good train connection between these two cities. Please visit one of the following websites for timetables, tickets or more information www.goeuro.co.uk or www.trainline.eu.

• Itinerary changes

  All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours. The tour details are barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons.

• Bringing Children

  Children are very welcome, but please make sure that your child is able to cycle daily distances of 30 to 60 kilometers before you book your holiday (please view the day-to-day program for actual distances). Or if they feel comfortable in a bicycle seat or cart for most of the day. A slip streamer or co-pilot bike might be an option too. Of course you can always opt to stay aboard for one or more days,but keep in mind that children up to the age of 18 have to be under adult supervision.

• Cancellation fees

  up to 84 days prior to departure 20%
  84-42 days prior to departure 30%
  42-28 days prior to departure 60%
  28-1 days prior to departure 90%
  from date of departure or later, 100% always of agreed tour package price

• How to book this tour and payment?

  For booking pay in advance a 25% of the total price.
  Final payment 6 weeks before departure.
  Payment preferably via bank transfer.
  Contract through us a cancellation insurance policy / travel insurance (highly recommended).