Belgium Bike Tour Reviews
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★★★★★ ontherun August 10, 2019Great country to visit but maybe not with BikeBoatTours
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Fluvius (and reverse)
We certainly enjoyed the country and the flat bike trails (lol!) but the company that provided our tour was mediocre at best. They had no concern for safety - did not require helmets, nor did the guides wear them. The bikes had no water bottle holder and the lights on the bikes did not work. Also, after strongly encouraging us to download Ride with GPS, they sent us the daily route but then: did NOT have holders on the bikes to put our phone on and it's illegal there to ride with a phone in your hand! Also, they did not follow the routes as stated in the Ride with GPS so the app was constantly beeping that we were off track and was, essentially useless. The guides seemed to be suffering from burnout. They were nice but did not offer any information unless asked and were extremely disorganized throughout the trip. The food on the boat was adequate but repetitive - same breakfast every day and we had to make our own lunch from the same food every day....unless it ran out and then we were stuck with prosciutto and bread that day. The boat itself was nice and the cabins were nice. Cleaning was not done during the trip unless asked.
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★★★★★ bonnie100 October 9, 2018So So Vacation
· · Bruges to Paris by Bike and Boat (and reverse)
Good bike trip if you like a slow pace. Lots of time wasted at not very interesting sites. Had to "kill" time in order not to get to the barges anchoring site before the barge got there which was usually between 4-6 PM. The barge itself was fair. But some of the scenery in Belgium and France was beautiful making the trip tolerable. Food was average. Bikes were very good.
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★★★★★ Margaret Farran October 23, 2023
Not Really What We Expected
· · Bruges to Paris by Bike and Boat (and reverse)
We are seasoned bicyclists and have taken many bike tours. This tour was disappointing on a few fronts. The course of the tour had to change due to construction on the canal. This would have been fine except the guide, Harm, frequently did not seem to know where he was going. There were a couple of visits to places of interest (mining museum and a short stop at a WWI cemetery) but most times it felt like we were putting in time so as to not arrive hours before the boat arrived at its destination for the night. Our guide never led strolls around a town or provided much history. One evening when I asked if he could show us a pub to have a drink before dinner he said it was not his responsibility. We asked if we could bike on our own (as we have done on many other boat/bike tours in Europe) and were turned down. I pressed on quoting the description for the tour which read: "provide us with maps and all the information you'll need" to do a different distance. At that point Harm back tracked and said he'd provide this info. He never did. I've been biking for over 20 years on tours around the world and I have never had a guide so unhelpful and disengaged.
The food was adequate. Nice dinners but breakfast and lunch were lacking. We needed more sustenance for biking in October. Most tours provide a snack after a day of biking but we could not rely on one each day on this tour. The group bought our own snacks when we could but it was all rather odd. As if this tour had never hosted bikers before.
There was no wi-fi although the description said there would be. We at least had a data package, other people did not. What really gave us all pause was the captain's comments (1) it was too difficult to install wi-fi (I've never found that to be true on a boat) and (2) we really did not need it as we should not be on our phones during a tour. Rather presumptuous I thought. Don't advertise you have wi-fi when you don't.
We had some rain which was to be expected in October. One day it was just too wet to bike. We all stayed on the boat - no wi-fi, cabins too small to lounge in them, and while there was a large library of DVDs the captain announced the monitor did not work, therefore no video watching.
It felt like the boat was tired and the tour and crew either winding down for the season or going out of business. -
★★★★★ Mungo September 25, 2016Nice not to have to pack every day
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Princesse Royal
Flat terrain, mostly bike paths and not having to pack and unpack are great advantages of this trip. The food and accommodations were better than expected. However, it is not recommended as a self-guided tour as the directions are not complete. Also, as a group tour with 35 people in a large pack makes it too cumbersome.
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★★★★★ JEC65 June 25, 2018
A different biking experience
· · Bruges to Paris by Bike and Boat (and reverse)
Thirteen days of easy to moderate biking. The crew were friendly and helpful. The food was excellent! Lots of extra sightseeing excursions to choose from. Very old boat with very small cabins was the only drawback but price was reasonable.Generally the routes were on quiet roads on all types of surfaces.
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★★★★★ doedoe June 12, 2016
Know what you are getting.
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Princesse Royal
Mostly older folks (50 and up). Nice and comfortable ship. Not luxury. Small but adequate room, like any cruise room. Towels were rough/worn. Put out daily the following in the am scrambled eggs, bacon, bread, condiments, lunch meat to make your own lunch (tomatoes and cucumbers), fruit, greek yogert, cereal, coffee , tea, 1 bottle of water. Dinner food was excellent, no choices, given plates of food at dinner (including appetizer and desert), no seconds but it was adequate, nobody complained. Tea/coffee before dinner 4pm to 5pm and at breakfast but none after dinner like Americans usually do, but you could buy some at the bar. We took this cruise because they advertised that you would be given maps and directions if you wanted to do the route yourself rather than go with the guide. The guide discouraged this and said if you got lost the ship would leave without you if you were late. The directions were really not adequate to do it yourself. He was a bit rude at times throughout the trip. Consequently the pace was fast without time for pictures, seeing the sites, enjoying the scenery. Just a fast paced ride through beautiful scenery with occasional brief predetermined stops. The routes were very scenic but can't say I fully enjoyed them. Stressful to worry about losing the group if you stopped to take off your coat or take a picture. Rest of crew was very nice but very overworked. Not bad for the price but not what we were looking for and they should advertise more truthfully. Would not have done it if we had known. Also $50 extra for gluten free but not much extra was provided (just gluten free bread and I had to ask for it most days). Bring your own bread and save $50.
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★★★★★ BRAG June 26, 2018An Easy relaxed tour for families, beginners and seniors.
· · Amsterdam – Gouda – Bruges by Bike and Boat
The perfect way to experience vthe countryside, quaint villages and unique towns such as Ghent and Bruges. The crew and guide we're exceptional, always attentive and friendly. The meals were delicious, well-prepared and presented. The barge was comfortable but basic.
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 26, 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- 30+
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Belgium, Holland
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★★★★★ Virginia Snider June 28, 2024First time bike trip
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Magnifique II (and reverse)
Wasnt sure what to expect as a first for this experience but was impressed with the comfort and cleanliness of the boat accommodations. Crew and guides were awesome, always helpful.
Compliments to the chef for his presentation on the food, no lack of portions, although the dinners werent always what I was used to eating, I did try some things, great choices for breakfast, Bread was awesome. It was nice to have the appetizers on our return. Would have been nice ,a couple of days ,to take time at a cafe stop to order a lunch rather than take the same sandwich each day . -
★★★★★ Debby October 4, 2019
Great trip
· · Bruges to Paris by Bike and Boat (and reverse)
This was the perfect way to see the countryside, small villages and historical sites of northeastern France and northwestern Belgium. The barge was very adequate and the staff on the barge was great. The daily biking was very manageable and fun. I would definitely like to find another bike and barge tour. Two weeks seemed the perfect length.
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★★★★★ Whydoyouneedthis June 13, 2019
· · Bruges to Paris by Bike and Boat (and reverse)
France between Bruges and Paris is pretty flat and not to scenic. Very historic. Small towns are pretty well deserted and therefore not very interesting. The agriculture is industrialized. Canals, locks and industry of the canals was interesting. Two weeks is a long time seeing castles, churches and industrial farms.
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★★★★★ Donnan Sharp July 7, 2024Fun!!!
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Magnifique III (and reverse)
We biked on our own so probably missed some highlights, but GPS helped us follow same routes. Local bikers very fast so needed to pay strict attention!! But in all, totally awesome.
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★★★★★ Donnan Sharp August 18, 2024
Fun!!!
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Magnifique III (and reverse)
We biked on our own so probably missed some highlights, but GPS helped us follow same routes. Local bikers very fast so needed to pay strict attention!! But in all, totally awesome.
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★★★★★ Linda Vied August 28, 2022My First Bike Trip
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Magnifique IV (and reverse)
This was my first bike trip and whilst i am not an "avid" cyclist i do consider myself to be a regular cyclist and having paid attention to some prior training i thought i would be OK to do this trip and keep up with everyone. However, i found the pace to be difficult and was unable to keep up with most of the group due to the fact that at least 50%/60% of them were riding E Bikes!!
This trip would have been more enjoyable for me if the group had been split between regular and E Bikers.
The boat was above expectations in every respect and the captain and crew were amazing and created a very comfortable, warm and inviting atmosphere. The chef is a wonder and served some truly wonderful dishes. I thought i would return from this trip having lost some weight but instead i have gained!!! -
★★★★★ Karen Donnelly September 4, 2023
Beautiful biking and barge
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Magnifique IV (and reverse)
The biking was easy and rode most of it unassisted with 3-5 others. But the first day was with a guide, who was very helpful and knowledgeable about the area. The App we were provided was very good and gave us various lengths of the routes we could follow and places to stop along the way.
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★★★★★ JJ47 July 13, 2019
Wonderful Trip!
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Princesse Royal
Our first trip to Europe! It was a beautiful journey through the towns and countryside of North Belgium and Southern Netherlands. Our Guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. The accommodations on the boat were spectacular and all of the staff were friendly and welcoming.
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★★★★★ J Matthew Schley October 13, 2024
Beautiful fun
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Fluvius (and reverse)
Really good deal ship was very nice ,great group of people. Saw many beautiful sites. Some tough weather in October.
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★★★★★ Tom Hawkins September 19, 2023
Trip postponed
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Fluvius (and reverse)
We were unable to do this fantastic trip due to an injury. We are how every very excited about doing it next year. It sounds like a fantastic experience!
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★★★★★ Tom 4 months agoWind mills
· · Bruges – Amsterdam by Bike and Boat
Bike ride was great
Food was good
All passengers were great
Bikes were good
Boat cabins were just Ok