Group tour operator and DMC for tours to the Netherlands
Dutch Bulbfields and Royal Gardens
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Het Loo Palace, Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Rear view of the Palace and the Kings Fountain © Photo Hesmerg-LR
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Keukenhof Gardens
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Paleis Het Loo, Apeldoorn, Holland, Netherlands - Summer day in the gardens of Paleis Het Loo (with flying flag) © Photo Hesmerg, Paleis Het Loo
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Delft, Holland, Netherlands - Delft Blue Porcelain © NBTC
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Keukenhof Tulips ©NBTC
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Keukenhof Gardens
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The horticultural highlight of spring in Holland must be the Keukenhof Flower Gardens! Originally the kitchen garden for the Dutch Royal Family, each year at Keukenhof Gardens between March and May, seven million bulbs planted across 70 acres burst into bloom. Not just tulips, but daffodils, hyacinths, narcissi, and crocuses too! Take your time admiring the impressive displays. Perhaps take a cruise in the Whisper Boat to drift through the sea of flowers. This allows you to relax while you admire the surrounding bulbfields. During this tour, we also visit Het Loo Palace Gardens, so this trip is a dream for keen gardeners! This spectacular palace has beautiful Baroque style gardens and is also known as the ‘Versailles of the North’.
You’ll have the chance to visit wonderful towns too. Amersfoort boasts an abundance of delightful sights: monuments, churches, museums, city walls, gates and beautiful canals. Narrow alleys of restored merchants houses retain their medieval mystery. Another stop is the Hague, the seat of Government and home to the Dutch Royal Family. This regal place is full of embassies and mansions, green boulevards and parks. We strongly recommend a visit to the breathtaking Royal Gardens. Holland is famous for its beautiful Delft Porcelain as well as its flowers, so continue to Delft for a guided tour of the Royal Delft Porcelain factory.
Dates
March - May 2023
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to the Netherlands
Take a short sea crossing and travel to the Netherlands, arrive and check in to your hotel. If time permits, begin exploring and get to know the area.
Day 2
Full day at Keukenhof Gardens
The history of Keukenhof, goes back to the 15th Century. Since opening to the public in 1950, Keukenhof has developed into one of the world’s finest bulbfield and flower parks. In bloom from mid-March to mid-May, the gardens are an international and independent showcase for the Dutch floricultural sector, with a special emphasis on flower bulbs. Tulips proliferate, but there are daffodils, hyacinths, narcissi and crocuses to admire as well. You can see the gardens on a ‘Whisper Boat’ cruise or take an optional guided tour.
Day 3
Het Loo Palace Gardens and Amersfoort
This morning we travel to Apeldoorn to visit Het Loo Palace’s wonderful gardens (‘The Woods Palace’). The main Palace building is currently being renovated, but the Palace’s decorations alone are worth a visit, and the gardens, often described as being the ‘Versailles of Holland’, are absolutely stunning. Enjoy a guided tour of these wonderful gardens. We continue to Amersfoort, a well-preserved medieval city, renowned for its historic walls and gates and beautiful canals.
Day 4
Royal Delft, The Hague and the Royal Gardens
This morning we visit The Hague, the Dutch seat of government and home to the royal family. Perhaps take a guided tour and visit the Royal Gardens. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of the world-famous Royal Delft porcelain factory, where the renowned Delft Blue is still entirely hand painted according to centuries-old tradition. Afterwards, head to the ferry port to take your overnight sailing.
Day 5
Depart the Netherlands
Check out of your hotel and travel back to UK via a short sea crossing.
Suggested hotels
Fletcher Hotel Leidschendam-Den Haag ****
The Fletcher Hotel Leidschendam is located near the bustling city centre of The Hague and the beautiful beach of Scheveningen. Get away from it all and enjoy a combination city and beach! Rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screens and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Upgraded rooms add balconies and pond views. There is a a restaurant with a terrace. Other amenities include a bar, a fitness centre and meeting space, coach parking is available free of charge.
The Old Dutch Hotel, Volendam ***
Inspected by Greatdays Staff in October 2019
This family-run hotel is located on the waterfront in the centre of Volendam. All rooms are equipped with safe, telephone, TV, small desk and shower, and the hotel’s restaurant offers typical Dutch and international cuisine. During the summer, guests can enjoy the hotel’s terrace which overlooks the lake. Coach parking is available at the municipal parking. Direct access to the hotel’s front entrance is limited during selected periods. A luggage service is available.
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- Old Dutch Hotel Volendam ©PT Wilding
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- Old Dutch Hotel Volendam ©PT Wilding
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- Old Dutch Hotel Volendam ©PT Wilding
Van der Valk Avifauna ****
Inspected by Greatdays Staff in October 2019
This hotel is located in large grounds that include the bird park, close to the river. The hotel’s reception in a separate building to the rooms, right next door to each other. Building with rooms in it also has a large bar with a large outdoor balcony. There is Lift access to all floors. Also the hotel has casino and gym. The hotel has 96 rooms, approximately 70 of them are twins. 3 different styles of rooms, 2 styles have been renovated but in different years. Ground floor rooms have balconies. No rooms are adapted for disabled guests but ground floor rooms available and all rooms have separate showers and baths. All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities. There is a restaurant and on Saturday and Sunday, dinner is a buffet. Coach parking is available at the hotel free of charge but further down past the restaurant building. Drop off is right outside.
Fletcher Hotel Amersfoort ****
Inspected by Greatdays Staff in October 2019
In a Bauhaus-inspired building surrounded by wooded gardens, this relaxed hotel is 1 km from the A28 highway, and 3 km from both The Mondriaan House and Koppelpoort, a 15th-century medieval gate. Rooms offer flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi; some have colourful, retro-style furnishings. Upgraded rooms add tea and coffeemakers; some have balconies. here’s a warm bar/lounge with a pool table. Breakfast is extra. Other amenities include an airy restaurant with a terrace, plus a simple cafe, a gym and meeting facilities. Coach parking is available free of charge.
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| 5 days | Half Twin | Single Supplement |
| April – May 2023 | From £389.00 per person | From £135.00 per person |
Itineraries can vary depending on length of stay.
