Amsterdam – Bruges: bike & boat with MS Magnifique 2

Flat landscape from highlight to highlight

Amsterdam – Bruges by bike and boat

Cycle from highlight to highlight. Marvel at impressive Dutch country houses, a farm cheese dairy and the 19 windmills of Kinderdijk. In Belgium, the historic Flemish cities of Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges take center stage. Gabled- and patrician houses, narrow streets, magnificent churches and the charm of bygone times are encountered at every turn. This tour is a true dream trip in the bike saddle, on board and on land. On very flat bike paths with varied routing, you will cycle from the cosmopolitan city of Amsterdam to the center of Bruges, whose medieval city center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

MS Magnifique 2

Launched in 2016, Magnifique 2 offers a total of 12 twin cabins (11 m²), 1 premium twin cabin (13 m², 2 single beds, and a small sitting area) and 4 suites (14 m²) with large panoramic windows on the upper deck. All seventeen cabins are equipped with adjustable air-conditioning and flat screen satellite TV. On the upper deck there is a salon/restaurant (air-conditioned), bar, lounge with wide screen TV, a partially covered sun deck with tables and chairs where you can enjoy sunny hours and mild evenings.

1. day Arrival Amsterdam / Amsterdam - Vianen

Embarkation and check-in from 1:00 pm, where the crew will welcome you on board. After stowing your luggage in your cabin, your ship will take you from Amsterdam to Vianen. After dinner, you will take your first short bike ride along the Lek River and by the fortified town of Vianen.

2. day Vianen - Schoonhoven - Kinderdijk 32 oder 56 km / Kinderdijk - Dordrecht

Today starts with a bike ride to the silver town of Schoonhoven, where many talented silversmiths have been located since the 17th century. Later you will follow the Lek river, cross the Ablasserwaard polder and reach Kinderdijk. Kinderdijk is famous for its 19 windmills, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can visit one of these windmills! For the last stretch you will use the "Waterbus" which will take you from Alblasserdam to Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities in Holland.

3. day Dordrecht - Willemstad / Willemstad - Bergen op Zoom 42 km oder 50 km

During breakfast you will sail to Willemstad, where your next bike tour begins. First you cycle to Tholen, once an island in the middle of the great rivers of the province of Zeeland. Today Tholen, still a picturesque town, is connected to the mainland. You will then continue to your destination for the day, Bergen op Zoom, a historic fortified town. After dinner, you will have the opportunity to explore the old town with its ancient squares and monumental buildings and stroll through the narrow streets.

4. day Bergen op Zoom - Kreekrak locks 21 km or 35 km / Kreekrak locks - Antwerpen

During breakfast the ship will take you to Willemstad. First you cycle to Tholen, once an island in the middle of the big rivers of the province of Zeeland, which was often flooded. Today Tholen is still a picturesque little town. In the afternoon, you will reboard the ship and continue through the Kreekrak locks to the port city of Antwerp. In the world capital of the diamond trade, after dinner you will have the opportunity to visit the city hall, the historic "Grote Markt" square, the cathedral and the medieval stone castle.

5. day Antwerpen - Temse - St. Amands 34 km or 49 km

In the morning you will cycle on a beautiful route out of Antwerp and along the picturesque tidal river Scheldt to St. Amands, where you will spend the night. The scenery around the Scheldt is breathtakingly beautiful. Undoubtedly, this part of the tour is one of the nature highlights.

6. day St. Amands - Dendermonde / Dendermonde - Ghent 52 km

Today you continue your journey along the Scheldt and cycle to Ghent. The ship docks for the coming night in Merelbeke, a suburb of Ghent. Ghent is a beautiful university city that boasts a rich history. Due to the city's location at the confluence of the Leie and Scheldt rivers, it has been a very important trading port since Roman times. With the magnificent Opera House, 18 museums, over 100 churches and more than 400 historic buildings, it has many attractions. The main attractions are the St. Bavo Cathedral, where you can admire some masterpieces of medieval art and especially the world famous "Adoration of the Lamb of God" by Jan Eyck, and the 95 meters high former watchtower Belfort of Ghent, which is considered one of three medieval towers overlooking the old town. Before dinner, you can join a guided canal tour of the historic city.

7. day Ghent - Bruges 22 km or 45 km

Today you cycle through the enchanting Flemish countryside of West Flanders to Bruges, also called the "Venice of the North". This city attracts more than two million visitors a year, who cannot escape the flair of this cultural city. A unique example of a medieval settlement, Bruges has managed to preserve its historic buildings as the city has developed over the centuries. As a result, today the Gothic buildings blend well into the cityscape and form part of its identity. During your stay you can visit one of the many museums or just relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful city with a coffee in one of the many nice street cafes.

8. day Bruges Departure

After breakfast, your trip ends at 9:30 am with disembarkation.

Worth knowing

Below you will find specific information about the bike & boat bike tour in the Netherlands and Belgium. If you have any further questions about this trip, just give us a call: Tel .: 06421 - 886890.

MS Magnifique 2

Arrival by car

The ship's dock in Bruges as well as in Amsterdam is near the central station.
If you are arriving by car, we recommend that you first drive to the ship's dock and drop off your luggage and, if necessary, your bicycles. Afterwards we recommend using one of the indicated parking facilities.

Parking Amsterdam / Bruges

If you arrive in Amsterdam by car, we recommend that you use the parking service of Amsterpark.nl, which we offer with pick-up and drop-off service ("Valet Parking"). You will receive a registration form with your travel documents.

Valet Parking:

With Valet Parking you drive your own car to the ship, from where your car is driven by a driver to a supervised parking area. A driver will be waiting for you in front of the ship to assist you with your luggage. The driver, who is familiar with the area and the vehicle, will take your car to a parking lot where your car will be parked under constant camera surveillance. When you return from your trip, your car will be waiting for you at the dock in Amsterdam within about 30 minutes, so that you can get right in and start your trip.

Advantages of Amsterpark valet parking

No waiting, no time wasted, no bus ride in/out, no need to carry your luggage. Because you make a reservation in advance, you have the certainty that a parking space is available. You will be at your destination immediately, without having to take a cab or public transport. Your car is parked safely and guarded. Reliable and responsible drivers with the appropriate papers will take care of your vehicle. Amsterpark valet parking is cheaper than many public parking lots in Amsterdam and is available 24 hours a day.

How much does Amsterpark valet parking cost?

Valet Parking: For about 175,00 € you park your car for one week safely and guarded incl. transfer service to/from the port.

Bruges: Buiten Begijnenvest at the central station, approx. 20 minutes’ walk to the pier. A parking lot costs about 3,50 € per day. The parking lots are supervised.

Arrival by train

The pier of the ship is opposite the main station Amsterdam Centraal.

Bruges: You arrive in Bruges at the Stationsplein, the central station. From there, the berth is not far!

You will receive detailed information about the location of the ship with the detailed travel documents two weeks before the start of your trip.

Current DB timetable information can be found very practically at www.bahn.de.www.bahn.de

Luggage

For reasons of space, we would like to ask you to refrain from luggage with a hard shell, the storage space in the cabin is very limited!

Important note

Possible, necessary changes of the itinerary due to wind, weather and nautical peculiarities remain reserved to the skipper as captain of the ship at any time!
For all bike & ship tours separate cancellation conditions apply which you can find in our general terms and conditions.

Cancellation Conditions

Available rental bikes

As rental bikes we have so-called unisex bikes available (suitable for men and women). They all have 7-speed hub gears with hand brake and are available in different frame heights. Therefore, please indicate your body size when booking. E-bikes can also be provided on request for an additional charge.

Bring your own bikes

Bringing your own bike is possible to a limited extent. There is a small amount of space available for this on the ship "MS Magnifique 2" for an additional charge: 10,00 € per regular bike or 25,00 € per e- bike. Pre-registration for taking your own bicycle is required.

Extra costs which are not included in the tour price

A fuel surcharge, which may apply due to the sharp rise in fuel prices, is not included in the cruise price and must be paid in cash on arrival on board the ship. We will inform you of the amount of the surcharge, if any, in the travel documents approx. 3-4 weeks before arrival.

7 days hotline service

In case of chain breakdown, flooding or other bad surprises that makes a continuation of your tour impossible: no problem, we also work during weekends and you can reach us 7 days a week in case of emergency.

deck MS Magnifique 2

cabin MS Magnifique 2

Bar MS Magnifique 2

Salon MS Magnifique 2

Passport and visa requirements, health regulations

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Corona travel information:
Before booking your trip, please inform yourself about the measures in place to contain the Corona pandemic.

An up-to-date overview of applicable measures and travel and safety advice regarding Covid-19 for all countries in the EU and Switzerland can be found here:
https://reopen.europa.eu/en/

You can also find more information on our website at:
Corona virus and holiday planning

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is unique among European metropolises. Compared to other world cities, Amsterdam is quite small, but offers all the advantages of a metropolis - a multitude of historical sights, world-famous museums and a distinct nightlife. But everything in manageable and small scale. Amsterdam is much more than canals, coffee shops and the red-light district.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Amsterdam Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum (translated as "Imperial Museum") in Amsterdam is probably the most famous national museum in the Netherlands. The imposing structure is located in the museum district of the Oud-Zuid neighborhood, also known as the "concert hall district." During your trip, discover Amsterdam and the beautiful Concert House, as well as other museums such as the Stedelijk and the Van Gogh Museum, which are located not far from the Rijksmuseum.

The Dutch Imperial Museum was founded in 1800. It houses paintings by famous painters such as Jan Vermeer, Frans Hals, Jan Steen and, of course, works by Rembrandt van Rijn. Take in masterpieces like "The Night Watch" or Rembrandt's self-portrait as Paul the Apostle at the Rijksmuseum.

Amsterdam Rijksmuseum

Utrecht

The old and historic city of Utrecht is home to many buildings that were built in the early Middle Ages. Until Utrecht was surpassed by Amsterdam in the Dutch Golden Age, it was the most important city in the Netherlands. It was and still is the seat of the Archbishop of Utrecht, the most important Catholic leader in the country. The University of Utrecht is the largest in the Netherlands. One of the unique landmarks of the city is the dam system with its countless canals. Before the city was completely canalized, parts of the Rhine flowed directly through the city center.

Utrecht

Utrecht

Windmills, Kinderdijk

Your photo collection from your trip to the Netherlands should not be missing at least one of the windmills of Kinderdijk. The nineteen windmills were built circa 1740 as part of a larger water management system designed to prevent flooding. Today they are a symbol of Dutch ingenuity in the fight against water.

Windmills Kinderdijk

Dordrecht

The large inland center of Dordrecht is located in the south of the province of South Holland between the Rhine and the Meuse and their numerous branches. The old town features colorful piers, canals and old facades, while the neighborhoods to the south contrast daring constructions. Dordrecht inspired numerous painters, including Van Goyen, and a large number of artists were born here.

Dordrecht

Dordrecht

Antwerp

Antwerp - Scheldt city, Rubens city, diamond city, fashion city, port city, ... The many facets make Antwerp a city as it should be - a bustling, hospitable metropolis, cozy and heartwarming, with refreshing nature and quiet places. A city of culture, proud of its impressive architecture and magnificent works of art. With stores of its own world-renowned designers, Antwerp is also a real shopping paradise. The best beers are served in the pubs, and lovers of good cuisine can enjoy the most delicious traditional and multicultural dishes in one of the many restaurants.

Antwerp

Antwerp

Antwerp, Rubenshuis

Peter Paul Rubens is one of the most important painters of his time. Hardly any other artist left such a strong mark on posterity in the Netherlands and Belgium as Rubens. His estate contains more than 1500 paintings, some of which were created by him personally, but many by his students. Although Ruben was not born in Antwerp, he lived and worked in the city for most of his life. His former home, which was also his studio, was converted into a museum after the city purchased the building. In it the life and work of Ruben are shown. In addition to the Ruben exhibition, the imposing house itself is also worth seeing. This was personally designed by Ruben and was built in the Renaissance style.

Antwerpen, Rubenshuis

Antwerp, Cathedral

The Cathedral of Our Lady (Dutch: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal) is the cathedral church as well as the landmark of the city. At the same time, it is the largest cathedral church in Belgium. The present church has undergone numerous reconstructions in the course of its history. As early as the 10th century, a small Lady chapel stood on the present site. In the following centuries, this basic church was constantly expanded and enlarged. Finally, in 1352, it was decided to build a new church in Gothic style. The construction work had already been going on for more than 150 years when a construction stop was ordered. In the centuries that followed, the cathedral was severely damaged several times. In the process, numerous unique works of art were either stolen or destroyed. Nowadays, the exterior of the Cathedral of Our Lady is dominated by the large tower with the golden clock. The interior is kept simple and is dominated by the high portico. Inside there are also four valuable paintings by the famous baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens.

Antwerp, Cathedral

Ghent

Ghent is a compact, authentic city where past and present are in perfect harmony. A walk through the city can be compared to a journey through time: you turn a corner and all at once you pass from the fourteenth to the twenty-first century. In Ghent beats the young heart of a cultural city full of music, theater, film and visual arts.

Ghent

Het Zwin Nature Park

The Zwin area is rich in two ways - rich in history and rich in nature. In the 11th and 12th centuries, rising sea levels created a four-kilometer-wide channel that reached far into the countryside. Towns such as Damme, Aardenburg, Sluis and St. Anna ter Muiden experienced an economic boom due to the shipping that was thus possible - but only for a short time, because the estuary increasingly silted up. During the Eighty Years' War (1568 - 1648) Het Zwin formed the front line between the Dutch and the Spanish. Today, the area represents the border between Belgium and the Netherlands - and is a special nature reserve. This is because Het Zwin or t'Zwin is a so-called tidal area - twice a day at high tide a large amount of seawater flows into the area and floods the land. The salty North Sea water provides special natural conditions and creates a unique biotope of mud and salt marshes.

Het Zwin Nature Park

Bruges

As the capital of the province of West Flanders, Bruges is a tourist center of the region and is affectionately called "Belgium's Venice" by its inhabitants because of its many canals and bridges. Visitors to the city can expect hospitable inhabitants, a medieval city center and sights as far as the eye can see. Those who travel to Bruges take a trip back in time to the Middle Ages, as numerous buildings from the Middle Ages have been preserved in the historic city center and can be visited. Art treasures, the famous Belgian chocolates and horse-drawn carriages are impressions you will never forget.

Bruges

Bruges, Market Square

If you make a trip to Bruges, you will not pass by the Grote Markt. And you shouldn't even try, because it is one of the most beautiful places in the city, many say even in all of Belgium.

Bruges, Market Square

Bruges, Belfort

In the heart of the medieval city of Bruges, right on the old market square "Grote Markt", stands the Belfry. It is the landmark of the city and at the same time the most popular postcard motive of vacationers in Bruges. From the tower you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the entire old town, which, by the way, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bruges, Belfort