- Details
- Itinerary
- Ship
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Venture along Europe’s picturesque waterways and bike paths on an unforgettable bike and barge trip from Amsterdam to Bruges. Discover the magic of varied landscapes as you pedal through historic towns, vibrant tulip fields and charming villages. At each stop, your comfortable barge will welcome you for moments of relaxation and conviviality. Explore cultural treasures such as famous windmills, winding canals and fascinating medieval architecture. A unique experience combining cycling, navigation and discovery!
1 to 2 / 5
What does the difficulty level mean ?
1 : Easy, flat terrain, requires little effort, between 20 and 50 km
2 : Quite easy, flat terrain and slight inclination, requires some effort, between 50 and 70 km
3 : Intermediate, many hills, between 70 and 100 km
4 : Advanced intermediate, mountainous, requires much effort, between 80 and 120 km
5 : Advanced, major difference in height, constant effort, between 90 and 130 km
This is an indication, the levels may vary depending on the different routes.
Includes:
- Trip flight from Montreal to Amsterdam
- 2 nights’ accommodation in Amsterdam
- 2 breakfasts at the hotel
- 7 nights’ accommodation on a superior category boat (Liza Marleen) staterooms in double occupancy and comfort plus (daily room service and air conditioning)
- 7 breakfasts on the ship
- 6 self-made lunch boxes on the ship
- 7 3-service dinners on the ship
- Coffee and tea
- 2 towels and linen for the week
- Passage through the Dutch neighborhood of Brooklyn and the Vecht River
- Passage through the canals and polders of the Dutch rivers
- Visit to the medieval cities of Ghent and Bruges
- Services of a local guide during your stay
- Services of Daniel Gervais Gendronbike group leader
- All transfers
- Protection offered by the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents
- Taxes
Not included:
- Gratuities
- Meals other than those mentioned
- Bike rental with helmet, insurance included | Hybrid bike ($165) or electric bike ($320)
- Alcohol (must be paid cash on site)
- Baggage fees and seat selection with the airline
Introduction of Mandatory ETIAS Permit for Travels to Europe
Starting mid-2025, every Canadian traveler planning to visit Europe will be required to possess an ETIAS permit. This is the European Travel Information and Authorization System, implemented by the European Union.
For more information about this permit, you can visit the official website at the following address: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en.
Please note that this permit costs 7 euros per person, and the process can take up to 30 days for approval.
It is also mandatory to have a passport that remains valid for at least 3 months after your departure date from Europe. Without this, entry at the European border will be denied.
Itinerary:
Leaving in the evening.
Flight to Amsterdam.
Arrival at Amsterdam airport.
Transfer to your hotel.
Free time.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the barge.
Boarding the barge.
PM: The boat takes you to Aalterburg, where you take a bike path to reach Ghent.
Free time. The city of Ghent takes pride in its rich history, numerous well-preserved guild houses and patrician mansions, as well as its old warehouses, the Gravensteen (medieval castle), the Saint Nicholas Church, Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, and the Belfry (14th century). But Ghent is much more than just a museum city. This lively city, with its many squares and cozy bars, is an excellent mix of medieval buildings, stylish shopping streets, beautiful homes, and early 20th century popular neighborhoods where students often live today. You can also choose to cycle with your guide. The luxurious castles and villas of Destelbergen and its surroundings, just a stone’s throw from Ghent, are the silent witnesses of the rich history of this city located on the banks of the Scheldt River.
Today, you will leave Belgium and arrive in the Netherlands. During breakfast, you will navigate to Sas van Gent and cross Zeeuws-Vlaanderen (Dutch Flanders). With a short ferry ride from Breskens to Vlissingen (Flushing), you will cross the Western Scheldt. From Vlissingen, it will only take you 30 minutes by bike to reach Middelburg, the capital of Zeeland.
Modern Middelburg has retained much of its historic and picturesque character. There are splendid 17th and 18th-century merchant houses and warehouses along the canals. The medieval abbey is still used today as a museum and as the seat of the provincial government.
You will first head towards the city of Veere, once an important trading place. From Veere, you will cross the Veersgat dam (here you have the opportunity to visit the beach) north of Beveland. Soon, you will reach the Eastern Scheldt. The huge locks are built on this embankment and can be closed in case of storms and high tides, thus protecting the southwest of the Netherlands from the sea. This embankment was one of the last in a series of sea barriers. By following the embankment, one will understand why this has been one of the most difficult and costly challenges to protect the country, today and in the future. It also allows seawater to enter the vast Delta region. That is precisely why the Delta Works is designated as one of the seven wonders of the modern world by the American Society of Civil Engineers. After this dam, you cycle to Zierikzee.
A beautiful bike ride on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland is on the agenda. You pedal to Bruinisse. The village is known as a very isolated community. The main source of income is mussel fishing. There is a statue of an open mussel on the dike towards Grevelingen. You continue your journey to Willemstad (an old fortified town) and board the boat. Navigation to Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, located at a junction of busy waterways.
From Gorinchem, you will visit Woudrichem (an ancient fortified town) and the most famous castle in the Netherlands, Loevestein. You will follow the meanders of the Linge river through the Betuwe. This area is known for its large amount of orchards and will be covered in flowers in May. Alongside the city of Leerdam, famous for its glass, you will continue your visit towards the north towards Vianen.
During breakfast, you sail to Breukelen, from where you can bike along the two most beautiful rivers in Holland, the Vecht and the Amstel. You can admire magnificent 18th-century houses and mansions with their splendid well-kept gardens.
Once you arrive in Amsterdam, it’s time to say goodbye to your bike. Perhaps you want to take a stroll around the city or go on a canal cruise? That’s entirely possible. There’s so much to discover in Amsterdam! The Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, Dam Square and its royal palace, in short, you’ll definitely want to stay an extra day…
After breakfast, your stay ends at 10 a.m.
Transfer to the hotel in Amsterdam
AM
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport, flight and return to Montreal.
Navire
Liza Marleen Boat
The “Liza Marleen” is a luxury motor passenger barge, built in 1997-98 on the completely dismantled hull of a sea freight logger. In 2016, all cabins were renovated.
- Capacity: 20 to 22 people
- Length: 38 x 6.6m
- Electricity: 220 V
- Wifi on board: yes, but limited in the salon and on deck
- Air conditioning: yes
- Cabins: Ten cabins with private shower, sink, toilet, central heating and air conditioning.
- 8 twin cabins (beds can be moved closer together)
- 2 x superior twin cabins of 15 m² (bunk beds + 3rd bed; + small 4th bed for a child).
The salon: The “Liza Marleen” has a beautiful, spacious and tastefully decorated salon for a day’s stay and plenty of space on deck. The salon is equipped with audio equipment and a television.
June 18 to 28, 2024
11 days | 9 nights | Flight | 22 meals
Conditions
First 10 seats at this price.
Group leader
Flight schedule
Departure from Montréal
Ask for a pairing