Driving Holland and Belgium: Brugge, Sluis, Terneuzen, Breskens, Vlissengen, Middelburg
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The Belfort tower in Brugge provides a romantic view at night.
This sign is at the border crossing from Belgium into the Netherlands. It explains the speed limits on various kinds of streets and freeways..
There is more to see in Terneuzen than coffeeshops and ships.
To cross the Schelde River you can take the ferry at Breskens across to Vlissengen. Here are the prices as of Jan 2001.
Once you arrive in Middelburg you may want to check into the Huifkar Hotel on the Markt by the Stadhuis.
Practical Tips and Photos Page
Why Visit Small Towns in Holland?
Driving in the Netherlands
Maps, Routes, and the ANWB
Brugge -- Amsterdam Suggestions
ZEELAND and ZUID-HOLLAND DRIVES
Brugge -- Sluis -- Terneuzen --Breskens -- Middelburg
Middelburg -- Veere -- Delta Expo -- Burgh Haamstede -- Grevelingen
Goeree-Overflakke Driving Route - Zeeland
NOORD-HOLLAND DRIVES
Haarlem -- Zandfoort -- Vogelezang -- Noordwijk
Brugge to Sluis
When leaving Brugge, follow the ring road until you find Ezelpoort at the north end of town. Ezelstraat, at Ezelpoort, is the road into town that winds it's way (after a few turns) to the Markt. Instead, turn away from the center and follow the road north through the outskirts of town. You will be following the signs towards Sluis, the first Dutch town at the border between Belgium and the Netherlands.If you turn away from the center at Ezelpoort, you will be going north out of Brugge on the road toward Westkapelle. If you end up on the road to Damme instead, do not worry. You will still have signs leading you to Sluis past Damme, which is another worthwhile place to stop.
If you are anything like me you will find Brugge confusing. I normally have an excellent sense of direction, but without geography (aka mountains) I felt that north was south and vice versa. During the day I can still use the sun to determine where south is, but at night this does not work. Subsequently, when leaving Brugge by car one night I made a few false starts to the south.
The countryside in Belgium is not as interesting as in the Netherlands, largely due to the lack of old windmills on the horizon. While there are notable windmills in Brugge, overall the Flemish did not embrace windmills like the Dutch. This is probably because much of Flanders is above sea level.
Before you get to Sluis you will see some newer windmills to the left in the distance, assuming you took the correct road out of Brugge. There are canals lined with trees, little old family restaurants, farms and even a McDonalds along the way. Although McDonalds may be tempting, if you are hungry for a real meal then wait until you arrive in Sluis and eat at De Frietstal near the windmill in town.
The main point of this segment is to follow all the signs to Sluis. .