This ride is a fixed-base or semi-fixed-base ride, please read the ride description for more details.
† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $50 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.
OVERVIEW
Due to popular demand, we have again chartered the comfort plus barge, the MPS Zwaantje, going from Paris to Bruges. Imagine sipping on a glass of Bourgogne Rouge from the deck of a boat as it gently slips up the Seine to downtown Paris. The flavor of the bike and barge tour in France and Belgium reflects the people and culture in general, and the "art de vivre". Both countries have varied cultures, people and terrain, perfect for a multifaceted cycling adventure.
The 14 day tour begins on September 16th, 2017 in the center of Paris and ends on September 30th, 2017 in Bruges. We will cruise past many famous points of interest such as Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Museum d'Orsey and the Eiffel Tower. We will cycle through little villages in France and well preserved historical towns in Belgium. We will visit castles, cathedrals, ancient abbeys, cemeteries, and many historical sites known for kings, wars, artists, poets, and much, much more. The tour ends near the city center of Bruges, sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North". This is a lively picturesque city which still has a significant economic importance thanks to its port. At one time it was the "chief commercial city" of the world.
RIDE RATING
This ride is rated as 1A as the route is mostly flat with some rolling hills, some days being slightly more hilly than others. You may always choose to stay on board for a day if you do not want to bike. The average distance is 31 miles (50km) per day with one day being 40 miles (65km).
WEATHER
September temperatures average 55-70F (13-21C) in Paris and 52-64F (11-18C) in Bruges. There is likely to be some rain, so come prepared with rain gear. With the peak tourist season winding down, the weather is just as nice as during the summer months.
LODGING
This is a fixed base tour in the sense that we will be staying on a barge traveling through the towns to our next mooring point. Our barge, the MPS Zwaantje (Little Swan), is a comfort plus class barge, very comfortable and tastefully furnished, with a special saloon and a separate bar. Cabins have full, private bathrooms, air conditioning and heating, flat twin beds (no bunk beds), and maid service every day. There is a large sun deck with deck chairs and an awning. Pictures can be seen on tripsite.com.
BAC will be using all 12 cabins, all with twin beds, on this trip. Other than the crew, the whole barge will be BAC exclusively.
COST AND ADMINISTRATION
INCLUDED IN THE ESTIMATED PRICE OF $2,850 (USD PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY):
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE ARE:
LOGISTICS - ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
You are responsible for your own arrival and departure in Paris and Bruges. In Paris, the Zwaantje will be moored at the port of Quia de Bercy (metro station Bercy) and available for boarding on September 16th beginning at 3 p.m. If flying into Charles de Gauille airport, take the metro train to station Bercy.
In Bruges the tour will end at 9:00 a.m. on September 30th. The rail station is a 10-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the dock and trains run frequently to Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels. Reservations and schedules can be found at "raileurope.com."
SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY
Singles and solo are welcome on this tour. It is strongly recommended that singles try to find their own roommates before registering for this tour. Roommates should be signed-up and confirmed by August 30, 2016. If a roommate cannot be found by August 30, 2016, a participant could cancel with a full refund, minus the BAC registration fee. If a roommate cancels after August 30, 2016 and cannot be replaced, the participant would be responsible for any unpaid balance from the cancelling roommate.
CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC ride registration fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled. If a participant cancels, refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up from the wait list. If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. Since BAC will have exclusive use of the MPS Zwaantje barge during the entire voyage, we are paying for a full boat trip. That means if a participant cancels and a BAC replacement cannot be found, there will be little or no refund. Please be sure you want to go on this tour before signing up! If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped, the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of $2,400. BAC strongly encourages members to purchase personal trip cancellation insurance.
RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY
Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader's decisions.
SIGN-UP
To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed below this Ride Description. When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List. At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee on line. Once those steps have been completed, the initial deposit of $850 (USD) will be due to the Ride Leader no later than August 30, 2016. The Ride Leader will contact you after you have been accepted on the ride with additional payment information. The balance of the ride fee will be due no later than March 30, 2017. To contact the Ride Director, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.
Mes Salutations
Birgit Stefani
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org