Cycling from Bruges to Brussels
Cycling from Bruges to Brussels
Cycling from Bruges to Brussels
8 Days Starting in Bruges and ending in Brussels
Visiting: Bruges, Maldegem, Ghent, Dendermonde, Antwerp, Mechelen, Brussels
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C07BB
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Physical rating:
Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
12 to 99
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Starting in the historic centre of Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 with a plethora of landmarks, museums and historical sights, the city has a fairytale atmosphere with its cobbled streets and squares, canals on which you can take boat trips past the traditional houses as well as its medieval architecture. Bruges is also world-famous for its lace production.On your journey southeast, from the 'Venice of Northern Flanders', follow the artwork of the Flemish Masters - Van Eyck, Bruegel and Rubens with exhibitions and events during 2021 along the route. You get a chance to visit the iconic cities of Ghent and Antwerp before arriving in Brussels. The Old Town of Ghent is like an open-air museum - it is also a UNESCO Creative City of Music with the music scene here absolutely thriving. Visit forts and castles that made up the fortification line of Antwerp, a city famous for its beer traditions as well as its antiques, home decor curios and diamonds.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Bruges
Location: Bruges
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Velotel
Meals Included: No Meals
Arrive early and head for the enchanting cobbled streets and squares, canals,
medieval-looking buildings and its charming ambiance.
Day 2 : Bruges To Maldegem
Location: Bruges, Maldegem
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Amaryllis Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Follow the Ghent-Bruges Canal out of town today - it dates back to the 14th
century and is one of the oldest in Belgium. Together with its towpath
verges, it forms a green corridor that has proved valuable for biodiversity.
Cycle through quiet villages such as Moerbrugge, Maria-Aalter and Knesselare
and enjoy the flat Flemish countryside on the way to delightful Maldegem. In
the evening, put your feet up or stroll round Maldegem.
Day 3 : Maldegem To Ghent
Location: Maldegem, Ghent
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Europahotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you cross the rural Meetjesland region, a cycling paradise with woods,
meadowland and vast cropfields. Enjoy the play of light as you ride your bike
through the woods of Het Leen and Drongengoed then it's easy-pedalling
through the flat landscape to Eeklo, a small town known for its many
sculptures. Continue on to Ghent, the Old Town of which is like an open-air
museum. The city is also a UNESCO Creative City of Music - the music scene
here is absolutely thriving with festivals, music institutions, the carillon,
concerts and students of music having a singsong on the quays… music is
everywhere. After dark, the ambiance is magical, thanks to the town’s
ingenious street lighting.
Day 4 : Ghent To Dendermonde
Location: Ghent, Dendermonde
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Abalona B&B
Meals Included: Breakfast
For most of the day, the River Scheldt will be your guide - follow it
upstream past a string of Flemish villages and towns. The 13th century castle
in the village of Laarne is a real eyecatcher and a great place for a break.
End the day in Dendermonde and be sure to discover the Town Hall & Belfry and
visit the Church of Our Lady that boasts a baptismal font from the 11th
century.
Day 5 : Dendermonde To Antwerp
Location: Dendermonde, Antwerp
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hampton Antwerp
Meals Included: Breakfast
Make your way back to the River Scheldt and cycle along the top of the river
dike towards Antwerp. De Zilverreiger, a regional museum focused on
preserving knowledge about trades and crafts that once flourished locally
such as basket weaving, river fishery, cooperage (barrel making), flax
processing and clog making provides a delightful interlude this morning.
After crossing the Scheldt by ferry, you reach Kruibeke, home to Wissekerk
Castle, which was a so-called water castle and part of the defense line of
Antwerp along the river in the 10th century. Finish the day in Antwerp, a
city with a long beer tradition and countless cafes.
Day 6 : Antwerp To Mechelen
Location: Antwerp, Mechelen
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mercure Hotel Vé
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s only a short trip today so you have time to discover the beautiful Old
Town of Antwerp or go shopping for antiques and curios, home deco, vintage
fashion finds or even diamonds before setting off towards Mechelen. If you
are into military heritage, visit Fort no. 4 of the original eight Brialmont
Forts (1860-1864) that made up the defensive line of Antwerp. Continue along
quiet country lanes and alongside the River Nete to Duffel (yes, this is
actually the town where “duffel” originated from). In the 15th century,
duffel was produced here and exported all over Europe. In the town of
Sint-Kathelijne-Waver, at the Ursuline Institute, the convent/school complex,
is a successful blend of art nouveau, neo-Gothic, neo-Empire and art deco.
Best of all: the winter garden! Finish your day in Mechelen, home of the 13th
century St Rumbold’s Cathedral and its tower with 360-degree views of the
city.
Day 7 : Mechelen To Brussels
Location: Mechelen, Brussels
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: NH Brussels Grand Place Arenberg
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cycle along tree-lined country lanes, past a series of ponds, along a river,
around a wood and through meadows and cropfields towards Brussels. Along the
way, pass Tervuren, known for the Royal Africa Museum. In Brussels itself,
you'll find a cosmopolitan mix of cultures, as can be seen in the streets,
the restaurant menus and the people. Make a bee-line for the Grande Place and
go for a walk. Not only does Brussels have the Manneken Pis, it also has the
most delicious waffles, chocolates and pints of craft beer. This is a city
where culture vultures, shopaholics, gourmets & gourmands have the best time!
Stay at the NH Brussels Grand Place Arenberg
Day 8 : Leave Brussels
Location: Brussels
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you depart from Brussels.
What's Included
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All breakfasts
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Luggage transfers
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Route notes and maps
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All accommodation (see accommodation section)
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Local bike hire
What's Not Included
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Optional electric bikes
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Half board upgrade (5 nights only)
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
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Travel insurance
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Arrival & departure transfers
Food
All breakfasts are included. There are plenty of treats to be tried during your trip from Brussels to Bruges with local specialities including moules & frites, luxury praline chocolates, gaufres (sugar waffles) and beer.
Accommodation
Hotels and Guesthouses Your accommodation during this trip is in a high quality B&B to three and four star hotels. The hotels are a mix of traditional and contemporary buildings and all offer excellent facilities and ensuite bathrooms. Should the named accommodation on the itinerary details not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the maximum group size?
12
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
Three and four star hotels.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
12+ age people can go on this tour.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Only Luggage transfers
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.