Group Tour Operator for holidays to the Netherlands
Dutch Dahlias on Parade – Discover Zundert’s Amazing Flower Parade
-
Dutch Dahlia Parade 2017
-
Dutch Dahlias on Parade, Holland
-
Dutch Dahlias parade in Holland, 2010
-
Zundert Flower Parade 2010 - Dutch Dahlias
-
Zundert Flower Parade 2009
-
Dutch Dahlias on Parade ©Erwin Martens
-
Zundert Flower Parade - Dutch Dahlias
Just as the summer begins to fade, the charming Dutch village of Zundert, near the Belgian border, hosts a phenomenal festival of dahlia flowers. On the first Sunday of September every year, the annual Zundert Flower Parade has the town decked in dahlias which attracts tens of thousands of visitors. Furthermore, it has become one of the Netherlands’ most beautiful parades. The impressive structures built from flowers have been turning heads since 1936 and is a must-see for fans of flowers, art or the downright bizarre!
Millions of locally-grown dahlias go into making the floates for the annual Zundert Flower Parade. Easily one of Europe’s most magnificent spectacles. Furthermore, the extravaganza requires hundreds of hours’ volunteering. The Bloemencorso has seen local communities compete in the Dutch village of Zundert for over 70 years. As the floats have grown from dahlia-adorned bikes and carts to colossal floral dioramas, so too has the crowd grown. Every year this Dutch village buzzes with thousands of visitors, drawn by beautiful and surreal floats. Entertainers add to the lively atmosphere, while local markets offer many browsing opportunities.
What’s more, Zundert’s position close to the Belgian and Dutch borders means you can spend the rest of your tour visiting some of Holland and Belgium’s main cities. Perhaps visit fascinating the port city of Rotterdam, the Royal Hague or beautiful historic Antwerp.
Dates
August - September 2024 (Dates to be confirmed for 2025)
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Travel to the Netherlands
Board the ferry for our overnight cruise to The Netherlands. Whilst on board, why not enjoy a buffet dinner (at a supplement) or relax in one of the many bars and lounges.
Day 2
Antwerp/Breda
Upon disembarkation we drive south towards Belgium with a stop en-route to our hotel. Start your discovery, perhaps with a guided tour of Antwerp that reveals the beautiful gabled buildings around the cobbled Grote Markt square. The imposing Cathedral of Our Lady, the tallest Gothic building in the Low Countries, houses many of Ruben’s paintings. In the afternoon, perhaps visit the visually arresting MAS Museum. Opened in 2011, the multiple staggered red sandstone levels celebrate the links between the city and the rest of the world. Alternatively, take a relaxing cruise on the River Scheldt. We highly recommend this laid-back approach to exploring this wonderful city.
Alternatively, visit Breda, a wonderful fun-loving city in the southern part of Holland. It is where royal history and street art meet. Visit the historic monuments from the era of Nassau, stroll past hundreds of murals by international artists, and unwind in the many green areas in and around the city. There are also some great shopping areas and a wide variety of cafés and restaurants.
Day 3
Zundert Flower Parade Day – Dutch Dahlias on Display
Travel to the Dutch village of Zundert for their famous Dahlia Parade. Spend the morning exploring the town and let the many performers dotted around the streets entertain you. Browse the local markets before taking your **seats for the parade.
The afternoon is spent watching the Flower Parade which volunteers have been preparing for a whole year to create. The parade passes down the main streets of the town before stopping for a break for visitors to inspect and admire the floats before resuming its route around the town and the award ceremony for the best float. Zundert also provides music and theatre performances throughout the town during the day.
**Category B – The parade will pass the grandstand twice and you will hear the award ceremony through the loudspeakers. Your seat is a numbered bucket seat
**Category C – The parade will pass the grandstand only once. However, there are catering and toilet facilities next to the grandstand as well as good entrance and departure possibilities. Your seat is a numbered bucket seat.
Day 4
Rotterdam or anywhere?
Why not explore the sights in Rotterdam, The Hague or Delft before boarding your overnight ferry, arriving in the UK the following day.
Suggested Hotels
Leonardo Hotel Breda City Center ****
Situated next to Breda train station, this casual hotel in a converted post office is a 9-minute walk from both Breda Castle and art exhibits at the Stedelijk Museum. Rooms with colourful murals offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffeemaking equipment; some feature wooden floors. Room service is available.
Hotel Mercure Antwerp City South ****
Adjacent to Hertoghe Park, this upscale hotel in the business district is a 6-minute walk from the deSingel International Arts Centre and 3 minutes away on foot from the nearest tram stop. Warmly furnished rooms provide Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, in addition to minifridges, tea and coffeemaking facilities, and safes. Room service is available. There’s a restaurant/bar, and a terrace with park views. Other amenities include a gym, a sauna and parking is available for a fee.
Mercure Antwerp City Centre****
This hotel is located just off the A16 motorway, 5 km both from Kasteel van Breda. Rooms feature flat-screen TVs, sofa-beds and mini-fridges, as well as tea and coffee making facilities. Wi-Fi and room service are available. There’s a bright restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows. Other amenities include a cozy bar, an outdoor pool. Parking is available at the hotel free of charge.
You may also be interested in:
| 4 day tour | Half Twin | Single Supplement |
| August – September 2024
2025 (date to be confirmed) |
£483.00 per person
|
Price on Request |
Other hotels in southern Netherlands or northern Belgium available on request.
N.B – A deposit of approx £30 per person will be required in order to purchase Zundert tickets (to be confirmed). Ticket types may also change for 2025.
