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A tour of Flanders from Bruges to discover four authentic Flemish towns of northern Belgium, cycle on an Eddy Merckx carbon bike. This “self-guided” tour offers you the opportunity to discover the western part of North Belgium at your own pace. We welcome you in our cyclist friendly, comfortable hotel in Bruges (in Dutch: Brugge), “the Venice of the North” and one of Europe’s most visited historical cities. This bike loop connects famous and authentic Flemish towns as well as famous cycle itineraries. Quiet, paved country roads, and a combination of former tow/dike paths and train beds allow you to enjoy varied landscapes in a safe way. Signposts make maps unnecessary; however we provide you with clear road descriptions and maps. Charming taverns will welcome you with a cool local beer, typical farm dishes or pancake.

This tour covers parts of the key Spring Classics but can go anytime - preferably when the weather is better in summer and the charming towns included are best enjoyed!

This is a challenging cycling tour but also a cultural tour for those interested. War history abounds and suggestions for Canadians, Kiwis, Aussies, Brits, or Americans can be made in function of your interest in the war history of your country. We offer a longer cultural tour through our brand Pure Adventures too.

Day 1: ARRIVAL!
Installation in your hotel. You'll have a welcome drink, followed by orientation and delivery of the rental bikes. During the orientation, you will have explanations on how the tour works, how to read the road book, map material, bike routes info etc... With free time, you can visit the medieval historical city centre of Bruges: a short city walk will show you the Markt (Market square) with Belfry and Halles, Oude Burg (Burg Square) with Basilica of the Holy Blood and City Hall, Church of Our Lady (Notre Dame) and Cathedral. During a roundtrip by boat on the city canals (preferably at night), a horse-drawn cab or minicoach you will discover a rich architecture.
4 star hotel Center Brugge Grand Hotel du Sablon , dinner included. (D)

To visit in Bruges:

* The Bequinage, a group of houses around a little garden covered with large poplar trees
* The Market square, dominated by the cloth hall and the 83 meter high Belfry tower, one of the symbols of the city
* The Canals and the old harbour
* The Godshuizen, houses that are mostly late medieval-looking and bear a name and a year on the outside wall
* Our Lady's Church
* Saint Salvator Cathedral

Day 2: Maerlant Route. The countryside between Bruges, the North Sea and Dutch Zeeland is a flat polderlandscape. Dike routes, former tow-paths and bicycle tracks along the sea side will take you from charming Damme to the Belgian coast (worldly Knokke) and the small Dutch historic places Sluis and Sint-Anna ter Muiden (former outports of Bruges). Damme is also well-known thanks to the Legend of Tijl Uilenspiegel (Thyl Owlglass) - the Flemish national hero - and to the 13th century author Jacob van Maerlant, who lived in Damme and gave his name to this bike route. Return to Bruges, same hotel, dinner on your own. (B) Distance: 52 km route with optional rides at the coast. (optional road of 50km in Polders)

Day 3 : Bruges to Ghent, Ghent to Oudenaarde… This route links Bruges with the historic centre of Ghent before cycling to Oudenaarde… heart of Flamish cycling… (in Dutch: Gent). Leaving Bruges along its remparts you will join and follow the tow path of the canal Brugge-Gent and enter the historic centre of Ghent along the Coupure canal. This centre with the St Bavo Cathedral, Gravensteen (Castle of the count), Belfry Tower, Town Hall and civil gothic buildings will tell you about the rich commercial past of the city which hosts the Royal State University (28.000 students).

This route goes on to Oudenaarde, a town which became famous thanks to tapestry weaving activities in the Middle Ages. The Town Hall (one of the most impressive medieval town halls of Belgium), Market square, churches in Scheldt Gothic style and wall tapestries are examples of a rich historic past. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the Tour of Flanders Centre (near the Market Square). Oudenaarde is the gateway to the slopes and cobble stone routes of the Spring Classic Tour of Flanders: our route will bring you to Wortegem-Petegem and Kluisbergen, typical Flemish Ardennes villages. 3 star hotel in Oudenaarde with dinner included. 90 km cycling. (B, D)

Day 4: The Eddy Merckx route. Starting from Kluisbergen, this route combines some highlights of the Flanders Classics such as Oude Kwaremont, Patersberg and Kluisberg. Especially strong cyclists will be happy to let themselves go. However, panoramic views and a superb peaceful nature also may be appreciated while walking beside your bike over cobblestone sections. Return to Oudenaarde, dinner included. Note : visit of Tour of Flanders Centre in Oudenaarde… www.crvv.org
Distance: 46 km route on pretty difficult itinerary (hills, cobblestones…) optional roads possible in Flemish Ardennes. (B, D)

Day 5: Departure after breakfast
Train from Oudenaarde to Brussels is easy, different frequencies a day.

Price: 640 Euros per person. Single Supplement: 180 Eur

Dates of Tour availability: April 1 - Oct 15, 2008

Country Info: Belgium tourism website:
http://www.visitbelgium.com/

Tour Includes: 4 nights superior lodging, all buffet breakfasts, 3 dinners, luggage transfers, orientation, bike delivery and return, welcome drink on day 1, local emergency support, route book with maps and cue sheets.

Add on: For longer stays we can arrange hotels, car rentals, trains and more.

Bike Rental: available; rent our Eddy Merckx CHM model - price - 140 Euros. You may also bring your own.

The Cycling: Some of the Flanders Classics Routes:

KLUISBERG: large, paved route with only 66 meters gain in elevation over 1100 meters, but goes from 6% to 11% grade max.

OUDE KWAREMONT: narrow, paved route over 600 meters followed by a narrow 1600 meter cobblestone section; 93 m elev gain, 4-11% grade.

PATERBERG: 375 meter cobblestones, 48 meters elev gain; with 12.8 to 20% grade!!

HOTOND MOUNTAIN: 2.9 KM paved route with 105 m elev gain, 3.5 - 8% grade.

Note for couples and/or persons of vastly different abilities: it is possible to short cut a lot of cycling as well as put a bike on the train. The towns visited offer significant sightseeing as well, so there is much to do for persons who want to do less cycling than others in the same party.

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