Amsterdam – Bruges: Bike & Boat with MS Fluvius

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.

The ship: MS Fluvius

The MS Fluvius can accommodate 44 guests in 22 air-conditioned outside cabins (approx. 10-12m²) with two single beds and shower/ WC each. Seven cabins are located on the upper deck, 15 on the main deck. The panoramic windows of the double cabins on the upper deck can be opened. The windows of the twin cabins cannot be opened. You can make yourself comfortable on the sun deck of the 70-meter-long ship. A cozy atmosphere and friendly crew await you. With its large sun deck, elegant panoramic salon and beautiful cabins, it is one of the especially cozy cabin ships. In winter 2017/2018 the ship was completely renovated. On the upper deck 4 new, spacious double cabins have been created.

1. day Amsterdam Arrival / Amsterdam - Vianen

Embarkation in Amsterdam starts at 13.00, at 14.00 panoramic drive from Amsterdam to Vianen. After dinner you will take a first small bike tour along the river Lek and near the fortified town of Vianen.

2. day Vianen - Schoonhoven - Kinderdijk 56 km / Kinderijk - Dordrecht

A morning bike ride takes you first to the silver town of Schoonhoven. Through typical polder landscape you cycle to Kinderdijk, where you can admire 19 windmills in a row (Unesco World Heritage Site). After an interesting tour, the "Waterbus" will take you to Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities in Holland. The historic city center is impressively nestled between mighty rivers. Enjoy the view over the busiest river junction in Europe! For painters and poets, this broad watershed with its Dutch cloud skies has been a source of inspiration for centuries. You will spend the night in historic Wolwevershafen. Look forward to a rewarding city walk after dinner.

3. day Dordrecht - Tholen / Tholen - Kreekrak lock 20 km or 36 km / Kreekrak lock - Antwerp

During breakfast, the Fluvius will sail to Tholen, which was once located on an island in the middle of the great rivers of the province of Zeeland and was often flooded. There the bike tour starts through the forest area "Wouwse Plantage" and further to the impressive Kreekrak lock. Here you reboard and through the port of Antwerp the Fluvius heads for the city center. Look forward to the diamond city of Antwerp also known as the birthplace of the famous painter Peter Paul Rubens. Explore the old town individually, discover the Grote Markt, visit the cathedral "Onze Lieve Vrouwe" with works by Rubens and join the city walk after dinner.

4. day Antwerp - Temse - Dendermonde 47 km or 61 km

After breakfast you cycle or sail first to the Zeeschelde. You follow this beautiful but capricious tidal river upstream. Enjoy the excellent cycle path on the Scheldedamm and let your eyes wander far into the varied surrounding countryside. If you want you can board again in Temse, but the bike route is getting more and more beautiful! Past nice excursion restaurants and small ferry ports you roll to Dendermonde. Here you must visit the medieval market place, the bell tower and the Sint-Alexius-Beginenhof (1288).

5. day Dendermonde - Ghent 52 km

In the morning you cycle along the Scheldt to Ghent. Look forward to this lively university city with its rich past. Admire the many old patrician houses, the Belfry, the Count's Castle, one of the most important Romanesque castles in Belgium, and of course the St. Baafs Cathedral with the famous Ghent Altar by Jan van Eyck during a stroll through the city. The ship is moored at the lock in Merelbeke, a suburb of Ghent.

6. day Gent - Bruges 45 km

Today you roll comfortably through the pleasantly flat country of West Flanders to Bruges. The highlight of the trip awaits you here. Bruges, also known as the Venice of the North, is often considered the most beautiful of all Flemish cities. Its old town, which dates back to the Middle Ages, presents itself today as a doll's house. The medieval town center was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. Discover the large market square, the town hall, the cloth hall, the belfry, the beguinage and the Church of Our Lady with the Madonna by Michelangelo on your own.

7. day Round tour from Bruges to the North Sea 37 km or 48 km

Look forward to this circular tour of the town of Damme, birthplace of Till Eulenspiegel. Passing Ter Doest Abbey, which is well worth seeing, you drive to Lissewege, the “most beautiful village in Flanders”. Marvel at the picturesque whitewashed houses lining both sides of the canal and the imposing village church. In no time at all you are in the seaside resort of Blankenberge. A 12 km long sandy beach and numerous cafés lure you to stay before you cycle back to Bruges.

8. day Bruges Departure

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

Please note: Changes of the itinerary

The skipper as captain of the ship reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the itinerary due to wind, weather and nautical peculiarities!

Worth knowing about your bike & boat trip

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

Arrival by train or car

Train - Arrival
Amsterdam:
Amsterdam can be easily reached by train from all cities in Germany. The ship's pier is on Buiksloterweg across from Amsterdam Central Station. From the north exit of the station there is a pedestrian and cyclist ferry (Buiksloterveer) that runs every 6 minutes. Use is free!

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

Current DB timetable information can be found at www.bahn.de.
train arrival

Car - arrival
The pier of the ship is in both Bruges and Amsterdam near the central station.
If you are arriving by car, we recommend driving to the jetty first and handing in your luggage and bicycles there. We then recommend using one of the specified parking options.

You will receive precise information on the location of the ship and further information with the detailed travel documents two weeks before the start of the trip.

Parking facilities in Amsterdam or Bruges

Amsterdam:
If you come to Amsterdam by car, we recommend that you use Amsterpark.nl's valet service, which we offer with a pick-up and return service ("Valet Parking"). You will receive a registration form with the 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 monitored parking area. A driver will be waiting for you in front of the ship, who will help you with your luggage. The driver, who is familiar with the area and the vehicle, will bring 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 at the docking station in Amsterdam within about 30 minutes of your call, so you can get in and drive straight away. Amsterdam Valet Parking offers many advantages such as:

No waiting, no loss of time, no boarding/departing/changing bus journeys, no need to carry luggage. Because you reserve in advance, you have the security that a parking space is available. You are immediately at your destination without having to take a taxi or public transport. Your car is parked safely and guarded. Reliable and responsible drivers with the appropriate papers take care of your vehicle. Amsterpark Valet Parking is cheaper than many public car parks in Amsterdam and is accessible 24/7.

How much does valet parking cost from Amsterpark?
Valet parking: For around €170.00 you can park your vehicle (car) safely and guarded for a week.

Bruges:
Buiten Begijnenvest at Central Station, about 20 minutes walk to the pier.
in parking lot costs about €3.50 per day (2022). The parking lots are monitored.

Embarkation

On the day of arrival you can bring your luggage on board from around 12:00 p.m., but embarkation and check-in do not begin until 1:00 p.m.

Luggage

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

Guides on board

The tour guide offers daily guided bike tours. Detailed cycling maps and route tips are available for guests who want to cycle individually and at their own pace; the tour guide can always be reached via mobile phone for questions, breakdowns and emergencies.

Available rental bikes

So-called unisex bikes of the brand "Bikkel" - private label are available as rental bikes (suitable for men and women). They all have the 7-speed gear hub with handbrake and luggage bag and are available in different frame heights.
The e-bikes, also from the "Bikkel" brand - private label, are equipped with 7 gears, 6 support levels, only hand brakes and a pannier bag.

Bring your own bikes

You can take your own bike with you to a limited extent. There is a small amount of space available on the ship "MS Fluvius" for a surcharge: €10.00 per regular bike or €25.00 per electric bike, including charging station.
For safety reasons, it is not possible to charge the batteries of your own electric bikes in the cabin.
The crew will inform you about where to charge your battery on deck/onboard. In this case, the ship's crew and the organizer are not liable for any damage, loss or theft of your own bicycle or e-bike.
Pre-registration for taking your own bike is required.

Back transfer to the origin of your tour

There are good train connections between Bruges and Amsterdam and between Amsterdam and Bruges.

Deck plan MS Fluvius

Bar MS Fluvius

Salon MS Fluvius

Cabin MS Fluvius

Sun deck MS Fluvius

Itinerary and Changes

All distances indicate the approximate distances for the suggested bike rides.
If you would like to take a bike break for a day, you can stay on board and enjoy the relaxed journey by ship to the next town.
This trip is offered with different ships. Depending on the ship, there may be slight differences in the daily program.

Extra costs which are not included in the tour price

Arrival and departure, parking fees, drinks and coffee and tea after 4 p.m., rental bikes, entrance fees and excursion fees, personal insurance, tips and personal expenses.

7 day Hotline Service

If the bicycle chain has broken, flooding makes it impossible to continue your journey or other nasty surprises await you: we are available for you 7 days a week and will organize help as quickly as possible.

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.

Old town Amsterdam

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

Altstadt Amsterdam

Amsterdam Nemo Science Center

The NEMO Science Center in Amsterdam is a real adventure playground for young and old. Everyone can join in, touch and try things out here. The museum provides a vivid introduction to the world of physics, biology, chemistry and technology with many experiments. And things that are not allowed to be touched are presented by the museum staff in impressive science shows. From the café on the roof of the building you also have a fantastic view over Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Nemo Science Center

Utrecht

The old and historic city of Utrecht is home to many buildings that date back to 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 country's most important Catholic leader. The University of Utrecht is the largest in the Netherlands. One of the city's unique landmarks is the causeway system with its countless canals. Before the city was fully canalized, portions of the Rhine flowed directly through the city center.

Utrecht

Wind mills at Kinderdijk

A photo of the windmills at Kinderdijk should not be missing from your photo album from your trip to Holland. The nineteen mills 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.

Windmühlen Kinderdijk

Dordrecht

The large inland center of Dordrecht is located in the south of the province of South Holland between the Rhine and the Maas and their numerous branches. Colorful piers, canals and old facades can be seen in the old town, while the neighborhoods to the south contrast with bold constructions. Dordrecht inspired numerous painters, including Van Goyen, and a large number of artists were born here.

Dordrecht

Antwerpen

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 cultural city to behold, proud of its impressive architecture and magnificent works of art. Antwerp is also a real shopper's paradise, with shops run by its own world-renowned designers. In the pubs the best beers are served and in the many restaurants lovers of good cuisine can enjoy the most delicious traditional and multicultural dishes.

Antwerpen

Antwerpen, Rubenshaus

Peter Paul Rubens is one of the most important painters of his time. Hardly any other artist influenced posterity in the Netherlands and Belgium as much as Rubens. His estate includes more than 1,500 paintings, some of which he personally created, but many of which were also created by his students. Although Ruben was not born in Antwerp, he lived and worked in the city for most of his life. His home at the time, which was also his studio, was converted into a museum after the city bought the building. This shows the life and work of Ruben. In addition to the Ruben exhibition, the imposing house is also worth seeing. This was personally designed by Ruben and was built in the Renaissance style.

Antwerpen, Rubenshaus

Antwerpen, Cathedral

The Cathedral of Our Lady (Dutch: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal) is the cathedral and the symbol of the city. At the same time, it is the largest cathedral church in Belgium. Today's church has undergone numerous renovations throughout its history. As early as the 10th century, there was a small Marian chapel on today's site. In the following centuries, this basic church was expanded and enlarged. In 1352 it was finally decided to build a new church in the Gothic style. The construction work had been going on for more than 150 years when construction was stopped. In the centuries that followed, the cathedral was badly damaged several times. Numerous unique works of art were either stolen or destroyed. Nowadays, the large tower with the golden clock is the main feature of the external appearance of the Cathedral of Our Lady. The interior is kept simple and is dominated by the high colonnade. Inside there are also four valuable paintings by the well-known baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens.

Antwerpen, Kathedrale

Gent

Ghent is a compact, authentic city where past and present are in perfect harmony. Walking through the city is like stepping back in time: you turn a corner and suddenly you go from the fourteenth to the twenty-first century. The young heart of a cultural city full of music, theatre, film and fine arts beats in Ghent.

Gent

Nature reserve Het Zwin

The Zwin area is doubly rich - rich in history, rich in nature. In the 11th and 12th centuries, the rise in sea level created a four kilometer wide channel that reached far into the country. Cities such as Damme, Aardenburg, Sluis and St. Anna ter Muiden experienced economic prosperity thanks to the shipping traffic that this made possible - but only for a short period of time, as the estuary silted up more and more. 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. 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 country. The salty North Sea water creates special natural conditions and creates a unique biotope of silt and salt marshes.

Naturschutzgebiet Het Zwin

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 residents due to the many canals and bridges. Visitors to the city can expect hospitable residents, a medieval town center and sights as far as the eye can see. Those who travel to Bruges take a journey back in time to the Middle Ages, because 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 that you will never forget.

Brügge

Bruges, Grote Markt

If you take a trip to Bruges, you won't want to miss the Grote Markt. And you shouldn't even try, because it's one of the most beautiful squares in the city, many say in all of Belgium.

Brügge, Grote Markt