Magnificent Cycling Cruises with premium barges Magnifique and Magnifique II
2017
Cycling and cruising
perhaps the most Dutch way of traveling Cycling Cycling, we are crazy about cycling in the Netherlands. Our tiny little country has no less than 19 million bicycles for only 17 million inhabitants. We use our bicycles to go to school and work and we even go shopping with it. And during our free time? Well, then we go for a ride on our bicycle just for fun, with a pick-nick spread and sandwich for the road. Our little ones sit in the front or at the back on a bicycle seat and they start cycling along with their own little bicycles from about three years of age, the elderly join us on their e-bikes. With more than 35,000 kilometers (22,000 miles) in bicycle paths we can continue riding our bicycles infinitely. Cycling, well this is something we do just about our entire lives here in the Netherlands. Cruising Boating is another thing the Dutch like to do. Professionally, for the purpose of commercial transportation or in order to maintain our waterways. And of course also for fun: in a sailboat, a motor yacht or even in a comfortable passenger vessel. The Netherlands consists of nearly 20% water: the North Sea, large and small lakes, canals, rivers and ditches make sure we always have the possibility to keep changing our route. A large part of our country (26%) lies below sea level. Windmills, pumping stations, dikes and locks make our countryside beautiful while also keeping our feet dry. Cycling and cruising Boat Bike Tours combines these two typical Dutch elements: for more than 35 years we have been offering vacations on bike and boat. We are permanently expanding our package by developing new tours and contracting new ships. In 2016 the premium passenger barge Magnifique II, provided with 18 luxury cabins, was commissioned and put into service and, like its sister ship Magnifique, provides attractive and fully catered cycling cruises in Belgium and the Netherlands.
View this clip on www.boatbiketours.com/video-amsterdam-bruges
Facts & Figures – the Netherlands Surface area Capital city Government Official languages Type of government Currency Highest point Lowest point Avg. temp. in July Avg. temp. in January
41,528 km2 Amsterdam The Hague Dutch, Frisian (only spoken in Friesland). Constitutional monarchy parliamentary democracy Euro 323 m (Vaalserberg, Limburg) 6.7 m (Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel, Zuid-Holland) 17.9 °C 3.3 °C
Holland or the Netherlands? Internationally, ‘Holland’ is often used to indicate the Netherlands. The official name of our country is the (Kingdom of the) Netherlands. North and South Holland are the two provinces that together make Holland. Due to the maritime and economic power of these provinces in the 17th century, the Netherlands became known worldwide as Holland. To make matters even more confusing the inhabitants of the Netherlands are called Dutch.
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What is a Bike and Barge Tour? A room with a view You usually leave the ship between 8:30 am and 9:30 am. While the boat is travelling to the next harbour, you set off on your cycle ride, over mostly quiet paths and lanes and along all the interesting sights. The daily cycling distance varies – depending on your trip – from around 25 to 60 kilometres (15 to 37 miles). Every day you will have lots of time to go sightseeing, explore the towns and villages, enjoy a break at a café or visit one of the many museums en route. At the end of the day you will be welcomed back aboard by the crew, where you will be able to chat with the other guests from different nationalities about your interesting day. Do you not feel like cycling? Then stay aboard to enjoy watching the countryside go by. Simply find a nice spot on the sun deck or in the salon. That is what is so perfect about our Bike and Barge Tours! You can spend the evening in the salon, at the bar or outside on deck. The tour guides will tell you about next day’s cycle ride and there will be several city walks for you to go on. Of course if you would rather explore on your own, that is fine too. The barges are usually docked close to or in the town centre, making sure the sights, museums and shops are all in walking or cycling distance. Your hotel room will be sailing along with you on your Bike and Barge Tour. You will not have to move from room to room or keep unpacking. You will spend every night in the same bed, but with a new view every day!
Did you know... • The Dutch are the tallest people in the world? • Holland has the highest concentration of museums in the world? • Amsterdam has over 1200 bridges? • Rotterdam is one of the largest ports in the world? • When you arrive at Schiphol Airport, you are four meters below sea level? • Holland has more than 4,400 km of navigable rivers, canals and lakes? • 3% of the Netherlands consists of National Parks? • On average, the Dutch eat 14.3 kg of cheese per person per year? • 500 million kilos of cheese are exported per year? • The Netherlands has 1048 windmills and 108 water mills? • The mills in the Netherlands represent the age-long battle against water? Orange is related to the Dutch Royal Family and represents the national identity of the Netherlands. That’s why Dutch fans dress up in orange. During some sport events the whole country turns orange and people become infected with what we like to call the ‘orange fever’. Source: Holland.com
phone: +31 299 313071
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Magnifique
Facts & figures: number of guests: length/width/draught:
32- 35 63 m / 7.2 m / 1.6 m
lower deck • 11 twin cabins (approx. 11 m2, 2 single beds next to each other) • 4 premium twins (approx. 14 m2, 2 single beds next to each other, small sitting area) • 2 single cabins (approx. 8 m2) upper deck • a tastefully furnished salon with large windows • restaurant, bar and lounge with wide screen TV • Wi-Fi (with limited data use) • two partly covered teak wooden sun decks with chairs and tables, and cycle shed (front deck) • a whirlpool/jacuzzi and barbecue on the aft deck www.boatbiketours.com/magnifique (incl. short video)
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Magnifique II upper deck suite
Facts & figures: number of guests: length/width/draught:
35 - 38 62 m / 7.2 m / 1.6 m
twin cabin
lower deck • 12 regular twin cabins (approx. 11 m2 , 2 single beds next to each other) • 1 premium twin (approx. 13 m2, 2 single beds next to each other, small sitting area) • 1 single cabin (approx. 8 m2) upper deck • 4 upper deck suites with a small sitting area and large windows (a part of the windows can be opened). (approx. 14 m2, 2 single beds next to each other) • the salon combines a restaurant area, bar and lounge • 2 screens (a camera and a navigation system) to see the real time position of the barge • large windows for a perfect view • large doors open to the partially roofed sundeck www.boatbiketours.com/magnifique2
All cabins on both vessels have: • comfortable beds with high quality mattresses (beds can be pushed together as a double) • shower, toilet, handbasin • portholes (all portholes are fixed for safety reasons) • individually regulated air conditioning (+ ventilation) • flat screen TV (satellite) if requested, an extra bed is available in some cabins (above one of the other beds)
Both vessels sail under Dutch flag and management. The Magnifique was completely modernized in 2010 and extended with 14 meters during winter 2012/13. The Magnifique II was launched in spring 2016.
phone: +31 299 313071
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On board and on the road Crew on board
The crew consists of a captain, a sailor, a chef, and a hostess, as well as the tour guide. They will welcome you aboard, maintain the ship on course, take care of the elaborate breakfast buffet and three-course dinner. The crew will also serve your drinks, keep the ship clean and tidy, take care of your bicycles on board of the ship or on the quay and tell you many interesting facts along the way. In short: the crew will do anything and everything to make your stay onboard as comfortable as possible. Plus they will do this in a pleasantly relaxed manner which is certainly characteristically Dutch.
Guests
Guidance
Individual, self-guided cycle tours You go on your cycle ride every day at your own speed with the help of detailed maps and travel information. Tour guides will also be cycling the route in case of emergencies or an accident and can be reached by mobile phone. Guided tours You will cycle in a group every day with an experienced tour guide. The tour guides speak English. The tours between Amsterdam and Bruges and Bruges and Brussels can be taken individually or with a tour guide.
We always have a very international group aboard. A large part of our guests are over 50 and from all kinds of different countries, but we also have families with children aboard who love our holidays and often come back. Children are very welcome on our Bike and Barge Tours, but please do make sure to check if a child can cycle daily distances of 30 – 60 kilometres before booking. Of course you can always opt to stay aboard for one or more days (children up to the age of 18 have to be under adult supervision).
Level
Most of the cycle routes are classified as ‘easy’, because most of the way is over flat paths, so nearly all our trips are suitable for all cyclists, from very experienced to beginners and recreational cyclists with a basic level of fitness. Of course we cannot control the direction of the wind, which can make some routes heavier going some times!
Meals and drinks
There is a nutritious and varied breakfast buffet every day, after which you make your own packed lunch (sandwiches, fruit and something to drink). In the evenings you will be served a delicious three-course meal. Vegetarian meals are possible at no surcharge. Other diets (like gluten free or for lactose intolerance) are possible at a surcharge. Various drinks (such as coffee, tea, beer, wine, water, soft drinks) are available at the bar (for a fee). www.boatbiketours.com/bikeandbarge
Bikes
The bicycles on board are traditional touring bicycles (ladies’ models) with 7 – 8 gears, hand brake and/ or pedal brake and pannier bags. Wearing a helmet is recommended, but not compulsory. There are some bike helmets available on board (free). There are also e-bikes available, but in a limited number (early booking is recommended).
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The Netherlands and Belgium Holland and Flanders (8 days) Making the trip between Amsterdam and Bruges by boat and bicycle is a fascinating, varied journey through two countries. In Holland, the western part of the Netherlands, you will be cycling along the winding Vecht and Lek rivers dotted with beautiful mansions, villas and small castles and through the typical flat and open Dutch scenery near Kinderdijk, where you can admire no less than 19 windmills in a row! The boat docks in the historic port of Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns of the Netherlands. Via the province of Zeeland, with its open water, you will cross the border into Flanders, from where you will follow the beautiful cycle paths along the tidal river the Schelde to the port and city of diamonds Antwerp, Dendermonde and Ghent. Take your time visiting these inner cities: there is so much to see. The jewel on this tour’s crown is probably world-famous Bruges, also known as the Pearl of Flanders. This cycling and sailing holiday through the western part of the Netherlands and north-western Belgium really gives you the chance to experience both countries. You can depart from Amsterdam or Bruges.
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distance in kilometres and in (miles)
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Amsterdam – Bruges
AMSTERDAM
www.boatbiketours.com/amsterdam-bruges
Nigtevecht Breukelen
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ZUID- Utrecht HOLLAND
Vianen
Schoonhoven Dordrecht
ZEELAND
56 (34)
Day 3
43 (26)
NOORD-BRABANT
Kreekraksluis
48 (30)
Bruges Moerebrugge Ghent Day 6
Day 2
Willemstad Tholen
Day 7
Kinderdijk
38 (24) Day 5
Temse
Antwerp
Sint Amands Dendermonde
Day 4
47/61 (29/38)
37/51 (23/32) phone: +31 299 313071
Tilburg
7
Bruges – Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM
Day 7
46 (29)
www.boatbiketours.com/bruges-amsterdam
Nigtevecht Breukelen ZUID- Utrecht HOLLAND
Vianen
Schoonhoven Dordrecht
ZEELAND
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Day 2
Day 6
55 (34)
Willemstad Tholen Kreekraksluis
Bruges Moerebrugge Ghent 56 (34)
Temse
NOORD-BRABANT
Day 5
43 (27)
Antwerp
Sint Amands Dendermonde
Day 4 47/61 (29/38)
Day 3 37/51 (23/32) Tilburg
Highlights Nigtevecht: traditional cheese farm Vecht river: well known for its beautiful mansions, small castles and houses with large gardens and parks Vianen: small fortified town Schoonhoven: silver city Kinderdijk: 19 large windmills (UNESCO cultural heritage) Dordrecht: one of the oldest towns in Holland; an important intersection in the shipping Willemstad: fortified town Antwerp: diamond city, native city of painter Rubens Ghent: a university city founded in Roman times, where the rivers Leie and Schelde converge. Historical centre. Bruges: the Venice of the North. Its old centre, which dates from the Middle Ages, is almost completely intact. North Sea coast: a 12 kilometer long sandy beach, numerous cafés and the attractive dune landscape of ‘Het Zwin’ (a unique nature reserve).
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distance in kilometres and in (miles)
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Kinderdijk
Belgium
Bruges – Brussels / Brussels – Bruges www.boatbiketours.com/bruges-brussels or /brussels-bruges
Day 2/7
48 (30)
ZEELAND
Bruges
Day 5/4
Moerebrugge Gent
47 (30)
Temse Sint Amands
Antwerp Lier
53 (33)
Willebroek
Dendermonde Day 3/6
Day 6/3
Mechelen Vilvoorde
56 (35)
Day 7/2
35 (22)
BRUSSELS Day 4/5
37/52 (23/32)
distance in kilometres and in (miles)
Across Flanders – between Bruges and Brussels (8 days)
Highlights Bruges: the World Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO.
This route follows the winding Schelde through the ever changing, flat, Flemish landscape along picturesque villages and imposing cities. Bruges is Europe’s city for art and museums, and the city centre with its numerous canals is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the middle ages, after Paris, Ghent used to be the secondlargest city in Europe and it has the architectural richness to prove it. In Dendermonde you can visit the ‘Begijnhof’, the beguinage, with many 17th century houses. Harbour city Antwerp also has a great cultural heritage and the centre of Mechelen boasts over 300 monumental buildings. Or visit ‘Manneken Pis’, the peeing statue, in Brussels beautiful town centre.
North Sea cost: a 12 kilometre long sandy beach,
In addition to the daily bike rides, you will also have plenty of time to go on walks through the city centres, have a drink in one of the many old pubs where they still brew beer in the old-fashioned way or visit one of many museums. A cycling tour to the North Sea sand beaches is included from Bruges. And while you are enjoying your bike trips, the boat and crew will be making their way to the next port of call to welcome you back to your floating hotel at the end of a beautiful cycling day. You can depart from Brussels or Bruges.
Mechelen: over 300 buildings listed as a historical
numerous cafés and the attractive dune landscape of ‘Het Zwin’ (a unique nature reserve) provide enough variety during your lunch break. Ghent: historical centre (during the Middle Ages the 2nd largest European city just after Paris) Dendermonde: market square Grote Markt Antwerp: world’s major diamond cities, the City Hall, the historical City Square Grote Market, the Onze-LieveVrouwe cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle. building on less then 3 square kilometres. Brussels: the historical city centre, gothic town hall, the beautiful guild houses on the Grote Markt.
Brussels to Brugge
“We had a great time on trip. The this crew, ac c o mmodati food and on, overall e xperienc was exce e llent. Lov ely rides through beautifu l sc enery an picturesq d ue towns. ”
Malcolm and Grac e
phone: +31 299 313071
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The Netherlands Amsterdam – Tulip Cruise (5 days) See all the glorious flowers the Netherlands has to offer; cycle past fields of tulips, visit the ‘Keukenhof’ and the world’s largest flower auction. From Amsterdam the route leads through the natural area Twiske to Zaandam, where you can admire windmills, old houses, shops and museums in the traditional wood architecture. Continue to Haarlem, the city that was ‘Best Shopping Town in the Netherlands’ several times and has lots of little courtyards and monumental buildings. The next day will start off with a visit to the unique flower park ‘Keukenhof’ in Lisse where you can enjoy the impact of millions of flowers in bloom. Today’s tour will end in Kudelstaart on the borders of the lake Westeinder. The last day you will cycle to the world’s largest flower auction FloraHolland in Aalsmeer, after which you sail back to Amsterdam to enjoy city walk. This short break tour will also take place during the extended Easter holiday weekend.
Highlights Haarlem: historic inner city with the Grote Markt and the St.-Bavo church, the Teylers museum and the Frans Hals-museum. Keukenhof: flower park where you can admire hundreds of thousands of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and many other flowers in full bloom. Flower auction Aalsmeer: Early in the morning millions of flowers are auctioned off here and instantly sent out to all corners of the world.
Tulip Cruise
Day 2
www.boatbiketours.com/tulipcruise
optional 22 (14)
Zaanse schans
Haarlem
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10 (6)
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Zaandam
AMSTERDAM K
Day 3
40 (24)
Day 4
Aalsmeer Kudelstaart
optional 25 (16)
Day 4
10 (61)
distance in kilometres and in (miles)
10
ZUID - HOLLAND
www.boatbiketours.com
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Dates and prices 2017 MS MAGNIFIQUE 2017
MS MAGNIFIQUE II 2017
HOLLAND & FLANDERS (dd/mm): Amsterdam-Bruges: departure on: 06/05, 03/06, 17/06, 15/07, 29/07, 26/08, 09/09, 23/09, 07/10 Bruges-Amsterdam: departure on: 13/05, 27/05, 10/06, 24/06, 22/07, 19/08, 02/09, 16/09, 30/09, 14/10 ACROSS FLANDERS (dd/mm): Brussels-Bruges: departure on: 12/08 AMSTERDAM TULIP CRUISE (dd/mm): departure on: 25/03-29/03, 29/03-02/04, 02/04-06/04, 06/04-10/04, 10/04-14/04
HOLLAND & FLANDERS (dd/mm): Amsterdam-Bruges: departure on: 27/05, 24/06, 08/07, 22/07, 05/08, 19/08, 30/09 Bruges-Amsterdam: departure on: 06/05, 20/05, 03/06, 17/06, 01/07, 15/07, 12/08, 07/10 ACROSS FLANDERS (dd/mm): Bruges-Brussels: departure on: 26/08 Brussels-Bruges: departure on: 02/09 AMSTERDAM TULIP CRUISE (dd/mm): departure on: 26/03-30/03, 30/03-03/04, 03/04-07/04, 07/04-11/04
www.boatbiketours.com/magnifique2
www.boatbiketours.com/magnifique HOLLAND & FLANDERS and ACROSS FLANDERS (pricing per person) Cabin
for
Twin cabin Premium twin Upperdeck suite Single cabin Triple cabin Premium triple Premium upperdeck suite triple
2 pers. 2 pers. 2 pers. 1 pers. 3 pers. 3 pers. 3 pers.
TULIPCRUISE (pricing per person)
Magnifique
Magnifique II
€ 999,00 € 1.199,00 € 1.349,00 € 949,00 € 1.099,00 -
€ 999,00 € 1.199,00 € 1.399,00 € 1.349,00 € 949,00 € 1.299,00
(season 1 / season 2)
Cabin
for
Twin cabin Premium twin Upperdeck suite Single cabin Triple cabin Premium triple Premium triple upperdeck suite
2 pers. 2 pers. 2 pers. 1 pers. 3 pers. 3 pers. 3 pers.
Magnifique
Magnifique II
€ 499,00/599,00 € 659,00/719,00 € 809,00/869,00 € 489,00/529,00 € 549,00/599,00 -
€ 499,00/599,00 € 659,00/719,00 € 709,00/769,00 € 809,00/869,00 € 489,00/529,00 € 549,00/599,00
Season 1: 25/03, 26/03, 29/03, 30/03, 02/04, 03/04 Season 2: 06/04, 07/04, 10/04
Included
Not included
•
• •
•
• • • • •
Tour and accommodation on board in the booked category Full board; breakfast, picnic lunch during bike tours, three course dinner Use of bed linen and towels (change of towels daily possible); daily quick cleaning of the cabin Welcome drink, presentation of barge + crew and briefing on the first evening Tour leader (multilingual) with daily briefings of the bike tours, some short city tours (free) Printed instructions and detailed maps for individual daily bike tours, 1 set/cabin Daily coffee and tea till 4 pm
•
•
•
•
Transfers to/from the docking places in Amsterdam, Bruges or Brussels Reservation fee €15,00 (obligatory surcharge) Rental bicycle with 7 gear, hand- and/or pedal brakes, pannier bag: €70,00 per week, €50,00 Tulip Cruise (optional) Rental e-bike: €165,00 per week, €95,00 Tulip Cruise (only on request, limited number available, early bookings strongly recommended) Parking fee, entrance fees & excursions, fees for ferries, drinks on board, personal insurances, gratuities (at your discretion). For 8-day tours: dinner in Bruges, Antwerp resp. (restaurant recommendations available on board)
phone: +31 299 313071
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Guest feedback: many positive and enthusiastic traveler reviews on our website
10 out of ws 6 . 8 d vie Rate 152 r1e6) n o d 20 base tober, (Oc
Tours: more than 70 bike and barge trips in 15 European countries
Value for money: great quality and a unique experience at a fair price
Cycling tours: fully guided with tour leader or individual cycling
Since the late 1970s, Boat Bike Tours is the specialist for cycling and cruising holidays. We set up and organize our own tours and programmes, carefully select ships and use the services
of qualified and multilingual tour guides. Great service, high quality standards and the enthusiasm of our crews make each tour an unforgettable experience!
Read more about the unique concept of cycling cruises on our website, where you can enjoy some video clips and read our guest reviews. All tours can be booked online. Visit our website for additional information and images on tours, insurances, bicycles and to read our Terms and Conditions. www.boatbiketours.com
Our website provides comprehensive information on all ships, with a listing of the facilities on board, a cabin plan of the boat and more pictures. Most barges and ships are also available in full charter to private and other groups. www.boatbiketours.com/fleet
The Netherlands
Europe
Book directly with the specialists of Boat Bike Tours BOAT BIKE TOURS BV ’t Prooyen 3-B 1141 VD Monnickendam The Netherlands 0031 (0)299 313 071 info@boatbiketours.com www.boatbiketours.com facebook.com/boatbiketours Call or chat with us: Monday until Friday from 8am until 5pm CET.
Colophon All information with reserve of later changes and typographical or graphical errors. Program + details barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons. Your travel confirmation is binding. Our general conditions (www.boatbiketours.com/conditions) apply to all tours, programs and travel confirmations. Texts and images: Boat Bike Tours b.v. Images: Visit Gent, JanDHondt. Graphic design: digiTAAL duurzaam communiceren (www.dt.nl). October 2016