ARRIVE AT AMSTERDAM

On arrival at Amsterdam International airport, meet our representative and get transferred to your hotel. Check-in to hotel and relax. The remainder of the day is free so we can settle in our new accommodation. Dinner at restaurant. An overnight stay at Amsterdam.

AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING

Breakfast at hotel. We spend the morning on a guided tour exploring the World Heritage listed historical heart of Amsterdam and taking in the fascinating architecture of the luxurious houses with their gabled facades, built by wealthy merchants during the Dutch Golden Age. We join a canal cruise that provides us with a unique perspective of the city.

Then, travelling north through idyllic landscapes we visit the Country Estate at Beeckestijn for a guided tour of its English landscaped garden, the geometric designs of its Baroque style garden, and its herb and rose gardens all dotted with ponds and sculptures. We also stop to explore a famous and highly photogenic collection of windmills at Zaanse Schans. Dinner at restaurant. An overnight stay at Amsterdam.

AMSTERDAM SIGHTSEEING

Breakfast at hotel. An early morning departure allows us to view the famous Aalsmeer flower auctions, the largest in the world, and the frenetic activity on the ‘shipping floor’. Travelling via the bulb fields we proceed to the highlight of our tour – the Keukenhof Flower Garden. Set amongst glorious woodlands and water gardens we explore the spectacular colours of the seven million tulips planted each year. As well, the world’s largest lily show is housed in one of the pavilions; while in another hundreds of orchids are displayed in the most artistic exhibitions. Dinner at restaurant. An overnight stay at Amsterdam.

AMSTERDAM - UTRECHT

Breakfast at hotel. Leaving Amsterdam, our first stop is the historic Hortus Botanicus, at Leiden. Founded in 1594, this is the oldest botanic garden in the Netherland’s and one of Europe’s oldest as well. It was here that botanist Carolus Clusius planted the first tulip bulbs leading to the ‘Tulip Mania’ that gripped the country in the 1600s. Many fortunes were made and lost during the obsession of the Dutch people with the tulip.

Following free time to explore Leiden we travel on to Utrecht and join a canal cruise through the city’s mediaeval heart from which we view ancient wharves, warehouses, bridges and historical buildings. This lesser-known city is regarded by some as Europe’s most beautiful city – a hidden gem. Dinner at restaurant. An overnight stay at Utrecht.

UTRECHT - ZWOLLE

Breakfast at hotel. De Hoge Veluwe National Park houses a highly unusual landscape of woodlands and heaths with a fascinating natural history that we will explore at the Museonder. Also located within the park is the Rijksmuseum Kröller-Müller, that houses the world’s second-largest Van Gogh collection of 90 paintings and 180 drawings. Also found here are paintings by Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. Distributed throughout its garden are over 160 sculptures by iconic artists, such as Auguste Rodin and Henry Moore.

The Palace of Het Loo was built in 1686 for William and Mary who later became King William 111 and Queen Mary 11 of England, serving as the hunting lodge and summer residence of members of the House of Oranje, the current Dutch royal family, until 1970. The palace displays original furniture, objects and paintings of the House of Orange-Nassau. The palace is a rijksmonument or national monument. The glorious Baroque garden with its perfect symmetry, axial layout with radiating gravel walks, parterres, fountains, basins and statues was designed by the nephew of André Le Nôtre, the most famous French garden designer of all time. Dinner at restaurant. An overnight stay at Zwolle.

ZWOLLE - AMSTERDAM

Breakfast at hotel. We travel to Nunspeet where we explore Kijktuinen Garden, not one garden but many including borders in striking colour combinations, a classic rose garden, pergolas, arbors, water and herb gardens and the recreation of an old Dutch Square.

Later we take in the delights of Vollendam a traditional fishing village with quaint, uniquely gabled, green-painted wooden houses. Vollendam is well known for its traditional and colourful costumes which we may be lucky enough to see. We visit a cheese factory with an unbelievable and delectable array of cheeses and accompaniments!

Our Programme Leader will guide us on a short walk through the delightful small town of Edam, the original home of Edam cheese, to view its attractive alleys, tree-shaded canals, canal bridges and locks. Some say it is like entering a Dutch Master painting. Late this afternoon we return to Amsterdam. Dinner at restaurant. An overnight stay at Amsterdam.

DEPARTURE FROM AMSTERDAM

After breakfast, packing up your bags and take the leave from your hotel and you will be directly transferred to the Amsterdam International airport from where you can fly back to your homeland.

“Leave EUROPE with Sweet Memories”