Picture this. A cool morning on the canal, coffee in hand on the sundeck, as the medieval rooftops of Bruges slip quietly behind you. By lunchtime you're pedalling through the flat green farmland of Flanders, and by evening you're back aboard your floating hotel, three courses on the table and a new city waiting at the end of the gangway. This is the gentle magic of our Bruges to Amsterdam Bike and Barge Deluxe holiday, and it's one of the most relaxed and rewarding ways we know to see two of Europe's most charming countries.

Eight unhurried days from Bruges to Amsterdam

Over eight days and seven nights, you'll trace a path of rivers, canals and quiet country lanes from Belgium into the Netherlands. Your journey begins with a welcome drink and an evening stroll through the cobbled heart of Bruges, before cycling on to Ghent for a guided canal boat tour of its grand medieval waterfront. From there you'll follow the tidal Schelde River to Dendermonde and St Amands, then on to Antwerp, where a visit to the Red Star Line Museum and a tasting of Belgian specialties await, along with a free evening to find a favourite restaurant of your own.

Crossing into the Netherlands, your barge passes through the great locks of Kreekrak and Volkerak on its way to historic Dordrecht. One of the trip's most memorable days follows, as you cycle to Kinderdijk and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed windmills, standing over the polders as they have for centuries. Your final ride follows the lovely Vecht River past elegant country estates and riverside villages, with a stop at a working cheese farm, before you roll into Amsterdam.

Cycling at a pace that suits you

This is an introductory-grade trip, with daily rides ranging from around 15 to 57 kilometres across famously flat terrain. Most days offer a shorter and a longer route option, so you can choose how much ground to cover, and you're always welcome to stay aboard and enjoy the scenery from the deck instead. Two multilingual guides accompany larger groups, or you can set off independently with the cycling map and GPS navigation app provided. A quality seven-speed bike, helmet, pannier and lock are all included, and e-bikes are available on request for an additional charge.

Your floating home

Each evening you return to the comfort of a deluxe barge, where your cabin travels with you, so you unpack only once. Cabins are air-conditioned with en-suite bathrooms, and upgrades to junior or upper deck suites with panoramic windows are available on selected vessels. There's a bar on board for a sundowner, and the kitchen takes care of the rest: seven breakfasts, six packed lunches for the road and six three-course dinners, with a vegetarian option each night.

Why book your bike and barge holiday with us

A trip like this is all about ease, and that's exactly what we bring. Your YOU Travel & Cruise Consultant will help you choose the right departure, cabin and bike, arrange your flights and any extra nights in Bruges or Amsterdam, and build the whole journey into a tailored itinerary that fits the way you love to travel. Should anything change before or during your holiday, you'll have one familiar person to call, wherever you are in the world.

Let's meet and start planning your Bruges to Amsterdam adventure together. Call us on 07 577 9957 or pop in and see us at 45 Grey St, Tauranga.