--description--

7 nights/ 8 days shared room $1700 per per person. You must have a roommate to book this trip as there are no private room options. Trip dates are August 14th-21st 2021.  Two countries, Belgium and Holland  united in one bike and barge route. Combining the highlights of Holland’s Golden Age and the heydays of the Flemish trade cities in the Middle Ages. The Dutch 17th century Golden Age and the heyday of the Flemish trading cities of the Middle Ages are united in this route. Notice the big difference between the green polder landscape abounding in water, with its tranquil roads and villages and the old world of islands in Zeeland with its pastures, creeks, winding dikes and dams. On top of that the often so picturesque Flemish countryside between the Belgian monumental cities of Ghent and Bruges. The great rivers are a prominent feature in this part of the Netherlands and Belgium. This cycling holiday is suited for everyone and people of all ages. On virtually flat terrain, with distances up to 50 kilometers. You spend about 3-4 hours on your bicycle. We make several stops to explore the countryside. Should you not feel like biking one day simply stay on the boat and relax.  If you enjoy laughing, dancing, light cycling, exploring, and adventure then this trip is for you. Please no drama queens or kings!!! Bring a friend or family member, but make sure they are fun! Details can be found in the itinerary.

--itinerary--

August 14th Saturday: Bruges, boarding is between 1 PM and 2 PM, cycling to Aalterbrug and sailing to Ghent

When you arrive on board the ship you can put your luggage away in your cabin and then enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the guide, skipper and crew and of course your fellow passengers. At 2 p.m. you will start off the city walls of Bruges for a trip to Ghent. The barge will mostly be following the canal between Bruges and Ghent to Aalterbrug, which offers a beautiful, peaceful cycle route with an unexpected variety of experiences.
After dinner you will have some time to discover the old and characteristic city centre. The city of Ghent is proud of its rich past, the many well-preserved guild’s and patricians’ houses as well as old warehouses, Gravensteen (a mediaeval castle), St Nicholas Church (with 13th century foundations), St Baaf’s Cathedral and the ‘Belfort’ (Belfry;14th century). But Ghent is much more than just a museum town. This lively city with its numerous squares and cosy pubs is an excellent mixture of mediaeval edifices, stylish shopping streets, splendid mansions, working-class quarters from the beginning of the 20th century which now often house students and busy little squares where people eat out till the wee hours on a sultry summer night.

August 15th    Sunday: Ghent, cycling to Dendermonde and sailing to St. Amands

Early Sunday morning you will cycle through the old centre of Ghent. After coffee you will leave for a nice day along one of the most beautiful rivers of Europe: the Scheldt. After approximately 20 km you’ll reach Wetteren, a nice flemish city which is well known for it’s rose nurseries. But also a good place to learn what the Belgium word ‘staminee’ means. Berlare is the last place before Dendermonde so it’s a perfect place to taste some Belgian beer before you board the ship again. Your boarding place for today is Dendermonde, a city which is known for the legend of the Beiaart. From Dendermonde you’ll sail to quiet village of St. Amand were you will spend the night.

August 16th  Monday: St. Amands – Antwerpen

From St. Amands the cycleroute leads you along the river and past nature reserves like the mudflats of Durme and Schausselbroek. Especially the mudflats of Durme is worth mentioning cause it’s one of the last fresh water marshes along this tidal part of the river and therefore has a unique flora and fauna. You continue your tour through Bazel, one of the most beautiful villages of Belgium. For an escalator the wooden moving stairs in the St. Anna tunnel under the Scheldt is a unique experience before entering the city centre of Antwerp. The historical centre of Antwerp is worth a visit, here you’ll find: the Onze Lieve Vrouwenkerk and the Rubenshuis. In the Willemsdok, near the Museum for Modern Art (Museum Aan de Stroom, closed on Mondays) you will find the barge.

August 17th Tuesday: Antwerpen, sailing to the Kreekraksluizen and cycling to Willemstad

This morning you’ll sail through the big harbour of Antwerp, a big difference with the nature reserves and quite villages of yesterday. But due to the big sea going vessels and large harbour cranes it’s a fascinating journey which brings you to Holland where you start your biketour at the Kreekrak locks. By bike you will make a beautiful tour over the ‘Brabantse wal’ a sand wall dating back from the times when Mammoths roam the area. Today you won’t find any big elephants but the area seemed to be perfect for strawberry and asparagus fields. So be here at harvest time (depending on the weather: around June). From the woodlands around Bergen op Zoom you continue through a polderlandscape to the old fortified town of Willemstad, near the Volkeraksluizen (locks) at the Haringvliet, the busiest locks of Europe.

August 18th Wednesday: Willemstad, sailing to Werkendam and cycling to Gorinchem

From Willemstad you’ll sail this morning to Werkendam where you go ashore to continue your tour by bike through the land of Heusden and Altena. Along the Bergse Maas, the south border of the land of Heusden and Altena, you continue your tour along the fortified town of Heusden. From here another river, the ‘Afgedamde Maas’ leads you back to the river Waal where you started your tour this morning. Here you’ll find another beautifull fortified town, Woudrichem. A ferry brings you to the other side of the river where you’ll board the ship.

August 19th Thursday Gorinchem, cycling to Vianen and sailing to Utrecht

From Gorinchem you will follow the meandering river Linge through the Betuwe. This area is known for the large amount of orchards and therefore will be covered with blossoms in the months april and may. Along the city of Leerdam, famous for its glass, you continue your tour in northern direction towards Utrecht. On your way toward Utrecht you’ll pass the so called ‘Wiel van Bassa’ the biggest dike burst hole in the Netherlands and another relic of the everlasting battle against the water. From Vianen you sail to Utrecht. After dinner you can take a public bus to the old centre of Utrecht.

August 20th Friday: Utrecht, sailing to 'Brooklyn' and cycling to Amsterdam

During breakfast you will sail to Breukelen from where you will cycle to Amsterdam along the two most beautiful rivers of Holland, the Vecht and the Amstel. Along the route you will find the magnificent country houses and mansions from the 18th century with their splendid, well-kept gardens. After dinner you have the option to take a canal cruise through the canals of Amsterdam.

August 21st

Arrive into Amsterdam, end of this trip after breakfast (debark before 10 AM)

Whats Included

• All nights on board (Sat.-Sat. 8 days / 7 nights), cabin in the booked category;
• Full board (7 x breakfast, 6 x self-made picnic lunch for bike tours, 7 x three course dinner)
• Use of bed linen and towels (change of towels possible)
• Coffee and tea on board
• Tour guide, cycling with the group
• Min. 3 city walks with the tour guide
• Free WiFi is limited available in lounge and on deck
• Road book, 1x per cabin
• Ferry fares on the route
• Bicycle rental for 7 days
• Local guide

Whats not Included

Roundtrip Airfare

Train to Amsterdam to Bruges

Entrance fees to museums; approx. € 15,- per tour

Personal insurance/ Cancellation insurance (optional)

Airport taxes and tips

Getting to Bruges

There are several nonstop flights from the USA to Brussels.  Trains from Brussels to Bruges run almost hourly and cost around $20.00. Another option is may be to fly into Amsterdam and take the 2.5 train from Amsterdam to Bruges.  This link shows all the airlines and city parings that offer flights to Brussels and Amsterdam. Scroll down to see all the pairings. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brussels_Airport

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam_Airport_Schiphol

Train from Brussels to Bruges 

https://www.raileurope.com/train-tickets/journeys/article/brussels-bruges

Train from Amsterdam to Bruges

https://www.raileurope.com/train-tickets/journeys/article/amsterdam-brugge

Terms and Conditions

Cancellations within 6 months of departure February 14th, 2021 will be offered a full refund on the $300 deposit. After February 16th those who cancel will lose their full $300 deposit.  The balance of your trip must be paid 90 days before departure date which is May 16th 2021. Both the $300 deposit and final balance paid within 90 days of departure are NON REFUNDABLE.  Pre-payments are required months in advance to secure our boat, and tours. Everyone who attends a You Can't Steal My Happy Trip is required to sign an electronic liability release form.  

You Can’t Steal My Happy recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you
and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer travel protection
through Travelex Insurance Services. For more information on the available plans or to enroll, click on
the link below or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 43-0656    “Travel Insurance is underwritten by, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, NAIC #22276. 55Y”

https://www.travelexinsurance.com/quote/?nc=1

 --gallery--