Belgium Bike Tour Reviews
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★★★★★ Margaret Farran
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.
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★★★★★ Mungo
Nice 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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★★★★★ ontherun
Great 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
So 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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★★★★★ JEC65
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
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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★★★★★ Whydoyouneedthis
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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★★★★★ JJ47
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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★★★★★ Cheryl King
Enjoyable
Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Magnifique II (and reverse)
Personally, I really disliked the food. Few fish/seafood dishes on our group, plus an entire Indonesian meal. May be fine for some, but definitely was not for me or for some others which sucks because there’s no other options other than what is served. If I had known that I would be limited to what was served. And you got no notice until the meal was being served, I would’ve packed some protein bars and some additional snacks to bring a board. The rooms are great, cozy with a fantastic shower. The staff are fantastic. The bicycles were top rate and our guides were wonderful.
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★★★★★ Karen Donnelly
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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★★★★★ Kathryn Francis
Bike and barge experience
Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Magnifique II (and reverse)
I thoroughly enjoyed the bike and barge experience. The boat accommodations were great. Staff and guides were very professional, knowledgeable and accommodating. Had to switch bikes on 2nd day to e-bike as head winds and distance made riding difficult. E-bikes should be highly recommended. Meals were fair. Should have a menu and at least 1 other option at each meal. No variety in lunch. Tour should arrange schedule so that guests have option of eating sandwich or lunch at a restaurant. Need stronger hair dryer.
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★★★★★ JustBob
Great Way to See The Countryside
Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Princesse Royal
The Magnifique and its crew met all of our expectations -- comfortable and friendly. The pace of the cycling was leisurely -- slower than I might usually ride but then who needs to finish the day`s ride by noon. Would recommend this ride to anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the countryside.
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★★★★★ Virginia Snider
First 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 .
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★★★★★ Virginia Snider
First 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 .
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★★★★★ Wendy Drysdale
Amsterdam -gouda-Bruges
Amsterdam – Gouda – Bruges by Bike and Boat
A wonderful experience. Our guide was great. Boat captain very friendly and helpful. Chef was excellent.
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★★★★★ Debby
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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★★★★★ BRAG
An 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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★★★★★ Hawkeye
Still Great Even In The Rain
Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Princesse Royal
This is the fifth bike and barge tour that my wife and I have done in Europe. Overall very enjoyable even though we had rain and cool weather! The boat was very comfortable and provided great meals. Our guide Paul was very knowledgable and patient in guiding a large group of cyclists through at times congested trails. The terraine was flat but cycling in Holland can be demanding.
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