Route Ravel 2016 - 3 Country E-Bike Tour in Holland, Belgium and France
Easy to moderate Barge and Bike Cruise with the Luxery Hotel Yacht MIRÓ***** on the beautiful river La Meuse
Along the route: Maastricht - Liege - Namur - Dinant, Givet - Riviere - Huy - Maastricht
Duration: 7 days
Bike Tracks: Flat bike tracks Grade of Difficulty I / II
Departure 2015 Every other Saturday at Maastricht ( Holland ) from April till Nov 2016
Group vacation on the luxuriously appointed hotel Ship Miró *****, including bicycles. Your adventure begins on the authentically restored Hotel Yacht Miró ***** and encompasses a dynamic Barge and Bike Holliday through three countries. The tour begins in Maastricht in the Historical harbour t'Bassin in the City centre, the historical city where the EU treaty was signed. The route takes you through the breathtaking and welcoming Walonian River Maas Valley, a gorgeous historical landscape with beautiful and frendly old City,s situated between the Netherlands and France.
Tour details
The total length of the route by bike is about 175 km. The total length by boat is around 170 km. Almost all bike paths are level and well-lit, but alternative routes and local roads are also a possibility.
Grade of difficulty: I / II. These are lovely bike routes along the well-signposted bike route Ravel.
We also offer (Nordic) walkers many picturesque routes and possibilities for interesting excursions, to make your holiday an unforgettable experience.
Day 1: A hearty welcome on board and a cruise to Liege
You're expected at the Pietersplas yacht harbour at 13.00 (the harbour has video surveillance and reserved parking places). Once on board, we're pleased to offer you a welcome aperitif and let you know a little bit more about the planned tour. The bikes are handed out at 15.00 and will be personally adjusted for your biking comfort. We set sail with the MIRÓ***** towards Liege, via the locks of Lanaye. With their 18 meter drop, these are the highest locks in the Maas and it makes for a pretty impressive event. Upon arrival in historical centre of Liege, we'll dock at the aquarium museum Du Liege. Dinner will be served in Liege and in the evening there will be ample time to visit the lovely city highlights - after Diner the captain will be happy to take you to the famous Old carre and Historical City .
Day 2: Liege-Namur (ca. 24 km)
We'll begin the day early with ahearty Captain's breakfast, after which you'll be more than fortified for a visit to the famous Sunday market La Batte, Belgium's oldest market. The MIRÓ***** will then set sail for Namur via the Route-Ravel, along the mighty steel mills that underline the industrial importance of the Maas. The route is ever-changing: wild, wooded glens and cultivated areas all compete for your attention alongside the winding river. We'll also see many an ancient castle, straight out of a fairytale. Above the d'Ampsin-Neuville locks or Amay you'll disembark once more and take a bike ride to the Locks off Andenne . Welkom on Board again and with afternoon tea we sail to Namur, a rich old city and also the capital of Wallonia, situated on the junction of the Sambre and the Maas rivers. In the evening hours you'll visit the enchanting castle of Namur and wonder at the sights of this lovely city. And you'll fall asleep under the romantic canopy of lights that illuminate the imposing walls of the Chateau Namur.
Day 3: Bike tour to Dinant (ca. 29 km or 54 Km )
The bike route takes you from the Maasdal, or Maas Valley, to Namur and then to Dinant. On the left riverbank you can admire the strawberry town of Weppion, while on the other riverbank you'll have great views of Profondeville en Riviere with it's fabulous vantage point 'Sept Meuse', which offers a breathtaking view over seven Maas valleys.
From here you can make a extra tour to the Abbey of Maredred and Maredsous for a Vissit. The route travels along the typical Maas-style village Dave-Frenes en Godinne with its beautiful 17th century Spanish manor house called Yvoir and the lovely abbey-brewery of Leffe. Small, welcoming villages where the delights of Belgian beer await you on your sailing adventure. Shortly before Dinant you can wonder at the old fortresses of Poilvache to your right and Crèvecoeur to your left, directly opposite each other and each guarding its own riverbank. Today you'll also be rewarded by the gorgeous natural beauty of the region. The Miro will be waiting for you again in the centre of the picturesque city of Dinant.
Day 4: From Dinant to French Givet and Riviere (ca. 30 km )
Breakfast Cruis to waulsort . The valley disappears after Dinant, and the villages get sparser and the cliffs more steep. They give this landscape a wild and untouched flavour. On the right bank you'll pass Anseremme. Here you can tour the Lesse by canoe, and then via the locks to the Château of Freyr, also known as little Versailles on the Maas. we start the Bike tour in Waulsort towards Hastière. Here you can visit the old Roman abbey church, before continuing onto Givet, a city known as the port of France. The return route is an alternative one to the one just taken. On the fourth day you're welcome to rest or you can also take a short bike ride through the lovely scenery surrounding Dinant. at 15.30 Hrs is a romantic Afternoon cruise with tea planned to Riviere. Riviere is also where we'll spend the night, in a quiet place alongside the picturesque banks of the river. If you've still got any energy reserves, the skipper will be happy to take you for a lovely walk to see the charming watermillvalley or the renowned Sept Meuse.
Day 5: Riviere-Huy (ca.32 km)
During your breakfast the MIRÓ***** will be sailing through gorgeous mountain scenery to La Plante. And from La Plante we'll take a bike tour via Marche-les-Dames (the place where in 1934 the Belgian King and mountaineer Albert I met his death while climbing the steep cliffs) to Huy. Here we'll dock at the beautiful city piers for the night. Huy is a lovely peaceful city with windy streets and alleys and an ancient tradition in metal work. The golden treasure of the Cathedral Notre Dame is unique, crafted by goldsmith Godefried von Huy in the 13th century. The Citadel allows unforgettably breathtaking views of the plateau of Sarte.
Day 6: Huy-Maastricht (ca. 29 km)
While enjoying yet another sumptuous breakfast, we'll already be sailing towards the sun to Liege, where we'll begin a bike tour of harboursides and iron works. Via the country towns of Monsin and Visé, we'll cross the border and bike past gorgeous apple orchards to Castle Eijsden, and then through lovely Limburg country to Maastricht. We'll be sure to stop at the famous Mergel Caves for your sightseeing pleasure.
We'll end the day if you like, to take the water taxi or the Harbour taxi to the delightful and Historical City of Maastricht where it is also possible to take a tour of this magnificent part of the Netherlands. And for those who enjoy a spot of shopping, all shops are open till 21.00 on Thursday evenings . at last we enjoy the evening on the candellight deck from the MIRÓ*****
Day 7: Return Trip
Enjoy a last delicious breakfast on board; disembark at 10.00. Your crew will be sad to see you go & will hope that you have had an unforgettable experience!
Please note that booking an extra night of accommodation either at the beginning of your trip or the end is sometimes possible. Please enquire with your travel agent, or ask your crew. Dinner is either in renowned local restaurants.
We're here to meet your needs and are happy to make all arrangements as you wish.
We'll be happy to help you make reservations during your trip.
It is also possible to bring your own bike, if you so wish.
Characteristics:
Benefits:
- Welcome Champagne or Cafe Complet
- 7 Day 6 Nights River Cruise, Barge and Bike tour on board Hotel Yacht Miro*****
- including a Fine captains breakfast, packed lunch
- 2-Person luxurious Comfort Class Dubbelbed Cabin with shower, toilet and sink, satellite TV, Airco, safe, central heating
- Towels - Bedlinnen - Maidservice
- Every day cabin claning
- Afternoon Tea -Coffee
- Bike rental of first-class Arroyo EM ***** E - Bike de luxe Model 2016 Super E-bikes with 135 Km Batery - 2 Hydraulic Hand breaks, 2 saddle bags, extra-long step-in, 11-speeds, bikecomputer, rainponcho,repair materials, a double safetylock and bikehelmet, reinforced tires etc.
- Route Ravel biking maps, walking maps, route descriptions and multi-lingual travel information for your use and - convenience
- Multi-lingual crew on board
- City walk in Liege and Visit to the Cafe Chantant les Jardin des Ollivettes
- Warm and welcoming family atmosphere
Start date: on request
End date:
Duration:
Price:
Click to order
Startdate
Middate
On request
Additional costs:
- + 95 EUR pp for Bike Assurance
- local waterway fees & taxes, Harbor fees, Transfer Thursday evening Miro - Maastricht - Miro*****
- Diners - extra drinks - extra Excursions - Staff Gratuitys