Holland, Dutch bike tours and cycling vacations, Hoorn, Zwolle and Apeldoorn with Van Gogh Tours

cycling tours, bike, walking bike vacations,bicycle tours, vacations from Van Gogh Tours offering uniquely European bike & walking tours in Holland, France, Italy and Austria with enthusiastic guides, distinctive lodgings, superior service, small groups and great prices.

Holland - the land of Tulips, wooden shoes and windmills! The land of Rembrandt and Van Gogh! A cyclist's paradise because of its flat terrain, mild weather and safe bike paths. Distances are short and Holland is small but it offers a great variety of beautiful landscapes and historical towns.

Holland Guided Bicycling Tours

Country of Tulips Tour
Picture yourself gliding past swaying daffodils, fragrant hyacinths and tulips of every size and hue. Our 7 day guided tour explores the western part of Holland at the height of tulip season and covers the most famous bulb-growing areas in the Netherlands. It's an easy tour on flat terrain, along well-paved bike paths, charming canals and through picturesque 17th century towns. You'll have plenty of time to savor the many delights Holland offers. We'll spend two nights in Noordwijk on the North Sea, close to the blooming fields of crocuses, narcissus, hyacinths and tulips, two nights in Delft, one of Holland's oldest and most beautiful towns and two nights near the windmills and lakes in Noorden, in the "Green Heart" of Holland.

Holland & Belgium

Holland Guided
Bike Tours

Holland
Self-Guided
Bike Tours

Holland Bike and
Barge Tours

Holland-Belgium
Bike and
Barge Tours

Belgium Guided
Bike Tours

Belgium
Self-Guided
Bike Tours

Our other
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Call us at
802-378-4660
800-435-6192
or
email us at
vangogh@
vangoghtours.com
to reserve your tour.

The tour starts in lively Leiden, a city with a rich artistic history. Here we'll visit the church where the Pilgrims prayed before they left for America and we'll walk in the footsteps of Rembrandt, who was born here. The next day we'll visit the incomparable Keukenhof, where 7,000,000 magnificent blooming flowers await us! For many, this radiant paradise is the highlight of their visit to Holland. Then we'll pedal through "Cape-Cod-like" sand dunes to The Hague, seat of the Dutch government and home of Queen Beatrix. You'll have time to visit the old city center before we continue on to Delft, world famous for its magnificent Delft Blue Pottery. We'll glide through flat, cow-filled polders with windmills to our charming, private hotel with its well-known gourmet restaurant, beautifully situated on an idyllic lake in Noorden.

Included:
Daily lodging in 4-star hotels, 6 breakfasts and 4 dinners, entrance to the Keukenhof

2013 Tour Dates: April 14 – 20, April 21 – 27, April 28 – May 4
Price: $2095 Single Supplement: $450
Bike Rental: $150 Tandem Rental: $200
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Holland Self-Guided Bicycling Tours

Self-guided tours are for experienced cyclists who can adjust and repair their own bikes and enjoy cycling alone or with a small group. There are many routes to choose from. All tours include daily breakfast, dinner and luggage transportation from hotel to hotel. All accommodations are in charming, mostly family owned hotels and all rooms have private facilities. Comfortable three speed bikes with hand brakes, sufficient for the Dutch terrain, can be rented. 21 speed bike and tandems are available only on the North Holland tour. Daily distances for each tour: 25-40 miles.

Edam - Amsterdam Tour

North-Holland is truly a wonderful waterside region: there are numerous ponds, creeks, lakes and canals. The many idyllic landscapes and the enchanting silence of this delightful Dutch province will definitely seduce you. It is almost unbelievable that this quiet land with its charming villages, beautiful farms, historic windmills and fascinating musea is only 25 minutes from Amsterdam.
For this 3 night / 4 day cycling holiday, we have carefully selected the cozy, 3-star Hotel De Fortuna in the ‘cheese city’ Edam. It is peacefully located in the center of this picturesque small town. The rooms are situated in 5 characteristic North Holland houses and feature a typical Dutch atmosphere. Most rooms overlook the stylish garden on the banks of a small canal. In the summer you can sit in the garden and enjoy the flowers, singing birds and small pleasure boats drifting by. From Edam you’ll cycle to fascinating Amsterdam, but also to a number of the most delightful places in North-Holland: Hoorn, De Rijp, Volendam, Monnickendam and the peninsular village of Marken!

21-speed hybrid bikes or 5 speed tandems in excellent condition are available for this tour. You’ll stay in a lovely, 3-star, family owned hotel.

2013 Tour Dates: April 1– Oct. 31, daily
Tour Price: $495 (two dinners included)
Single Supplement: $150
Bike Rental: $85 Tandem Bike Rental: $195

North Holland Tour
Biking through the Land of Leeghwater
Jan Adriaensz Leeghwater lived in the 16th century and was a simple but brilliant Dutch mill builder who helped design a system of reclaiming land (polders) from water in North Holland and many pumping stations in The Netherlands are named after him. Highlights of our tour include a visit to De Rijp, the quaint village where Leeghwater was born; cycling though "his" polders and a visit to a Wind Mill Museum to better appreciate Dutch ingenuity in water management and Leeghwater's genius. Our 6 day / 5 night tour starts in the 17th century seaport Hoorn, an architectural jewel. From there you bike to charming, authentic Edam, know for its cheeses and later to Enkhuizen to visit the famous outdoor Zuiderzee Museum, a replica of a 17th century Dutch village. From here you'll bike to prosperous Bergen in the middle of windswept sand dunes. The dunes in the Netherlands are nowhere so high and wide or the beach so white and clean as in this area where dunes, woods, dikes and polders come together in a grand panorama! Bergen is close to Alkmaar so that on Friday, you can visit the famous, weekly cheese market in Alkmaar, a colorful event. 21 speed hybrid bikes or 5 speed tandems in excellent condition are available for this tour.

Packing and luggage moving are kept to a minimum as you'll stay three nights in Hoorn and two nights in Bergen, in lovely, 3- and 4- star, family owned hotels. In spring many tulip fields are in bloom in this area.

2013 Tour Dates: April 1– Oct. 31, daily
Tour Price: $895 (one dinner not included)
Single Supplement: $295
Bike Rental: $85 Tandem Bike Rental: $195

IJsselmeer Round Tour

This 8 day/ 7 night tour is one of the most varied and relaxing cycling vacations possible in Holland. Imagine cycling through five provinces in 6 days. Discover historic, cozy and picturesque IJsselmeer towns, such as Volendam, Edam, Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Stavoren and Kampen, following the winding dike that separates the north west of Holland from the IJsselmeer. The IJsselmeer, formerly know as the South Sea, is now enclosed by the Afsluitdijk (Barrier Dam). A scenic one and a half hour ferry ride takes you across the IJsselmeer from Enkhuizen to Stavoren in Friesland. Enjoy the views over Western Europe's largest bird sanctuary and explore the Weerribben Nature Reserve by bike. You'll stay in comfortable, cozy 3 and 4 star accommodations on this tour.

2013 Tour Dates: Saturday departures from April 20 – Sept. 21
From June 30 – August 18, a Sunday departure is also possible
Tour Price: $925 Single Supplement: $180 Bike Rental: $85

Friesland Eleven Cities Tour

Friesland, Holland’s most northern province, is a region of lush green farms, boat filled waterways and scenic lakes. Friesland is truly special! Imagine skillful, puffing skaters in the wintry landscapes of the Eleven Cities Tour or Elfstedentocht (whose route you’ll follow by bike), a 125 mile long ice skating race looping through 11 towns in Friesland. The Eleven Cities Tour owes its name to two men who decided in the winter of 1808 to skate past eleven towns in one day, a total of 230 kilometers. To prove they had done it, they obtained the signatures of the owners of cafés or hotels in every town. You’ll see on this tour the Frisian sailing ships called “Skutjes”, hamlets, built on earthen mounds to protect them from flooding and beautiful fortified towns all along the way. Friesland has many handsome 17th century houses and picturesque farms. Occasionally entire town centers have been designated a historically protected area. There are also numerous little museums in Friesland. The Frisians even speak a language of their own! Friesland is an ideal area for a bike holiday. The cycle route winds its way around the province, mainly on quiet lanes and country roads. This 8 day/ 7 night tour is a very relaxing cycling vacation in Holland. You'll stay in comfortable, cozy 3 and 4 star accommodations on this tour. Daily breakfast and dinner included.

2013 Tour Dates: Daily Departures from 4/20 – 9/21
Tour Price: $875 Single Supplement: $175
Bike Rental: $85

Holland Bike and Barge Tours

This is a very attractive and original way to discover Holland. Spend seven days of cycling and barge cruising in one of several fascinating regions of the Netherlands! Enjoy landscapes of green polders, Cape Cod-like dunes, beautiful lakes and gentle rivers. Charming cycle lanes and country roads will lead you to picturesque towns and villages. You can visit windmills, castles and museums along the way. Cycle at your leisure - daily distances are about 30 miles - with plenty of time to stop, wander, browse or shop. A well-maintained 7- or 24-speed hybrid bike with hand brakes is included but we can also arrange to rent a tandem for you. You decide whether you prefer to cycle on your own - equipped with clear route instructions - or to join the guide who provides all the necessary information.

The barge - your "floating" hotel - is a snug little vessel, which can accommodate up to 30 travelers in its cabins. The boat motors quietly each day via a scenic route and if ever you do not fancy cycling, you are welcome to spend the day on board. Late each afternoon the bikers rendezvous with the boat at the next landing place for afternoon tea, dinner and overnight stop. On board you will meet an international group whose members have at least one thing in common: the pleasure they share from cycling. Accommodations on board the barge are basic with 2 and 3 berth cabins containing bunk beds or twin beds and a wash basin but all cabins have a private shower and toilet. Prices vary depending on the class of boat we can offer you for a certain date and route. The barge has a cozy dining room and a sun deck. The tour is suitable for all ages. Children under 12 room with their parents or in groups of two. All tours depart on Saturday afternoon either at 1:30 PM or at 4 PM and end the next Saturday after breakfast. The short tulip tours also start on Tuesdays.

Included on All Barge Tours:
7 nights on barge, daily breakfast & dinner, 6 packed lunches,
coffee and tea on barge, 7 or 24-speed bicycle

Level of Difficulty: Easy
Daily Distance: 20-35 miles

Note: group sizes on the barge tours vary between 14 and 28

The Southern Route: $1145
This popular tour starts and ends in Amsterdam with visits to architecturally and culturally wonderful Delft, The Hague, Leiden, Haarlem and the 19 working windmills of the Kinderdijk. These historic towns along with picturesque villages, classic windmills and delightful safe cycling along Cape Cod-like sand dunes and beautiful beaches guarantee a striking introduction to the heart of The Netherlands. In the spring this tour will also include rides through Holland's spectacular tulip fields.

2013 Departure Dates Southern Route:

May 18 & 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29,
July 6, 13 & 20, September 7, 14, 21, 28

The Southern Route Relax: $1255
If you’re an inexperienced cyclist or just don’t want to spend as much time ‘in the saddle’ this version of the Southern Route might be ideal for you. The tour is basically the same as the Southern Route Tour in opposite direction but there is definitely less biking each day so you’ll have more time to visit the places that interest you.

2013 Departure Dates Southern Route Relax:
May 18 & 25, June 1 & 29, July 6, 13, 20 & 27,
August 10, 17, 24 & 31, Sept. 7, 14 & 21

The Southern Relax Tulip:
This tour is similar to the Southern Relax tour but the highlight of the tour will undoubtedly be your visit to the sensational Keukenhof flower garden. You’ll be astounded by over 6 million multi colored tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other flowers fantastically arranged amid fascinating outdoor sculptures, ponds and fountains. A luxury barge is used for this tour.

2013 Departure Dates Southern Relax Tulip Tour:
April 6 - $1380 (comfort deluxe barge)

April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4 & 11 - $1155 (standard plus barge)

The Super Tulip Tour: $1340
The program of this Super Tulip Tour is totally dedicated to this beautiful flower. You will cycle through hectares of spring flowers and tulips, learn all about growing tulips in a tulip park and of course you visit the "Keukenhof". The first part of the week the route takes you through the Dutch 'Waterland' region, a region with a characteristic and age-old Dutch landscape. On Monday you will visit a tulip garden (near Alkmaar) where you can learn all there is to know about tulips and tulip growing. The tulip originated in Turkey. The tulip bulb reached The Netherlands at the end of the 16th century. In 1634 there was one single bulb that was so expensive, a whole canal side house in Amsterdam had the same price.

2013 Departure Dates Super Tulip Tour:
April 6, May 11

The Luxury Highlights of Spring Tulip Tour: $1270

This very popular and easy Bike and Barge tour on a small luxury barge includes a visit to the Keukenhof, the most beautiful collection of spring flowers and special floral exhibits Holland has to offer gathered in one park and the Flower Auction in Aalsmeer, the largest flower auction in the world.

2013 Departure Dates Luxury Tulip Highlights of Spring Tour:
April 7, 14, 21 and 28, May 5 (Sunday start)

Short Tulip Tours
In April and early May, it is possible to book the short (4-day) Tulip Tour. On this bike and barge holiday you'll experience an immersion in Dutch Tulip culture. In addition to visits to the incomparable Keukenhof with its 6 million tulips, daffodils and hyacinth bulbs, you'll visit the fascinating flower auction in Aalsmeer and cycle through the spectacular bulb growing fields. The tour also includes visits to Leiden and Haarlem and a cheese factory. Entrance to the Keukenhof and the Aalsmeer Flower Auction are included in the tour price.

2013 Departure Dates:
April 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30, May 4, 7, 11, 14
Tour Price Comfort Boat: $635 per person
(cabins with 2 lower beds)

2013 Departure Dates:
April 2, 20, 23, 27, 30
Tour Price: $550 per person
(cabins with bunk beds)

The Northern Route (Top of Amsterdam): $1115
This tour also begins and ends in Amsterdam but it takes you north to the distinctly rural Island of Texel after visits to the architectural jewels of Edam, Hoorn, Enkhuizen and Alkmaar as well as the fascinating outdoor museum, Zaanse Schans. In the 17^th century this extensive area was amazingly recovered from the sea with the use of hundred of windmills - many still in working order today. One gets a strong feeling for 17^th century Dutch prosperity in Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Edam and Volendam. Later you’ll sail to Texel, an island with thousands of sheep and a magnificent nature preserve that is a bird lover’s paradise. Back on the main land the route takes you over small dikes and quiet country roads through vast polders and along beautiful sand dunes stretching from Schoorl to Bergen. Alkmaar is the capital of cheese making and has its own cheese market and historic Waag (weigh house). In Zaanse Schans you’ll discover a number of 17^th and 18^th century houses and commercial shops. In the tulip months of April and May you’ll cycle through colorful fields stretching for miles.

2013 Departure Dates:
April 13, 20 & 27, May 4, 11, 18, 25, June 1 & 22, August 17, 24, 31, September 7

The Highlights of Holland Route
(North & South of Amsterdam)
With this special bike and barge tour we invite you to become acquainted with the still existing Dutch landscapes from the 17th century, the “Golden Age” of the Netherlands. You’ll encounter the splendid countryside known as the “Green Heart of Holland” centered between the 3 largest cities in the Netherlands (Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam). One moment you’ll be cycling in the middle of quiet lake areas, the other you experience the old Dutch atmosphere in the historic centers of Haarlem or Leiden. In addition this tour will take you through scenic beach and dune areas, the prototypically Dutch province of North-Holland and bustling ports like Hoorn where you’ll find the spirit of the Dutch Golden Age.

2013 Departure Dates:
Comfort Barge ($1130): June 29, July 6, August 17

Standard Plus barge ($945): May 18, June 15, July 29, August 3 & 31, September 7 & 14

The Island Hopping Route
The Northern part of Holland is home to a number of delightfully peaceful small islands with beautiful beaches and dunes, that are a paradise for bicyclists, birdwatchers and all around nature lovers. The tour begins and ends in Amsterdam. On your first day you travel to Stavoren, the lovely fishing village on the former South Sea. On day 2 you'll sail to Den Oever in the province of North Holland. Later you'll explore the islands Texel, Vlieland and Terschelling, cycling on quiet bike paths and surrounded by a host of gulls, herons, ducks and numerous other sea birds.

2013 Departure Dates:
July 6, 13, 20 & 27, August 10

$1115 for bunk bed cabin

$1255 for low bed cabin

The Towns of the Golden Age Route: $1130
Highlights of this tour are visits to 7 towns that flourished during Holland’s Golden Age: Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden, Delft, Schiedam, Dordrecht and Gouda. These towns still exude the character of fantastic wealth achieved during this period in Dutch history. The influence of the 17th Century is still apparent in the many monumental buildings you’ll encounter on this wonderful bike-boat vacation. Starts and ends in Amsterdam.

2013 Departure Dates:
July 13 & 20, August 10 & 24

The Castles and Walled Cities Route: $945 - Standard Plus Barge
In the Middle Ages an economic association, the Hanseatic League, was formed among many trading towns which were located along waterways in Northwestern Europe. On this bicycle vacation through the eastern part of the Netherlands you will visit several of these so-called Hanseatic towns. In the area you’ll encounter many grand castles and estates, lovely farms, munching Dutch cows and grazing sheep as you glide along. This interesting tour starts and ends in Amsterdam.

2013 Departure Dates:
June 22 , July 20 and 28, August 3, 17

The Golden Circle Route: $1145
This route takes you around the IJssel Lake, the former South Sea. This area is forever linked to that period in Dutch history called the Golden Age: the period in the 17^th century when Holland was a mighty seafaring and trading nation. Dotted around the Zuiderzee are towns whose names were household words in both hemispheres: Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Kampen, Harderwijk and Amsterdam at the center of the web. Cycling and barging around the IJssel Lake is the ideal way to discover and experience this rich past for yourself. In the space of a week you’ll pass through four different landscapes: the archetypal Dutch polders with its windmills and drainage ditches; in Friesland the panoramic lake region with the greenest grass you will ever see; the heather and woodland area of the Veluwe and the unique lakes and peat bogs around the Rivers Vecht and Amstel!

2013 Departure Dates:
July 20 & 27, August 3, 17, 24, 31

Holland to Belgium Bike Barge Tours

Amsterdam - Gouda - Bruges Route:
Two famous cities in Belgium and the Netherlands are the first and last stops on this fascinating Bike and Boat holiday. Enjoy Bruges, one of the most beautiful, historic cities of Belgium and Amsterdam, the architecturally and culturally wonderful capital of the Netherlands. Also delightful are the beautiful cities of Gouda and Dordrecht and the renowned 19 windmills of Kinderdijk that you will visit.

2013 Departure Dates Amsterdam - Gouda - Bruges:
April 13 & 27, May 11, June 1: $1255 (comfort barge)

May 25, July 27, August 10, 24: $1340 (comfort plus barge)

Bruges - Antwerp - Amsterdam Route: $1340
Similar to the Amsterdam - Gouda - Bruges route, this tour includes a visit to architecturally and culturally wonderful Antwerp where you can visit the famous Rubens House and Utrecht in Holland.

2013 Departure Dates Bruges - Antwerp - Amsterdam:
May 4, June 1, August 3, 17, 31

Amsterdam to Bruges Deluxe Route: $1410
This Amsterdam to Bruges tour offers a deluxe barge which will make your trip through Holland and Belgium even more pleasant. To start the tour, you'll bike along the winding river Vecht with its impressive castles on its banks, you'll visit a real Dutch cheese farm, where cheese is still produced according to traditional methods and later you'll visit the Dutch world famous windmills in Kinderdijk. Once in Belgium, we spend the night in Antwerp, the city of Rubens, whose paintings you can admire in the Ruben's house. You will bike from Antwerp to Ghent along the beautiful tidal river Nederschelde. Your final destination is Bruges, whose picturesque town center makes it one of the most beautiful historical Flemish cities. We also offer the tour in reverse, starting in Bruges and ending in Amsterdam.

2013 Departure Dates Amsterdam to Bruges Deluxe:
June 1, July 6, August 3, October 5

2013 Departure Dates Bruges to Amsterdam Deluxe:
June 8, July 13, August 10

Spring Flower Tour - Amsterdam to Bruges
& Bruges to Amsterdam
This bike & barge vacation combines Holland and Belgium in a very surprising and attractive way. In eight days time you will sail and cycle two countries from fascinating Amsterdam to beautiful Bruges. The next week the tour will be reversed from Bruges to Amsterdam. In addition in April and early May all of Holland is gorgeously abloom making it the perfect time to be amazed by the fantastically, colorful tulip fields. Furthermore this tour includes visits to the historic and lovely Dutch towns of Dordrecht and Gouda. Crossing the border to Belgium takes you to the Belgian pearls of Antwerp, Ghent and wonderful Bruges!

2013 Departure Dates Amsterdam to Bruges:
April 6, 20 - standard barge
April 13, 27 - comfort barge

2013 Departure Dates Bruges to Amsterdam:
April 13, 27 - standard barge
April 20, May 4- comfort barge

Standard barge: $1045
Comfort barge: $1230

Amsterdam – Brussels Route: $985
Amsterdam and Brussels – so close and yet so different. In eight days time you will sail and cycle two countries from capital to capital, from Amsterdam to Brussels. The next week the tour will be reversed from Brussels to Amsterdam. Via the Betuwe, Holland’s “orchard” and the old fortified town of Willemstad you’ll reach the peaceful and picturesque rural islands of Zeeland and then cross the Belgian border. The lively Flemish port town of Antwerp is another highlight. Belgium is famous for it's tasty beer, so a visit to one of its fine breweries is included.

2013 Departure Dates:
May 25, July 6 and August 10

Brussels – Amsterdam Route: $985
2013 Departure Dates:
June 1, July 13, August 17

The Bruges to Amsterdam Route: $1165
This route takes you from bustling Amsterdam to beloved Bruges in Belgium. On your way, you'll cycle through Gooi, Holland's famous mansion region along the River Vecht, pass by the 19 windmills in Kinderdijk on your way to historic Dordrecht and the province of Zeeland. Here you'll stay one night in charming Tholen, the ancestral home of the Theodore and Franklin Delano Roosevelt family. You'll arrive in impressive Antwerp and will cycle on quiet bike paths along the magnificent River Schelde to Ghent, a lively university city with a rich past. On Friday you’ll cycle to famous Bruges, one of the most beautiful, historic cities of Belgium. On alternate weeks this tour will be done in reverse – from Bruges to Amsterdam. On this tour various routes and barges are used. Please contact us for the detailed itineraries.

2013 Departure Dates Amsterdam to Bruges:
June 1 & 15, July 13 & 27, August 10 & 24, Sept. 7 &21

2013 Departure Dates Bruges to Amsterdam:
June 8 & 22, July 20, August 4, 17 & 31, Sept. 14 &28

14 day Bruges to Paris and Paris to Bruges Tour
Information on this tour under the France Bike & Barge tours.

It is also possible to Charter a Boat for your own private group! Boats are available for a minimum of 8 people! Reserve early as it is almost impossible to book whole boat packages without 12 -15 months notice. Call us for information!

Belgium Guided Bicycling Tours

Treasures of Belgium Tour: "Biking in Fabulous Flanders"
The northern part of Belgium that borders the Netherlands is known as Flanders. The inhabitants are called Flemish and they speak Dutch. The scenic Flemish countryside is painted with soft green hills and winding roads dotted by proud farms and peaceful rivers and canals. There are numerous historical cities in Flanders to explore and each city is brimming with cobblestone streets, gothic cathedrals, quaint medieval squares, tree- lined canals and friendly outdoor cafe’s perfect for people watching and sipping on the local brews. There are colorful open-air markets to discover, shopping galleries, breweries and stylish restaurants overflowing with culinary delights. But most importantly in the cities are world class museums full of artistic treasures of internationally renowned paintings from the Flemish primitives to Breughel, Rubens and Van Eyck and modern masters such as Ensor and Magritte.

We start our tour in the enchanting, medieval canal city of Bruges often called the “ Venice of the North”. With the city center closed off to cars, all the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city can be easily explored on foot, by boat along quiet canals or by romantic horse-drawn carriage over cobblestone streets. Although Bruges is a small city it will take more than one day to explore all the architectural and artistic treasures, chocolate shops, lace boutiques and atmospheric restaurants. We hope you will arrive at least one day early so you have extra time to soak in the ambiance and visit some of Bruges’ remarkable museums.

From Bruges we’ll cycle to the North Sea to visit the “Queen of the coastal cities”, Ostend and the smaller seaside village of De Haan. The next day we’ll enjoy pleasant biking along the canal to the friendly city of Ghent. With most of the town center closed to cars, Belgium’s third largest city is best explored on foot and we’ll do just that the next morning with our local guide. Ghent is a greatly underappreciated, unassuming, un-touristy city filled with university students, linger-as-long-as-you-like cafes, well priced restaurants and vibrant energy. Ghent boasts an Opera House, 18 museums, 100 churches and over 400 historical buildings. The most visited site in Ghent is the famous and beautiful “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” painted by the brothers Jan and Hubert van Eyck in 1432.

Mechelen is next on our eastward journey through Flanders. It has no less than 336 listed buildings and monuments including eight gothic and baroque churches from the 14th up to and including the 17th century. The grace of centuries old palaces and majestic churches have almost universal appeal and the imposing St. Rombouts Cathedral, towering over the pleasing market square, is a sight not easily forgotten.

Our tour’s final cultural treasure is Antwerp. M uch like the diamonds it is famous for, Antwerp sparkles with an impressive range of architecture from medieval buildings to the Art Nouveau styles. Antwerp is an art-loving city eternally linked with the name of Peter Paul Rubens. More than 400 years after the birth of this brilliant painter, it is still possible to see the extent to which Rubens left his mark on the city. Antwerp offers a wide range of attractions from a funky nightlife to historical buildings and rich cultural offerings to innovative fashion throughout the town. Antwerp was voted one of Europe’s “Cool Capitals” and you’ll discover why on our walking tour through the city with a knowledgeable local guide.

2013 Tour Dates: June 10 – June 17 and August 26 –September 2
Tour Price: $2295 Single Supplement: $495
Bike Rental: $150
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Belgium Self-Guided Bicycling Tours

Bruges & Coast
This 8 day/7 night tour explores the north-west part of Belgium known as Flanders. The pleasing Flemish countryside is painted with soft green hills, winding roads, rustic farms, peaceful canals and bustling villages. The gently rolling hills make for relatively easy cycling from one town to the next and there is plenty of time for sightseeing, especially in the Flemish capital of Bruges where you’ll lodge comfortably for three nights.

The pedaling commences in Roeselare easily reached by train from the Brussels Airport. You’ll visit medieval Ypres well know for its WW I battles and the Tyne Cot Cemetery and world famous Menin Gate. You’ll have time for some beer tasting in the St.-Sixtus Abbey before cycling along the borders of the River Yzer to Diksmuide with its historic plaza. Next is splendid Bruges. Over the years this medieval canal city has gone by many names: City of Romance, Venice of the North, the City That Time Forgot, and Cultural Capital of Europe since 2002. However, none of these titles accurately capture the enchantment of Bruges. With the city center closed off to cars, all the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city can be easily explored by foot, canal boat or horse-drawn carriage along cobblestone streets. From Bruges you’ll make two circular rides. The first is to the seaside of Ostend and the second is to Knokke where you can stroll along the new promenade, sunbathe on the broad sandy beach, or wander through the exclusive shopping boulevards. Finally, on your way back to Roeselare, there is are opportunities to visit a chocolate manufacturer and the National Cyclist Museum.

2013 Tour Dates: Saturday departures from 4/20 – 9/21 (except August 3, instead it is August 4)
Tour Price: $925
Single Supplement: $240 Bike Rental: $90

Historic Art Cities Tour
Surprisingly beautiful! That’s a quick way to describe the wonderful region of Flanders and the European Union’s capital city - Brussels . Here you’ll find active vacation fun for everyone: terrific cycling itineraries through beautiful landscapes, culinary pleasure in great restaurants, cultural treasures in fine museums and historical buildings and, of course, the ever pulsating city of Brussels. This 7 day/6 night tour includes visits to the Belgian pearls of Brussels, Leuven, Mechelen, Ghent and wonderful Bruges along with an optional train visit to Antwerp!

Starting in Brussels, you’ll bike on predominantly quiet, flat roads and bike paths along the well signposted Flanders Cycle Route. You’ll see lush meadows, canals, sandy dunes and coastal villages as well as castles, abbeys, churches and windmills. You’ll also visit Leuven, home to Belgium’s oldest university and historic Ghent site of the famous St.Baafs Cathedral where you can admire the renowned “Adoration of the Lamb” by Jan van Eyck. The charming coastal villages of De Haan and Ostend, wonderful North Sea beaches and Bruges, the enchanting Venice of the North, are other highlights you’ll encounter on this splendid cycling vacation!

2013 Tour Dates: Saturday departures from 4/20 – , Sundays 6/30 - 8/18

Tour Price: $870
Single Supplement: $285 Bike Rental: $90

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