Netherlands: Exploring the province of Zeeland

Individual arrival in Rotterdam. Embarkation at about 4 p.m. You may have  some time left to see Rotterdam’s stunning Market Hall. The Dutch refer to it as their version of the “Sistine Chapel“. At 5 p.m. sail to Holland’s oldest town, Dordrecht, impressively located on an island between three wide rivers.

In the morning, set sail for Willemstad, a small fortified town dating from the 17^th-18^th century, which is well worth visiting. Here start for your first cycle tour. Cross the inland waters of Haringvliet over the Volkerakdam, and cycle through fields and past storybook villages like Zwartsluis and Goudswaard to the popular water sports center of Hellevoetsluis.

With fine weather, it is worth to take a detour to the bathing beach of Rockanje, a wide fine-sandy beach with marvelous dunes, before starting the bike tour. Crossing the Haringvliet again, you pass through small villages like Stellendam with the mill Korenlust, the small water sport village of Herkingen and, continuing along the Grevelingendam, you reach the mussel village of Bruinisse.

Today cycle to the small town of Zierikzee, which is among the 10 most beautiful Dutch national heritage towns. The „fat tower“ rises high above the town. The top of the tower offers marvelous views over the town, the harbor and the island. Continue your tour crossing the Zeeland Bridge to Middelburg, the capital of the province of Zeeland. Once the second most important city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam, Middleburg is a town full of history. Numerous shops and cafes are waiting to be discovered.

Destination of today’s cycle tour is Neeltje Jans. The former working island was created by rising a sand flat to facilitate the construction of the Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier, the most impressive construction of the Delta Works. You will have the possibility not only to marvel at the locks from up close but also from the inside. Afterwards, continue the cycle tour to Veere, a beautiful holiday seaside town, where once deeply loaded Scottish ships landed.

Cycle via Oude-Tonge – the small, popular water sports village was badly impacted by the 1953 flood catastrophe. 305 people are buried in a mass grave near the dike just outside the village – and via small villages like Achthuizen back to Willemstad.

Today´s cycle tour starts in Willemstad and takes you back to Rotterdam. While passing the popular Erasmus Bridge you can see the Olympia from a distance which already awaits you. Use the chance and experience Europe´s largest harbor on an interesting harbor tour.

Disembarkation until 9 a.m. and individual home journey home.