2019
Barge and Bike Tour in Belgium
Round trip from Maastricht on MS Miró through Belgium and the Netherlands
- Round trip from Maastricht
- Daily routes ●○○○○
- Altitude profile ●○○○○
- Rental e-bike included!
- Bike & Boat: Premium boat MS Miró
7
days
40
km / day avg.
The province of Limburg is in the south of The Netherlands and at several places stretches as far as the border to Belgium. During your holiday on this small section of a region that features over 1800 km of cycle paths, you will love the beautiful green countryside and the clear waters of the Maas. Originally designed as an alternative route to the Julianakanal, the Willems route soon established itself as a classic. Follow this younger, but also beautiful route, through South Holland. By bike & boat through Limburg, along the Maas, you will gain very varied impressions of the land and its people. Villages, towns, locks - and all the while your luxury boat is with you. This barge and bike tour in Belgium and Holland on MS Miró will be truly stunning.
Unfortunately temporarely unbookable
Unfortunately bookings can not be taken for this holiday at the moment. But don't give up! You're sure to find alternatives. And we're very happy to help you do so!
Brief Information
- Booking code
NL-LISML-07I - Start / Destination
Maastricht - Duration
7 days, 6 nights - Length
approx. 155 - 225 km
Daily routes ●○○○○
between 25 and 50 km, Ø 40 km
Altitude profile ●○○○○ - Parking information
Parking (nearby the habour) costs approx. 60 € per week and car, payable on site.
No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen. - Minimum number of participants
The minimum number of 6 participants must be reached 21 days prior to the arrival date.
Changes to boat trips due to weather, water levels or technical conditions are possible; we reserve the right to make changes. - Tour operated by
Local cooperation partner
Your boat: MS Miró
The saloon yacht, MS Miró was launched in 1916, converted to a luxury boat in 2005 and underwent a general overhaul in 2012. It runs under Dutch flag. The boat is in the secure hands of skipper Mart, his wife Elly and a small, attentive crew. For a maximum of ten people, this boat provides comfortable cabins, a cosy saloon with panorama window, an open fire and a house bar. The boat's name giver was the Spanish artist, Joan Miró.
Day 1: Individual arrival in Maastricht, Maastricht – Liège-Angleur (by boat)
Upon arriving in Maastricht you will get a first impression of this beautiful tour. Many impressive buildings await you in the third oldest city of the Netherlands. You can also look forward to your stroll through the city when you return in a few days. Individuell arrival until 12 pm. The first cruise will take you to Liège. The famous café Chantant Le Jardin de Olivette awaits your visit. Here you will be enchanted by the performances of folklore artists.
Day 2: Liège-Angleur – Kanne, approx. 30 / 45 km
After breakfast you will visit the longest and oldest Belgian market, La Batte. Apart from tasty Belgian specialities you can also buy plants, animals, clothes and many other things. Later on, you will start cycling through the beautiful Voer Valley until you reach St. Petrsvoeren and Eijsden. You will cycle along the river Maas and through the Verstreek, before reaching Kanne. Here the Mergels grotto is worth a visit.
Day 3: Kanne – Lanaken (by boat), Lanaken – Maasmechelen, approx. 25 / 45 km, Maasmechelen – Bree (by boat)
The ship will already depart during breakfast. A cycle tour through the magical world of castles, myths and mystical stories is on your schedule today. The Haspengouw with its many fruit trees, castles and palaces will entrance you. You will visit Castle Biesen, the largest castle complex between the Loire and Rhine, before you take the ship to Maasmelchen via the Nerharen canal. Take a stroll through the city centre or visit Maasmechelen Village Outletcenter. The ship will then take you to Bree.
Day 4: Bree – Weert, approx. 30 / 45 km, Weert – Stevensweert (by boat)
After breakfast, you’ll be cycling to Hoge Kempen National Park, where pure nature awaits. Mysterious moorlands and rare animals call Flanders’ ‘greenest’ part their home. En route, you will find several potential retreats, such as the old Benedictine abbey ‘Achel’ with an excellent brewery. For shorter day trips, the on-board crew is happy to provide you with suggestions. In the afternoon, the ship will take you the museum town of Thorn.
Day 5: Stevensweert – Thorn (by boat), bike tour to Maaseik, approx. 30 / 50 km
Today, you boat along the Maas and explore Limburg's lakes, the main destination of this tour. In the evening, Thorn awaits you - the famous white village, which used to be home to a Benedictine Abbey over 800 years ago. The town used to be the centre of the principality, which was governed by the abbess. Your jetty is just outside the town, and only a few metres to a lovely place to go swimming in a small bay.
Day 6: Thorn – Maasbracht (by boat), Maasbracht – Maastricht, approx. 40 km
First you can relax aboard the ship, which will take you to the busy shipping village of Maasbracht. You will be fascinated by the mighty lock system, which first takes you on to the Juliana canal and then in direction of Born. Through apple orchards you will cycle to the beautiful castle in Elsloo and from there back to Maastricht through forests and meadows on your last stage of cycling. In the evening a last trip through the historical city centre is worthwhile. The small streets and alleys invite you to take a stroll.
Day 7: Individual departure
After breakfast your barge and bike tour along the Willems Route in Belgium on MS Miró comes to an end. Disembarkation until 10.00 am and individual departure.