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Across Flanders: Bruges to Brussels or v.v.
You will cycle between beautiful historic cities of Flanders: Brussels, Mechelen, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges. Daily routes will take you along tow paths, old canals and rivers and via lanes with poplars to ancient villages, where they brew beer from old times.
Highlights:
- Brussel’s Medieval Grand Place & Gothic Town Hall
- Buy a diamond in Antwerp!
- Canal town of Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Picturesque small city of Mechelen
- Belgian beer!
Your JourneyDay 1 Arrive Bruges and board your barge from 3pm. Allow time to explore this delightful city especially ‘Grote Market’ (Market Square). Day 2 Bruges circuit ride to Damme (55 km) Cycle along a quiet poplar lined canal through attractive polder landscape dotted with small farmhouses.Reach Damme on the North Sea coast and the dune landscape of a 12km long sandy beach. Return to Bruges. Day 3 Bruges – Oostende – Ghent (40 km) During breakfast cruise to Moerebrugge. Bike along the Ghent Canal via Oostende to Ghent, a lively university town. Explore the rich architecture in the historical centre. Day 4 Ghent – Dendermonde (48 km) Cycle to Dendermonde then relax and soak up the atmosphere of the beautiful Flemish ‘Grote Market’ Square. Day 5 Dendermonde – St Amands – Temse – Antwerp (42 km) Crusie to St Amands, one of the prettiest parts of the Schelde River from where you will start cycling. Pass an old brick factory where they have been making bricks since the Middle Ages. From Rupelmonde cycle an attractive route to Hemiksem, and on to Antwerp. This harbour city on the River Schelde is one of the world’s major diamond cities and has many highlights: the Renaissance City Hall, historical City Square (Grote Market), the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral, and medieval Steen Castle. This evening is free to dine out and enjoy the city’s nightlife. Day 6 Antwerp – Lier – Willebroek (45 km) Cycle through Antwerp’s quiet suburbs to Lier then along the River Nete to Willebroek. Day 7 Willebroek – Mechelen – Vilvoorde – Brussels (40 km) Cycle your last bike tour through green, soft-slanted hilly country via Mechelen to Vilvoorde. In Mechelen there are over 300 buildings listed as historical buildings, on less than 3 square kilometres. From Vilvoorde cruise with the barge to Brussels. Wander through the historical city centre and admire the Gothic town hall and beautiful guild houses on the Grote Market. Day 8 Tour ends in Brussels at 9.30am TerrainEasy cycling suitable for most levels of fitness. Meals |