On even trails from highlight to highlight

Amsterdam – Bruges by bike and ship

A dream cycling holiday by ship and bike. On completely even and well indicated bike tails you will find your way from the metropolis of Amsterdam to the town centre of Bruges, whose medieval Old Town was declared UNESCO World Heritage in 2000. On your way, one highlight is followed by another: Among them are Holland’s impressive country residences, a cheese dairy and the 19 windmills in Kinderdijk. In Belgium, beautiful Flemish towns of historical flair will be visited. Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges overbid each other in their overwhelming beauty. Gabled and Patrician houses, narrow streets and ostentatious churches equipped by Peter Paul Rubens, Jan van Eyck and Michelangelo will seam your way with the charm of past times.

MS Magnifique

With a length of 49 metres and a maximum capacity of 32 guests, the MS Magnifique was rebuilt in 2009 / 2010 especially for combined bike- and boattrips. 12 cabins offer sleeping space: 8 double cabins of 9m² or 12m², 2 junior suites of 14m² and two single cabins of 8m². Each of them is equipped with shower, toilet, flat-screen TV and air-condition that can be adjusted individually. The living area composed of lounge and bar supplies a cosy flair, just like the dining area with its huge windows. The sundeck is partly canopied and offers enough space. On the quarterdeck you find a whirlpool.

1. day  Arriving in Amsterdam + 15 km bike trip

Individual journey to Amsterdam and embarkation. At 2.pm., the ship leaves Amsterdam for a panorama trip to Nigtevecht. Your first bike trip leads along the winding Vecht. A traditional Dutch cheese dairy gives occasion for a first stop. Here, cheese is still produced in the traditional manner Today’s destination is Vianen by the river Lek, it will be reached comfortably by ship.

2. day  Dordrecht 50 km

A day full of highlights! A lovely route takes you to Schoonhoven. Through the impressive polder landscape, you will arrive in Kinderdijk, where 19 windmills lined up in a row wait to be marveld at (UNESCO World Heritage Site). After an interesting visit, your ship takes you to Dordrecht, one of Holland’s oldest towns. Its historical town centre lies impressively embedded between mighty rivers. Enjoy a view over Europe’s most frequented river intersection! This wide divide with the cloudy Dutch sky served as a popular source of inspiration for paintors and poets for several hundred years. You will spend the night in the historical harbor Wolwevershafen. A worthwhile walk around town will you’re your evening after dinner.

3. day  Tholen 35 - 50 km

During breakfast, you will be shipped to the fortress of Willemstad. The old corn mill, the Prinsenhof and the historical town hall built in 1587 will impress you. Today, you will cycle past monumental watergate constructions and defensive fortifications to Tholen. The picturesque village used to be an island in the middle of major rivers, where almost all of the population lived from fishing. Today, Tholen is connected to the main land, but still wonderful to look at.

4. day  Antwerp 35 km

In the morning, you will cycle through wooded landscape in a relaxed pace. Almost without noticing it, you will cross the border to Belgium. In Antwerp, you will make your first stop on Belgian ground. The town is known as the birthplace of the famous painter Peter Paul Rubens. On a beautiful panorama tour, you will then ship into the impressive harbour of Antwerp until reaching the town centre. Discover Antwerp on your own, marvelling at the manorial houses around the Grote Markt and make sure to visit the cathedral “Onze Lieve Vrouwe" with works by Rubens. After dinner, you are invited to participate in our walk around town.

5. day  Dendermonde 30–55 km

After breakfast, you will first of all be shipped to the mouthing of the Schelde. Here, you will get on your bikes to follow this beautiful but moody tidal river up-stream. Enjoy the luxurious bike trail on the Scheldedamm and let your glances wander around the varying landscape. If you wish so, you can return onboard in Temse after having spent about 30km in your saddle, but the cycling route gets more and more worthwhile! Passing nice inns and small ferry harbors, you will soon reach Dendermonde. Here, the medieval market place is a must-see, also hosting the town hall built in the 14th century as a cloth hall. Marvel at the town’s belfry, part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Belfries in Belgium and France” since 1999 as well as at the Sint-Alexius-beguinage (1288). 61 houses and a chapel are grouped around it’s inner zone. It is among the oldest buildings of its kind and was declared UNESCO Wolrd Heritage “Flemish Beinenhöfe” in 1998. It is possible to finish this day with a beer tasting.

6. day  Ghent 35 km

This day has a lot to offer! You will accomplish the 35km along the Schelde to Ghent in no time. You can be looking forward to visiting this lively university town with its rich past. In Roman times, Ghent emerged at the confluence of the rivers Leie and Schelde. This fortunate situation brought wealth into the town over many years, primarily during the 13th and 14th century when the cloth industry boomed. On a walk around town, you will discover the numerous Patrician houses, the belfry, the count’s residence, which is one of the most meaningful Roman castles of Belgium, and of course the St.-Bavo-cathedral (1300-1538) with the famous altar of Ghent, designed by Jan van Eyck.

7. day  Bruges 45 km

Outside of the city limits of Ghent, you will get back on your bikes to cycle comfortably through the even landscape from Western Flanders to Bruges. Here, one of the trip’s higlights will already be waiting for you: Bruges, also called the Venice of the North, is often designated the most beautiful Flemish town. Its Old Town, dating from the Middle Ages, has almost not been touched and presents itself today with the flair of a dollhouse. The medieval town centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Discover the great market place, the town hall, the cloth hall, the belfry, the beguinage and the church of Our Lady with the Madonna by Michelangelo. After dinner, you are welcome to join our walk around town. Bruges is worth every minute of the stay.

8. day  Departing from Bruges

Your trip ends after breakfast at 9.30 a.m. with debarkation.

Please note:

Depending on the date the tour starts and ends in Amsterdam or in Brügge.

Dates Amsterdam-Brügge:
28.04./ 26.05./ 09.06./ 04.08./ 01.09.2012
Dates Brügge-Amsterdam:
19.05./ 02.06./ 28.07./ 25.08./ 22.09.2012