Flanders - A paradise for cyclists by Bike & Boat

MS QUO VADIS: From Bruges to Brussels

A combined bike and boat journey means wonderful landscapes alongside the rivers together with cycle routes that make possible an active as well as relaxing holiday far away from the main roads. The wide Belgium Polderlandscapes offer a very special experience of nature. With this journey you combine varied cycling routes and many interesting excursions with a pleasant stay on board of your swimming hotel MS QUO VADIS. Spend an eventful vacation on one of our best rated boats. As there are only 12 cabins on board, you will enjoy this river cruise in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. The captain and the owner Rendert Jan and his crew will look after you the most pleasant way. While you are cycling through the magnificent landscapes, MS QUO VADIS is following you on rivers and channels to be at your disposal as your hotel ship at the end of the day when you have reached your day's destination. And if you prefer staying on board, you can also enjoy the landscapes from board the ship.

MS QUO VADIS
The ship is comfortably furnished, cosy and you will feel well on board. MS QUO VADIS was put into service in April 2006 and has 12 comfortable outside cabins with shower/WC, two single beds and air condition (windows cannot be opened). Furthermore, the ship offers a tasteful restaurant with an open salon with corner seats, a small bar and a sundeck with sun sails. You will find interesting cycle tours and a warm hospitality on board MS QUO VADIS. Your tasty dinner will be freshly prepared daily (organic food are generally used, and often freshly homemade bread is served). Regularly live music (there are a guitar and a piano onboard). The captain and his crew are looking forward to meeting you.
Technical data: Two decks; length: 45 m; width: 6.6 m; height: 5.5 m; depth: 1.5 m; approx. 4 crew members.


Tour Details:

1st Day: Saturday - Individual arrival at Bruges
You will find MS QUO VADIS in the port of Bruges and the crew welcomes you on board. Take some time to discover the interesting city of 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.

2nd Day: Sunday - Trip around Bruges to the North Sea - Cycle tour approx. 55 km
Your first 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 can swim in the sea there) will give you the opportunity for a nice rest. After approx. 2 hours you are cycling back to Bruges.

3rd Day: Monday - Cycling from Bruges to Gent, Cycle tour: approx. 40 km
During breakfast MS QUO VADIS is shipping to Moerbrugge. The whole cycle route follows the Gent-Oostende-Channel through the wide Flemish plain to Gent. After dinner, the wonderful lights of the old town alleys invite you to a romantic evening walk. In the Middle Ages Gent was the second largest city after Paris and has preserved its architectural wealth in the historic city centre until today.

4th Day: Tuesday - Cycling from Gent to Dendermonde - Sint Amands, Cycle tour: approx. 48 km
After breakfast you are going by bike to Dendermonde today. A coffee break on the wonderful Flemish Grote Markt is a must. In the evening shipping to Sint Amands one of the most beautiful and winding parts of the route on the river Schelde.

5th Day: Wednesday - Sint Amands - Cycling to Antwerpen, Cycle tour: approx. 42 km
In Sint Amands you start today's cycle tour. You are passing the water tower and cross the Brussels-Rupel-Channel. After that you are cycling through a historic area of brick burning, where bricks have been produced since the Middle Ages until today. Then you follow the river Rupel until you come to the river Schelde. From Rupelmonde your are comfortably cycling towards Hemiksem, then down the river Schelde to Antwerpen, the world's centre of diamond-processing and your today's destination. Antwerpen offers a number of interesting sights such as the richly decorated town hall in renaissance style, the historic Grote Markt, the huge Liebfrauen Cathedral und the medieval Steen Castle.

6th Day: Thursday - Cycling from Antwerpen to Lier and further to Willebroek, Cycle tour: approx. 45 km
After breakfast you are going by bike via Lier to Willebroek where MS QUO VADIS is already waiting for you. Subject to interest und sufficient participation a beer tasting will be held on board (against payment).

7th Day: Friday - Cycling from Willebroek to Mechelen and further to Vilvoorde, Cycle tour: approx. 40 km - Shipping to Brussels
While your ship is going through the Willebroek-Channel today, your last cycle tour is leading you through green, soft and hilly landscapes over Mechelen to Vilvoorde. In Mechelen, 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. From Vilvoorde you are shipping to Brussels. 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".

8th Day: Saturday
After breakfast you are checking out and we are saying goodbye - have a safe journey home.

Basically, we reserve the right to make changes of routing and programme. If there is low or high water and a route cannot be shipped, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety (this cannot be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal).


Important remarks:
Your journey to Bruges and from Brussels will be individual.
- Basically, we reserve the right to make changes of routing and program. If there is low or high water and a route cannot be shipped, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety (this cannot be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal).
- The interior of the ship is a non-smoking zone: smoking is only allowed on the sun deck. As a safety measure, a statutory smoking ban applies in all cabins; this means that all cabins and rooms on board are non-smoking areas.
- Embarkation: from 15:00 hours to 17:00 hours
- Disembarkation: After breakfast by 09:30 Uhr.
- Bicycles on board: Unisex trekking bicycles with normal mount (ladies model), 7 gears, hand brake and pedal brake and pannier bag. E-Bikes with pedal brake are on these tours only available after prior request (by booking) and confirmation and a very limited number (5) possible. Due to lack of space on deck only two own bikes can be transported per departure. Please indicate your body height by booking.
- Languages on board: German, English
- Cycle tours: All distances are "approximate distances" of recommended bike tours. When a guest does not want to cycle one day, she/he can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next harbour. The bike tours are guided or individual, at your own pace, without a tour guide, but with detailed bicycle maps and directions. You can choose. Nearly all cycle tours can be classified as being easy.
- Luggage: We recommend rainwear, bicycle helmet, sunhat and sneakers.
- Diet: (i.e.: lactosefree, glutenfree) Possible on request and for an extra charge. Must be booked at least 14 days prior to departure.
- Travel documents: EU-nationals need a valid passport.

Characteristics:

Participants:
from 18
Tourtype:
guided
Children:
no
Regions:
Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Flanders, Ghent, North Sea, Ostend, West Flanders
Countries:
Belgium

Benefits:

  • Seven nights in outside cabins with shower/WC in the booked cabin category
  • Programme according to the routing on MS QUO VADIS
  • Welcome cocktail
  • Room cleaning every day
  • Changing of towels and bed cloths if wanted
  • Full board consisting of breakfast buffet, lunch or lunch package for cycle tours, coffee or tea in the afternoon, dinner
  • All charges for harbours, bridges and locks
  • Printed instructions and detailed maps for daily individual bike tours (1 per cabin)
  • Cycle guide with local knowledge, guided cycle tours
Start date: on request
End date:
Duration:
Price:
Click to order
Startdate
Middate
On request

Additional costs:

  • All other costs: on request (bikehire, cabin categories, additional nights, transfers and so on)

Order

Your travel date:

Start date: on request
End date:
Duration:
Price:
You have no travel date selected. Please go back to "Dates and Prices" and select an available date.
* fields required