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A very popular and highly enjoyable bike and boat holiday cruising through southern Holland and northern Belgium aboard one of the superb Magnifique boats. Ride along level cycle paths, to historic towns, passing windmills and dykes along the way.
This cycling holiday showcases some of the most iconic scenery of Holland's Zeeland province and the western Flanders region of Belgium. Your comfortable barge carries you gently along the waterways of this culturally rich region, dropping you off at various points along the way to enjoy relaxing rides through ever-changing scenery.
The Magnifique II is recognised as one of the most luxurious barges afloat on Dutch waterways and in 2018 she was joined by her equally fabulous sister ship, Magnifique III, offering the same levels of style and space. In 2020 the Magnifique IV joined the fleet, upholding the high standards set by her sister-ships, and in 2024 the equally sumptuous Magnifique I was launched
The daily cycle routes are varied and interesting with each day bringing something different – one day it could be a serene river-bank ride past small villages and open countryside, the next an exploratory ride through a beautiful and historic city.
You can opt to accompany the bike guides each day or use the maps and route notes available on board to navigate yourself.
Highlights of this tour include a delightful ride alongside the Lek River to the silver smith's town of Schoonhoven, a visit to the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk, a night in Antwerp, the rough diamond capital of Europe and, of course, the beautiful historic cities of Ghent and Bruges.
This leisurely cycle route follows mostly level terrain along dedicated cycle paths. E-bikes are also an option on this very popular cycling holiday.
This holiday also operates in reverse, see the Bruges to Amsterdam Route
The captain reserves the right to make changes to the planned route due to changing wind, tide and weather conditions, and where required by organizational necessities.
Embarkation and check-in takes place at 1.30 pm. Shortly afterwards, around 2 pm, we cast off and cruise south to the small fortified village of Vianen on the Lek river. After dinner you are invited join a very gentle test ride of the bikes through the surrounding area.
Today' we follow an idyllic cycle path alongside the River Lek to Schoonhoven. The town is renowned for it’s silver-smiths which explains how it came by its nickname of Zilverstad or Silver City. As you might expect, there are many silverware shops to browse as well as a silver museum.
We then cycle along the Alblasserwaard Polder (polders are areas of re-claimed land) to the fantastic windmills of Kinderdijk. This impressive collection of 19 windmills were originally built to pump the Alblasserwaard polder dry. Today, a modern pump does most of the hard work but the windmills are still fully functioning and all but one have resident families living inside. The unoccupied windmill is a museum which you are welcome to explore during your visit.
When you’ve seen enough, we ride to nearby Alblasserwaard and catch the water-bus (fast ferry) to the town of Dordrecht some 10 minutes away. We rejoin the boat in Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland.
The day starts with a breakfast cruise south to the town of Willemstad where we disembark for today’s ride. Willemstad is a lovely old fortified town occupying a strategic position on the main Haringvliet waterway.
Our ride leads us south to the former island of Tholen now connected to the mainland by bridges. In the picturesque village of Tholen we can still see evidence of the island’s strong fishing heritage. You then leave Tholen and cycle to the historic fortified village of Bergen op Zoom. After dining on board disembark for a stroll through the narrow streets of this lovely old town.
The day starts with a very pleasant ride through the "Wouwse Plantage", a peaceful woodland area near Bergen op Zoom. We re-board the boat near the impressive Kreekrak Lock system for a leisurely cruise to Antwerp. The city has long been associated with the diamond trade but it was also the home of Peter Paul Rubens and many of his works hang in the city’s Onze Lieve Vrouwe Cathedral. The on-board galley is closed this evening but the staff will be happy to recommend some great restaurants in Antwerp.
After breakfast you can explore Antwerp a little more if you wish before cycling out of town along the banks of the Schelde river. Much of today’s route follows a superb cycle path which offers fantastic views of the river and surrounding countryside. Small riverside towns line the bank providing plenty of opportunities to stop for a rest and/or refreshments. Following this extremely pleasant ride we re-board the boat in St Amands and remain moored there overnight.
Today’s ride follows another wonderful bike path alongside the Schelde River to Ghent and the miles glide by easily on this smooth level path. Before long we arrive in the lively University City of Ghent where the Schelde and Leie Rivers meet. This may have been one of the factors that contributed to the town’s phenomenal success as trading centre in the middle ages – at one time it was the second largest city north of the Alps after Paris. The opulence and grandeur of of the city’s past is still evident in the lovely old churches and merchants’ houses in the beautiful old town centre.The boat moors for the night in Merelbeke, a suburb of Ghent.
Today’s ride starts just outside Ghent and leads us through the pleasant countryside of western Flanders to the City of Bruges. Probably the most beautiful Flemish City, Bruges has a long history stretching back to the Vikings. A network of cobbled streets and canals lined with wonderful old town houses criss-cross the city centre. Every now and then these give way to quaint squares accommodating wonderful old churches and museums. Of course the Belgians are master chocolatiers and brewers and Bruges offers an abundance of chocolate shops and cosy bars.
After breakfast it’s time to disembark, by 9.30am, and head for home or your next adventure.
Regular bikes provided are modern alloy framed models with 7 speeds, a gel saddle and puncture-resistant tyres. The bikes also come equipped with pannier and integrated lock.
E-bikes provided have highly-responsive handbrakes and a minimum of seven speeds. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats an integrated lock and puncture resistant tyres.
We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons. Alternatively, helmets can be provided on arrival.
The Magnifique III offers the same exceptionally high level of comfort and service as the Magnifique II and has 21 cabins.
The lower deck features 14 twin cabins (12m²) with two separate single beds and 2 single cabins (9 m²). The upper deck has 5 spacious suites (16 m²) with two separate single beds, a small sitting area and a “French Balcony”: ceiling-to-floor sliding glass doors. In most cabins and all suites, on prior request, the beds can be set together as a double bed.
All cabins are well appointed and equipped with en-suite facilities with a shower, toilet and basin. The cabins on the lower deck have portholes (fixed for safety reasons), upper deck suites have sliding glass doors that can be partly opened. The airconditioning in all cabins can be individually regulated. In each cabin you will find a flat screen TV, mini-safe and hairdryer.
On the upper deck, there is a tastefully decorated salon with restaurant, bar and a lounge with wide screen TV, large windows to enjoy the scenery and free Wi-Fi. Large doors open onto a partially roofed teak wood sundeck with tables and chairs on the aft deck.
Meals - The meals on board are substantial and healthy. Breakfast will be served as a buffet and during breakfast you may make your own packed picnic lunch for your bike tour. In the evening the chef serves an appetizing dinner.
Dietary requirements: If you have special dietary requirements, it is important you indicate this when you book or enquire about it before you book. Vegetarian meals are always available, but we need to know in advance. In all other cases we will need to check if it is possible. In some cases a fee for preparing special meals will be charged. This mainly applies to lactose or gluten-free meals and is €70 for 7 night trips and €40 for 4 night trips and is to be paid when you board. Unfortunately vegan meals are not offered. This is because the kitchen on the ship is not large enough to guarantee that the food can be prepared completely vegan. The available space on board is limited, so the chefs cannot store the necessary tools and supplies to prepare vegan food.
The Magnifique I entered the fleet in 2024 and offers the same sumptuous level of comfort and service as her sister ships Magnifique II, III and IV.
All sixteen cabins are located on the lower deck. Twelve are twin cabins measuring approx 11m². There are also four junior suites measuring 15m², these cabins feature queen size beds (two single beds set together)
All of the 16 sumptuously decorated cabins feature en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, a mini-safe and a hair dryer. The windows cannot be opened for safety reasons.
On the upper deck, there is a tastefully decorated salon with restaurant, bar and lounge area, TV and panoramic windows. Large doors open onto a partially roofed teak wood sundeck with tables and chairs on the aft deck.
The Magnifique II offers exceptionally high levels of comfort and service and has 17 cabins. A modern design finished in a classical style, the ship makes a very pleasant base for your cycling holiday.
The upper deck has four spacious suites (14m²) with two separate single beds, a small sitting area and large panoramic windows, one of which can be opened. The lower deck feature 13 cabins, 12 of which are twin bedded cabins (11m²) with two separate single beds, one of which is a larger premium twin with two separate single beds and a small sitting area (13m²). All the cabins on the lower deck have portholes (fixed for safety reasons).
All the cabins are well appointed and equipped with en-suite facilities with a shower, toilet and sink and the air conditioning in all cabins can be individually regulated. Furthermore they are equipped with a flat screen TV, mini-safe and hairdryer.
On the upper deck there is a tastefully decorated salon with restaurant, bar and a lounge with wide screen TV, large windows to enjoy the scenery and free Wi-Fi. Large doors open onto a partially roofed sundeck with table and chairs. On the top deck you will find a whirlpool/Jacuzzi and deckchairs.
The Magnifique IV was completed in the Spring of 2020 and offers the same high level of comfort and service as her sister ships.
The lower deck features 8 twin bedded cabins (12m²) with two single beds, while the upper deck will offer 10 spacious, double-bedded suites (16 m²) with a cozy sitting area and French balcony with floor-to-ceiling glass doors. The cabins on the lower deck have portholes (fixed for safety reasons).
All cabins have their own private bathroom with shower, basin and toilet; as well as individually-regulated air-conditioning, flat screen satellite TV, mini safe and hair dryer.
On the upper deck, there is a tastefully decorated bar/lounge area with wide screen TV, large windows to enjoy the scenery and free Wi-Fi. The comfortable and inviting restaurant is separated from the kitchen by a glass wall, so you can see the talented chefs in action. Large glass doors open onto a beautiful partially-covered teak viewing deck, furnished with tables and chairs.
Dietary requirements: If you have special dietary requirements, it is important you indicate this when you book or enquire about it before you book. Vegetarian meals are always available, but we need to know in advance. In all other cases we will need to check if it is possible. In some cases a fee for preparing special meals will be charged. This mainly applies to lactose or gluten-free meals and is €70 for 7 night trips and €40 for 4 night trips and is to be paid when you board. Vegan meals are €58 for 4 night trips and €102 for 7 night trips.
Fly or take the Eurostar to Amsterdam. From Amsterdam Central station take a bus or taxi to the boat.
Research flights from UK airports here.
Research Eurostar from UK here
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