Embarkation is from 1 to 2pm when the crew welcomes you onboard. There is then a welcome meeting where you will meet the crew and receive your bicycle. We then go on a short ride through the countryside around Bruges to get used to the bikes. After dinner you are invited to join a guided walking tour through the centre 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 townhouses criss-cross the city centre. Every now and then these give way to quaint squares accommodating wonderful old churches and museums. We spend the night at our mooring in Bruges.

Our first day of cycling takes us towards Ghent, through the beautiful Flemish landscape, along the Ghent canal. 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 the city’s past is still evident in the lovely old churches and merchants’ houses in the beautiful old town centre. The barge moors for the night in a suburb of Ghent 30 cycling minutes from the centre.

After breakfast in Ghent we start cycling through the diverse and quite wonderful and natural landscape of the tidal Schelde River. Our destination today is Dendermonde, a lovely old town with a pretty Grote Markt (town square) lined with inviting bars and cafés. This is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a tasty Belgian beer after the morning’s exertions. We also recommend a visit to The St Alexius Beguinage a green square, lined with houses that were built in 1288 and were originally occupied by nuns of the Beguine order. One of houses is a folklore museum and is preserved as an authentic beguine’s home. The Fluvius remains moored in Dendermonde overnight.

After breakfast we begin cycling downstream, alongside our old friend the Schelde River. We’ll be pedalling through the Temse region a particularly beautiful, meandering stretch of the river. The serene riverside cycle path eventually leads us to Antwerp, a city that has long been associated with the diamond trade. It is also the home of Peter Paul Rubens and many of his works hang in the city’s Onze Lieve Vrouwe Cathedral.

The Fluvius cruises along the Schelde-Rhine Canal and into the huge Kreekrak lock system. We disembark here for a lovely ride through the natural beauty of the wonderfully named Wouwse Plantage forest. Afterwards we cycle through the charming village of Bergen Op Zoom before crossing the bridge to the picturesque fishing village of Tholen. Here we re-board the Fluvius and enjoy an afternoon cruise past the impressive Volkerak lock system to the beautiful city of Dordrecht. In the evening our tour guide leads us on a fascinating stroll around this old town.

Today starts with a short waterbus ride to Alblasserdam, where we disembark with the bikes. A short ride brings us to Kinderdijk, a village that has an impressive collection of 19 windmills, which 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 bar-one have resident families living inside. The unoccupied windmill is a museum, which you are welcome to explore during your visit. From here we cycle to Schoonhoven, renowned for it’s silversmiths, 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 pedal on to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek where the Fluvius is waiting for us and moors for the night.

During breakfast the Fluvius cruises to Breukelen where we disembark for our last cycle ride of the holiday. Enjoy the views along the Vecht River, as it’s an area famous for beautiful mansions, impressive houses, small castles and gardens. One last stop is in Nigtevecht where we can visit a traditional cheese farm before cycling on to the vibrant city of Amsterdam. The Fluvius remains moored in Amsterdam overnight allowing us to experience an evening in this exciting city.

After breakfast it’s time to disembark, by 9.30am, and head for home or your next adventure.