Individual arrival at Brussels
Individual arrival at Brussels. Your ship awaits you in the Brussels habor. Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board is from 3 to 5 p.m. Take some time to wander around the old town that is worth seeing, having a look at the Gothic town hall, the beautiful guild houses, the big market and the “Männeken Pis”.
Brussels – Vilvoorde – Mechelen – Willebroek (cycle tour approx. 40 km/24 mi)
While you are having your breakfast, MS Mecklenburg is shipping to Vilvoorde. From Vilvoorde you start your first cycle tour that leads you to Mechelen – here you will find the remarkable density of more than 300 listed buildings (classified as historical monuments), among them eight churches, all built within an area of only three square kilometres. While your ship is going through the Willebroek-canal, you are cycling through green, soft and hilly landscapes, passing sleepy villages and magnificent country estates until you finally reach Willebroek.
Willebroek – Antwerp (cycle tour approx. 50 km/30 mi)
From Willebroek you are cycling over Lier to Antwerp, the world’s centre of diamond-processing and your today’s destination. Antwerp offers a number of interesting sights such as the richly decorated town hall in renaissance style, the historic Grote Markt, the huge Liebfrauen Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle.
Antwerp – Sint Amands – Dendermonde (cycle tour approx. 42 km/25 mi)
Today, your tour leads you up the river Schelde to Hemiksen, and after having cycled a bit upward you are comfortably going to Rupelmonde. At this point, where the river Rupel flows into the river Schelde, you follow the river until you will reach the historic area of brick burning, where bricks have been produced since the Middle Ages until today. You will then cross the Brussels-Rupel-canal and arrive at Sint Amands. Cycling along the River Schelde you will finally reach Dendermonde. There, a must is a coffee break at the wonderful Flemish market-place “Grote Markt”.
Dendermonde – Ghent (Merelbeke) (cycle tour approx. 48 km/29 mi)
You are cycling from Dendermonde to Ghent, where MS Mecklenburg will be moored in the suburb of Merelbeke which is approx. a 30 minute cycle from the city centre. Discover partly cycling and walking the wonderful old town of Ghent. In the Middle Ages Ghent was the second largest city after Paris and has preserved its architectural wealth in the historic city centre until today.
Ghent (Merelbeke) over Lovendegem to Bruges (cycle tour approx. 40 km/24 mi)
In the morning you are leaving for Lovendegem. The whole cycle route follows the Gent-Oostende-canal through the wide Flemish plain until you arrive at Bruges “The Venice of the North” is widely known in Europe for its art and museums. Bruges’ old town with its number of Grachten (small channels) belongs to the UNESCO world’s cultural heritage. Enjoy the bustle activity around the Grote Markt (the big market place) while having a nice tea or coffee.
Trip around Bruges to the North Sea (cycle tour approx. 55 km/33 mi
Your last cycle tour will take you at the beginning over Damme, Till Eulenspiegel’s place of birth to the seaside. Sandy beaches and a lot of cafés (you have the opportunity to swim in the sea there) will give you the opportunity for a nice rest. After approx. 2 hours you are cycling back to Bruges.
Departure from Bruges
Disembarkation after breakfast till 09:30 a.m.
Tour character
The quality of the cycle ways along this route is excellent. Most of the way is paved or asphalted and does not have any gradients of note. This makes the trip suitable for cyclists with an average physical condition.
- 7 nights tour and accommodation on board of MS Mecklenburg in the booked category
- Program according to the routing
- Welcome drink
- Full board (7x breakfast, 6x picnic lunch during bike tours, 6x coffee and tea in the afternoon,
7x 3 course dinner) - All charges for harbours, bridges and locks
- Daily cabin cleaning
- Use of linen and towels
- Daily briefing on the respective bike tours
- Tour guide for guided bike tours
- Printed instructions and detailed maps for daily bike tours (deposited on board, 1 per cabin)
- GPS tracks
Journey to Brussels and from Bruges, parking fee, shuttles, bike rental, entrance fees and excursions, town maps, ferry tickets, drinks on board, tips, insurances.
Passenger car parking options in Brussels (subject to change):
Guarded parking areas at the station Gare Du Nord, approx. 15–20 € per day), approx.. 6 km/4 mi from ship berth. No reservation possible. Transfer by taxi to ship berth approx. 20-50 €.
Return transfer by train from Bruges to Brussels approx. 18 € per person.
Important remarks:
Your journey to Brussels and from Bruges will be individual. • Embarkation: from 03:00 p.m. to 05:00 p.m. • Disembarkation: After breakfast by 09:30 a.m. • Bicycles on board Unisex trekking bicycles with normal mount (ladies model), 7 gears, hand brake and pedal brake or hand brakes only (subject to availability) and pannier bag. E-Bikes are on these tours only available after prior request (by booking) and confirmation and at limited number. •To bring your own bike: On request only – due to lack of space on sundeck. Please indicate your body height by booking. • Languages on board: German, English • Cycle tours: Daily guided bike tours by one guide. It is also possible to ride the bike tours individually. Tour description and maps are available on board. The kilometers/miles indicated for the cycle tours are approximate. The quality of the cycle ways along this route is excellent. Most of the way is paved or asphalted and does not have any gradients of note. This makes the trip suitable for cyclists with an average physical condition. • Luggage on board: We recommend waterproof rain gear, bike helmet, sun hat and sports shoes. We would like to ask you to do without hard-side luggage as storage space in the cabin is very limited! • Alterations of schedule or program: Subject to change. In case that as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons a route cannot be taken, the skipper reserves the right to change the route for your safety (this would not be a rea-son for fee-free cancellation) • Travel documents: EU-citizens (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad or a limited-validity passport) are required to have a valid passport or ID-card, not expiring within six (6) months of the return of your cruise. We kindly ask non-EU citizens, EU-nationals with multiple citizenship or anybody who has to respect special legal entry requirements for the country to visit, to inform about visa and entry documents at the competent embassy. • This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
Minimum number of participants: 18 guests (must have been reached within 21 days prior to departure). You may cancel the booking at any time. For cancellation fees, please refer to the booking conditions of SE-Tours. The tour operator’s terms and conditions apply: SE-Tours GmbH, Am Grollhamm 12a, 27574 Bremerhaven. We recommend that you take out a travel health insurance with repatriation coverage as well as baggage, accident and travel cancellation insurances.
MS MECKLENBURG
The MS MECKLENBURG is a small river cruiser with family atmosphere and your swimming hotel during the tour. On the partially roofed sun deck are sitting places (tables + chairs) and storage room for the bikes.
