8
10 745
Arrive early and head for the Grande Place, the Manneken Pis or one of many other landmarks in this delightful city where culture vultures, shopaholics, gourmets and gourmands all feel at home. Stay at the NH Brussels Grand Place Arenberg with breakfast.
After one last tour of the Grande Place, leave Brussels behind and cycle through the suburbs to Grimbergen, known for its lovely abbey church, a baroque basilica. Ride on tree-lined country lanes, along a river and through meadows to Mechelen, home of the 13th century St Rumbold’s Cathedral and its tower with 360-degree views of the city. Stay at the Mercure Hotel Vé with breakfast.
Distance in Km: 65
Distance in Miles: 41
On today’s route, enjoy the successful blend of Art Nouveau, neo-Gothic, neo-Empire and Art Deco at the Ursuline Institue of Our Lady of Wavre. Here, the winter garden is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau, an ode to nature, springtime and light! Continue through the countryside to Duffel on the River Nete, Mortsel and Berchem. Visit the island Fort in Mortsel (one of eight Brialmont Forts that made up the defensive line of Antwerp). Discover Antwerp, a city with a long tradition with beer as well as antiques and curios, vintage fashion and diamonds. Stay at the Hampton Antwerp with breakfast.
Distance in Km: 39
Distance in Miles: 24.5
Follow the River Scheldt for most of the route today. Visit 10th century Wissekerk Castle, another of Antwerp’s fortifications. Further along the river, cross by ferry, then continue atop the river dike to De Zilverreiger, a regional museum focused on preserving knowledge about local trades and crafts that once flourished: basket weaving, river fishery, cooperage (barrel making), flax processing and clog making. Stay at the Abalona B&B with breakfast.
Distance in Km: 57
Distance in Miles: 36
Today's route continues on the Scheldt river banks, cycling past a string of Flemish villages and towns. Laarne Castle is a great place for a break before continuing to Ghent. The Old Town of Ghent is like an open-air museum. It is also a UNESCO Creative City of Music. The music scene here is thriving. Festivals, musical institutions, the carillon, concerts, students of music having a sing-song on the quays... music is everywhere. After dark the ambiance is magical, thanks to the town's ingenious street lighting. Stay at the Europahotel with breakfast.
Distance in Km: 46
Distance in Miles: 29
Head west and discover the rural Meetjesland region, a cycling paradise with woods, meadowland and vast cropfields. It is easy pedalling through the flat landscape to Eeklo, a small town known for its many sculptures. Then continue through the Het Leen and Drongengoed woods. In the evening, put your feet up in Maldegem. Stay at the Amaryllis Hotel with breakfast.
Distance in Km: 57
Distance in Miles: 36
Yet another lovely route through the flat Flemish countryside. After Maldegem, pass through some quiet villages including Knesselare, Maria-Aalter and Moerbrugge. On the last stretch, follow the Ghent-Bruges canal. It dates back to the 14th century and is one of the oldest in the country and together with its towpath verges, it forms a green corridor that is important for biodiversity. Your final destination of Bruges is a truly charming town with its cobbled streets and squares, canals, medieval-looking buildings and a fairytale ambiance. Stay at the Hotel Velotel with breakfast.
Distance in Km: 65
Distance in Miles: 41
* 7 nights in good quality hotels, all rooms en suite
* 6 days hotel to hotel cycling
* Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
* Route directions and map
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.
* 7 nights in good quality hotels, all rooms en suite
* 6 days hotel to hotel cycling
* Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
* Route directions and map
*Cycling Conditions*
*Classification*: Self-Guided
*Average daily distance*: 55km (34 miles).
*No. of days cycling*: 6
Terrain and route: The suggested cycling mainly follows quiet cycling routes
and tarmac roads. The terrain is mainly flat which means the distances
achieved each day can be longer. Alternative shorter routes are available on
some days (days 6 & 7) and are detailed in the route notes.
*Vehicle Support*: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle
independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the
logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a
map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags
are transported from one hotel to the next. Your bikes will be delivered to
the start hotel, all set up relevant to your height and ready to go. Our
local agent will be on call throughout the trip should you need.
It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we
make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where
possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as
pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes into
larger towns and cities.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe
others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised
together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone
number should you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is normally
able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge
for this service.
*Families*
Self-guided cycling holidays are a perfect option for families as they offer
the freedom for you to take your holiday at your own pace. You can stop as
and when you want and need, at the cafes and restaurants that suit your
family and the sites that interest you. We have suggested that 12yrs is the
minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading
your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you. The daily
distances are all published in the trip notes along with a description of
each day's cycling so you have a good idea of what to expect. However, if you
have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts. The
principle idea is that these holidays can be as flexible as you like, with
logistical support but no group or leader to dictate the daily activities.
Please consider the weather when choosing to book, temperatures can be high
in the middle of summer.
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.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may
be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised
together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone
number should you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is normally
able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge
for this service.
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.
Your luggage will be transported between the hotels by our local agent. They
are often able to dispatch a taxi should you need it, but may wish to charge
you for this service. You will be pedaling under your own steam but the
emergency number for the local agent is in the trip notes if you need
assistance.
Your trip normally starts at your hotel in Brussels on the afternoon of Day 1
of the itinerary. Hotel check-in times are normally from around 3-4pm.
We can arrange flights or trains to and from Brussels - please contact our
sales team for more information and prices.
warm top and leggings for the early spring and autumn departures
- windproof and waterproof layer
- comfortable shoes and clothes for the time off the bike if you want to
explore the towns
*Self-Guided Hire Bikes*
We use touring bikes provided by our local agent. All bikes are supplied
with:
* rear pannier
* bike lock
* 1 puncture repair kit
Bike sizes will have been given to the local operator in advance from the
heights you have given us on booking. However, when you receive your bike
there will be the opportunity to test and adjust.
Please note helmets are not provided and we recommend that you take your own
on this trip.
*E-Bikes*
Electric bikes offer all the thrills and healthy exercise of a regular bike,
but with one crucial difference - power! A tiny electric motor (capped at
25mph) assists your pedalling, allowing you to make molehills out of
mountains. Cycle further, see more, have more fun. They are just perfect if
you want to try a trip with companions of differing fitness level - or a trip
at a slightly harder grade - and want to know there’s a bit of motor power
available if you need it. You can upgrade to an E-bike on a number of our
European trips.
*Bike Repairs*
As you are riding unaccompanied, it is wise to know at least how to repair an
inner tube before setting off on your bike! The bikes are serviced before
being rented out so there should be no problems but there are emergency
numbers provided in the Route Notes for more complex problems.
You will need money for lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks as well as any
sites you wish to visit. Lunches can be inexpensive if you buy produce from
local markets or shops and make up a picnic. However, if you stop at a café
you can easily spend €15. We would recommend budgeting for €5-15 for
lunches and allow an additional €10 a day for any extras. Dinners can cost
between €15-40 depending on the type of restaurant you visit and would not
include drinks.
* Optional electric bikes
* Half board upgrade (5 nights only)
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request)
* Visas or vaccinations
* Arrival & departure transfers
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.