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Cycling holidays Flanders

Cycling: Flanders

Along the Historic Art City Route

Flanders, a paradise for art and culture. This region in the north of Belgium has centuries of tradition and history. The historic Art City Route takes you to places with breathtaking sights: Brussels, Leuven, Mechelen, Antwerp, Ghent, Kortrijk and Bruges are strung together like pearls. In between, you will find picturesque green landscapes with grazing cows, vast forests and fertile marshland.

Historic castles and gardens line the way. Many of the old buildings and monuments you come across have long been part of UNESCO World Heritage, and they create an incomparable atmosphere. In the picturesque landscape around the Leie, you can follow in the footsteps of Flemish painters. At the North Sea, a dip in the cool water will refresh you. Small rivers often lead the way and promise relaxed cycling on flat and quiet routes. There's no shortage of culinary delights either: Flemish specialities include chocolate, waffles and Belgian fries, not to mention Belgium's long tradition of brewing beer. Flanders, a region that offers everything!

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Itinerary

There is always something going on in Brussels. The vibrant Belgian metropolis is rich in art and culture, and the architecture is inspiring. The Grote Markt, the Atomium and the Manneken Pis statue are the must-see sites which symbolise the capital. Belgian fry stalls are a classic element of the cityscape - you will find a bag of the crispy fries on practically every corner.

After breakfast, you’ll have time for a tour of the European capital. You can learn all kinds of interesting facts about Central Africa in the Royal Museum in Tervuren, or take a walk through the park beside it and fortify yourself for the next few kilometres with a picnic.

The historic Art City Route will quickly lead you to Leuven. This university town is a hive of activity, with students setting the pace in the pedestrian zones. Following the course of the Dijle, you will reach Mechelen, your destination for today. The chimes of the famous tower bells can be heard ringing through the narrow streets up to eight times an hour.

approx. 65 km

Mechelen is a picturesque Flemish jewel with hundreds of heritage-protected buildings, churches and monuments dating back to the 16th century. On quiet and flat paths, you will follow the course of the rivers Beneden-Dijl and Nete.

The historic town of Lier is not only famous for its delicious food: The town’s beguinage and striking belfry were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites some time ago. Today’s destination, Antwerp, is known as an important trading centre for diamonds. Art is not neglected in the port metropolis either, and shopping fans will enjoy the numerous high-class boutiques.

approx. 45 km

Antwerp is situated on the Scheldt, the river which you will follow all day today. Lush green meadows and grazing cows will accompany you on your route. Idyllic scenery alternates with picturesque Flemish villages and there are many places to relax over a cup of coffee.

A huge wooden horse is the symbol of the town Dendermonde, today's stage destination. Every ten years, the Ross Bayard parade provides a unique folk festival. In the evening, the numerous restaurants on the historic market square will spoil your palate.

approx. 55 km

Today you will once again follow the course of the river Scheldt. The flat cycle paths along the riverbank guarantee a carefree cycling experience, and you will pass many small Flemish villages that are perfect for a rest. At the end of today’s stage is Ghent, with a multitude of cultural treasures.

In the historic centre, the sights are strung together like pearls. This trendy city will also allow you to indulge in the culinary landscape of Flanders in the evening.

approx. 45 km
40 m
40 m

During today's stage you will immerse yourself in the beautiful landscape around the river Leie. The picturesque region’s green landscape with its extensive forests is a true natural paradise and has inspired countless artists.

Neoclassical castles and small artists' villages line the way, and you can also admire the works of the painters in the local museums. Your stage destination Kortrijk has the charm of a big city with the cosiness of a village. In the centre, you will find a mix of modern architecture, centuries-old cultural heritage and passionate creativity.

approx. 60 km

You should not delay too much today, because Bruges awaits you at the end of the stage: arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world. The city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a treat for the eyes.

The medieval city centre has remained practically unchanged since the 15th century. The canals guaranteed success and prosperity in the Middle Ages and made Bruges the Venice of the North. A perfect place to end your cycling tour through the historic art cities of the beautiful Flanders region!

approx. 60 km

After breakfast, you will start your journey home. You can choose an optional return transfer with our cycle bus to Brussels or an extended stay in Bruges with the possibility of a round trip to the North Sea.

Tour character

Flanders is ideal for cycling. The region has an excellent network of cycle paths. The easy stages mostly lead you through flat terrain on dedicated cycle paths or side roads with little traffic. Only when entering and leaving the towns is increased traffic to be expected. For most of the way, you will follow the historic Art City Route along rivers and canals. The roads are mostly asphalted and the route is well signposted. The local rail network is well developed, so the routes can be shortened by train if necessary. This trip is also suitable for families with children.

Prices & Dates

All data for 2024 at a glance
Place of arrival: Brussels
  Season 1
12.04.2024 - 18.04.2024

Arrival friday, saturday and sunday
Season 2
19.04.2024 - 02.05.2024
20.09.2024 - 22.09.2024

Arrival friday, saturday and sunday
Season 3
03.05.2024 - 23.05.2024
06.09.2024 - 19.09.2024

Arrival friday, saturday and sunday
Season 4
24.05.2024 - 05.09.2024

Arrival friday, saturday and sunday
Flandern, 8 days, BE-FLRAB-08X
Base price
1'039.-
1'175.-
1'319.-
1'399.-
Surcharge single room 589.- 589.- 589.- 589.-

Category: Carefully selected hotels 3* and 4*

Season 1
Apr 12, 2024 - Apr 18, 2024
Arrival friday, saturday and sunday
Season 2
Apr 19, 2024 - May 2, 2024
Sep 20, 2024 - Sep 22, 2024
Arrival friday, saturday and sunday
Season 3
May 3, 2024 - May 23, 2024
Sep 6, 2024 - Sep 19, 2024
Arrival friday, saturday and sunday
Season 4
May 24, 2024 - Sep 5, 2024
Arrival friday, saturday and sunday
Flandern, 8 days, BE-FLRAB-08X
Base price
Surcharge single room
1'039.-
589.-
1'175.-
589.-
1'319.-
589.-
1'399.-
589.-

Category: Carefully selected hotels 3* and 4*

Season 1
Apr 12, 2024 - Apr 18, 2024
Season 2
Apr 19, 2024 - May 2, 2024
Sep 20, 2024 - Sep 22, 2024
Season 3
May 3, 2024 - May 23, 2024
Sep 6, 2024 - Sep 19, 2024
Season 4
May 24, 2024 - Sep 5, 2024
Brussels
Extra night/BB
Surcharge single room
Bruges
Extra night/BB
Surcharge single room
99.-
89.-
135.-
85.-
99.-
89.-
135.-
85.-
99.-
89.-
135.-
85.-
99.-
89.-
135.-
85.-
Additional nights
Place of arrival: Brussels
  Season 1
Apr 12, 2024 - Apr 18, 2024

Arrival friday, saturday and sunday
Season 2
Apr 19, 2024 - May 2, 2024
Sep 20, 2024 - Sep 22, 2024

Arrival friday, saturday and sunday
Season 3
May 3, 2024 - May 23, 2024
Sep 6, 2024 - Sep 19, 2024

Arrival friday, saturday and sunday
Season 4
May 24, 2024 - Sep 5, 2024

Arrival friday, saturday and sunday
Brussels
Extra night/BB 99.- 99.- 99.- 99.-
Surcharge single room 89.- 89.- 89.- 89.-
Bruges
Extra night/BB 135.- 135.- 135.- 135.-
Surcharge single room 85.- 85.- 85.- 85.-
Filter
Bicycle 21-gear unisex
Bicycle 21-gear gents
Electric bicycle
Bicycle-PLUS
125.-
125.-
319.-
209.-
Prices per person in CHF

Services & Informations

Services

Included:

  • Accommodation in your selected category incl. Breakfast
  • Daily Luggage transfer
  • Carefully elaborated route
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Note:

  • Reservation fee of CHF 20.- per adult (incl. legally required customer money protection)
  • Bicycle rental, including rental bicycle insurance
Informations

Arrival/Parking/Departure:

  • Train station Brussels
  • Nearest airport: Brussels.
  • Excellent train conections are available
  • A hotel garage parking space costs approx. CHF 25,-  per day. Reservation required in advance, payable on site.
  • There are public Park & Ride garages on the outskirts of the city for approx. CHF 15,-  per day. No reservation possible or necessary. You will receive detailed information on parking facilities with your travel documents.
  • Return transfer with our bike bus from Bruges to Brussels: Bookable every Saturday with departure approx. 10am in Bruges. Pick-up directly at the hotel, duration approx. 1.5 hours. Price: CHF 79,-  per person and CHF 39,-  if you bring your own bike (only possible in the course of the passenger transfer). Reservation required; the transfer will be added to the bill.

Other important information: 

  • The distance travelled is approximate and may differ from the actual distance.  
  • Travel cancellation insurance, including travel interruption insurance is recommended. 

Ratings

4.4 of 5 Stars (5 Ratings)
4 stars
Gaby Marques CH | 15.08.2023
Flandern 2023
Flache Strecke, immer auf Velowegen, es muss aber stets mit kräftigem Gegenwind gerechnet werden. Sehr schöne mittelalterliche Städte. Manchmal etwas umständliche Wege in den Velokeller
5 stars
Lukas Christen CH | 31.08.2022
Veloreise in Verbindung mit Städtereise
Wunderbare Tour, um Flandern von der schönsten Seite kennenzulernen. Die Route ist abwechslungsreich und gut gelegt. Den Tag über ist man draussen an den vielfältigen Wasserläufen unterwegs, am Abend geniesst man das Stadtleben, die Kultur und das gute Essen. Ideal! Wir wurden von der Firma Weinradel in Belgien bestens betreut. Die Hotels waren alle sehr gut gelegen und soweit ganz ok. Allerdings täuscht die Kategorie 4 Sterne bei allen Hotels mehr vor, als dann tatsächlich dahinter ist. Das Personal war aber meist freundlich und hilfsbereit. Negativer Punkt: Wir haben unsere Routenführung auf einer App erhalten. Dies scheint nun neu zu sein. Das dafür verwendete Navi verbraucht sehr viel Akku, so dass wir es nicht immer laufen lassen konnten. Zusätzlich erhielten wir die Routenführung in einem Buch. Das Knotenpunkt-System in Belgien ist eigentlich super. Nur: Die im Buch angegebenen Knotenpunkte stimmten oft nicht mit denjenigen der App überein. Die Karten im Buch waren sehr unklar. So gab es beispielsweise nie eine Übersicht über die ganze Etappe und auch keinen Massstab. Ausserdem wurden im Buch teilweise ganz falsche Knotenpunkte angegeben oder es wurden welche ausgelassen, so dass wir "nach Gefühl" fahren mussten. Schliesslich besorgten wir uns noch eine Karte mit den Knotenpunkten. Wir hatten also 4 unterschiedliche Datenquellen und keine stimmte mit der anderen wirklich überein. Das war ärgerlich. Ans Ziel kamen wir aber immer :-).
4 stars
Herbert und Christine Rentsch CH | 25.07.2016
Dem Kanal entlang
Gut dokumentierte Fahrt quer durch Flandern, alle Wege abseites von Autostrassen auf bestens markierten Velowegen. Oft einem Kanal entlang. Gut geeignet für Freizeitvelofahrer, man kann auch etwas abkürzen oder auslassen, da zweimal im gleichen Hotel.Die Hotels sind höhere Kategorie, für uns hätte es auch mal etwas einfacheres sein können. Beste Lagen, Nähe Sehenswürdigkeiten, tolle Innenstädte.
5 stars
Walter Stamm CH | 04.08.2014
angenehm und interessant
Für uns unbekanntes Land entdeckt. Gute Fahrradwege. Schöne Städte gesehen. Familiäre und unterhaltsame Sphäre auf dem Schiff mit guter Verpflegung.
4 stars
Hanspeter Züst CH | 24.06.2014
Flandern kennenlernen
sehr gute Hotels, insbesondere bezüglich ihrer Lage im Stadtzentrum; informative Unterlagen mit kleinen Mängeln; ausgezeichnete Leihräder

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Contact & booking

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