On this one-way cycling holiday, follow the Flemish Masters to the most beautiful towns in Belgium and admire their artworks in the Old Masters Museum in Brussels, St. Bavo Cathedral in Ghent, KMKSA and Rubens House in Antwerp, St. John’s Church in Mechelen and Groeninge Museum in Bruges.
In between towns, you will ride your bike through many different regions, often cycling alongside a river, following a signposted route.
Organize your own journey to Bruges. Try to arrive early to make the most of your time in this wonderfully harmonious town with a consistently medieval look. Cobblestones under your feet; swans in the lake; stone archways and bridges; pretty houses reflected in the canals… everything is picture-perfect.
Follow the canal out of town. The Ghent-Bruges Canal dates to the 14th century and is one of the oldest in the country. Together with its towpaths, it forms a green corridor that has proved valuable for biodiversity. Past quiet villages such as Moerbrugge, Maria-Aalter and Knesselare, you will cycle through the flat Flemish countryside to Maldegem. If you are still in for a walk, explore Maldegemveld nature reserve which has some interesting flora, the product of sandy soil (low in nutrients; acidic) and superficial, waterlogged clay deposits. In the evening, put your feet up in Maldegem.
Today you traverse the rural Meetjesland region, a cycling paradise with woods, meadowland and vast cropfields. Enjoy the play of light as you ride your bike through the woods of Het Leen and Drongengoed. Subsequently, it is easy-pedalling through the flat landscape to Eeklo, a small town known for its many sculptures. Then proceed to Ghent. The Old Town of Ghent is like an open-air museum. It is also a UNESCO Creative City of Music. The music scene here is thriving. Festivals, music institutions, the carillon, concerts, students of music having a singsong on the quays… music is everywhere. After dark, the ambiance is magical, thanks to the town’s ingenious light plan.
For the main part of the day, the River Scheldt will be your guide. Follow it upstream past a string of Flemish villages and towns. A 13th-century castle is a real eyecatcher in the village of Laarne: a great place for a break. Also stop off in Dendermonde for a look at the Town Hall & Belfry and visit the Church of Our Lady boasting a baptismal font from the 11th century. End the day in Dendermonde, where some delicious beers are brewed.
Quickly make your way back to the Scheldt and cycle atop the river dike towards Antwerp. A delightful interlude: De Zilverreiger, a regional museum focused on preserving knowledge about trades and crafts that once flourished locally: basket weaving, river fishery, cooperage (barrel making), flax processing and clog making. After crossing the Scheldt by ferry, you will reach Kruibeke, home to Wissekerk Castle. In the 10th century this was a so-called water castle and part of the defense line of Antwerp along the river. Crown your day in Antwerp, a city with a long beer tradition and countless cafes. Discover the beautiful Old Town or go shopping for antiques and curio’s, home deco, vintage fashion finds or diamonds!
It’s only a short trip today so you have time to look around Antwerp some more, or visit a museum, before setting off towards Mechelen. If you are into military heritage, stop off in Mortsel to visit Fort no. 4 of the originally eight Brialmont Forts (1860-1864) that made up the defensive line of Antwerp. It is built in brick with sandstone decorations and stands on an island surrounded by a ditch and glacis. Then continue along quiet country lanes and alongside the River Nete to Duffel. And, yes! This is actually the town where “duffel” originated from: the heavy, woolly material used initially for bags and later for duffle coats, made popular by the British Royal Navy and still trendy today. In the 15th century, duffel was produced here and exported all over Europe: a profitable business for then-prosperous Duffel. In the town of Sint-Kathelijne-Waver, at the Ursuline Institute, a boarding school run by nuns, an exquisite surprise awaits. The convent/school complex, Our Lady of Wavre, is a successful blend of art nouveau, neo-Gothic, neo-Empire and art deco. Best of all: the winter garden! Feast your eyes on a masterpiece of art nouveau, an ode to nature, springtime and light! Top off your day in Mechelen, small but attractive.
Ride your bike on tree-lined country lanes, past a series of ponds, along a river, around a wood and through meadows and cropfields to Brussels. Along the way, pass Tervuren, known for the Royal Africa Museum. In Brussels, you will find a mix of cultures, as can be seen in the streets, menus and people’s appearance. Head for the Grande Place and go for a walk. Not only does Brussels have Manneken Pis, it also has the most delicious waffles, chocolates and pints. This is a city where culture vultures, shopaholics, and gourmets & gourmands make merry!
One last hotel breakfast buffet and your cycling holiday will come to an end. Make your own way home.
Thursday from April 3rd to September 18th.
| Price pp | € | |
| Double room, breakfast | 919.00 | |
| Single room, breakfast | 1,374.00 | |
| Extra night double room, breakfast only | 80.00 | |
| Rental bike | € | |
| Hybrid | 105.00 | |
| E-bike | 217.00 | |
| Extra services | € | |
| Bike theft insurance | € 3.00 x 7 | 21.00 |
| E-bike theft insurance | € 6.00 x 7 | 42.00 |
| Bike helmet | per piece | 15.00 |
| SGR | per piece | 5.00 |
Start:
Bruges
The hotels on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. A list of the hotels we work with appears below. If a certain accommodation is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a comparable alternative.
www.nh-hotels.nl/hotel/nh-brussels-eu-berlaymont
Our hybrid bikes are aluminum bikes and have 27-gears
Assembly: Shimano Deore
Brakes: Shimano V Brakes (hand brakes)
Tires: Schwalbe Marathon
Saddle: Selle Royal Freedom
Pedals: flat pedals (XLC)
Weight: circa 16,5 kilo
The e-bikes are Freebike Harlem or similar. The bikes have a small electric engine and battery, which can be charged at the hotels. You still have to pedal: it just makes pedaling much easier. Some experience with e-bikes is recommended, as the bikes accelerate faster and are heavier than regular bikes because of the electric engine.
Assembly: Shimano Nexus 8 gears
Brakes: Shimano hydraulic discbrakes
Handlebars are adjustable without any tools
Tires: Continental
Pedals: Flat pedals
Saddle: Velo Comfort
Range battery: ca. 100 km (with normal use)
Weight: ca. 25 kilo.
For children who are at least 125 cm, we can also arrange bikes (these are 24”or 26” for children that are bigger than 140 cm). The bikes are Oxford Kick-Off bikes or similar, we also use child mountainbikes as child bike.
Assembly: Shimano 7 gears
Brakes: Shimano V-Brakes (hand brakes)
Pedals: flat pedals
Weight: 13,3 kg (24 inch) or 13,9 kg (26 inch)
The maximum body height for a child’s bike is 155 cm.
All our rental bikes come with a bell.
All our adult bikes come with hand brakes.
For children up to 30 months old (max. 15 KG) it is possible to rent a front child seat. This is not possible with e-bikes, due to the display.
For children older than 30 months (max. 22KG) it is possible to rent a rear child seat. This is also possible with e-bikes.
Helmets are not mandatory in Belgium, but can be rented for €15,- per piece.|
Available sizes: Adult: 54-61cm, Child: 50-55cm.
All our bikes come with both front- and rear lights. You need to push the button on the lamp and it will flash three times. This means that the lights will automatically start working when it gets dark.
When you push again, the lamp will flash one time and the lights will be turned off.
Our bikes come with a defender lock with plug in chain (cable lock that is attached to the regular lock, see picture).
You need to turn the key a bit, take out the pin from the cable lock and attach it to a pole/other bike/fence etc.
When you push the pin back into the regular lock, you need to lock the regular lock as you always do, and both locks will be secured.
1 pannier is included at the 'standard' bikes and the e-bikes.
Height: 42 cm
Depth front to the side: 17 cm
Wide top: 32 cm
Wide down: 23 cm
Volume: 20 liters
It has an easy click-on/click-off system. The panniers are water resistant, so everything will stay dry.
The rental bikes come with regular pedals, so no click-in/SPD pedals.
All our bikes come with a quick release system, which makes it very easy to adjust the height of the saddle and the handle bars.
There is one small puncture kit included, which can be found in the pannier. In case a rental bike has another problem, we always advise you to go to a bike repair shop or call the bike breakdown emergency number which is provided in the travel documents when you book this extra service.
Saddles can be adjusted in height without using any tools, see ‘Quick Release’.
Our saddles don’t come with a gel cover.
Dutch Biketours does not provide water bottles. We can also not guarantee that there are bottle holders on the bikes. You will always receive 1x pannier, so you can always store your water bottle in your pannier.
We have a limited amount of tandem bikes available on request. The tandem bikes are steel Victoria Special 8.7 or similar. Tandem bikes are suitable for two adults only.
Assembly: Shimano Acera 24 gears
Brakes: Magura HS11 (hand brakes)
Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Plus
Saddle: Selle Royal Rio Plus SR 8020
Weight: ca. 28 kg
The tandem bikes have a frame size of 48 cm.
The height of the handle bars on a tandem bike cannot be adjusted.
We have limited family tandem bikes available on request. The family tandems are made of aluminium and can be used for one adult and one child with a minimum body height of 125 cm.
Assembly: Shimano (8 gears)
Brakes: V-Brakes (hand brakes)
Tires: Schwalbe Marathon plus
Saddle: Selle Royal Rio
Pedals: Flat pedals
A tag-along bike is a good option for children between approx. 100 cm and 125 cm, as they can pedal themselves and on their own pace but don’t have to worry about other traffic.
Child trailers can be rented for a maximum of two children who are up to 100 cm (max. 35 KG in total).
We mostly use the XLC Duo 2 child trailer.
Child trailers are not possible in combination with e-bikes.
Mile after wonderful mile of untroubled cycling is what we would wish our clients. However there is a minimal chance of breakdown along the way. If this thought is a nagging worry to you, a Bicycle Breakdown Assistance insurance policy may ease your mind. If you buy this insurance from our partner FietsNED in advance, their service is as follows. If your bike breaks down by the roadside a FietsNED bicycle repair man will drive to you in his repair van and fix your bike so you can continue your tour.You won’t have to pay him repair costs. If you are cycling on your own bicycle you will be charged for any new spare parts your bike may require. If you are renting a bicycle through Dutch Bike Tours any new parts are at our expense. If it turns out the bicycle cannot be repaired on the spot, or if you don’t wish to continue cycling, the repairman can drop you off somewhere in his van. One companion plus bikes may join you in the van.
The Bike Breakdown Pass is €2,75 per day per bike and can only be booked for every participant in a booking.
Do you wish to insure your bike against theft? The cost is € 3,- per day per standard hybrid bicycle.
For an electric bicycle, premium bike or racing bike: € 6,00 per day per bicycle.
Please see the General Terms and Conditions for Bicycle Hire and Insurance.
If a rental bike gets stolen or damaged, we will hold the client responsible.
If your insurance does not cover this event, you will have to pay the costs yourself.
Article 1 Bike Rental Price
The bike rental price is determined by the rates mentioned on the Dutch Bike Tours website at the time of the booking; or as subsequently agreed.
Article 2 Payment
a. The rental price and any other due sums regarding the rental agreement must be paid before the bike is handed over to you.
b. If, for whatever reason, you cannot make use of the bike(s) you have rented, Dutch Bike Tours will not be held responsible for any resulting expenses or damage.
c. In the case of the article 2b, the client remains obliged to pay the full rental price and any other amounts mentioned in the invoice, in accordance with our General Terms and Conditions of Booking, unless the client can prove that his not being able to use the bike was the consequence of a defect that was already present at the beginning of the rental period.
Article 3 Rental Period
a. The rental period runs from the morning of the first cycling day (day 2) to the end of the holiday (the departure day), as stated in the booking confirmation.
b. Extension of the rental period is possible only after approval by us and according to the (extension) rates as mentioned in article 1.
c. No refunds are possible after the rental period begins. If you return the bike(s) to us before the end of your holiday, the rental agreement will automatically be terminated and you will not get any of your money back.
d. At the end of the last cycling day of your holiday, the bike(s) must be returned to the hotel from where it was/they were issued, no later than the time stated in the booking confirmation.
If you book a one way tour tour you can leave the bike at the last hotel of the trip.
e. If the bike(s) is /are not returned by the return time stated in the booking confirmation, we will continue to charge you rent until such time as the bike(s) is/are returned to us or is/are received by us. In the event of late return, the rates as mentioned in article 1 will continue to apply, plus a fine of €25 per day. We also reserve the right to demand payment for any costs and/or damages suffered by us due to late return of our rental bike(s).
f. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, in the event of late return of our rental bikes, we reserve the right to dissolve the rental agreement without judicial intervention and immediately claim back our bicycles where ever they may be and from whomever has them. Dutch Bike Tours also holds this right in the event that the client does not comply with any of the other conditions stated in this rental agreement.
Article 4 Improper Use
a. The bicycle(s) may only be used for its/their intended purpose and only by the cyclists listed in the rental agreement.
b. The bike(s) must be returned to us in the same (clean!) state in which you received it/them.
c. You must take excellent care of the bicycle(s), as if it/they were your own. You must take every precaution against damage, loss or theft.
d. The bicycle may not be used on the beach; or on sandy paths in the dunes unless a paved path is unavailable.
Article 5 Damage, Loss and Theft
The renter will be held responsible for damages to or loss of the bicycle(s) or parts of it, as well as bicycle keys and chains and locks, for such an amount as is determined by us according to standard market prices. You must understand that you are not insured for damage to the bicycle(s) or for any damages to third parties.
Article 6 Theft Insurance
It is possible to purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance. Covered are: damages arising out of the theft of the bicycle; and damages to the bicycle as a consequence of the theft. Not covered are: theft of bicycle parts; and damages arising out of attempted theft.
Article 7 Theft Insurance Premium
a. The premium for Bicycle Theft Insurance is € 3,00 per day per standard hybrid bicycle. For an electric bicycle € 6,00 per day as well for a Premium bike and racing bike.
The number of insurance days is the same as the number of cycling days as stated in our booking confirmation.
Article 8 Liability in the Event of Theft
a. If you did not purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance from us before the start of the holiday, you will be held fully accountable for the sum determined by us according to standard prices.
b. If you did purchase Bicycle Theft Insurance from us, but you failed to lock the wheel lock and failed to produce the original wheel lock key and failed to produce an official theft report drawn up by the police, you will still be held fully accountable for the sum determined by us according to standard prices.
Article 9 Costs During the Rental Period
Any charges and taxes regarding the rental bicycle(s), such as fines and ferry tickets, are to be paid by you. You will also be required to pay all costs ensuing from the use of the bicycle(s) such as parking fees, maintenance and repairs.
7 nights included
3/4 star hotels
Tourist tax included
Breakfast included
Tourist information on all the places of interest
The possibility of renting bikes
7-days a week service-hotline
Luggage transport
Bruges
Parking possibilities at the hotel
GPS-tracks available
Any ferry crossings are not included
Nearest Airport is Brussels Airport (BRU) or Ostend-Bruges Airport (OST).
The train journey from Brussels airport to the train station in Bruges takes approximately 1.5 hours.
From Ostend-Bruges Airport it takes approximately 1 hour to travel by bus from the airport (bus stop Raversijde Luchthavenstraat) to Bruges center.
Brussels is the final destination of this trip.
You can take the train back to Bruges, or from Brussels to the nearest airports: Brussels Airport (BRU) or Ostend-Bruges Airport (OST).
For timetables and tickets: train.
For timetables and tickets: bus.
An excellent cycle trip across Flanders! Very flat, with safe and segregated picturesque cycle paths, plus some short bits on very quiet back roads. Belgian motorists are also very courteous and respectful of cyclists! The cities of Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels are all beautiful with great food and amazing beers. My wife and I would do it again. :)
Hotels excellent, breakfast excellent except B&B Dendernachten. However this was balanced by it being a marvellous building of the highest standard with a congenial host. Your routes worked very well on Komoot. I didn't have The KP numbers available on Komoot. It appears I needed to pay for an upgrade to allow the KP numbers to appear. Anyway, my wife had those very useful big KP numbers on the front of her bike. It worked ery well.
Our experience was good. We enjoyed the ride despite some unfavorable weather. Riding along the canals and through the gorgeous parks is super. Riding in the country was good, although some of the mud made it difficult. The cities are somewhat challenging. In general, the cities provide good access for bicycles. The issue is the other bikers. The Belgian bikers are very skilled and fast, and there are a lot of them. They are in a hurry as they use the bikes for commuting, transporting children and other daily affairs. Their speed and agility was intimidating.
We fell in love with Ghent. Our first time in Belgium, Ghent had fewer tourists than Brugge and more personality. A walk in Ghent by night is as magical as promised.
A fantastic trip and great way to see Belgium. Also a real sense of achievement from completing the cycle journey.
We loved Velotel Hotel as it had a bike theme. We also enjoyed our stay at B&B Abalona. What a beautiful relaxing place. We enjoyed the smaller quaint hotels than the bigger ones in Antwerp and Brussels. The amount of miles was perfect for seeing Belgium countryside and getting to each town to see the highlights.
Celsiusweg 12
6662 PX Elst
Netherlands
info@belgian-biketours.com
+31(0)481 745 011
