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Homes and Gardens of Belgium & Holland featuring Royal Glasshouses and Keukenhof
The area of Flanders is home to dozens of Europe’s finest gardens, medieval villages and world famous gourmet cuisine, chocolates and beers. We will sample a selection of the area’s best gardens, enjoy the special annual opening of the Royal Glasshouses (only opened to the public for a few weeks each year) and the stunning spectacular that is Keukenhof and Holland’s famed bulb fields. This certainly is a tour for garden lovers not to miss!
We offer scheduled garden tours including Chelsea Flower Show, Gardens of Kent & Cotswolds, Footsteps of a Queen, Hampton Court Flower Show and Garden Tours throughout the year.
Available at any date for private groups of 2 – 15 people. Price available upon application. Rates are based upon vehicle and guide hire per day; groups of 7 - 15 would have a per person rate same/similar to one of our scheduled tours of the same length.
If you do not have a group of traveling companions and are still interested in this custom tour itinerary, you are welcomed to join a waitlist…
We record who is looking for travel companions to make up a tour with them. We need between 6 and 8 persons minimum to operate a tour without it being uneconomic for us or too expensive for you. We will be happy to run the occasional special departure IF there is sufficient interest.
If you would like to check on or join a waitlist for this itinerary, please email us for full information: specialgrouptours@yahoo.com
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
Day 1: Tuesday
Your guide will meet you in Brussels from the Eurostar Brussels Midi station (approx: 10:00)
We start our garden adventure with a visit to the Koninklijke Serres (Royal Glasshouses) in Brussels. This is a very special treat as it is only opened to the public for a few weeks each year!
This afternoon, we will make our way to the village of Hoegaarden. Known for its famous white beer, this place also offers a lovely roomed Flemish show garden.
We will take the scenic route to our night stop location, the mediaeval town of Leuven. The town’s Botanical Garden, is small at just 4 acres but is well worth some time. This is the oldest medicinal herb garden in the country, dating from the 18th century; there is also a water garden, an Alpine conservatory, a fruit garden and greenhouses of tropical plants to admire.
Our accommodation (subject to availability) is adjacent to the largest beguinage in the country, Groot Begijnhof, and offers a lush garden setting, perfect for a relaxing evening.
NIGHT STOP: Leuven
Day 2: Wednesday
After breakfast, we will enjoy a walking tour of Groot Begijnhof, founded by a unique order of “nuns” in 1292 and now deemed a Unesco World Heritage site. We will wander the narrow cobbled streets and admire the homes, gardens and the church of this walled community within the city.
A short distance from Leuven is Hassault, home to many of Belgium’s finest gardens. We can visit the Japanese Gardens, said to be the most authentic of its kind in Europe and the Herb Garden of Herkenrode. Here we can explore the history of herbal use over the centuries, their use in science and religion as well as contemporary well being. This modern herb park offers over 225 different types of plants.
NIGHT STOP: Leuven, as above
Day 3: Thursday
Another exquisite historic city is that of Mechelen. Spoilt for choice here as there are 3 city parks – we can have a relaxing morning in one of the rose gardens or watching the swans glide past in a sculpture garden. Perhaps we’ll have a bit of ‘city time’ instead, viewing the medieval square with guild houses, 14th century town hall and the cathedral, which houses works by Van Dyck and other Flemish masters.
Our next stop, Kalmthout Arboretum has been described as the best example of the gardenesque style of garden design; its oldest trees were planted over 150 years ago. Strolling through this 12 hectare gem, expect to see flowering magnolias and cherries plus diverse flowering borders with over 7,000 varieties of plants. There is also a butterfly garden.
Upon arrival into the pretty town of Delft, we will enjoy a brief walking tour. The town is popular with tourists but, by arriving late in the afternoon, we can miss the main and maddening throng.
NIGHT STOP: Delft
Day 4: Friday
Keukenhof is our main destination today. We will spend the majority of today wandering the gardens, bursting with millions of tulips and other Spring bulbs – what one guide book calls ‘the rainbow of natural beauty.’ This week is scheduled to feature “the largest lily show of the world” in the indoor show rooms. Keukenhof, described as one of the most photographed places on Earth, also offers one of Holland’s largest sculpture gardens, so this is sure to be a delightful day!
This afternoon, group interest permitting, we can visit Haarlem. Often overlooked by travelers, this pretty cobbled city of historic buildings and discreet oases (former monastery gardens now private courtyard gardens) is a lovely place.
Dinner is not included this evening so you may dine at your leisure.
NIGHT STOP: Delft, as above
Day 5: Saturday
This morning, a bit of the traditional Dutch countryside and a stop at the windmills of Kinderdijk. Yes, it’s touristy but it is lovely and pretty for all of that!
We will make our way to Antwerp, where we will enjoy a panoramic look around the city.
While here, we can see Rubenshuis, the painter Rueben’s home where he lived for 29 years, now a museum dedicated to his life and work. His garden is an enclosed renaissance style, typical of its time, with straight walks and parterres bounded by yew hedges. Faithfully reconstructed from engravings, this home and garden is a rare insight into Renaissance daily life.
Tonight, we will enjoy dinner together by the river in our picturesque night stop of St Martens-Latem.
NIGHT STOP: St Martens-Latem
Day 6: Sunday
Our first port of call is Sint Pieters-Leeuw to enjoy the Coloma Rose Gardens. Located in the former Coloma castle grounds, this delightful place hosts more than 30,000 bushes and 3000 varieties, one of the largest rose gardens in Europe.
Another highlight today will be the Royal Botanical Gardens of Belgium in Meise. This is one of the largest botanical gardens in Europe, set in the grounds of a historic castle with ample parklands, a lake and 14 inter-connected greenhouses featuring an overview of plants and flowers from around the world.
On the grounds, weather permitting, we will enjoy a farewell picnic together.
Drop off at Brussels hotel or rail station this evening (Eurostar trains currently: 18:00 & 19:00)
Please note: All show dates and garden opening times are correct at time of printing this website. While we will do our utmost to include all of the properties mentioned as central visits, we reserve the right to change an attraction should it become impossible to deliver a planned visit due to changes in opening days or times that we could not have been aware of at the time of loading this tour to our website.
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