Bruges and Coast Tour by bike

The comprises the historic city of Bruges proper, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, and the towns of and most of its medieval architecture is intact, but also has fine modern art collections.lace

• Several beers are named for Bruges, such as Brugse Tripel, Brugs Blond, Brugs Witbier and Straffe Hendrik.

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 bicyclists and families with children
(if able to bicycle 50 kms/31 miles)

Roads: quiet, mostly paved backroads / marked bicycling 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 Freddy Maertens
      * the chocolate tasting at a local manufacturer (closed in July and first weekend of August)

Saturday day 1: Individual 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

Sunday day 2: Roeselare – Ieper/Kemmel 48 km/30 miles by bicycle
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

Monday day 3: Ieper/Kemmel – Diksmuide 43 km/27 miles bike ride
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

Tuesday day 4: Diksmuide – Bruges 56 km/35 miles by bicycle
Through farmland towards Bruges called ‘the Venice of the North’
The Constant Permeke museum (paintings + sculptures)
Towards the sea and Oostende

Wednesday day 5: Bruges – Oostende – Bruges 62 or 67 km/39 to 41 miles riding on a bike                        
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 port town.

Thursday day 6: Bruges – Knokke – Bruges 58 km/36 miles
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.

Friday day 7: Bruges – Roeselare 53 km/33 miles
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 extension in Roeselare
Optional ride to the Basilica of Dadizele 49 km/31 miles and the countryside around Roeselare