Itinerary

Normal Direction:
Amsterdam to Ghent

For the itinerary in the reverse direction, i.e. Ghent to Amsterdam, click here

Day 1 (Saturday):
Arrive in Amsterdam. Cruise to Oude Wetering

After joining your barge in Amsterdam, meeting the crew and other guests you will set off at approximately 1.00pm and cruise to Oude Wetering where the cyclists can try out their bikes.

Day 2 (Sunday):
Oude Wetering to Gouda, 16 miles (25km)

The cyclists ride to Keukenhof to view the flowers and then back to the barge at Oude Wetering.  At approx 2.00pm the barge will sail to Gouda.

Day 3 (Monday):
Gouda to Willemstad, 25 miles (40km)

Today you ride to the world famous windmills of Kinderdijk where you will  visit one of the mills. After the visit you head for Dordrecht, and cycle partially through the natural reserve Biesbosch to Moerdijk. The night will be spent in the walled town of Willemstad, a real Dutch beauty!

Day 4 (Tuesday):
Willemstad to Antwerp

Right across the impressive waterways of Zeeland the barge will take you to the lively town of Antwerp in Belgium. After arrival there is free time to explore this old port. Antwerp is not only known as 'diamond city', but also as the native city of the artist Rubens. In the Rubens House, where he was born, you can admire his work. In the middle of the city is the Cathedral of Our Lady and around the Market Square beautiful town houses from a rich past.

Day 5 (Wednesday):
Antwerp to Dendermonde, 22 miles (35km)

The day starts with a sailing trip to the outskirts of Antwerp and the yopu will cycle across the riverland of the river Schelde. You will spend the night in the charming provincial town of Dendermonde.

Day 6 (Thursday):
Dendermonde to Ghent, 19 miles (30km)

The barge leaves Dendermonde for a sailing trip on the tidal river Schelde to Ghent. As you cycle along you enjoy the flat Flemish countryside to Ghent, a lively university city, again one with a rich past. The city has its origins in Roman Times, at the place where the rivers Leie and Schelde converge. This favourable situation brought a great deal of prosperity over the years, which peaked in the late 13th and early 14th century. The textile industry brought great wealth and in the city centre you will see many old patrician houses that have been preserved. The owners of these houses, the textile merchants, used to meet in the Clothmakers’ Hall. The major church is St. Baafs’ Cathedral, built in various ages and in various styles. In the cathedral you can admire a number of masterpieces of mediaeval painting, of which the ‘Adoration of the Lamb’ by Jan van Eyck is the most famous. In the evening your guide will take you for a walk around the city.

Day 7 (Friday):
Ghent to Bruges

After arriving in Bruges by train there is a horse carriage ride and a short guided walk past the many historic monuments in the centre of Bruges. From midday you are free to visit Bruges until you are ready to return by train to Ghent.

Day 8 (Saturday):
Depart from Ghent

Time to board the bus and make your way back to Amsterdam.

Reverse Direction:
Ghent to Amsterdam

Day 1 (Saturday):
Arrive in Ghent

If you fly into Amsterdam your coach will take you to Ghent, leaving Amsterdam at approximately 1.00pm and arriving at approximately 5.00pm. You will be able to join your fellow guests on board your floating hotel. The city has its origins in Roman Times, at the place where the rivers Leie and Schelde converge. This favourable situation brought a great deal of prosperity over the years, which peaked in the late 13th and early 14th century. The textile industry brought great wealth and in the city centre you will see many old patrician houses that have been preserved. The owners of these houses, the textile merchants, used to meet in the Clothmakers’ Hall. The major church is St. Baafs’ Cathedral, built in various ages and in various styles. In the cathedral you can admire a number of masterpieces of mediaeval painting, of which the ‘Adoration of the Lamb’ by Jan van Eyck is the most famous. In the evening your guide will take you for a walk around the city.

Day 2 (Sunday):
Ghent to Bruges

Everybody makes the train ride to Bruges. After arriving there is a horse carriage ride and a short guided walk past the many historic monuments in the centre of Bruges. From midday you are free to visit Bruges until you are ready to return by train to Dendermonde.

Day 3 (Monday):
Dendermonde to Antwerp, 31 miles (50km)

You leave the charming provincial town of Dendermonde and cycle across the riverland of the river Schelde to the outskirts of Antwerp. After arrival there is free time to explore this old port. Antwerp is not only known as 'diamond city', but also as the native city of the artist Rubens. In the Rubens House, where he was born, you can admire his work. In the middle of the city is the Cathedral of Our Lady and around the Market Square beautiful town houses from a rich past. In the evening you may wish to visit some bars and try some of the excellent Belgian beers.

Day 4 (Tuesday):
Antwerp to Willemstad

In the morning you will be able to spend some more time in Antwerp. Across the impressive waterways of Zeeland, the barge sails to the beautiful fortified town of Willemstad.

Day 5 (Wednesday):
Willemstad to Gouda, 25 miles (40km)

The ride takes you through part of the Biesbosch Nature Reserve to Moerdijk and then you head for Dordrecht. After a short visit the ride contuinues to the world famous windmills of Kinderdijk where you will visit one of the mills. Afterwards you will cycle to Gouda to rejoin the barge.

Day 6 (Thursday):
Gouda to Oude Wetering, 16 miles (25km)

A cruise will take you to your start point where you will cycle to the Keukenhof flower park. After having seen the tulips and daffodils in bloom you continue your cycling to Oude Wetering.

Day 7 (Friday):
Oude Wetering to Amsterdam, 19 miles (30km)

You will cycle alongside the river Amstel until you reach your final destination of Amsterdam, where you can visit the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh museum. In the evening your guide will take you for a walk around the centre or you can take a round trip of the canals.

Day 8 (Saturday):
Depart from Amsterdam

It is the end of the tour and so it is time to say farewells, exchange contact details and make your way home.