Bruges and Coast Tour

The municipality comprises the historic city of Bruges proper, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, and the towns of Assebroek, Dudzele, Koolkerke, Lissewege, Sint-Andries, Sint-Jozef, Sint-Kruis, Sint-Michiels, Sint-Pieters, Zeebrugge, and Zwankendamme.

Most of its medieval architecture is intact, but also has fine modern art collections.

• Bruges is known for its lace

• Several beers are named for Bruges, such as Brugse Tripel, Brugs Blond, Brugs Witbier and Straffe Hendrik. However, only Brugse Zot is brewed in the city itself in the Halve Maan Brewery (a blonde ale was launched in 2005 and a brown ale in 2006).

Although the nearest regional Airport is Ostend, it's recommended to fly to Brussels Airport and take a train from there.

Access:
     * national airport in Brussels or lowcostcarrier to Charleroi (Brussels South)
        + direct airporttrain to Roeselare (1h30’), the hotel is in front of the station
     * other trains:   direction Knokke/Blankenberge/Oostende + changing in Brugge
        direction of Kortrijk with changing in Kortrijk direction of De Panne with
        changing in Lichtervelde
     * highway untill Roeselare, along A17 Kortrijk–Brugge, exit Roeselare-Izegem

Level:  flat and easy,  suitable for untrained cyclists and families with children
(if able to cycle 50 kms.)

Roads: quiet, mostly paved backroads / cycling lanes

Highlights:
      * the nice cycling along fields, canals, dunes and coast
      * the rich architecture of churches, monasteries, windmills and castles
      * the medieval towns Ieper, Poperinge, Diksmuide and Bruges (worldheritage)
      * the coastal towns of Oostende, Den Haan, Heist and Knokke
      * the bourgondic atmosphere in pubs and restaurants
      * the national cyclist museum in Roeselare hold by a 2x former worldchampion
      * the chocolate tasting at a local manufacturer (closed in juli)

Day 1: arrival and meeting in Roeselare
Optional ride to the Basilica of Dadizele and the countryside around Roeselare.
Meeting + wellcomedrink at 6 pm with customized bike-rental

Day 2: Roeselare – Kemmel (48 km)
Tyne Cot Cemetery: the world largest British graveyard
Ypres: Medieval town with imposing Market Halls + impressive Menin Gate
Nice cycling along easy and scenic low hills

Day 3: Kemmel – Diksmuide (43 km)
The towers of the Medieval town of Poperinge
Beertasting in the St.-Sixtusabbey
Nice cycling along the borders of the river Yzer
Pleasant Diksmuide with the imposing landmark ‘Yzertoren’ and the historic plaza

Day 4: Diksmuide – Bruges (56 km )
Through farmland towards Bruges called ‘the Venice of the North’
The Constant Permeke museum (paintings + sculptures)
Towards the sea and Oostende

Day 5: Bruges – Oostende – Bruges (62 or 67 km)                        
Ride along the canals to the port of Oostende and further to the authentic coastal village of Den Haan.
Enjoying a refreshing dive into the Northsea or relaxing at the beach.
Free day for shopping, boatride on the canals, sightseeing by horsecart, climbing the Belfort or for taking a 15 min. trainride to Oostende, a mayestic porttown

Day 6: Bruges – Knokke – Bruges (58 km)
Along pittoresque canals towards the painter’s village of Damme
Ride along the North Sea with swimingpossibilities
Having a drink in the plush coastal cities of Heist and Knokke
Through dune-landscape towards the nature-reserve of ‘Het Zwin’
Along the romantic canals back to Bruges

Day 7: Bruges – Roeselare (53 km)
Along rural countryside backtracking to Roeselare
Admiring the castles of d’Aertrijcke and Wijnendaele
The national cyclistmuseum hold by 2 x former worldchampion Freddy Maertens
Optional free visit and tasting at a chocolate-manufacturer (not in july)

Day 8: Check-out after breakfast or extra night in Roeselare
Optional ride to the Basilica of Dadizele (49 km) and the countryside around Roeselare