Bruges and Coast Tour by bike

The West-Flanders region grants the ideal mix of culture and nature. It is one of those unique places, where you can enjoy silence along canals and open landscapes, but where culture is never far away. Along the tour, you can discover the history of World War I (Ieper and Diksmuide). The most interesting town on this tour is of course Bruges, the famous historic town with itswonderful cultural heritage.

Bruges called Brugge by its native Dutch language name which assumedly used to signify landing stage, it is one of Europe's most important landmarks as the city has hardly changed since the Middle Ages.
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.lSeveral 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 the coast
 The architecture of monasteries, windmills and castles
 The medieval towns Ieper, Poperinge, Diksmuide and Bruges (world heritage)
 The coastal towns of De Haan, Heist and Knokke
 The burgundy atmosphere in pubs and restaurants and of course chocolate, waffles and French fries

Itinerary description

Saturday day 1: Individual arrival and meeting in Roeselare
Optional ride to the Basilica of Dadizele and the countryside around Roeselare.
Meeting + wellcome drink at 6 pm with customized bike-rental.

Sunday day 2: Roeselare – Ieper/Kemmel 40 km/25 miles by bicycle
Our first cycling tour will bring us to Ieper, a beautiful medieval town with a stunning market place and the famous town-gate ‘Menenpoort’. We will also pass the Tyne Cot cemetery, the biggest churchyard for English soldiers all over the world. Cycling around Ieper is a nice experience, especially passing the charming hills.

Monday day 3: Ieper/Kemmel – Diksmuide 49 km/29 miles bike ride
On this tour, we will pass another nice medieval town: Poperinge, popular because of the ‘hoppe’ cultivated in this area. But, certainly also very interesting is the abbey of Saint Sixtus, where the best beer in the world is brewed. We will cycle further along the banks of the ‚Yzer‘ to Diksmuide, where the "Yzertoren", a well-known monument of World War I, can be visited. You can also enjoy the beauty of the historic market place.

Tuesday day 4: Diksmuide – Bruges 63 km/39 miles by bicycle
It is almost unbelievable how many cultural heritage can be discovered in such a rural region. Indeed, the destination we are all excited about is of course Bruges, with its historic town center and the stunning belfry.

Wednesday day 5: Bruges – Knokke – Bruges 59 km/37 miles bike ride
The fifth day, we will explore the area between Bruges and Knokke, the most mondain village of the Belgian coast. It will again be an unforgettable trip, through the polder landscapes and the dunes. The main sight of this tour is the nature reserve ‘Het Zwin’ and the picturesque village Damme. Or, when it is warm enough, you can go swimming in the sea!

Brugge is called Venice of the north

Thursday day 6: Bruges –De Haan – Bruges 52 km/33 miles
This day will again be an exciting day, as we will visit another nice place on the Belgian coast. De Haan is a village which has protected very well the "Belle Epoque" style (19th century).

Quiet paved roads ideal for bicycling with children

Friday day 7: Bruges – Roeselare 59 km/37 miles
Our last cycling tour will bring us back to Roeselare. This tour passes two nice castles, d’Aertrycke and Wijnendaele. They are both really worth a visit! After arrival in Roeselare, it is possible to visit the national cyclist museum.

Day 8: Check-out after breakfast or extension in Roeselare

PRICES 2013:

Price pp dbl room	3 & 4-star hotels		Extra night Roeselare
Euro	Bed&Breakfast	Half board	Bed&Breakfast	Half board
From April 20th till June 22nd and August 31st till September 21st	475	620	50	70
From June 29th till August 24th	489	634
Single Supplement	160		25	95

Including local taxes