Day 1 Sat Arrive Amsterdam.
You will have plenty of time to make your way to Amsterdam, as your ship will stay overnight in Amsterdam. Your tour leader will accompany you for a short ride so that you familiarise yourself with your bike. In the evening you may wish to make a round trip of the Amsterdam canals, which would make a memorable start to your holiday.
 Day 2 Sun Breukelen to Vianen 20 miles.
Your ship takes you to Breukelen, where you unload your bikes and start your cycling for the day. Via castle De Haar and Montfoort you will cycle to Vianen, the stay for the night.
Day 3 Mon Vianen to ‘s Hertogenbosch 28 miles.
Your barge cruises to Tiel and then you cross the river by ferry to the rural area between the rivers Maas and Waal. After passing many dykes and rich polderland you’ll arrive in the town of ‘s Hertogenbosch, the charming capital of the province of Noord-Brabant.
Day 4 Tues Hertogenbosch to Willemstad 25 miles.
The day starts with a sailing trip on the river Maas. At Geertruidenberg you will unload your bike for a very varied tour to the attractive walled town of Willemstad a historically important fortified town. The old town walls are in the shape of a seven-pointed star and it is here that William the Silent built a palace.
Day 5 Wed Willemstad to Antwerp 25 miles.
In the morning after breakfast a cycle tour to the island of Tholen in Zeeland is planned. You’ll pass the village from where the parents of the American president Roosevelt lived before emigrating to the USA. Rejoining your barge you will cruise across the Belgian border to the port town of Antwerp. In the evening you can accompany your tour leader for a walk around the city.
Day 6 Thur Antwerp to Mechelen 25 miles.
A morning at your disposal to see more of the great city of Antwerp before you start cycling across the beautiful Flemish countryside to the charming town of Mechelen.
Day 7 Fri Sightseeing in Brussels.
Today you take the train to give yourself enough time to visit all the highlights of the Belgium capital of Brussels. In case you become hungry or thirsty, try one of the culinary specialties: mussels, chocolate, waffles and of course beer. Late in the afternoon you return by train to your barge in Mechelen.
Day 8 Sat Depart from Mechelen.
It is the end of the tour and so it is time to say farewells, exchange contact details and make your way home. It is approximately 20 minutes by train from Brussels. |
Cruise and Cycle
This bike & barge holiday provides a unique experience combining the rural landscape, history and charm of Holland with that of Belgium. In eight days you will cycle from the Dam Square in Amsterdam to the Market Square of Brussels. (The next week the trip will be carried out in the opposite direction, so you have the choice of starting in Brussels.)
