Freewheel Holidays is offering self-guided tours on Europe's navigable canals and waterways that enables guests to explore the countryside and villages on bicycles while enjoying the relaxation of a river cruise.

Guests are encouraged to depart their boats and explore new regions, catching up with their floating home at the end of the day at designated points.

Bike & Boat cycling holidays also include the option to stay on-board the ship and simply enjoy the waterside surroundings.

Average daily cycling distances tend to be less than 50 km (30 miles).

Itineraries include :

Amsterdam-Bruges

This trip showcases Holland, the Netherlands and Flanders from Amsterdam into Belgium, exploring among others 17th century silversmiths, paintings by Rubens, Ghent where wealth concentrated in the 13th and 14th centuries and Bruges's still-intact city center dating from the Middle Ages.

Danube-Passau-Budapest

This itinerary explores castles, a national park, vineyards and forests along the Danube.

Venice to Mantova

This tour blends nature, culture and cuisine on a journey through the Italian Renaissance in northern Italy along the River Po and the Po Delta, known for birdlife.

Bordeaux Vineyard

This tour visits the wine region surrounding historic villages and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in southwest France, a region defined by rivers Gironde, Garonne and Dordogne.

Prague and the Elbe

This trip embraces the river landscapes and romantic castles of the Czech Republic, departing Prague for Litomerice, known for its beauty, to then cycle through unspoiled countryside with bursts of Baroque and Renaissance architecture.

Useful links

​ www.freewheelholidays.co.uk/bike-and-barge