What's it really like to cycle from Amsterdam to Bruges — and sleep in your luxury floating hotel along the way?
In this episode, we dive into the unforgettable Amsterdam to Bruges bike and barge tour, one of Europe's most relaxing active adventures. Pedal flat scenic routes through the Netherlands…What's it really like to cycle from Amsterdam to Bruges — and sleep in your luxury floating hotel along the way?
In this episode, we dive into the unforgettable Amsterdam to Bruges bike and barge tour, one of Europe's most relaxing active adventures. Pedal flat scenic routes through the Netherlands and Belgium, cruise past windmills and riverside villages, and explore iconic cities like Amsterdam, Ghent, and Bruges — all while unpacking just once.
We cover the daily mileage, difficulty level, what life aboard the barge is really like, and who this tour is perfect for (hint: you definitely don't have to be a hardcore cyclist - it's FLAT!!!).
If you love active travel with comfort, culture, and incredible scenery — this one's for you. And if you've been trying to get your partner to join you on an adventure, this is the PERFECT vacation that allows for differing physical abilities and desires - just like with our guest today!
Press play and let's ride through Holland and Belgium. 🚲🛥️
You'll discover:
• What it's really like to live aboard a bike and barge
• How difficult (or easy!) the cycling actually is
• Who this tour is perfect for — and who might want an e-bike
• The highlights of riding through Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, and the fairytale canals of Bruges
• Why boat and bike tours are one of the best ways to experience Europe
If you love active travel but prefer comfort over camping… if you enjoy cultural immersion without exhausting logistics… and if the idea of pedaling flat scenic paths through Holland and Belgium sounds like your kind of adventure — this episode is for you.
By the end, you may just find yourself planning your own Amsterdam to Bruges bike & barge adventure.
Take advantage of an exclusive Active Travel Adventures BoatBikeTours.com discount - email me for the current Boat Bike Tours promo code!
COMPLETE SHOW NOTES See important links for planning your European adventure, photos plus more cool info about today's show.
Get FREE Travel Planners, Checklists and Packing Lists for ATA adventures (plus each month you will get an email from Kit with links to all future Travel Planners (no spam promise!). Get the monthly newsletter here.
CONTACT KIT
Resources
RECOMMENDED TOUR COMPANIES
******* EMAIL ME FOR PROMO DISCOUNT CODES*****
Travel Insurance: Quickly and easily compare rates and policies from different companies - no need to give any identifying information unless you decide to buy! The best way to find the right policy for your adventures.
Saily Affordable eSIM Overseas Mobile Phone Plans - No need to insert a physical SIM card when you travel. Buy just the data you need to avoid expensive roaming charges. Use Promo Code SPECIAL5 to save 5%
High Altitude Travel Insurance: Most insurance policies do NOT cover high altitude adventures. Check out Rise & Shield for your next mega adventure!
Train For Your Adventure Ask Becki at Trailblazer Wellness to customize an at home, online personal training program for your upcoming adventure using whatever equipment you already have! You'll get phone consultations, instruction videos and a plan to give you the best chance of success. Becki offers a FREE initial phone consultation to see if you are a good fit. AND she offers ATA listeners a 10% discount!
Buy Me a Beer Want to support the program? You can always buy me a coffee or beer - thanks!
Tinggly: Give Gift Experiences instead of stuff (plus your loved one gets to choose)! Promo Code ACTIVETRAVEL saves up up to 20%
Amazon Kit's Picks Please use my Amazon link to access your Amazon account. Even if you don't purchase any of my recommendations, I get credit for anything you DO purchase - at no additional cost to you, you'll be helping to support the show and keeping it AD FREE:)
SUBSCRIBE to Active Travel Adventures (fantastic adventure destinations)
Join the Active Travel Adventures Facebook Group
Follow ATA on Instagram
Follow ATA on Pinterest
(C) Active Travel Adventures, LLC - All Rights Reserved
🎙️ In this episode of the Bikepack Adventures Podcast, we are sharing the story of a very personal journey—a 2-week family bike trip through Northern France, Belgium and Netherlands. Joined by my wife, who was taking on her first loaded bike tour, and our young daughter, we set out to explore the co…🎙️ In this episode of the Bikepack Adventures Podcast, we are sharing the story of a very personal journey—a 2-week family bike trip through Northern France, Belgium and Netherlands. Joined by my wife, who was taking on her first loaded bike tour, and our young daughter, we set out to explore the coastal charm, rich culture, and world-class cycling infrastructure of northern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Over the course of this episode, we'll walk you through the planning, gear choices, and daily rhythms of traveling as a family by bike. We'll reflect on what it was like to parent on the move, how we kept our child engaged, and how we adjusted our pace to match the needs of the whole crew.
Along the way, we discovered vibrant cities like Bruges, The Hague, Breda, Antwerp and Ghent, stumbled into memorable meals, and met locals who reminded us why bike touring is such a powerful way to connect with the world. Whether you’re planning your first family tour or just curious about what it’s like to ride with a toddler in tow, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and a few laughs from the road.
To support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:
Use these affiliate links to help cover the costs of running the show.
Redshift Sports
Panorama Cycles
Find me at…
WEBSITE
YOUTUBE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
ITUNES
Show Sponsors
Panorama Cycles --> They believe that cycling is a catalyst for adventures, no matter how small they can be. No need to travel across the world or to be a seasoned athlete to live epic outdoors adventures.
Redshift Sports --> Redshift have focused on taking a different approach to product development - drawing on their own experiences and needs to create components that make a meaningful difference to the riding experience. Use code BPA15 to save 15% at checkout.
Tailfin Cycling --> Tailfin Cycling is a technical bikepacking equipment company that really thinks outside the box when creating new bikepacking gear. They create long-lasting products that have been tested in every way imaginable.
Full Cycle Ottawa --> Full Cycle has been a staple in the Ottawa biking community since it opened its doors in 1994. Known for their passion for cycling, the team at Full Cycle isn’t just about selling bikes—they’re also avid riders themselves. They live by the motto "we ride what we sell and sell what we ride,".
BarYak Bikepacking --> BarYak was designed in 2012 to solve the problem of bikepacking bags and systems that interfered with braking and shifting performance. Where will Your BarYak Take You?
The Bert Shoe --> The pre and post activity shoe for bike-packers, hikers and other free spirits. Their shoe soles, crafted from recycled rubber, represent a harmonious blend of sustainability and social responsibility.
Ride With GPS --> Driven by pursuit of a better riding experience, founders Zack Ham and Cullen King set out to redefine the way cyclists create, navigate, and share routes.more
We (the Active Travel Adventures Community) are looking at a group of us booking the entire ship (24 guests maximum) for a week in July of 2027 to explore the northern Friesland region of the Netherlands. I am still working out the details, but is should be under €2000 per person, double occupancy.…We (the Active Travel Adventures Community) are looking at a group of us booking the entire ship (24 guests maximum) for a week in July of 2027 to explore the northern Friesland region of the Netherlands. I am still working out the details, but is should be under €2000 per person, double occupancy. Note that we would sail in '27 NOT '26.
When I interviewed my affiliate Boat Bike Tours top guide Tamara (Tammy) about her personal favorite European tour, she said hands down it was Friesland, in northern Holland: beautiful scenery, interesting culture and history and best of all, most people don't even know about it, so it's not over-touristed like so many cool destinations.
I am now seeing what interest there is in reserving this boutique, comfy ship.
Even though the tour is offered self-guided, and you can certainly do this using the app and map, we want to bring Tammy and another guide along, because guides add so much color to our exploration. They know the history and have great background stories, and they know the best places to see and stop, etc.
Like my recent ATA Portuguese Way Camino group, where we went "Solo/Together", this would be the same: each day you can decide whether to ride with the group or self-guide, or even just sail with the ship and relax on board, or wander around town.
We'd do this seven day boat and bike tour from a Friday to Friday. The port is easy to reach by a one hour train from Amsterdam.
GET MORE INFORMATION HERE
Other possible ATA Group Tours:
Kumano Kodo - Japan : solo/together unguided
Iceland : guided
Austrian Alps : guided
El Camino de la Plata (Spanish route starts in Seville): two stages : solo/together unguided
Amalfi Coast : guided
Contact Kit to express interest
Get FREE Travel Planners, Checklists and Packing Lists for ATA adventures (and each month you will get an email from Kit with links to all future Travel Planners (no spam promise!). Get the monthly newsletter here.
CONTACT KIT
Resources
RECOMMENDED TOUR COMPANIES
******* EMAIL ME FOR PROMO DISCOUNT CODES*****
Saily Affordable eSIM Overseas Mobile Phone Plans - No need to insert a physical SIM card when you travel. Buy just the data you need to avoid expensive roaming charges. Use Promo Code SPECIAL5 to save 5%
Travel Insurance: Quickly and easily compare rates and policies from different companies - no need to give any identifying information unless you decide to buy! The best way to find the right policy for your adventures.
Train For Your Adventure Ask Becki at Trailblazer Wellness to customize an at home, online personal training program for your upcoming adventure using whatever equipment you already have! You'll get phone consultations, instruction videos and a plan to give you the best chance of success. Becki offers a FREE initial phone consultation to see if you are a good fit. AND she offers ATA listeners a 10% discount!
Buy Me a Beer Want to support the program? You can always buy me a coffee or beer - thanks!
Amazon Kit's Picks Please use my Amazon link to access your Amazon account. Even if you don't purchase any of my recommendations, I get credit for anything you DO purchase - at no additional cost to you, you'll be helping to support the show and keeping it AD FREE:)
SUBSCRIBE to Active Travel Adventures (fantastic adventure destinations)
Join the Active Travel Adventures Facebook Group
Follow ATA on Instagram
Follow ATA on Pinterest
Photos courtesy of BoatBikeTours.com
(C) Active Travel Adventures, LLC - All Rights Reserved
Erin Hynes - Gouda Cheese Market, Den Bosch Canals & Dreamy Delft – Exploring the Netherlands with Pina Travels
In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I’m joined by Erin Hynes from Pina Travels and the Curious Tourism Podcast for a rich, wide-ranging journey through the Netherlands — fro…Erin Hynes - Gouda Cheese Market, Den Bosch Canals & Dreamy Delft – Exploring the Netherlands with Pina Travels
In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I’m joined by Erin Hynes from Pina Travels and the Curious Tourism Podcast for a rich, wide-ranging journey through the Netherlands — from bustling cheese markets to hidden medieval canals, national parks to charming historic cities.
Erin’s deep personal connection to the Netherlands, through her family’s roots in Friesland, brings a unique insight into Dutch heritage and culture. Together, we explore well-known highlights and lesser-visited locations, weaving in stories about history, food, cycling culture, and the everyday beauty of life in this fascinating country.
We cover:
• Delft – Iconic blue Delftware pottery, historic churches, and postcard-perfect canals.
• Gouda – The world-famous cheese market and the traditions that keep it alive.
• Den Bosch – One of the best-preserved medieval city centres, with canals running beneath the streets.
• Dordrecht – A laid-back city with picturesque streets and waterside cafés.
• Werkendam & Biesbosch National Park – Wetlands, birdlife, and the Dutch art of water management.
• Utrecht – Two-level canals, lively cycling culture, and a vibrant student city vibe.
• Friesland – A unique province with its own language, traditions, and proud heritage.
Along the way, we dive into Dutch cuisine (from bitterballen to pannenkoeken), the country’s ingenious engineering solutions for living below sea level, and why cycling here is more than just a mode of transport — it’s part of the national identity. We also talk about the warm historical ties between the Netherlands, Canada, and the UK.
Whether you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands or love hearing about destinations beyond the obvious, this conversation will give you fresh ideas, practical travel tips, and a deeper appreciation for Dutch culture.
🎧 Listen to the Curious Tourism Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/curious-tourism-responsible-travel-podcast/id1449041086
🌍 Follow Erin (Pina Travels) on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinatravels/
🌍 Visit Pina Travels Website for awesome blogs: https://pinatravels.org/
🔔 Subscribe, leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review, and support the podcast via Buy Me A Coffee!
Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world
This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com.
If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.
This is the fourth part of a monthly, six-episode series celebrating the fact that exactly 40 years ago this year, my family and I spent six months in a striped motorhome travelling around Europe. I was nine years old and yes, this trip had an enormous impact on my life - I'm sure you wouldn't be li…This is the fourth part of a monthly, six-episode series celebrating the fact that exactly 40 years ago this year, my family and I spent six months in a striped motorhome travelling around Europe. I was nine years old and yes, this trip had an enormous impact on my life - I'm sure you wouldn't be listening to this podcast today if Van Life 1985 hadn't taken place! Throughout the series, I'll include chats recorded with my Dad this year, extracts from my late Mum's travel diary from 1985, and of course my own memories and thoughts.
In this episode, we move on to spend time in Germany, a country that would become very important in my future life. We bypassed Munich, visited the Black Forest, Baden Baden and Heidelberg, and spent time staying with friends near Frankfurt, where my sister and I especially enjoyed the flying fox play equipment in a local path. Belgium featured very briefly in our trip and we then carried on to the Netherlands, enjoying a cheese market in Alkmaar and a canal cruise in Amsterdam.
A big thanks to Context Travel for sponsoring this series, and an even bigger thanks to my Dad for agreeing to be part of it.
Links:
• Context Travel - https://bit.ly/contexttravel - use the code THOUGHTFULTRAVEL to get 15% off any online booking. Context Travel operate walking tours in cities around the world, and have interesting and qualified subject-matter experts leading your walk
• Listen to Part 1 of Van Life Diaries: Episode 348 - https://notaballerina.com/348
• Listen to Part 2 of Van Life Diaries: Episode 351 - https://notaballerina.com/351
• Listen to Part 3 of Van Life Diaries: Episode 355 - https://notaballerina.com/355
• Join our Facebook group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtfultravellers
• Join our LinkedIn group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://notaballerina.com/linkedin
• Sign up for the Thoughtful Travellers newsletter at Substack - https://thoughtfultravel.substack.com
• Show notes: https://notaballerina.com/359 Support the show: https://thoughtfultravel.substack.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.more
Indulge your ears in an audio feast by listening in on delectable discussions of the don't-miss traditional foods of the Netherlands and Spain. Hear about how the French structure their day around meal times, as observed by an Australian chef who's settled in central France. And learn about the spec…Indulge your ears in an audio feast by listening in on delectable discussions of the don't-miss traditional foods of the Netherlands and Spain. Hear about how the French structure their day around meal times, as observed by an Australian chef who's settled in central France. And learn about the special cakes that Norwegians enjoy for the holidays.more
What do Europeans think about the USA? Kristin talks with strangers on the streets of Amsterdam about their thoughts on the United States and its citizens, but their reactions were not what she expected. Tune in to hear from an older couple from the Netherlands, "Retired Richard," a Belgian tourist,…What do Europeans think about the USA? Kristin talks with strangers on the streets of Amsterdam about their thoughts on the United States and its citizens, but their reactions were not what she expected. Tune in to hear from an older couple from the Netherlands, "Retired Richard," a Belgian tourist, a solo female traveler, and Lois the Local.
SPECIAL OFFERS:
• Unbound Merino makes the perfect gift (or gift card!) for the holidays
• Try Nordace backpacks for work, school, travel, or the gym
• Subscribe to Kristin's weekly travel tips email
RESOURCES:
• What did you think of these conversations? Leave your feedback and reflections in the YouTube comments!
RELATED VIDEOS:
• Talking to Locals in Dublin, Ireland
• Talking to Locals in Northern Ireland
• Talking to Locals in the UK
• Asking People How They Became Digital Nomads
Connect with Kristin and Support the Show:
* Become a Patron
* Buy a Coffee
* Follow on Instagram
* Join the Facebook Group
* Leave a 5-Star Review
* Subscribe on YouTube
See the show notes pages on BadassDigitalNomads.com or TravelingwithKristin.com/podcast for time stamps, transcripts, and more resources from this episode.
