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Netherlands

Netherlands: Exploring the province of Zeeland

The sea is always near
Rotterdam Round tour.
From €1049 p.p.
Rotterdam Dunes on the Zeeland-Route
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Netherlands: Exploring the province of Zeeland

Highlights of this tour

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 […]

The sea is always near

Delta Works, Holland’s storm barriers

Paradise for flora and fauna lovers

Ship with max. 96 passengers

Guidance
  • Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
  • Independent cycling: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
guidance Independent cycling
Difficulty
  • Level 1: easy tours, very flat terrain
  • Level 2: quite easy tours, mostly flat terrain
  • Level 3: requires a higher level of exertion, medium hilly terrain
  • Level 4: for experienced cyclists, hilly terrain with climbs
Difficulty level 1 Difficulty level 1
Duration of the tour.
tijd2 Created with Sketch.
8 days

About this tour

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!

Individual bicycle tour: You´ll receive a detailed roadbook with maps and information to the routing on board. You do not cycle in a group – you cycle individually in your own tempo and are therefore able to time your day to your needs. Only the schedule gives you a time frame.

The ship – Your sailing hotel
In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. You’ll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. It’s also possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are rental bikes on board, but you can also bring your own if you mention it when booking.

Prepare yourself for this tour with our Travel Prep-tips

Preparation is half the fun, so why not start straight away?
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Day to day program

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: 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 6 p.m. sail to Holland’s oldest town, Dordrecht, impressively located on an island between three wide rivers.

Day 2: Dordrecht – Willemstad | 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: 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: Bruinisse – Veere, approx. 46 km/27 mi.

Today you can visit the “Watersnoodmuesum” during your bike tour. Here you will learn all about the great flood disaster of 1953 and the “drowned” village of Viane, which was flooded and never rebuilt. Continue towards 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 marvellous views over the town, the harbour and the island. Continue your tour crossing the Zeelandbrug – an impressive structure 5 km long, built on 54 piers – to your destination of the day – the harbour town of Veere. Where once richly laden ships from Scotland docked, today impressive yachts are moored.

Day 5: Veere – Neeltje Jans – Veere, Round Trip approx. 35 – 50 km/21 – 30 mi.

Today you can choose between three different routes, for example the former working island Neeltje Jans, which 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. The adjacent amusement park “Deltapark” gives an insight into the life of sea lions and the underwater world of the Oosterschelde (optional).

Day 6: Veere – Middelburg – Veere, Round Trip approx. 40 km/24 mi. | Veere – Dordrecht

The first stop on your cycling tour is Middelburg, the capital of Zeeland. The city looks back on a rich past and was once the most important city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam. Numerous stores and cafés invite you to visit. During a city tour (optional) you will have the opportunity to learn all kinds of interesting facts about the charming city. The tour continues through the picturesque, typically Dutch landscape on the Walcheren peninsula. Wide beaches, forests and dunes await you. Nowhere in the Netherlands the sun shine as often and as long as here.

Day 7: Dordrecht – Rotterdam, approx. 40 km/24 mi.

On your last stretch, explore the best-known windmills in the Netherlands at Kinderdijk. The 19 windmills, which date back to the 18th century, are beautifully preserved and are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The windmills are well worth a visit! Follow the route along the Maas River up to Rotterdam, one of the largest ports in the world.

Day 8: Rotterdam

Disembarkation until 9:00 am and individual journey home.

Good to know
  • On some days you can choose between a longer and a shorter cycling route. Please note that on the shorter routes you may not be able to visit all the highlights mentioned.
  • If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, you’re welcome to stay on board and relax while the ship cruises to the next landing place.
  • The tour itinerary and route are subject to possible changes due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons, or other unforeseen events.
  • Cycle Tours: Individual and self-guided. Daily distances range from 25 – 58 km. All indicated distances are approximate and refer to the recommended cycling tours.
  • Cycle Sections/ Level of Difficulty: Due to its numerous cycle paths, Holland has become a paradise for cyclists. The cycle routes are on flat terrain and are easy to cycle on, strong headwinds possible.
  • Luggage: We recommend quality rain gear, bike helmet, sun hat and trainers
  • Special Dietary Needs: (e.g. lactose-free and gluten-free dietary) possible upon request and for extra charge and must be ordered at least 14 days prior to departure. It might be necessary to bring special dietary products.
  • Travel Documents: EU-citizens (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad or a limited-validity passport) are required to have a valid passport or ID-card, not expiring within six (6) months of the return of your cruise. We kindly ask non-EU citizens, EU-nationals with multiple citizenship or anybody who has to respect special legal entry requirements for the country to visit, to inform about visa and entry documents at the competent embassy.
  • This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.

Prices & availability

To view the availability of this tour and/or book online please click on the button below. A new screen will open.


Prices & information

Pricing overview - 2024
Cabin type For All departures
Twin cabin on lower deck 2 pers. € 1049 Twin cabin on upper deck astern* 2 pers. € 1149 Twin cabin on upper deck 2 pers. € 1199 Single cabin upper deck 1 pers. € 1599
Included in this tour
  • 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
  • GPS tracks
  • Tour manager on board
  • Carbon offset payment to the non-profit organization Justdiggit
Excluded in this tour
  • Arrival and departure
  • Parking fees and transfers
  • Bike rental
  • Entrance fees and excursions
  • Ferry fees
  • City maps
  • Travel insurances
  • Gratuities and own expenses
  • SGR Insolvency protection
SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person - will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)
Bicycles/E-Bikes

Rental Bikes on Board: smooth-running 7-speed unisex tour bikes made by Velo de Ville (custom built) with hand- and back pedal brakes or freewheel (subject to availability, please indicate by booking) and equipped with pannier.

Electro Bikes with hand- and back pedal brakes or freewheel (subject to availability, please indicate by booking, limited number – early booking required).
Please provide your body measurements upon booking.

To bring your own bike/E-bike: on request only – due to lack of space on sundeck. We exclude any liability for loss, theft and damage – this also applies to damage caused by transportation from shore to ship or vice versa. As from 2024 a surcharge will be charged.

Bike helmet: We recommend to wear a bike helmet. Please bring your own bike helmet (no onboard selling).

Additional options & information - 2024
  • Rental bicycle: €89 per week (bike with freewheel OR backpedal brake, please indicate by booking)
  • Rental E-Bike: €199 per week ((only on request, e-bike with freewheel OR backpedal brake, please indicate by booking, limited number available)
  • To bring your own bike/E-Bike: €29 per week (on request only, limited number).
  • Bike helmet: We recommend to wear a bike helmet. Please bring your own bike helmet (no onboard selling).
  • Optional Excursion Program: we have organised a small choice of optional excursions for you, these can be booked directly aboard the ship. A short description of the excursions you will find in the travel documents. Depending on the group composition, the tours will be bilingual, German-English

 

Car Parking Facilities in Rotterdam (subject to change, effective May 2023):

Car park near the docking location (about 10 minutes walking distance), approx. € 25 every 24 hours or
Valet Parking Service (via Holiday Extras), approx. €170/week (rate depends on capacity). The reservation should be made directly through the company Holiday Extras. More information at https://www.se-tours.de/de/service/parkplatz-amsterdam-und-rotterdam

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.



Reviews

based on 3 reviews on
15 Jul 2021

Helene Normandin

We loved traveling with SE Tours…..A nice way to visit a country…we highly recommended it. Ship personnel, tour guide were awesome…..Food on board was delicious…..Great tour

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 16 Jul 2021

Dear mrs. Normandin, How wonderful to read that you enjoyed your trip with our valued partner SE tours. We hope to welcome you again. Kind regards, Team Boat Bike Tours

26 Aug 2019

Cathy

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!

15 Aug 2019

Michel

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 : Anouncements, meetings, and preparation for trips are in deutch or in german. Not in english or in another langage. This is definitively not an international tour, it’s a deutch one. Average age of travelers : more than 60 / 65. For resume : come with your friends and have a cabin in the front of the boat, you will have nice vacations. But do not hope to make friends if you do not speak deutch.


Available ships for this tour

Normandie
Motor ship Normandie Netherlands

Refurbished cabins

Panorama salon

Separate restaurant

Sun deck

max. 100 passengers
51 cabins
1 tours available with this ship

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Netherlands: Exploring the province of Zeeland

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