Bike and Barge: Rotterdam to the Province of Zeeland

Make your own way into Rotterdam. 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 6:00pm 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 sport 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 as 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 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 of 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 true 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 firstly visit the capital of Zeeland, Middelburg. Previously the second most important city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam, this rich history 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 with 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, and 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 09:00am and individual journey home.