Belgium Cycle - Brussels to Bruges
Belgium Cycle - Brussels to Bruges
Belgium Cycle - Brussels to Bruges
8 Days Starting in Brussels and ending in Bruges
Visiting: Belgium
From:
$1262
$1206 (USD)
Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$57
NB: Prices correct on 16-May-2024 but subject to change.
Tour Overview
During this week long cycle 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, there will be ample opportunity to explore the special pockets of this enchanting country. Much of the mainly flat route is alongside a river, past fields and through woods. At the end of the cycling day, stay in comfortable hotels and explore charming cities where local specialities such as beer, mussels and chocolate are waiting to be sampled.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Brussels
On arrival in Brussels, make your way to the joining hotel for check in. We suggest heading out to explore the Grande Place. 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 will thrive.
Day 2 : Cycle To Mechelen (66Km/40.5Mi)
Meals Included: B
After one last tour of the Grande Place it’s time to leave the city behind. Cycle through the suburbs to Grimbergen, known for its lovely abbey church, a baroque basilica. Then continue on tree-lined country lanes, past a series of ponds, along a river, around a wood and through meadows and cropfields to Mechelen: not as large as the other Flemish towns but just as nice.
Day 3 : Cycle Via Duffel On The River Nete To Antwerp (45Km/28Mi)
Meals Included: B
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 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. Back outside, continue through the countryside to Duffel on the River Nete. 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. The route continues past Mortsel and Berchem. 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. Finish 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.
Day 4 : Follow The River Scheldt To Dendermonde (61Km/38Mi)
Meals Included: B
During most of today’s route, the River Scheldt will show you the way. Near Kruibeke, you will find Wissekerk Castle. In the 10th century this was a so-called water castle and part of the defense line of Antwerp along the River. A little farther on, cross the Scheldt by ferry. Then proceed atop the river dike to 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. End the day in Dendermonde with its impressive Town Hall & Belfry. After checking in to your hotel, take some time to visit the Church of Our Lady boasting a baptismal font from the 11th century.
Day 5 : Continue Along The Scheldt River To Ghent (47Km/29Mi)
Meals Included: B
You will soon be back on the Scheldt river banks, cycling past a string of Flemish villages and towns. Laarne Castle is a great place for a break before continuing 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, musical 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 lighting.
Day 6 : Discover The Rural Meetjesland Region En Route To Maldegem Or Lembeke (57Km/35.5Mi)
Meals Included: B
Head west and discover the rural Meetjesland region, a cycling paradise with woods, meadowland and vast cropfields. It is an easy ride through the flat landscape to Eeklo, a small town known for its many sculptures. Continue through the Het Leen and Drongengoed woods. In the evening, put your feet up in Maldegem or Lembeke.
Day 7 : Pass Through Flat Flemish Countryside To Arrive In Bruges (54Km/33.5Mi)
Meals Included: B
Yet another lovely route through the flat Flemish countryside. After Maldegem you will pass some quiet villages such as Knesselare, Maria-Aalter and Moerbrugge. On the last stretch, follow the Ghent-Bruges canal which dates from the 14th century and is one of the oldest in the country. Together with its towpath verges, it forms a green corridor that is important for biodiversity. Your destination Bruges is a true gem, known as the 'Pearl of Flanders'. It is a truly enchanting town that has been welcoming tourists for about 150 years. With most of its medieval architecture intact, you have a sense of times gone by when the town was at the centre of the European wool and cloth trade. After checking in to your hotel, we recommend heading to the Markt for some delicious waffles, chocolates or beer.
Day 8 : Trip Concludes
Meals Included: B
Arrangements conclude in Bruges after breakfast. We can assist with booking extra nights accommodation if you'd like to stay longer in Bruges - please ask for our rates.
What's Included
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Accommodation
hotels -
7 breakfasts: Breakfasts are continental style and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices
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7 nights in 3-4 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
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Information pack including route notes, maps, tourist information per room booked. (GPS tracks are available on request)
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Emergency hotline
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Luggage transfer between hotels - limited to 1 piece of luggage per person weighing a max 20kg.
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24 speed rental bike with pannier, helmet, repair kit and lock (e-bikes available - supplement applies)
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Tourist tax
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21 speed rental bike with pannier, helmet, repair kit and lock (e-bikes available - supplement applies)
What's Not Included
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Travel to and from Bruges / Brussels
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All drinks, lunches and dinners.
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Entrance fees
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Items of a personal nature
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Guide - this is a self guided tour
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Travel insurance - mandatory
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Transfers
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Ferries, allow approx 1-4 EUR per ferry
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Excess luggage - supplement applies. Each piece of extra luggage will be charged a supplement. Luggage cannot be heavier than 20kgs due to work safety rules. Excess charge for extra luggage items to be booked and paid before departure. Please note that sm
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Travel to Brussels and from Bruges
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
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E-bike, a supplement applies
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Guide - this is a self guided cycling holiday
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A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
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Entrance fees not listed as included
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Transfers unless listed as included
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Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage
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Excess luggage - supplement applies. Each piece of extra luggage will be charged a supplement. Luggage cannot be heavier than 20kg due to work safety rules. Excess charge for extra luggage items to be booked and paid before departure. Please note that sma
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We recommend bringing a handlebar phone holder - to follow the route more easily using the GPS tracks
Accommodation
hotels
During the trip we use a combination of 3 and 4 star hotels chosen for their comfort and convenience to the cycle route.
Grading
This trip involves 6 days cycling between 34 and 65km / 21 and 40mi per day, usually along paved cycle paths and quiet county roads across generally flat terrain. The well-posted cycle route is generally low traffic and often car-free. In and out of the cities there will be some traffic. You need only carry your camera
ain gear and water bottle. Your luggage is transported for you between hotels/inns. The trip is graded moderate and is considered suitable for competent cyclists with a good level of fitness. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list and we do provide one for each client.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
Dates & Availability
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Sunday - Sunday
May 19, 2024 - May 26, 2024Friday - Friday
May 24, 2024 - May 31, 2024Sunday - Sunday
May 26, 2024 - Jun 02, 2024Friday - Friday
May 31, 2024 - Jun 07, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jun 02, 2024 - Jun 09, 2024Friday - Friday
Jun 07, 2024 - Jun 14, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jun 09, 2024 - Jun 16, 2024Friday - Friday
Jun 14, 2024 - Jun 21, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jun 16, 2024 - Jun 23, 2024Friday - Friday
Jun 21, 2024 - Jun 28, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jun 23, 2024 - Jun 30, 2024Friday - Friday
Jun 28, 2024 - Jul 05, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jun 30, 2024 - Jul 07, 2024Friday - Friday
Jul 05, 2024 - Jul 12, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jul 07, 2024 - Jul 14, 2024Friday - Friday
Jul 12, 2024 - Jul 19, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jul 14, 2024 - Jul 21, 2024Friday - Friday
Jul 19, 2024 - Jul 26, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jul 21, 2024 - Jul 28, 2024Friday - Friday
Jul 26, 2024 - Aug 02, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jul 28, 2024 - Aug 04, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 02, 2024 - Aug 09, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Aug 04, 2024 - Aug 11, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 09, 2024 - Aug 16, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Aug 11, 2024 - Aug 18, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 16, 2024 - Aug 23, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Aug 18, 2024 - Aug 25, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 23, 2024 - Aug 30, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Aug 25, 2024 - Sep 01, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 30, 2024 - Sep 06, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Sep 01, 2024 - Sep 08, 2024Friday - Friday
Sep 06, 2024 - Sep 13, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Sep 08, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024Friday - Friday
Sep 13, 2024 - Sep 20, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 22, 2024Friday - Friday
Sep 20, 2024 - Sep 27, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Sep 22, 2024 - Sep 29, 2024Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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