Brussels' famous main square - photo by Wouter Hagens via Wikimedia Commons Antwerp

Brussels to Amsterdam

Belgium, Netherlands Bike + Boat Tour

This bike & barge holiday combines the countries Belgium and the Netherlands in a very surprising and attractive way. In 8 days time you will cycle from Brussels to Amsterdam.

On the arrival day your floating hotel stays in Mechelen. The next day you have time to visit the beautiful Belgian capital of Brussels.The Flemish port town of Antwerp is also one of the highlights of this tour. Belgium is famous for it’s tasty beers. They say you don’t really know Belgium without tasting some!

Crossing the Dutch border you reach the well preserved fortified town of Willemstad. In the old town of ’s Hertogenbosch, the St. Jans cathedral is certainly worth a visit. Across Hollands fruit garden, the Betuwe, and along the rivers Vecht and Amstel you cycle to Amsterdam.
Standing at the Dam Square in Amsterdam the Market Square in Brussels seems miles away!

Where You’ll Stay

On the Standard Plus (Holland) and Standard Plus (Tijdgeest) class ships.

What’s Included

  • 7 nights on board accommodations
  • Breakfasts, packed lunches, & 3-course dinners
  • Coffee & tea on board
  • 7-speed hybrid bicycle
  • Route descriptions & maps
  • Multi-lingual tour guide
  • Train ticket Mechelen - Brussels - Antwerp
  • Beer seminar at ‘t Waagstuk, Antwerp
  • Several City Walks

What’s Not Included

  • Individual arrival to the boat
  • Beverages, available on board

Book This Trip

TourBike + Boat
TypeGuided
SkillEasy
Length8 days
From€689
Print Tour

Tour Dates

  • June 2 and July 14, 2012 aboard the Holland
  • August 11 and 25, 2012 aboard the Tijdgeest

Skill Level

Easy - guided bike & boat tour

Easy guided tour with distances of about 20 to 28 miles per day over flat roads/bike paths with little or no traffic.

Tour Boats

Day-To-Day Itinerary

  1. Arrival in Mechelen, optional cycling 6 mi. (10 km)
  2. By train Mechelen - Brussels - Antwerp, day of rest.
  3. Antwerp, day of rest, sail to Tholen.
  4. Tholen - Willemstad, 28 mi. (45 km)
  5. Willemstad - 's Hertogenbosch, 28 mi. (45 km)
  6. 's Hertogenbosch - Vianen, 25 mi. (40 km)
  7. Vianen - Amsterdam, 19 mi. (30 km)
  8. Departure from Amsterdam.

*All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.

SATURDAY: Arrival in Mechelen, optional cycling 6 mi. (10 km)
Arrival in Mechelen (appr. 20 minutes by train from Brussels). Your tour leader will invite you for a small trip on your bike in and around Mechelen.

SUNDAY: By train Mechelen - Brussels - Antwerp, day of rest.
You get up early to go by train to Brussels and enjoy a walk to the town centre with your tour guide. There's time to visit some of the highlights of the capital of Belgium. When you become hungry or thirsty, try one of the culinary specialties: mussels, chocolate, waffles or french fries. At the beginning of the afternoon you return to Antwerp by train. In the evening you'll be tasting some special beers during a cozy beer seminar in a typical Belgian bar.

MONDAY: Antwerp, day of rest, sail to Tholen.
Your tour guide will lead you to the town center of Antwerp. Time enough to visit the Rubens House, do some shopping or to relax at a sidewalk café.
We hop back on board for a sailing trip from Antwerp across the Dutch/Belgian border to the peninsula of Tholen in the province of Zeeland.

TUESDAY: Tholen - Willemstad, 28 mi. (45 km)
The cycling trip leads us from Tholen to the walled town of Willemstad, where you spend the night. Willemstad has many well-preserved fortifications worth admiring.

WEDNESDAY: Willemstad - 's Hertogenbosch, 28 mi. (45 km)
You disembark in the town of Geertruidenberg to begin your cycling trip to the charming capital of the province of Noord-Brabant: 's Hertogenbosch, translated "the Duke's forest". This town is home to the oldest remaining brick house in Holland (de Moriaan), built in the early 13th century.

THURSDAY: 's Hertogenbosch - Vianen, 25 mi. (40 km)
You leave 's Hertogenbosch and sail to the town of Tiel, situated in the Betuwe, the 'fruit garden of Holland'. Here you start pedaling across some fine Dutch landscapes and visit the town of Wijk bij Duurstede located on the Rhine. The trip ends in Vianen where you stay for the night.

FRIDAY: Vianen - Amsterdam, 19 mi. (30 km)
After a sailing trip the barge moors in Breukelen. From here you make the last cycling stretch: enjoy the rural scenery of tiny villages at the banks of small and winding rivers that show the way to the Dutch capital Amsterdam. In the evening you have the possibility to make a short guided city walk and a round trip of the Amsterdam canals.

SATURDAY: Departure from Amsterdam.
After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to your tour guide and crew. Individual departure.

Book This Trip

Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us

Brussels to Amsterdam Boats + Barges

  • Holland Photo

    Holland Belgium, Netherlands, Germany Standard Plus Class Boat Standard Plus class boats contain cabins are more spacious, have private bathrooms, and either flat/low beds or bunk beds.

  • Tijdgeest Photo

    Tijdgeest Belgium, Netherlands Standard Plus Class Boat Standard Plus class boats contain cabins are more spacious, have private bathrooms, and either flat/low beds or bunk beds.

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