Zeeland Island Tour

Today you will cycle along one of the most pristine coastlines in the Netherlands. The coast of the island of Schouwen-Duiveland is about 21 kilometers long and the almost snow-white beaches, adorned with dunes, are known as the most beautiful beaches in the Netherlands. Today you will see even more of what the Dutch are proud of: the Delta Works. An impressive construction of dikes, dams and locks designed to protect a large part of the Netherlands from flooding. The construction of this huge facility took more than 30 years. This unique protection system is now world famous. Past the Delta Works constructions Brouwersdam and Haringvlietdam, you cycle from the island of Schouwen-Duiveland to the (South Holland) island of Goeree-Overflakkee. At the end of the afternoon you will pass the second delta construction, the Haringvlietdam. You will spend the night in the old fortified town of Brielle, where every year on April 1st it is celebrated that Brielle (then Den Briel) was the first town ever to be conquered by Dutch freedom fighters (Watergeuzen) in 1572. Brielle is also a place of pilgrimage for Dutch Catholics.

Overnight place: Brielle

Today's route takes you via the island of Goeree-Overflakkee to Oude Tonge. Via the Grevelingendam you reach the nice small town of Bruinisse, city of mussels. It is not without reason that Bruinisse is called "the gateway to Zeeland", as the Bruinisse marina is very close by. You then follow the route further across the island of Schouwen-Duiveland. The town of Zierikzee is located on the Oosterschelde inlet. Zierikzee is one of the most important Attractions of the island: Don't forget to try some typical Zeeland specialties, such as a "bolus" (sweet pastry) or a "Schouws Aalroll" (eel roll).

Overnight place: Rotterdam

From Rotterdam you cycle via Kinderdijk to Dordrecht. Dordrecht is Holland's oldest city. Many interesting monuments are lined up in the harbor district. From Dordrecht you cross the penultimate section of the widest arm of the Rhine in the branched Rhine-Maas delta at the Moerdijk Bridge. Wantemstad has a small but very interesting town center with many well-restored buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. This is a small typically Dutch fortified town.

Overnight place: Willemscity

Today's route takes you via the island of Goeree-Overflakkee to Oude Tonge. Via the Grevelingendam you reach the nice small town of Bruinisse, city of mussels. It is not without reason that Bruinisse is called "the gateway to Zeeland", as the Bruinisse marina is very close by. You then follow the route further across the island of Schouwen-Duiveland. The town of Zierikzee is located on the Oosterschelde inlet. Zierikzee is one of the most important Attractions of the island: Don't forget to try some typical Zeeland specialties, such as a "bolus" (sweet pastry) or a "Schouws Aalroll" (eel roll).

Overnight place: Noordgouwe (Zierikzee)

Today you will return to maritime spheres. The Zeelandbrug (Zeeland Bridge) is the longest bridge in the Netherlands, over 5 km long and with 50 arches. It takes you across the Oosterschelde to the island of Noord-Beveland. A ferry takes you to the north side of the Walcheren peninsula and from there you continue to the charming water sports town of Veere. Then you continue towards Middelburg, the beautiful old capital of the province of Zeeland. You can see that it is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. The many historic buildings give the city a special character. At the end of the day you will reach Vlissingen, a city with a very maritime atmosphere and great importance for shipping. The city owes its irresistible attraction to its location on the North Sea, at the mouth of the Westerschelde. Beautiful beaches and the only south-facing promenade, 2 km long, invite you to take a stroll. The large sea-going ships pass just a stone's throw away. ... and the "wind organ" on Nollestrand plays a mysterious melody. Also take a look at the statue of Michiel de Ruyter, the naval hero of Dutch history.

Overnight place: Vlissingen

Today you cycle across the former island of Walcheren. Walcheren offers you everything you could wish for: forests, dunes, dikes and centuries-old towns and villages with a rich history. You cycle to Domburg. This is the oldest and a very picturesque seaside resort on the Walcheren coast. This coast will amaze you. The beaches are wide and golden yellow. The dunes, which are almost 50 m high in some places, give you a unique view of the beaches and the North Sea. You then continue across the Oosterscheldekering and after about 9 km you reach the island of Schouwen-Duiveland again, where your Zeeland adventure began. You pass through the largest forest in Zeeland, the wonderful nature reserve "De Kop van Schouwen". The hilly dune landscape with sand drifts, valley plains and dune meadows is really charming.

Overnight place: Burgh-Haamstede

After breakfast, departure on your own or with an extension

Overnight place: Burgh-Haamstede