Join us on our NewsCruise Issue 4 | July 2017

Prinsendam Returns to

Hospitality sits high on the Zeeland ports’ piece of jewellery by a well-known artist passengers may have the pleasure of list of priorities. This is good reason for the from , a Zeeuws Blue-painted Oyster sitting in the ‘solar train’ and taking a half- Holland America Line to once again moor shell from Zierikzee or a box of delicious hour sightseeing journey around the old, its cruise ship Prinsendam in Zeeland. chocolates made by chocolatier Ticho from intriguing cities. Friday 22 September will be the second Yerseke. time this year that the Prinsendam sails to The tour operator has arranged excursions Ms. Prinsendam is Holland America the southwest of the . The first to historic cities such as Middelburg, Veere Line’s most intimate ship. On board, the time this elegant ship lowered its anchor and Zierikzee. Various guides will inform 835 passengers get the feeling of being in the Zeeland port was in June this year; their guests in their own languages about on a classic yacht, but with the space of a in September the passengers can be sure the fascinating details of the province. cruise ship. Most cabins face out to sea and of an equally warm welcome in Zeeland. For travellers who have not registered many have a private veranda. In September, Holland America Line enjoys the benefits for an excursion, there are two free the Prinsendam will make a 15-day cruise of the port, the good atmosphere and the shuttle buses available to take them to from Amsterdam to Barcelona, visiting interesting surroundings. The shipping Middelburg or . Once there, the Zeeland on day two. company has discovered Zeeland!

Authentic Dutch barrel organ music provides a musical greeting upon disembarkation and ensures a good atmosphere on the quay. Those passengers who are looking for a beautiful keepsake of Zeeland can purchase a special souvenir at a pop-up shop on the quayside, provided by Zeeland Cruise Port. They can choose from a bottle of home-made ketchup from The Ketchup Factory in Graauw, a special

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PORT OF CALL: MIDDELBURG church tower, with its magnificent imperial crown, is more than 90 metres high. Don’t underestimate the climb – it’s 207 steps Lying in the centre of the island and there isn’t a lift – but the effort is well worth it. The view is of , Middelburg, spectacular. On a clear day you can even see the other islands from the capital of the province of this wonderful vantage point. Zeeland, is a city which happily Long John is one of the three towers belonging to the enormous welcomes visitors. Wandering medieval abbey, which dates back to 1100. The cloister garden

Photo courtesy of Marc Ryckaert around its narrow streets is like and the passageways encircling it are the oldest part; a great travelling back in time. place for a spot of meditation. Part of the abbey surrounding the 800 years ago, in 1217, Middelburg received city rights. From central courtyard was taken over by the provincial council in 1574, that point on, the city administrators were allowed to levy tolls at the time when Prince William of Orange took possession of and taxes. City walls and a city moat followed, and a section of the city. In another part, you can find the Museum of Zeeland (het the oldest, Medieval, part of the moat still exits. The marketplace Zeeuws Museum). Under the trees, the canopy of leaves makes the boasts the unusually beautiful City Hall with its 15th century Gothic courtyard an area of tranquillity, far from the constant murmuring façade and statues. In 1458, architects combined the City Hall with of the city. a Cloth Hall and Meat Hall, as was the custom at that time. The The history of Middelburg, its monuments, towers and churches, Cloth Hall is now used as a romantic setting for weddings; the Meat leave visitors in awe. Absorbing the culture, pausing in a peaceful Hall as a gallery for the exhibition of modern art. The remainder of courtyard or sauntering through the intimate streets with their the building houses the Roosevelt University College. rich variety of shops appeals to a lot of people. Middelburg has got The ‘Long John’ tower soars above the city’s monuments. This what it takes. It is a city of enjoyment.

HISTORY FOOD ADVENTURE • Veere, The Smallest City of the Netherlands • Cheese farm

The entire small city of Veere, once home Visit a local cheese farm. You will see how to Napoleon and his army, is a monument they make real Zeeland cheese and of with historic buildings and city wall. course, taste it too. ➔ More info

• The Maritime City of Vlissingen • Zeeland Seafood Sensation

Combine shopping with a visit to the Zeeland is one of the leading regions of beach, a walk along the 2km long mussel and oyster farming. In Yerseke, boulevard or a visit to the muZEEum the epic centre of the aquaculture, you (maritime museum) and St. Jacob’s can learn all about these delicacies of the Church. sea and enjoy a nice portion of mussels ➔ More info or oysters in one of the many seafood restaurants. EXPOSITIONS • Delta Expo – Waterland at the • De Kleine Schorre Vineyard

The Oosterscheldekering is part of the At Schouwen-Duiveland you will find Deltaworks to protect the lower parts the De Kleine Schorre Vineyard. It is of the Netherlands against the sea. This one of the biggest Dutch vineries. Taste 9km long storm-surge barrier shows all exquisite wines and find out why the its secrets in the Delta Expo at Waterland Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) has chosen de Neeltje Jans. Kleine Schorre wines for its business class ➔ More info travellers. ➔ More info • Watersnoodmuseum LEISURE In 1953 a large part of the Netherlands including Zeeland, was flooded with The Netherlands is made for biking and in water after a heavy storm. In the Zeeland you can enjoy a ride along scenic Watersnoodmuseum you can experience biking routes through forests, small for yourself how many survived the flood. villages, dunes and along the seaside. ➔ More info

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An Authentic Welcome to Zeeland

Cruise lines are choosing Vlissingen as Yerseke, were present with their exclusive a host port more and more often. On chocolates; the Goes artist Ineke Otte had a Wednesday 14 June, the Nautica moored stall displaying her colourful creations and at the Bijleveldhaven in Vlissingen and on many of the passengers were drawn to the Zeeland (het Zeeuws Museum), stopping 15 June the Prinsendam dropped anchor in blue-painted Zeeland oyster shells – an at the impressive late-gothic City Hall on the same port. exclusive gift for the folks back home. the market square and passing many of the typical 17th and 18th-century Dutch Norwegian Cruise Line (formerly Oceania After this original introduction with its townhouses standing in rows along the Cruises) and the Holland America Line authentic Zeeland tint, the passengers canals. are purposefully choosing Zeeland as a were ushered into shuttle buses and destination for their passengers. It is a within 15 minutes found themselves in Wendie Lindgreen of Zeeland Cruise Port, province which perfectly suits both young the centre of Middelburg, the capital of who organised the welcome in the port of and old. Zeeland. The solar train was waiting on Vlissingen, understands the importance of the Turfkaai to take them on a tour of the providing passengers with an interesting On both days, the passengers received a highlights of this medieval city. An English programme in Zeeland. “This province has warm welcome on the quay. They were guide gave interesting facts and details so much to offer. Historic cities such as delighted by the music emanating from about the numerous national monuments Middelburg, Veere, Vlissingen and Zierikzee the pure-Dutch barrel organ and by the along the way and told stories about the are full of wonderful monuments and various stalls, offering original products city in the Middle Ages. The train rumbled fascinating museums. We’ve got the Delta- from Zeeland, which had been set up for along the old, narrow cobble-stone works storm-surge barrier, Neeltje Jans their pleasure on the quayside. Ticho, streets, taking in the enormous medieval and the Flood Museum, all destinations the chocolatier and patisserie from abbey which now houses the Museum of which are exciting for foreign visitors.”

Port of Vlissingen Benefits ZEELAND CRUISE PORT There are many reasons why the port of Vlissingen is a great port of Contact: call for cruise vessels. It has already become clear to several leading Wendie Lindgreen – Office & Quality Manager operators. We’ll list them here. Engelandweg 33, • An open, lock free, connection close to the main North Sea shipping NL-4389 PC Vlissingen-Oost routes; The Netherlands • Good, direct connections with public transport; T +31 (0)118 467 778 • An international airport within 90 minutes reach; M [email protected] • Beautiful surroundings with lots of possibilities for excursions I www.zeelandcruiseport.nl within 30 minutes of the quay; ISPS 24/7 contact: +31 (0)6 5182 2278 – Gastronomy and culture in safe surroundings; VTS Channel: Channel 9 & 14 – Located in Zeeland, the province with the cleanest beaches and most sunlight hours in the Netherlands; Vlissingen • Hospitality desk.

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