Magnifique overview
- Capacity 30 guests
- Booking type Private charter and per cabin
Barge theme
The premium barge Magnifique is 63 meters long, accommodates 30 guests, sails under the Dutch flag and management and was completely modernized in 2010 and extended by 14 meters during the winter of 2012/13.
Cabin
- Total cabins: 15 cabins
- 11 twin cabins (approximately 11 square meters with 2 single, side by side beds). Two cabins can be converted to triple with bunk bed.
- 4 premium twin cabins (approximately 14 square meters with 2 single, side by side beds). Two cabins can be converted to triple with bunk bed.
- Beds can be pushed together to form a double bed.
- All cabins have portholes however, they can not be opened for safety reasons.
- Mini safe
- Hairdryers
- WiFi (due to steel construction it might not be what you’re accustomed to)
- Flat screen TV with SAT-reception
- Individually regulated air conditioning.
- Helmets are available on board free of charge. Please request
Public area
- Tastefully furnished salon
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Lounge area with wide screen TV
- Large windows,
Deck
- Two partly covered teak wooden sun decks with chairs and tables
- Cycle shed (front deck)
- Whirlpool/Jacuzzi
- Barbecue on the aft deck
Tour Details Holland & Belgium: From Amsterdam to Bruges | Magnifique, II and III.
In 2018 the Magnifique II tours start and end on WEDNESDAY and the tours with the Magnifique and Magnifique III start and end on SATURDAY.
Day 1: Embarkation: Amsterdam | Amsterdam – Vianen
Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board is at 1 PM. At around 2 PM on one of the Magnifique’s will depart from Amsterdam for Vianen, a small fortified village on the Lek River. After the distribution of bicycles, you can enjoy a short first test bike ride through the surrounding area (approx. 5-15 km/3-9 mi.).
Day 2: Vianen – Schoonhoven – Kinderdijk (Approx. 56 km/34 mi.) | Kinderdijk – Dordrecht
Today you will cycle along a beautiful route to Schoonhoven – nicknamed Zilverstad (“Silver City”) – a city renowned for its talented silver smiths since the 17th century. Later in the day as you cycle through the Alblasserwaard region you will reach Kinderdijk, a village famous for its impressive row of 19 large windmills. All 19 windmills have a UNESCO cultural heritage listing and are a definite highlight – you will have the opportunity to visit one so don’t forget to bring your camera! From nearby Alblasserdam you will take the “Waterbus”, a fast ferry, that will take and your bike you in approx. 10 minutes to Dordrecht, one of the oldest towns in Holland.
Day 3: Dordrecht – Willemstad | Willemstad – Tholen (Approx. 43 km/26 mi.) | Tholen – Kreekrak lock – Antwerp
As you enjoy your breakfast at one of the Magnifique’s will sail to Willemstad where you will start your day’s cycling. Attractions today include the beautiful “Wouwse Plantage” forest, the fortress town of Bergen op Zoom and the impressive Kreekrak lock. In the afternoon you will once again board one of the Magnifique’s which will sail to the port city of Antwerp which is situated on the river Schelde. Antwerp is famous for handling up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds and is a city with a long list of attractions including: the City Hall, one of several majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical City Square Grote Market, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle. After dinner visit the beautiful old city center.
Day 4: Antwerp – Temse – St. Amands/Dendermonde (Approx. 47-59 km/28-35,5 mi.)
This morning you will cycle out of Antwerp along a picturesque section of the Schelde River to either St. Amands or Dendermonde – depending on the tides – your home for the night. There is only one way to describe the landscape around the Schelde and that is “magnificent”. It is without doubt one of the natural highlights of the tour.
Day 5: St. Amands/Dendermonde – Ghent (Approx. 53-40 km/32-24 mi.)
Today you will continue to follow the river Schelde to Ghent where one of the Magnifique’s will moor for the night at a lock in the suburb of Merelbeke. Ghent is a lively university city that boasts a rich history. Since Roman times Ghent’s position at the junction of Leie and Schelde Rivers has ensured that it has been a successful trading port. In total the city features an Opera House, 18 museums, more than 100 churches and over 400 historical buildings. Major attractions are St. Bavo Cathedral where a number of masterpieces of medieval art including the world famous ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by Jan van Eyck are kept and the 91-metre-tall belfry of Ghent, one of three medieval towers that overlook the old city centre.
Day 6: Ghent – Bruges (Approx. 45 km/28 mi.)
Today you will cycle from Ghent through the beautiful Flemish countryside of western Flanders to Bruges, widely described as the ‘Venice of the North’ and arguably the most beautiful of all the Flemish cities. Bruges attracts more than two million visitors every year who come to see the picturesque medieval town center of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic city and a long list of historic attractions. An outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement, Bruges has managed to maintain its historic fabric as it has evolved over the centuries, with the result that today the city’s original Gothic buildings form an integral part of the town’s identity. While you are here you can visit one of Bruges many museums or simply take in the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city from the comfort of a sidewalk café. Dinner tonight will be in town in a restaurant of your choice (recommendations available on board).
Day 7: Tour around Bruges to the North Sea (Approx. 50 km/30 mi.)
Your final day of cycling takes you along a quiet canal and past beautiful poplar trees through an attractive polderlandscape (a polder is a low-lying tract of land enclosed by embankments) dotted with small farm houses to the North Sea coast. Here if you want you can swim in the sea along an inviting 12 kilometer sandy beach, visit any one of numerous cafés and see the dune landscape of “Het Zwin” (a unique nature reserve). On the return ride to Bruges you will cycle along a small picturesque canal.
Day 8: Disembarkation: Bruges
Disembarkation after breakfast until 10 AM: End of your trip.
Details: Parts printed in italics will be covered by the ship.
All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours.
When a guest does not want to cycle one day, he or she can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next town.
Program and details barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons.
On the arrival day it is possible to load your luggage on board from 9:30 AM.
Your tour guide will guide the bike tour daily, however it is also possible to ride the bike tour individually (self-guided).
NEW: The Magnifique’s will have two tour guides for guided cycling in smaller groups; guests can opt for longer/shorter of quicker/slower cycling tours (depending on the route). Only available when there are at least 18 guests on board.
Tour descriptions and detailed cycling maps are available on board for anyone interested in taking the self-guided option.
The guide can be reached on his/her mobile phone in cases of emergency or technical breakdown of the bicycle.
Rates
Rates upon application, Please contact us for current availability.
What is included?
– Tour and accommodation on board in the booked category , 8 days/7 nights from/to Amsterdam or Bruges;
– Full board; 7x breakfast, 6x picnic lunch during bike tours, 6x three course dinner (dinner in Bruges, Antwerp respectively is not included);
– Use of bed linen and towels (change of towels daily possible); daily short cleaning of the cabin;
– Welcoming drink and speech on the first evening;
– 2 Tour leaders (multilingual) with daily briefings of the bike tours, some short city tours (free); During the day the tour leader will cycle the daily bike tour and can be reached by individual travellers on his/her cell phone; daily fully guided bike tours;
– Printed instructions and detailed maps for daily bike tours, 1 set per cabin;
– Complimentary coffee and tea.
NOT INCLUDED:
– Transfers to/from the docking places in Amsterdam and Bruges;
– Reservation fee;
– Dinner in Bruges, Antwerp respectively (1x);
– Rental bicycle or e-bike;
– Other transfers;
– Parking fees;
– Entrance fees & excursions;
– Fees for ferries (approx.. €5) and Waterbus (€4);
– Drinks on board;
– Personal insurances;
– Gratuities (at your discretion);
– Dietary requirements on request/surcharges may be calculated.
