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A day to remember in Sluis
Written by: Eline Ocké
Sluis is my town, in West-Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, known for its bustling shopping streets and fine dining. I’m Eline Jocké, born and bred here and always learning more about the place and the area. My tips for a day out.
Wall-to-wall Sluis
A good starter for orientation is a walk along the ‘wallen’, the old city walls. More than six hundred years ago, they were our defences: now we’re more open and, together with the canals and some meadows, they form a lovely nature area. You may find me enjoying the peace and quiet and the view – and taking some pictures.
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Along the Damse Vaart waterway
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Nation’s only belfry
Our sole bell tower goes back a long way: the medieval Flemish edifice was used to announce key happenings. Now it explains our rich history, as a museum. The collection includes the life and times (and they were times indeed) of Johan Hendrik van Dale, a teacher, an archivist and a lexicographer. His name adorns the iconic series of dictionaries known to most people with a schooling in the Netherlands, much like ‘Larousse’ (FR), ‘Duden’ (DE) or ‘Websters’ (US).
Sometimes a picture speaks a dictionary. Climb up the belfry – just shy of 100 steps – and take in the views of my home town.
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Shop, shop, eight days a week
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Eat, drink and be Sluisy
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