Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrival Day: Installation in your hotel - orientation and delivery of the rental bikes - Explanation road book, map material, bike routes info. With free time, you can visit the medieval historical city centre of Bruges: a short city walk will show you the Markt (Market square) with Belfry and Halles, Oude Burg (Burg Square) http://traveldragon.com/trips/10337-belgium/editwith Basilica of the Holy Blood and City Hall, Church of Our Lady (Notre Dame) and Cathedral. During a roundtrip by boat on the city canals (preferably at night), a horse-drawn cab or minicoach you will discover a rich architecture. Superior 3 star hotel Center Brugge, dinner on your own.

Day 2 | 52 km ride options

Maerlant Route. The countryside between Bruges, the North Sea and Dutch Zeeland is a flat polderlandscape. Dike routes, former tow-paths and bicycle tracks along the sea side will take you from charming Damme to the Belgian coast (worldly Knokke) and the small Dutch historic places Sluis and Sint-Anna ter Muiden (former outports of Bruges). Damme is also well-known thanks to the Legend of Tijl Uilenspiegel (Thyl Owlglass) - the Flemish national hero - and to the 13th century author Jacob van Maerlant, who lived in Damme and gave his name to this bike route. Return to Bruges, same hotel, dinner on your own. (B)

Day 3 | 50 km ride

This route links Bruges with the historic centre of Ghent (in Dutch: Gent). Leaving Bruges along its remparts you will join and follow the tow path of the canal Brugge-Gent and enter the historic centre of Ghent along the Coupure canal. This centre with the St Bavo Cathedral, Gravensteen (Castle of the count), Belfry Tower, Town Hall and civil gothic buildings will tell you about the rich commercial past of the city which hosts the Royal State University (28.000 students). 3 star hotel Center Gent, dinner open. (B)

Day 4 | 40 km ride

To day you’ll leave the busy city of Ghent for the Scheldt River (in Dutch: Schelde) countryside. This route brings you to Oudenaarde, a town which became famous thanks to tapestry weaving activities in the Middle Ages. The Town Hall (one of the most impressive medieval town halls of Belgium), Market square, churches in Scheldt Gothic style and wall tapestries are examples of a rich historic past. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the Tour of Flanders Centre (near the Market Square). Oudenaarde is the gateway to the slopes and cobble stone routes of the Spring Classic Tour of Flanders: our route will bring you to Wortegem-Petegem and Kluisbergen, typical Flemish Ardennes villages. 3 star hotel Oudenaarde with open dinner. (B)

Day 5| 46 km ride options

The Eddy Merckx-route. Starting from Kluisbergen, this route combines some highlights of the Flanders Classics such as Oude Kwaremont, Patersberg and Kluisberg. Especially strong cyclists will be happy to let themselves go. However, panoramic views and a superb peaceful nature also may be appreciated while walking beside your bike over cobblestone sections. Return to Oudenaarde, dinner open on your own. (B)

Day 6 | 73 km ride

More tow and dike paths will take you along canals and the Leie River through the towns of Kortrijk and Wervik to Ypres (in Dutch: Ieper). Since the beginning of our era this area was subject to invasions and wars by several European hordes and countries. In Wervik you can visit the National Tobacco Museum. Ypres is a rebuilt beautiful medieval town famous for cloth production and trading in the Middle Ages. You will be impressed by the Cloth Hall, Cathedral and other monuments of this Town. The Menin Gate, with the names of 54.896 British and Commonwealth soldiers, is the most important momument of this Flanders Fields’ area and its numerous World War I cemetaries. 4 star hotel center Ieper, dinner included. (B,D)

Day 7 | 60 km ride

A sequence of various landscapes, Flemish countryside villages and picturesque farms will be your guide back to Bruges. Take advantage of this trip to enjoy your last local artisanal beer with a slice of farm bread with home made ham and cheese… 3 star hotel center Brugge, dinner open. (B)

Day 8 | Depart at your leisure after breakfast.

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