Belgium Bike & Barge

Our first cycle day takes us to Damme, Bruges’ former outer harbour which has a picturesque Market where you can see the statue of the poet, Jacob van Maerlant. Continue to the sea where sandy beaches and cafés abound. There is time to relax and perhaps take a swim before returning to Bruges.

During breakfast the barge will cruise to Moerebrugge, where our cycle stage begins. Today we’ll follow the Gent-Oostende-Canal through the wide Flemish plain to Ghent. The barge will dock for the night at the lock in Merelbeke, a suburb of Ghent approx. 30min by bike from the city centre. After dinner, you can venture into Ghent and explore its old town alleys and quaint cobble stoned streets. In the Middle Ages, Ghent was the second largest city in Europe after Paris and its architectural wealth is well preserved. Overnight Merelbeke.

Today we’ll cycle to Dendermonde, where you can enjoy a coffee break at the wonderful Grote Markt. In the evening the barge continues to Sint Amands, one of the most beautiful and winding parts of the route on the river Schelde. Overnight Sint Amands.

From Sint Amands, we will cycle past the water tower and cross the Brussels-Rupel canal. We’ll continue through an historic area where bricks have been produced since the Middle Ages, then alongside the river Rupel to the river Schelde. From Rupelmonde it’s a comfortable ride to Hemiksem, then we again follow the river Schelde to Antwerp. The world’s centre of diamond-processing, Antwerp offers a number of interesting sights including its richly decorated town hall, the historic Grote Markt, the huge Liebfrauen Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle. Overnight in Antwerp.

Following breakfast on board we will start our cycling, passing through suburban Antwerp via Lier along the river Nete to Willebroek, where the barge will be docked. Optional beer tasting on board subject to minimum numbers – additional payment applies locally. Overnight Willebroek.

While the barge travels through the Willebroek canal, our last cycle day takes us through green, sometimes hilly landscapes to Mechelen and Vilvoorde. Mechelen has a remarkable density of more than 300 listed buildings (classified as historical monuments) including eight churches, all built within an area of only three square kilometres. From Vilvoorde we cruise to Brussels. Not only home of the sprout, Brussels has a magical town square (Grote Markt), interesting museums and some of the best waffles in the world. Enjoy wandering around the old town and sights including the Gothic town hall, the beautiful guild houses and the “Männeken Pis”. Overnight Brussels.

After breakfast, the journey comes to an end as you say farewell to the guide and crew. Check-out and disembark by 9:30 am.