Difficulty Rating : 2 Start : Bruges Finish : Bruges Terrain : Easy and flat, suitable for all cyclists and families with children Daily Average : 31-34km Weekly Average : 154-169km Tour Type : Self Guided,Family Teaser : A cycling tour is a fantastic family holiday. The region between the Belgian coast and the stunning city of Bruges is a wonderful area to discover,
  • Overview
  • Trip Outline
  • Trip Includes
  • FAQ
  • Accomodation
  • Pricing
  • Travel
  • Resources
  • Booking

A cycling tour is a fantastic family holiday. The region between the Belgian coast and the stunning city of Bruges is a wonderful area to discover, both for kids and for adults. This cycling trip is ideal for the whole family: plenty of fresh air,  very do able cycling distances,  sea and sand, cultural heritage, shopping in Bruges, peaceful villages and cycling paths through a splendid countryside.

Tour highlights include:
• Cycling between the coast, dunes, polders and canals
• Quiet roads and cycling paths along a signposted network
• Rich architectural heritage (churches, abbeys, castles,…)
• The historic centre of Bruges
• A three night stay in a hotel near the beach in Ostend
• Attractions in Bruges for kids: Boudewijn Seapark, Choco Story and many more
• Attractions in Oostende for kids: Earth Explorer, Airport Bowl, Children’s farm ‘De lange schuur’
• Child friendly hotel in Oostende, with bouncing castle, playground...

No details found.

A downloadable version of the itinery is available from the Dossiers Tab

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival in Bruges

Your first night is arguably in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Bruges, with its historic centre and the stunning belfry. After checking into your hotel there is plenty to keep you occupied for the rest of the day.

Day 2

Bruges ~ Ostend (40 km)

The first day on the bike you head to Ostend via De Haan, a village which has beautifully preserved the 19th century 'Belle Epoque‘ style. After a great day on the bikes in quiet back roads you will arrive in in Ostend where you are based for the next three nights - a paradise for the children! The hotel is situated at the beach, and there is a lot to keep everyone occupied: children’s farm ‘De Lange Schuur’, the playground ‘Airport Bowl’, Earth Explore.

Day 3

Round trip to Oudenburg (30 km)

The cycle will bring you away from the sea to the nice, fertile and flat countryside behind the Belgian coast, also named ‘polder landscape’. Oudenburg is a typical Flemish village, built on the foundations of an ancient roman city that you can visit on your travels

Day 4

Round tour to Nieuwpoort (44 km)

Nieuwpoort is just like Ostend and Blankenberge one of the favourite seaside resorts in Belgium. This small town is situated along the river mouth of the ‘Yser’, a river that played an important strategic role during the First World War. The children will certainly enjoy the harbour and the nature reserve ‘Ysermonde’. You can also have a break on the wide and lovely beach.

Day 5

Ostend ~ Bruges (36 km)

You cycle back to Bruges and will pass charming villages such as Bredene. A great day where you can enjoy typical Belgian landscape with the children including the popular 'Spuikom' in Ostend as well as cycling along the peaceful canal Ostend – Bruges. The day finishes back in wonderful Bruges where you are staying for the next two nights.

Day 6

Cycling tour to Blankenberge (31 km)

There is nothing nicer for the kids than spending a day by the sea! Blankenberge is a bustling town on the Belgian coast, a favourite tourist destination and on your cycling route today. Another great diversion is a visit to Sea Life Marine Park, where you can discover the fascinating wildlife of the rivers and the oceans (sharks, piranha’s,…)! The trip finishes up back in Bruges for a final night, time to reflect on a great family holiday!

- 7 days ? 6 nights in 3/4* hotels, ensuite rooms, with 6 x breakfast
- Map, tourist information and route description
- Luggage transport (1 piece per person, up to 20 kg)
- Service-Hotline
- Local taxes except in Bruges


Bike rental is not included in our 2022 tour price. This is an additional:
€70.00   Hybrid Bike
€140.00 Electric Bike
€45.00   Childs bike / trailor
€15.00   Baby seat

 

No Details Found

NIGHT 1, 5 & 6: BRUGES

At the border of the historical centre of Bruges, Hotel Velotel offers a peaceful retreat from Bruges cosmopolitan centre

NIGHT 1, 5 & 6: BRUGES image 1NIGHT 1, 5 & 6: BRUGES image 1

NIGHT 2, 3 & 4: OSTEND

Hotel Ostend offers a sauna, a bar & a restaurant, plus a gym & complimentary Wi-Fi.

 

NIGHT 2, 3 & 4: OSTEND image 1NIGHT 2, 3 & 4: OSTEND image 1

2024 Tour Prices:
€465 per person sharing
€170 for single room,  if travelling with others

Tour price for a child sharing a room with 2 adults:
0-2 years :   free tour but pay €15 for child seat
3-6 years :   50% discount 
7-12 years : 30% discount 

Self Guided Tour Information

Tour can start every Sunday from 21 April - 22 September 2024

How to get to the start point in Bruges: 

The best access point for this tour would be the airport in Brussels or Charleroi .  From there you can easily take train to Bruges followed by a bus or taxi to the first hotel

The trains are frequent to Bruges from Brussels - 2 trains per hour, the journey takes approx 2 hours

Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available

Book now

Booking Form

Primary Contact Details.

Section Divider

Other members of your group if applicable.

Please indicate below how many people are in your group including yourself.

Second person details

Third person details

Fourth person details

Fifth person details

 

Sixth person details

 

Seventh person details

 

Eighth person details

 

Ninth person details

 

Tenth person details

 

Section Divider (copy) (copy)

Accommodation

There are a few options available for your accommodation.
Please select your preference below

Section Divider (copy) (copy) (copy)

Other Information

Section Divider (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy)

Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

Section Divider (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy)

Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €300.00 non refundable deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The balancing payment is required two months prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The full payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

Hide Terms and Conditions

Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.