A Cycling Journey: Bike and Barge in Holland and Belgium

16 days
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews  
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Small Group Tour
From your floating home on a river barge, set out on a bicycle journey through lovely, historic towns to discover the local history, culture and art of Holland and Belgium.
From$5,699
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • I enjoy getting my heart going on my bike or on trails
    • Nothing beats the thrill of taking on a rewarding climb or ride on varied terrain with inclines
    • Let’s keep moving — occasional stops only, please

What's this trip about?

    From your floating home on a river barge, set out on a bicycle journey through lovely, historic towns to discover the local history, culture and art of Holland and Belgium.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 24 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityVianen
End CityAmsterdam

Travel Themes

  • Birding
  • Culinary & Wine
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Family Friendly
  • Hiking & Walking
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Golf

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Belgium
  • Netherlands

Attractions

  • Amsterdam
  • Antwerp

Activities

  • Bird watching
  • Cycling
  • Hiking
  • Golfing

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 In Transit In Flight

Day 2 Arrive, Transfer to Utrecht, Bicycle Fitting, Welcome Dinner Vianen

There will be no biking today which provides an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate after your international flight. Motorcoach time approximately 1 hour (30 miles). Barging time is approximately 4.5 hours.

Join the Group Leader and your fellow Road Scholars at ...

Day 3 Barge to Schoonhoven, Kinderdijk, Willemstad, Dutch History Willemstad

Biking distance is 18 miles on flat to rolling terrain, primarily on dedicated paved bicycle paths. Barging time is approximately 2 hours.

After a hearty breakfast, join your Group Leader in the salon for a presentation on safety, rules of the road, and the IBT ...

Day 4 Medieval Bergen op Zoom Lecture, Zeeland, Barge to Antwerp Antwerp

Biking distance is 27 miles on flat to rolling terrain, primarily on dedicated paved bicycle paths. Barging time is approximately 2 hours.

Bicycle from Willemstad to the medieval town of Bergen op Zoom. There is even a Dutch song named for the town.

Enjoy ...

Day 5 History of Antwerp Lecture, Free Time, Belgian History Antwerp

There will be no biking today to allow us to explore Antwerp.

Explore Antwerp, the diamond capital of Belgium. Attend a lecture by a local expert on the city's history followed by a field trip to explore the elegant guild houses of the 16th century and the cathe...

Day 6 Barge the Albert Canal, Heather Fields, Hasselt Hasselt

Biking distance is 24 miles on flat to rolling terrain, primarily on dedicated paved bicycle paths. Barging time is approximately 4.5 hours.

Depart Antwerp by barge via the Albert Canal, a busy commercial hub. Learn about the governing and operation of the canal...

Day 7 Hasselt Field Trip & Lecture, Dutch Gin, Maastricht Maastricht

Biking distance is 26 miles on flat to rolling terrain, primarily on dedicated paved bicycle paths.

Explore Hasselt with a local historian to learn about the 12th-century cathedral with its 18th-century tower, as well as the patrician houses on the big square, w...

Day 8 Maastricht Field Trip & Lecture, Free Time Maastricht

There will be no biking today to allow us to explore Maastricht.

Discover the beautifully preserved city of Maastricht with a local expert. Learn about its Roman roots through a lecture and field trip. Explore the Gothic St. Servaas Church and Hellgate, the only...

Day 9 Barge to Born, Thorn, Limburg Province, Roermond Roermond

Barging time is approximately 3 hours. Biking distance is 24 miles on flat to rolling terrain, primarily on dedicated paved bicycle paths.

Barge to Born via the Juliana Canal, where we'll disembark at the locks. From here, bicycle to Thorn for a field trip with ...

Day 10 Venlo, Sint-Martinuskerk, Limburg's Forest, Arcen Arcen

Biking distance is 30 miles on flat to rolling terrain, primarily on dedicated paved bicycle paths.

Bicycle to Venlo with your Group Leader for a field trip to this ancient city dating back to the Romans. As we explore, notice the many different Dutch dialects, ...

Day 11 Arcen Castle Gardens, Paddestoelen, Cuyk Cuyk

Biking distance is 31 miles on flat to rolling terrain, primarily on dedicated paved bicycle paths.

The day starts in Arcen with a field trip led by your Group Leader to the gardens at the local castle. Today’s trip takes us close to the German border. Don’t loo...

Day 12 Brabant, Locks of Lith, Binnendieze Boat Tour, Den Bosch Den Bosch

Biking distance is 18 miles on flat to rolling terrain, primarily on dedicated paved bicycle paths. Barging time is approximately 3 hours.

We will barge this morning to Lith then start riding our bikes. We are in the province of Brabant, where we will explore sm...

Day 13 Heusden, Loevestein Castle, Gorinchem, Vianen Vianen

Biking distance is 25 miles on flat to rolling terrain, primarily on dedicated paved bicycle paths. Barging time is approximately 3 hours.

We start our ride to the village of Heusden on the river Maas. During a field trip, explore the walled-town of Heusden with...

Day 14 Vecht River, Barge to Amsterdam Amsterdam

Barging time is approximately 2 hours. Biking distance is 11 miles on flat to rolling terrain, primarily on dedicated paved bicycle paths.

Enjoy one last ride on your two-wheeler from Breukelen, located on the River Vecht, to Nigtevegt before we motor toward Ams...

Day 15 Amsterdam's Canals, Free Time, Farewell Dinner Amsterdam

There will be no biking today to allow us to explore Amsterdam.

Your Group Leader leads you on a journey along Amsterdam's canals to the city center. The Amstel River is crossed by several canals lined with beautiful 16th- and 17th-century homes with a variety o...

Day 16 Program Concludes, Departures In Flight

Barge check-out time is 9:00 a.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers. Transfer from the barge to the airport is approximately 30 minutes (15 miles / 22 kilometers).

Morning transfer to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for departures. If you are retu...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,699
Price per day$356
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Road Scholar Reviews & Ratings

4.4/5  Great
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Other Road Scholar Reviews

M

Michael

Dec 2023

Written on

Not a good bicycle trip

Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, th...

M

Marsha

Nov 2023

Written on

Travel Section Incompetent, Unhelpful, and Won't correct error

I booked a tour to Italy for May 2024. I cancelled in Oct. for a lot of reasons. Before I enrolled, I asked if Road Scholar would book the flights so that on the las...

J

Jane Johnson

Sep 2023

Written on

There is a nonrefundable deposit

Please know that Road Scholar will always keep a nonrefundable $100 deposit. I cannot find that buried in all the paper and fine print but they state it is there???...

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Tour Operator

Road Scholar

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Road Scholar, the not-for-profit leader in educational travel since 1975, offers 5,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries. Alongside local and renowned experts, experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural tours and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Programs For Whatever You Love to Do:

Much more than a tour, a Road Scholar program is a true learning adventure. Whether you join us in Seattle or Santiago, Beijing or Berlin, Road Scholar programs all share four unique attributes:

--Exceptional opportunities for learning and exploration through special behind-the-scenes access to the world's most fascinating treasures, led by our passionate and knowledgeable instructors.

--The shared fellowship of learning and warm camaraderie, whether a solo traveler or with a companion.

--Comfortable accommodations and appetizing meals.

--Excellent value.

Explore Your Mind and the World:

There are no grades or tests on Road Scholar programs. All that's needed is an inquiring mind, an adventurous spirit, and the belief that learning and discovery are lifelong pursuits.

Established in 1975, Road Scholar offers participants once-in-a-lifetime experiences delivered by local and world-renowned experts. Experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural excursions and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Our Most Popular Tours:

Adventures Afloat Cruises: On these educational cruises, you’ll traverse some of the world's most spectacular waterways, offering you a convenient and rewarding way to learn and explore aboard ocean liners, riverboats and small ships.

Independent City Discoveries: Combine structured learning with independent discovery — each program includes hotel accommodations and some meals, lectures, expert-led field trips and detailed outlines for four self-guided excursions.

Grandparent Travel: Discover and explore together with your grandchild through interactive learning experiences and field trips. Both you and your grandchild will share the joy of learning with other grandparents and their grandchildren, bridging generations and opening doors to discovery and friendship.

National Parks: From Denali to the Everglades and countless beautiful, historic places in between, field trips to America’s National Parks reveal what tourists can’t see on their own, with specialized experts showing you how to track wildlife or lead you to the spot with the most awe-inspiring view.

Outdoor Adventures: From hiking in the Grand Canyon to exploring France by barge and bicycle, to sharpening your golf or tennis skills, these active programs exercise the body and the mind.

Service Learning: From tutoring school children or helping restore a crucial forest habitat for wildlife, to assisting with artifact restoration and museum curatorial work, Service Learning adventures are an opportunity to make a difference in the world.

Small Groups: Love to learn in a small-group setting? Check out this collection of programs that have 10-24 participants.

Why Road Scholar?

You Can't Beat Road Scholar's Remarkable Value: Our all-inclusive prices have no hidden costs. Compare the price of one of our programs to what it would cost to duplicate the experience on your own (if that's even possible) and you'll see what we mean by "remarkable value."

Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Friends: When you participate in a Road Scholar program, you will not only expand your mind, you will be in the company of other people who believe that learning is one of the best parts of life.

Instructors Who Inspire: Road Scholar instructors are both experts in their field and lifelong learners themselves who are excited to answer your questions, hear your opinions and share in your experience.

Solo Participants Love Our Programs: Road Scholar programs are renowned for being inclusive, warm and welcoming for solo participants. We can either match you with a roommate or, on most programs, you can choose to room on your own.

Think Outside the Tour: The educational focus of Road Scholar programs makes us completely different from a commercial travel tour. Road Scholar programs offer educational experiences that answer the what's, the why's and the how-to's.

You Go Where Others Can't: We've been offering educational experiences since 1975 and we've made connections with educators and other local "insiders" all around the world, creating learning opportunities that show you the world in a way that just can't be done on your own or on a "tour."

We've Covered All the Bases: From expert-led lectures and field trips to comfortable lodgings and meals, we handle all the details, including the ones you might not anticipate. We've taken the worry out of the planning, so you can focus on your learning experience.

Peace of Mind Through the Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan: The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, which is purchased on behalf of every participant, provides 24-hour emergency assistance in the unlikely case of a medical emergency.

Scholarships for Those in Financial Need: Each year, Road Scholar awards $250,000 in scholarships toward programs in North America for those who do not have the financial means to participate.

Our Donors: Each year, thousands of donors contribute to our Annual Fund, helping to cover the gap between the tuition we charge and the actual cost of our programs.

What they’re known for
Popular global tours with a unique focus on educational experiences for mostly senior travelers.

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Logistics

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • Number of Breakfast: 14
  • Number of Lunch: 1
  • Number of Dinner: 14
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
roadscholar-19651

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