The sea is always near
Delta Works, Holland’s storm barriers
Paradise for flora and fauna lovers
Ship with max. 96 passengers
The province of Zeeland, also referred to as the “Land in the Sea“ is located in the west of the Netherlands and mostly consists of islands and peninsulas. The Eastern and Western Scheldt estuaries reach far inland, thus making Zeeland a paradise for flora and fauna. Cycle with us from the energetic city of Rotterdam to the province of Zeeland. Discover the historic towns of Zierikzee and Middelburg, and the Delta Works, Holland’s most impressive storm surge barriers. Make sure you don’t forget to taste delicious fresh mussels, oysters and Eastern Scheldt Lobster in one of the numerous fish restaurants!
Timetable and Itinerary: subject to alterations. In case a section of the journey cannot be sailed due to low or high water levels or bad weather conditions, the Captain reserves the right to modify the itinerary for your safety (this does not constitute a valid reason for withdrawal).
Details: In italics printed parts will be covered by the ship.
Day 1 (Sat): Arrival in Rotterdam | Rotterdam – Dordrecht
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.
Day 2 (Sun): Dordrecht – Willemstad – Hellevoetsluis, approx. 45 km/27 mi.
In the morning, set sail for Willemstad, a small fortified town dating from the 17th-18th 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.
Day 3 (Mon): Hellevoetsluis – Bruinisse, approx. 45 km/27 mi.
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.
Day 4 (Tue): Bruinisse – Middelburg, approx. 54 km/32.4 mi.
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.
Day 5 (Wed): Middelburg – Veere | Middelburg – Neeltje Jans – Veere, approx. 35 km/21 mi.
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.
Day 6 (Thu): Veere – Bruinisse – Willemstad | Bruinisse – Willemstad, approx. 34 km/20.4 mi.
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.
Day 7 (Fri): Willemstad – Rotterdam, approx. 39 km/23.4 mi.
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.
Day 8 (Sat): Departure from Rotterdam
Disembarkation until 9 a.m. and individual home journey home.
Timetable and Itinerary: subject to alterations. In case a section of the journey cannot be sailed due to low or high water levels or bad weather conditions, the Captain reserves the right to modify the itinerary for your safety (this does not constitute a valid reason for withdrawal).
Details: In italics printed parts will be covered by the ship.
Below you see an overview of the available (blue) dates; the yellow dot means that this date has 2 or less cabins available, orange is ‘on request’ and red means that on this date there aren’t any cabins available. Then click on the preferred date. After this, choose your ship (some tours have only one ship, and therefore there is no choice), the number of cabins in the required (and available) category, any desired additional products, and ‘local costs’ (such as special dietary needs, which you usually pay for onboard). On the right side, you’ll find the ‘Booking Summary.’ After completing your preferences and necessary information click ‘Book now’ to finalize your booking.
7 nights in outside cabin with en-suite shower facilities in the booked category
Programme according to itinerary from/to Rotterdam
Welcome drink
Daily cabin cleaning
Change of linen and towels on request
Full board (7 x breakfast buffet, 6 x packed lunch for cycle tours or lunch snack, 6 x coffee and tea in the afternoon, 7x three-course dinner)
All port, bridge and lock fees
Daily briefing on the respective cycle tours
Maps and information material for the cycle tours, 1x per cabin
2020: GPS tracks
Tour manager on board
Arrival and departure
Parking fees and transfers
Bike rental
Entrance fees and excursions
City maps
Travel insurances
Gratuities and own expenses
Car Parking Facilities in Rotterdam (subject to change, effective April 2018):
For example “Parkeergarage de Boompjes“ Rotterdam
Car park near the docking location (about 10 minutes walking distance), approx. € 28 every 24 hours or
Central Parking Valet Parking Services
At the day of arrival, leave the car at the docking where a driver will meet you, upon your return, the car will be waiting for you at the ship (application form enclosed in the travel documents). Charges about € 150/week (on-site payment).
Minimum number of participants: 70 guests (must have been reached within 21 days prior to departure).
Partner tour:
Legal notice: Boat Bike Tours is not the organizing operator, but the travel agent for this tour; this is a so called ‘partner tour’, available on request. Tour operator is: SE Tours GmbH, Bremerhaven, Germany.
Wir buchten im Januar die Nordtour. Drei Wochen vor Reiseantritt kam eine Stornierungsnachricht – wegen Überbuchung! Die mit einem Preisnachlass angebotene Zeeland-Tour war dann eine gute Alternative: Saubere Kabinen, guter Service, gutes Essen, hochwertige e-Bikes, gutes Kartenmaterial – (fast) alles war perfekt. Die Reiseleitung an Bord war freundlich, aber wenig kompetent.
Our family (including teenagers) had a fantastic biking experience on the Olympia and we have been very impressed with the quality and service. We recommend without hesitation!
The boat : Nice, but maybe too big. Cabins on the back are noisy : the engine / generator works 24/24, and is located in the back. The bike trips : From 35 to 60 km, Quite easy to follow. Beware : no guide with you for bike trips, you will have a map. But easy to follow. The ambiance…
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