Bike & Boat Brussels - Bruges, MPS LIZA MARLEEN

Individual arrival in Bruges. Embarkation at 4:00 pm. Take some time to wander around the old town that is worth seeing, having a look at the Gothic town hall, the beautiful guild houses, the big market and the “Männeken Pis”.

While you are having your breakfast, your ship takes you to Vilvoorde. From Vilvoorde you start your first cycle tour that leads you to Mechelen – here you will find the remarkable density of more than 300 listed buildings (classified as historical monuments), among them eight churches, all built within an area of only three square kilometres. While your ship is going through the Willebroek-canal, you are cycling through green, soft and hilly landscapes, passing sleepy villages and magnificent country estates until you finally reach Willebroek.

From Willebroek you are cycling over Lier to Antwerp, the world’s centre of diamond-processing and your today’s destination. Antwerp offers a number of interesting sights such as the richly decorated town hall in renaissance style, the historic Grote Markt, the huge Liebfrauen Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle.

Today, your tour leads you up the river Schelde to Hemiksen, and after having cycled a bit upward you are comfortably going to Rupelmonde. At this point, where the river Rupel flows into the river Schelde, you follow the river until you will reach the historic area of brick burning, where bricks have been produced since the Middle Ages until today. You will then cross the Brussels-Rupel-canal and arrive at Sint Amands. Cycling along the River Schelde you will finally reach Dendermonde. There, a must is a coffee break at the wonderful Flemish market-place “Grote Markt”.

You are cycling from Dendermonde to Ghent, where your ship will be moored in the suburb of Merelbeke which is approx. a 30 minute cycle from the city centre. Discover partly cycling and walking the wonderful old town of Ghent. In the Middle Ages Ghent was the second largest city after Paris and has pre-served its architectural wealth in the historic city centre until today.

In the morning you are leaving for Lovendegem. The whole cycle route follows the Gent-Oostende-canal through the wide Flemish plain until you arrive at Bruges “The Venice of the North” is widely known in Europe for its art and museums. Bruges’ old town with its number of Grachten (small channels) belongs to the UNESCO world’s cultural heritage. Enjoy the bustle activity around the Grote Markt (the big market place) while having a nice tea or coffee.

Your last cycle tour will take you at the beginning over Damme, Till Eulenspiegel’s place of birth to the seaside. Sandy beaches and a lot of cafés (you have the opportunity to swim in the sea there) will give you the opportunity for a nice rest. After approx. 2 hours you are cycling back to Bruges.

After breakfast, disembarkation until 9:00 am and individual journey home.