Bruges – Brussels Flanders bike & boat tour

Daily itinerary for the Bruges – Brussels bike cruise

Day 1 Saturday: Embarkation in Bruges

Individual arrival in Bruges. The Gandalf awaits you in the Bruges harbor. Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board is from 15:00-17:00. Before or after boarding take the opportunity to explore this lovely city of art, widely described as the “Venice of the North”. You can enjoy the ambience of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical centre with a leisurely walk, take in the hustle and bustle of the Grote Market square (Great/main Market square), visit one of Bruges many museums or simply enjoy the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city from the comfort of a sidewalk café.

Day 2: Bruges | Roundtrip around Bruges to the North Sea coast – 55 km / 33 miles

Today will take you through Damme, the birthplace of the impudent Middle Ages trickster Till Eulenspiegel, to the seaside resort of Blankenberge. Visit anyone of numerous cafés and, if you want to cool down, enjoy a swim in the North Sea. After approx. 2 hours you will cycle back to Bruges and the ship.

Day 3: Bruges – Moerebrugge – Oostende – Ghent – 40 km / 24 miles

While you enjoy breakfast the barge Gandalf will sail to Moerebrugge where you will start your day’s cycling. With the historical city of Ghent your destination today you will cycle via Oostende along the Ghent-Oostende-canal through the beautiful Flemish landscape. The town center of Ghent features lovely illuminated streets that are a must to explore, while the architectural richness in the historical center of the city has to be seen to be believed. During the Middle Ages, after Paris, Ghent was the 2nd largest European city. The Gandalf will dock for the night at the Merelbeke lock, a suburb of Ghent and about a 15 minutes cycle from the city center.

Day 4: Ghent – Dendermonde – St. Amands – 48 km/  29 miles

After breakfast in Ghent you will cycle through a diverse landscape to Dendermonde which is located at the mouth of the Dender River where it flows into the Schelde River. Here you can enjoy some time off your bike with a coffee or tea at the beautiful Flemish Grote Market square. In the evening shipping to St. Amands one of the most beautiful and winding parts of the route on the river Schelde.

Day 5: St. Amands – Temse – Antwerp – 42 km / 25 miles

Your cycle route for the day starts in St. Amands and takes you over the Brussels-Rupel canal and on to an historical brick factory situated between Boom and Niel where bricks have been manufactured since the Middle Ages. After cycling through the countryside to Rupelmonde and later Hemiksem you will finally reach Antwerp, your destination for the night. Antwerp is a harbor city situated on the river Schelde famous for handling up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds. 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 6: Antwerp – Lier – Willebroek – 45 km / 27 miles

After breakfast you will cycle through the leafy suburbs of Antwerp and past typical Belgian villas that feature beautiful trees, manicured gardens and picturesque facades to Lier. From here you cycle along the small river Nete and on to Willebroek where the ship will be waiting for you. When there is enough interest, a beer tasting can be held on board (to be paid on board).

Day 7: Willebroek – Mechelen – Vilvoorde -Brussels – 40 km / 24 miles

While the barge sets sail along the Willebroek canal, your final day’s cycling will see you pass through the picturesque countryside via Mechelen to Vilvoorde. Mechelen is a remarkable city that boasts more than 300 buildings that are historically listed. Of these, 8 are churches – all on less than 3 square kilometers! From Vilvoorde you will board the Gandalf for the trip to Brussels, where you can walk through the historical city center, visit the Grote Markt square (Great Market square), arguably Europe’s most beautiful medieval square lined with guild houses or marvel at the Gothic town hall.

Day 8 (Sat): End of trip – Brussels  disembarkation

End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 09:30

Gandalf

The Gandalf sails under a Dutch flag and has been sailing in Holland, and Belgium for many years. Skipper Hans Peter and his experienced crew offer you an exceptional vacation aboard. Equipped with a double roof of solar panels, this is not only environment-friendly, but also comfortable for guests since the ship hardly needs to use a generator to produce electricity, the nights are still and quiet on board.

Boat Specifications:

Year of construction:

Size of boat: 45m x 6,2m

Number of cabins: 8 twin + 2 triple cabins at 8 M² with shower + toilet. Beds are 80 x 200cm.

Cabin equipment: central heating, a fan, and the windows can be opened, 220V EU sockets, a hair dryer is available on request.

Beds: Double beds: 200 x 160 cm, twin beds: 200 x 80 cm

Note: There are no safes in the cabins. However, the skipper has a safe if you would like anything kept there. Wifi is available on board.

Languages on board

Dutch, Flemish, English

Dates & Prices for 2019

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS BOAT AND BIKE TRIP?