Cycling and cruising through Holland and Flanders
Discover the character of Holland and Belgium on a cycling holiday that combines the freedom of riding through the countryside with the comfort of travelling aboard a sailing hotel. From peaceful waterways and open polder landscapes to historic towns and lively cities, the journey brings together two countries with a rich cycling culture and a remarkable heritage.
Semi-Guided Cycling with Floating Comfort
This semi-guided tour offers an easy way to experience Holland and Belgium by bike, with the barge travelling between destinations while you explore the surrounding landscapes on two wheels. Cycle independently using detailed maps, route descriptions and GPS navigation, or simply stay on board and enjoy the journey when you prefer a quieter day. With your accommodation, breakfast and packed lunch on board, the cycling experience is combined with the relaxed rhythm of travelling by water.
ROUTE & TOUR DETAILS
The route combines cycling through the distinctive landscapes of Holland and western Flanders with time to discover some of the region’s most characteristic cities. Along the way, there is an opportunity to explore Amsterdam, experience Antwerp and discover Ghent, while the countryside reveals a changing mix of waterways, quiet cycling routes, coastal dikes, historic polderlands and traditional villages. The landscape is largely flat, making it well suited to relaxed cycling and allowing you to focus on the surroundings rather than the climbs.
The combination of cycling and cruising gives the journey a relaxed rhythm, with the comfortable motor passenger barge serving as your accommodation throughout the tour. Full-board service includes breakfast, packed lunches and three-course dinners. While the barge travels between destinations, you can explore by bike, relax on board or choose a rest day and enjoy the scenery from the water.
Itinerary
Day 1: Amsterdam | Amsterdam – Vianen
Highlights: Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board is between 1 and 1.50 p.m. At 2 p.m. the ship will leave Amsterdam and sail to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek, where you will spend the night. Here the bicycles will be distributed and you can enjoy a short bicycle ride.
Day 2: Vianen – Schoonhoven – Kinderdijk | Kinderdijk – Dordrecht
Cycling Distance: 56 km / 35 miles
Highlights: 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 – Tholen | Tholen – Kreekrak lock | Kreekrak lock – Antwerp
Cycling Distance: 20 km / 12.5 miles or 36 km / 22.5 miles
Highlights: During breakfast the ship will sail to Tholen where you will start your day’s cycling by visiting the “Wouwse Plantage” forest. Another attraction on the day is the impressive Kreekrak lock. After once again meeting up with the ship you will finish your day by sailing to the port city of Antwerp which is situated on the river Schelde. Antwerp is famous for handling up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds and has many attractions that include: 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. After dinner visit the beautiful old city centre.
Day 4: Antwerp – Temse – Dendermonde
Cycling Distance: 48 km / 30 miles or 64 km / 40 miles
Highlights: Today’s tour will see you cycle out of Antwerp on a beautiful cycle path along the picturesque tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde, 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 5: Dendermonde – Ghent
Cycling Distance: 52 km / 32.5 miles
Highlights: 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. The city’s position at the junction of Leie and Schelde Rivers has meant it to be a major trading port since Roman times. In total the city features an Opera House, 18 museums, more than 100 churches and over 400 historical buildings. A major attraction is 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.
Day 6: Ghent – Bruges
Cycling Distance: 45 km / 28 miles
Highlights: Your bicycle tour will lead through the beautiful Flemish countryside of western Flanders around this beautiful city, widely described as the ‘Venice of the North’. The city attracts more than two million visitors every year who come for the ambience of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre. An outstanding example of a medieval 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 constructions 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. Dinner tonight (not included) will be in town in a restaurant of your choice (recommendations available on board).
Day 7: Tour around Bruges to the North Sea
Cycling Distance: 38 km / 23.5 miles or 51 km / 31.5 miles
Highlights: Your final day of cycling takes you along a quiet canal and past beautiful poplar trees through an attractive polder landscape (a polder is a low-lying tract of land enclosed by embankments) dotted with small farm houses to the North Sea coast. Here if you want you can swim in the sea along an inviting sandy beach, visit any one of numerous cafés and see the attractive dune landscape. On the return ride to Bruges you will cycle along a small picturesque canal.
Day 8: Bruges
Highlights: End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.
Extend Your Stay
Additional nights in Amsterdam or Bruges available upon request.
Getting to Amsterdam (Departure Point)
By Plane: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is located approximately 18 km from the port, with direct train connections every few minutes to Amsterdam Central Station.
By Train: Amsterdam Centraal Railway Station is the main transport hub, situated near the docking locations.
By Car: Valet parking options in Amsterdam are available upon request. Secure parking reservations must be arranged in advance.
Transfers: Private station and airport transfers are available upon request.
How to book this tour
We require a deposit of 25% of the tour price per person upon reservation, final payment 6 weeks before departure.
Included
- 8 days / 7 nights aboard the river cruise ship
- 7 x breakfast meals
- Daily packed lunches for cycling
- 6 x 3-course dinners on board
- Coffee and tea on board daily until 4 p.m.
- Welcome drink upon arrival
- Bed linen and towels
- Daily cabin cleaning service
- Climate-controlled cabin space
- Wi-Fi access in the onboard restaurant area
- Semi guided cycling tours (guest cycle independently, tour leader also cycles the tour)
- Some short walking tours
- 1 set of detailed cycling maps and route notes per cabin
- Daily route briefings by the tour leader
- GPS tracks
- Biodegradable water bottle
- CO₂ emissions offset through Trees for All and plastic recycling through Orca
NOT Included
- Individual travel/flights
- 1 X dinner
- Coffee and tea on board after 4:00 p.m.
- Bar drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Bicycle rental or E-bike rental
- Gratuities (at your discretion)
- Entrance fees to attractions and museums
- Local ferry passage fees
- SGR Insolvency protection
- Parking fees
- Transfers to/from the docking place
- Travel and personal insurances
- Anything not listed as included is not included
Check available options
Departures & Prices
Choose the option that best fits your schedule and start planning your cycling journey.
Prices are per person in a double room
2027
May · Sep
from
1099€
Ship
✓
De Holland
2027
Apr · May · Sep · Oct
from
1299€
Ship
✓
De Holland · Fluvius
2027
Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
from
1399€
Ship
✓
De Holland
2027
May · Jun · Jul · Sep
from
1429€
Ship
✓
Fluvius
2027
May · Jun · Aug · Sep
from
1549€
Ship
✓
De Holland
2027
May · Jun · Aug · Sep
from
1639€
Ship
✓
De Holland
Accommodation
Carefully selected to ensure comfort, quality, and a relaxing and unforgettable journey.
Fluvius
The Fluvius is a former cargo barge that was completely rebuilt and extended in 2003 as a comfortable river cruise barge. Sailing under the Dutch flag and management, the Fluvius has been a popular choice for guests on cycling cruises between Amsterdam and Bruges for many years.
Year: 2003
Cabins: 22
Maximum capacity: 44 passengers
Crew: 7
De Holland
The De Holland is a medium-sized river cruise ship, originally built in 1952 and extended by 16 metres in 2012. It was completely refurbished in 2017/2018, with spacious cabins and a renewed interior. The ship sails under the Dutch flag and management and has been used for cycling cruises in Holland and between Holland and Belgium.
Year: 1952
Extended: 2012
Refurbished: 2017/2018
Cabins: 32
Maximum capacity: 66 passengers
Crew: 11
BIKES
You can choose to rent a bicycle on board or bring your own bike for the trip.
Below you’ll find the essential information for rent options.
+91€
Bike
+252€
E-Bike
+14€
Bike Insurance
+28€
e-Bike Insurance
+10€
Helmet
Your Own Bike
+14€
Bike
Parking*
+28€
e-Bike
Parking + charge station*
*Bike and e-bike parking is limited. Advance reservation is recommended.