Bike and Barge: Rotterdam to the Province of Zeeland (MS Normandie)

Make your way to Rotterdam (Schiedam). Embarkation at about 4:00 pm. Depending on your arrival time, you might have the chance to see Rotterdam’s stunning Market Hall. The Dutch often refer to it as their “Sistine Chapel” because of the incredible decor.

At 6:00 pm, the boat will cast off to Holland’s oldest town, Dordrecht, located impressively on an island between three wide rivers.

We will set sail for Willemstad in the morning. This small, fortified town dates back to the 17th/18th century and is well worth the visit. Here, you will start your first bike tour. Cross the inland waters of Haringvliet over the Volkerakdam, and cycle through pleasant fields. You will pass villages that look like they’ve come straight out of a storybook, like Zwartsluis and Goudswaard, and finish the day at the popular water sports centre of Hellevoetsluis.

If the weather is on your side, it is well worth taking a detour to the bathing beach of Rockanje, a wide, fine-sandy beach with marvellous dunes, before you set out on today’s bike tour. Crossing the Haringvliet again, you will pass through small villages like Stellendam with the mill Korenlust, the small water sports village of Herkingen and, continuing along the Grevelingendam, you will eventually reach your destination for the day, the village of Bruinisse, famous for its mussels.

During today’s cycling, you can visit the “Watersnoodmuseum”, where you can learn the story of the great flood disaster of 1953 and how the village of Viana was flooded and not rebuilt. Your next stop will be in Zierikzee, which has been named one of the top 10 most beautiful Dutch national heritage towns, characterised by its “fat tower”. You can climb to the top of this tower and see amazing views of the town, harbour, and island. As you carry on, you will next go past Zeelandbrug. This bridge is 5km long and is a very impressive structure constructed out of 54 piers. After this will be your final stop for the day in Veere. This is the site where ships from Scotland used to dock, and today, lavish yachts are parked.

Today is a day of options for you! You have three to choose from. You can explore Neeltje Jans, a former working island which was created out of a sand flat and is a truly impressive creation. Here you can enjoy the docks from outside and inside. You can also visit the nearby amusement park “Deltapark”, which shows you the lives of sea lions, and optionally, you can visit the Oosterschelde “tall ship”.

Today, you will first visit the capital of Zeeland, Middelburg. Previously, the second most important city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam, this rich history that can be experienced here. You can also do a spot of shopping and enjoy a refreshment in a local café. It’s also possible to do a city tour here, where you can learn about the city’s history. Continue through fairy-tale Dutch scenery on the Walcheren peninsula. This area is characterised by wide beaches, forests, and dunes. This is the area in the Netherlands with the most hours of sunshine!

On your final ride, you will get the chance to explore the best-known windmills in the Netherlands at Kinderdijk. These 19 windmills date back to the 18th century, are beautifully well preserved and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The windmills are a must-see attraction in the area! Follow the route along the Maas River up to Rotterdam, one of the largest ports in the world.

Disembarkation until 09:00 am and individual journey home.

• Embarkation: From 4:00 pm
• Disembarkation: Until 9:00 am
• Minimum Number of Participants: 60 guests (must be reached within 21 days before departure)
• Bringing Your Own Bike: On request only due to limited space on the sun deck. E-bikes exclusively with removable battery packs. We exclude any liability for loss, theft, and damage, including damage caused during transportation from shore to ship or vice versa.
• Travel Safe and Secure: We recommend wearing a bike helmet. Onboard selling: UVEX I-VO for €40 per helmet (limited number available).
• Excursions: We offer a small excursion program that can be booked directly on board with the cruise director. You will receive a brief description of your travel documents. Depending on the number of participants, some excursions may be conducted in two languages (German/English).
• Luggage: We recommend bringing rainwear, a bicycle helmet, a sunhat, and trainers.
• Schedule and Program Changes: We reserve the right to change the routing and program. In the case of low or high water levels, if a route cannot be navigated, the captain reserves the right to change the route for your safety (this cannot be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal). The same applies to previously unknown administrative orders for lock or bridge repairs.
• Travel Documents:
  • EU citizens (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad, or a limited-validity passport) must have a valid passport or ID card that does not expire within six (6) months of the return date of your cruise.
  • Non-EU citizens, EU nationals with multiple citizenships, or anyone who must adhere to special legal entry requirements for the country to visit should seek information about visa and entry documents from the competent embassy.
• Accessibility: This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
• Insurance: We recommend taking out travel health insurance with repatriation coverage, as well as baggage, accident, and travel cancellation insurance.

All times are subject to change. Please book your travel according to the scheduled arrival and departure times.

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• Ship name: MS NORMANDIE
• Cabin refurbishment: 2019/20
• Registry: Netherlands
• Length: 91.2 m
• Width: 10.5 m
• Draft: 1.60 m
• Number of Crew: approx. 19
• Passengers: max. 100

Upon joining this vessel, you are immediately aware of the cosy and informal ambience on board. On the upper deck, you will find the comfortable panorama salon with its bar. The main deck features the restaurant (with no direct access from the cabin area). On deck, there are both deck chairs and ordinary chairs and tables, which encourage conversation and communal activity in the fresh air.

MS Normandie has a total of two single cabins and forty-nine double cabins. They are all outside cabins, providing approximately 10-11 square metres of space for double cabins and about 7 square metres for single cabins. All double cabins on the main and upper decks are equipped with two lower hotel beds, a shower and WC, a hairdryer, a TV, a safe (with deposit), central air conditioning, and a picture window. Only the windows on the upper deck can be opened.

In the rear part of the upper deck, engine and generator noises are perceptible in some double cabins. Single cabins have one lower hotel bed and are otherwise equipped with the same features.

Arrival: Rotterdam (Schiedam)

Departure: Rotterdam (Schiedam)

Nearest arrival airport(s): Amsterdam or Rotterdam

Nearest departure airport(s): Amsterdam or Rotterdam

We also recommend travelling by train to all of our cycling holiday starting and departure points. We can help you plan your journey to Rotterdam by rail. Car parking is available on all tours at the first hotel or a nearby public parking location. Full details are available on request.

Please do not book travel until an official invoice confirms the cycling holiday.