Itinerary
With Bike & Barge from Rotterdam to the Province of Zeeland
8 days / 7 nights | MS Normandie | Self-guided cycling tours
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 – the city stands for easy and relaxed togetherness like no other city in the Netherlands – to the province of Zeeland. Discover the historic towns of Zierikzee and Middelburg and the Delta Works, Holland’s most impressive storm surge barriers. Sample delicious mussels, oysters and Eastern Scheldt Lobster. You should not miss out on a stop in one of the numerous fish restaurants!
Highlights of this bike and boat trip
✔ Marvellous beaches and loving bath resorts
✔ The energetic city of Rotterdam
✔ Historical towns as Zierikzee and Middelburg
✔ The Delta Works, the impressive storm barrier
Day 1: Arrival in Rotterdam, Boat Tour 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 (Cycling 45 km / 28 miles)
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 (Cycling 45 km / 28 miles)
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 (Cycling 46 km / 27 miles)
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 (Cycling Round Trip 35–55 km / 22–34 miles)
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: Round Trip Veere / Bout tour Veere – Dordrecht (Cycling approx. 40 km / 25 miles)
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 (Cycling approx. 40 km / 25 miles)
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: Departure from Rotterdam
Disembarkation until 09:00am and individual home 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.
Map

Ship MS Normandie
MS Normandie
When joining the Normandie you are immediately aware of the cozy and informal ambience on board. The cabins are refurbished in 2019/2020.
Description of the cabins
The Normandie’s capacity is a total of 51 cabins, 49 twin-cabins, and two single-cabins. The twin-cabins on lower and upper deck are approx. 10-11 square meters in size and are equipped with two single beds, a shower and WC, hairdryer, TV, safe, central air-conditioning and a picture window. Only windows on the upper deck can be opened. The single-cabins are a bit less spacious (7 qm) with only one bed but otherwise have the same features.
Description of the ship
On the upper deck you will find a comfortable panorama salon with a bar, the lower deck houses the elegant restaurant (no direct access from the cabins). On the well-spaced sun deck there are both deck chairs and a seating area, which encourage conversation and communal activity in fresh air. On board there is only limited internet access on the sun deck.
Technical details
Length: 91.2 m (299.2 ft.)
Width: 10.5 m (34.3 ft.)
Cabins: 51
Pass.: 100 (max.)
Currency on board: Euro
Credit cards: Mastercard and Visa.
Travel Dates & Prices 2023
Travel Dates and Prices 2023 per Person
Please click at the travel data to open the request form.
Travel Dates
Prices 2023 per Person in €
Season Jun 03 - Aug 19
Twin below deck
999,- €
Twin upper front/rear*
1049,- €
Twin upper deck
1099,- €
Single upper deck
1449,- €
Optional services / Notes
Cycle hire (7 gears)
75,- €
E-Bike
189,- €
2-bed cabin for single use
+50%
Parking in Rotterdam from approx.
170,- €
- * Twin upper = cabins next to the engine room
- Minimum number of participants: 70
Services included
- 7 nights in outside cabin on MS OLYMPIA with en-suite shower facilities in the booked category
- Program 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
Not included: Arrival and departure, parking fees and transfers, bike rental, entrance fees and excursions, city maps, travel insurances, gratuities and own expenses.
Difficulty level
The cycling tours are individual and self-guided. Daily distances range from 25 - 58 km. All indicated distances are approximate and refer to the recommended cycling tours.
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.
Meals on board
(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
Optional Excursion Programme
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.
Luggage
Luggage on board: we recommend quality rain gear, bike helmet, sun hat and trainers
Bicycle rental
Bicycles rental are 7-gear touring bikes.
All rentals include a rear pannier. E-Bike on request
It is also possible to use your own bicycles during this tour.
Arrival
Car Parking Facilities in Rotterdam (subject to change, effective April 2020):
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
(via holiday extras), approx. € 145.-/week (Rate depends on capacity; application form with your booking confirmation).
Travel Dates & Prices 2024
Travel Dates and Prices 2024 per Person
Please click at the travel data to open the request form.
Travel Dates
Prices 2024 per Person in €
Season May 25 - Aug 17
Twin below deck
1049,- €
Twin upper front/rear*
1149,- €
Twin upper deck
1199,- €
Single upper deck
1599,- €
Optional services / Notes
Cycle hire (7 gears)
89,- €
E-Bike
199,- €
Bring your own bike (on request)
29,- €
2-bed cabin for single use
+50%
Parking in Rotterdam from approx.
170,- €
- * Twin upper = cabins next to the engine room
- Minimum number of participants: 70
Services included
- 7 nights in outside cabin on MS OLYMPIA with en-suite shower facilities in the booked category
- Program 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
Not included: Arrival and departure, parking fees and transfers, bike rental, entrance fees and excursions, city maps, travel insurances, gratuities and own expenses.
Difficulty level
Level 1, easy tours, very flat terrain.
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.
Meals on board
(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
Optional Excursion Programme
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.
Luggage
Luggage on board: we recommend quality rain gear, bike helmet, sun hat and trainers
Bicycle rental
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).
Arrival
Car Parking Facilities in Rotterdam (subject to change, effective April 2023):
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
(via holiday extras), approx. € 170.-/week (Rate depends on capacity; application form with your booking confirmation)