Group tour operator and DMC for tours to the Netherlands
Netherlands in a Nutshell
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Volendam Harbour
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Keukenhof Gardens ©Keukenhof
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Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Wooden Shoe Workshop of Zaanse Schans ©Courtesy of Wooden Shoe Workshop
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Wooden Houses of Zaanse Schans ©Courtesy of Wooden Shoe Workshop
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Windmills of Zaanse Schans ©Courtesy of Wooden Shoe Workshop
Explore Cultural Highlights of the Wonderful Netherlands
Visit the Netherlands on Keukenhof’s opening weekend
One of the most popular short breaks of the past few years is back again! During this tour to the Netherlands, take in some Dutch classics and some hidden gems. Zaanse Schans is a treasure trove of tradition. Watch as artisans create baked goods and cheese using traditional methods. Pass by authentic local buildings and step inside windmills, many of which still function, to see how they work. Explore more tradition in the pretty fishing village of Volendam, where you can choose to visit a cheese factory. Cruise the Ijsselmeer and rattle through the countryside on a wooden steam train. Take this journey in spring to pass by the colourful blooms of the bulbfields.
Keukenhof Flower Gardens, once a modest little herb garden, it is now where the Dutch bulb growing industry stage their annual petal spectacular attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world. Combine a visit to Keukenhof’s floral extravaganza with the fantastic Heritage Boat and Steam Train Experience. Here, enjoy a cruise on the museum ship Friesland before travelling on the steam train through the countryside of the Netherlands. Stopping at stations along the route, this is a great way to take in Holland’s natural beauty. Look out for iconic Dutch windmills during your journey. Admire the beautiful scenery, including the blooming bulbfields if you’re lucky! This is a wonderful and unique way to enjoy the flowers.
This tour encompasses a myriad of Dutch delights: it really is Netherlands in a nutshell!
Dates
March - May 2024
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Travel to the Netherlands via the short sea crossing and check in to your hotel. If time permits, begin exploring and get to know the area.
Alternatively, take the overnight crossing to the Netherlands, perhaps enjoy a delightful evening meal on board.
Day 2
Tulips, Clogs, Cheese and Windmills
With over 50 years of displaying its floral art with a different theme every year and a fresh look every day, Keukenhof has developed into a showcase for the flower bulb and ornamental plant industry. The history of Keukenhof, the name meaning ‘kitchen garden’, goes back to the 15th Century. Tulips proliferate but there are daffodils, hyacinths, narcissi and crocuses to admire as well.
Afterwards, before returning to Volendam, drive to Zaanse Schans, a living and working community whose origins date back to the 18th Century. Watch traditional clog and cheese making and visit the historic windmills and buildings. Local charges apply for some attractions.
Day 3
Steam Train, Historic Cruise and Bulbfields
This morning we drive across the remarkable Houtribdijk, a 17-mile dike and dam completed in 1975 as part of the Zuiderzee land reclamation project. At Enkhuizen we board the museum ship ‘Friesland’ for a relaxing cruise on the IJsselmeer to Medemblik. There’s free time for lunch in Medemblik before we climb aboard the ‘Museumstoomtram’, a charming, historic narrow gauge, steamhauled train for the 20km journey through the bulbfields to Hoorn. Wooden carriages creak, wheels sing and steam hisses as you travel through the Dutch countryside. The train stops at stations along the route, each a little museum in its own right, with views of windmills and (in season) the fields of tulips. (The Museumstoomtram has reduced services in Winter months and does not run at all in January.)
Day 4
Delft and Porcelain
Delft and Porcelain. Today, visit the town of Delft, famous for its Royal Porcelain. Enjoy a guided tour of their wonderful factory. Then discover all that Delft has to offer by walking along its tree-lined canals, with centuries old houses and little bridges. Discover the ‘Oude Kerk’ church, the town’s main square, the many cafes and shops, or simply see the town from a different perspective on an optional canal cruise. Afterwards, return to the Volendam for an evening at leisure.
Day 5
Return to the UK
Time permitting, explore further before commencing your return journey.
Extra day?
Amsterdam Sightseeing
Perhaps you’d like to stay an extra day and travel to Amsterdam and explore the Dutch capital. The fabulous city offers many possibilities to explore at leisure. Visit Anne Frank’s House, the magnificent Rijksmuseum, Gassan Diamonds or the fascinating, interactive Heineken Experience. Or perhaps simply wander the famous tree-lined canals and their preserved 17th century gabled houses. Enjoy an included 1 hour cruise along the city’s extensive canals to sight-see from a different perspective. Optional guided walking tours are available.
Suggested hotels
The Old Dutch Hotel, Volendam ***
Inspected by Greatdays Staff in September 2022
Family run hotel, located on the waterfront in the centre of Volendam. 32 rooms in total, all equipped with safe, telephone, TV, small desk and shower. The hotel’s restaurant offers typical Dutch and international cuisine. In summer months, guests can sit outside on the hotel’s terrace overlooking the lake. Coaches park at the public coach parking in town and luggage has to be loaded/unloaded at the back street as there is no coach access at the front of the hotel, however the hotel offers luggage service.
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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
NH Naarden, Naarden
Inspected by Greatdays Staff in October 2019
The hotel is a 15 minute walk to the town centre, which is a very nice town with bars and restaurants. At the back of the hotel are fields, which are overlooked by the restaurant. There is a large lobby area and a bar. Lift access to all floors. Porterage is available but drop off is right outside the entrance. There are also 107 rooms in total, which are mainly twin rooms. 1 room is adapted for disable guests as it has a walk in shower (with 1 step up) and a connecting door. All the bathrooms have sliding doors. All rooms have a hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities. Coach parking is available in the hotel’s car park. Advised that weekends are best for leisure groups.
NH Bussum Jan Tabak, Naarden
Inspected by Greatdays Staff in October 2019
The hotel has a very large and modern reception area with plenty of seating areas. There is a bar which is only 2 years old. Lift access to all floors. Porterage is available but coaches can drop off right outside the entrance. Hotel is located slightly further out of Naarden, the walk is about 30 minutes. The hotel is on a main road in a residential area. There are 84 rooms in total, 3 are true singles and 85% are twins. Two types of rooms – standard and superior. 1 room is adapted for disabled guests and the three single rooms have walk in showers. The rest of the rooms have shower over the bath. All rooms have a safe and tea and coffee making facilities. Coach parking is free at the hotel and drop off is at the front.
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| Dates | Hotel | Half Twin | Single Supplement |
| March – May 2024 | On Request | From £305.00 per person | Price on Request |
