Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Magnifique I (and reverse)
Traverse the landscapes and waterways of Holland and Flanders
This is one of our most popular tours... and for good reason! You cycle through the world's most bike-friendly countries, Holland and Belgium and you stay on a boat! There's an undeniable magic to the experience, a delightful fusion of land and water exploration.
Your boat is the newly renovated Magnifique I. Once a cargo barge, the ship was converted in 2006 to become a bike and boat vessel, blending functionality with comfort. Now, in the winter of 2023/2024, she is poised for another chapter of renewal. This project will extend and restyle the boat, elevating it into a premier "floating hotel." The result will be a harmonious blend of history and modern luxury!
Your route includes the most beautiful cities of Holland and Flanders: Amsterdam, Utrecht, Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges but also the rural wonderland of the Amstel and Vecht River Valleys and the Dutch province of Zeeland.
Whether on the bike or the boat, this is what travel is all about! Unique experiences, new friends, great food...It's no wonder this tour is a favorite.
Daily Program
Disclaimer: The 2026 itinerary is subject to change and may be updated without prior notice.
Day 1: Amsterdam Arrival | Cruise to Vianen
Check-in starts at 2:00 pm. Shortly after the ship sets sail for Vianen, a charming village on the Lek River. You will enjoy the boating aspect of your bike and boat tour as you navigate and it is the perfect cruising time to begin to know your traveling companions. The first dinner on board introduces you to the wonderful meals in the days ahead. After dinner, the group can take a spin around town on a test ride to become familiar with your bike and to be sure it is fitted properly.
Vianen has a relatively small population, contributing to a more tranquil experience. It is still typically Dutch with its charming city center, well-preserved medieval architecture, including canals, churches, and traditional Dutch buildings.
We suggest that you arrive to Amsterdam a day or two before your tour. You can participate in one of our day tours – trust us, you won't want to miss out!
Overnight in Vianen.
Day 2: Vianen – Schoonhoven – Kinderdijk | Cruise to Dordrecht
19 miles/32 km or 34 miles/56 km
Today's bike route takes you through Schoonhoven, the 'Silver City' famous for its silver since the 17th Century. The biking continues through the Alblasserwaard region to Kinderdijk, home to 19 epic windmills, which are UNESCO-approved. From the Kinderdijk, you hop on the 'Waterbus' from Alblasserdam to Dordrecht, one of Holland's ancient gems.
Overnight in Dordrecht.
Day 3: Cruise Dordrecht – Willemstad | Cycle Willemstad – Bergen op Zoom
26 miles/42km or 31 miles/50km
There is nothing like a sailing breakfast! You will enjoy the tranquility of the river and observe the Dutch scenery as it unfolds as you navigate the wide waters of the Holland Dieps River to Willemstad. Here in this fortified town, you disembark to cycle on to Tholen, once an island, now a quaint village with a rich past. Your final stop for the day is Bergen op Zoom, a historic gem on the Oosterschelde waters. Post-dinner, stroll through the old town – narrow streets, market squares, and monumental buildings tell tales of over eight centuries!
Overnight in Bergen op Zoom.
Day 4: Cycle Bergen op Zoom – Kreekrak lock | Cruise Kreekrak lock – Antwerp
13 miles/21km or 21 miles/35km
A short bike ride starts your day through the scenic 'Wouwse Plantage.' The afternoon showcases another aspect to Dutch boating as you cruise from the Kreekrak lock to Antwerp. Passing through a lock is always interesting. The water level changes as the vessel navigates through the infrastructure. Your water journey leads into Belgium and Antwerp, the diamond city on the Schelde River. Highlights here are the City Hall, the historical City Square, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral, and the medieval Steen Castle. Dinner's your call – plenty of spots to choose from (not included, but your crew will have plenty of suggestions).
Overnight in Antwerp.
Day 5: Antwerp – Temse – St. Amands
21 miles/34 km or 31 miles/49 km
The bike ride from Antwerp to St. Amands, weaving through the charming town of Temse, is a delightful journey offering a mix of urban vibrancy and scenic tranquility. Departing from the dynamic cityscape of Antwerp, you follow the picturesque Schelde River, providing glimpses of both historic and modern landmarks. Passing through Temse allows for a wonderful break riverside. As the route unfolds, you can expect to experience the rural charm of St. Amands, a more relaxed setting compared to the bustling streets of Antwerp.
Overnight in St. Amands.
Day 6: Cruise St. Amands – Dendermonde | Cycling Dendermonde – Ghent
32 miles/53 km
It is always a true bike and boat day when you begin on the boat and transition to cycling. The cruise along the waterways from St. Amands to Dendermonde features serene views of the Schelde River and the surrounding countryside. The cycling route from Dendermonde to Ghent follows dedicated bike paths and quiet roads, blending nature and local charm. Ghent is a lively university city with a rich history, Ghent boasts an array of attractions, including an Opera House, museums, and the iconic St. Bavo Cathedral. T
Day 7: Ghent – Bruges
13 miles/22km or 28 miles/45 km
Pedal from Ghent through the picturesque Flemish countryside to Bruges, the 'Venice of the North.' UNESCO World Heritage status? Check. Explore museums or soak in the beauty from a sidewalk café.
Overnight in Bruges.
Day 8: Bruges
Though you will not want it to, the tour officially ends in Bruges by 9:30 am. Want to explore the city more? Try one of our exciting Bruges day tours!
Day 1: Bruges
Your adventure begins in Bruges, the 'Pearl of Flanders.' Arrive and board the ship between 1 and 2:00 pm. Once on board and settled in, you can set off for a test ride through scenic countryside. The first dinner on board introduces you to the wonderful meals you will enjoy in the days ahead. Post-dinner, your guide leads a short walk through the town. We suggest arriving in Bruges a day or more in advance to savor the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city.
Overnight in Bruges.
Day 2: Bruges - Ghent
21 miles/35 km or 36 miles/57 km
The picturesque Flemish landscape along the Ghent Canal is the perfect cycling landscape. Upon reaching Ghent, you can explore the medieval center's illuminated streets. The ship docks in a suburb of Ghent, a short cycle from the city center. Before dinner, a guided canal boat tour unveils the historic city.
Overnight in Ghent.
Day 3: Ghent - Dendermonde/St. Amands
24 miles/40 km or 32 miles/53 km
The magnificent landscape along the tidal Schelde River opens before you today. The ship travels from Dendermonde to St. Amands, either by bicycle or barge, depending on the tides.
Overnight in St. Amands.
Day 4: St. Amands - Temse - Antwerp
19 miles/32 km or 31 miles/49 km
You trace the Schelde River to the historic harbor city of Antwerp, known for its diamond trade and cultural treasures. Explore highlights like the City Hall, Grote Market, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral, and the medieval Steen Castle.
Overnight in Antwerp.
Day 5: Cruise Antwerp - Kreekrak Locks | Cycle Keekrak Locks - Tholen | Cruise Tholen - Dordrecht
23 miles/36 km or 13 miles/20 km.
The barge cruises along the Schelde-Rhine Canal to Tholen, a former fishing village. From Tholen, you cycle to the fortified town of Willemstad and then continue to Dordrecht, one of the oldest Dutch cities. Enjoy an evening walk with the guide to learn about the Netherlands' history. Dinner in Dordrecht at a restaurant of your choice.
Overnight in Dordrecht.
Day 6: Cruise Dordrecht - Kinderdijk | Cycle Kinderdijk - Schoonhoven - Vianen
19 miles/32 km or 36 miles/57 km.
Start with a 'Waterbus' ride to Kinderdijk, known for its UNESCO-listed windmills. Cycle via Schoonhoven to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek. Explore Vianen after dinner.
Overnight in Vianen.
Day 7: Cruise Vianen - Breukelen | Cycle Breukelen - Amsterdam
23 miles/36 km or 28 miles/46 km
Disembark in Breukelen and cycle along the Vecht river, passing beautiful mansions and small castles. Explore the villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen, and Vreeland. Visit a cheese farm in Nigtevecht before cycling through Abcoude and Ouderkerk beside the Amstel River to reach Amsterdam. Overnight in Amsterdam.
Day 8: Amsterdam
After breakfast, conclude your journey with disembarkation by 9:30 am. If you desire more exploration, delve into Amsterdam's museums, shopping, or a canal tour. Amsterdam, an icon of Europe, invites you to linger and discover its wonders further. Extend your stay with our insightful day tours for an enriching experience!
If you feel like getting more out of the city, try one of our exciting Bruges day tours!
Boats
Magnifique I
Many of the passenger vessels that cruise Europe's waterways were once cargo barges used for transporting materials up and down the rivers. This boat is no exception, but a new chapter has…
Bikes

Standard touring bike
Azor
Unisex city bike with a low entry and a riding position that is upright and comfortable. The bike is handmade in the Netherlands by Azor, and specially designed for this tour.
The bike consists of a lightweight aluminum frame and is equipped with responsive roller brakes (handbrake), a Shimano 7-speed nexus drive, a Selle-Royal gel saddle (adjustable), an easy-to-use lock (fixed on frame) and the Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tire. This all results in a lightweight, stable, and reliable bike, good for many miles on the saddle.
Electrically assisted bike
Granville E-Bike
The e-bike is a Granville E-Urban with Nexus 7 gears and hand brakes. The crank Bosch motor (500WH) offers 4 support levels. The e-bikes have a comfortable gel saddle and a lock on the frame. If there is no Granville e-bike available a comparable brand/model will be provided
Children's equipment and tandems available upon request, in limited quantities (please inquire for pricing)
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
Equipment included with bike rental:
- Pannier bag
- Helmet
- Water bottle
- Bike locks
- Gel saddle
You can bring your own bicycles for an additional charge (please inquire). The crew or tour operator are in no way responsible for any damage, loss or theft of such bicycles.
Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. At this time, it is not possible to change the pedals.
Saddle:
At this time, it is not possible to change the saddle. We recommend a universal padded saddle cover which can be pulled taught around the provided saddle.
Helmets:
Please note that helmets are available on this tour (for free, included with bike rental). We recommend that you bring your own, or purchase one when you arrive at your destination. In the Netherlands and Belgium, cyclists are not obligated by law to wear a bike helmet, but we strongly recommend everyone to wear a helmet.
Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.
Dates & Prices
Questions about pricing or options? Call +1-215-613-0874 to talk to a Tour Advisor now.
Loading dates and prices…
Surface and terrain
The tour follows flat terrain routes that has occasional hills. The route is on dedicated bicycle paths around 50% of the time and follows roads shared with traffic around 30% of the time. The remaining 20% of the route follows quiet roads.
You will have an option to remain aboard if you wish not to cycle some days.
How to get there
Tour start
Amsterdam
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Nearest train station: Amsterdam Centraal
Tour end
Bruges
Nearest airport: Ostend-Bruges International
Nearest train station: Bruges
Tips for getting to and from your tour.
Reviews
- ★★★★★ Denise Roche
One of our favorite vacations
We had an absolutely awesome time. Accommodations, equipment, and staff were all great. We also had perfect weather and a wonderful group of co-travelers. Would do a vacation like this again in a heart beat.
Only thing that would make it even better, would be to have a masseuse on board!































