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This 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 and the gardens of Groot–Bijgaarden (one of the largest Spring flower displays outside of Holland) each only opened to the public for a few weeks each year.
There's the stunning spectacular that is Keukenhof and Holland’s famed bulb fields. We've the National Botanial Gardens of Belgium, Kalmthout Arboretum and several small, local gardens to discover plus the gems Leuven, Antwerp and Delft.
All of this plus the annual Keukenhof Flower Parade and a full day at the Ghent Flower Show, the Floralies. This certainly is a tour for garden lovers not to miss!
This tour is available every 5 years, when the Ghent Flower Show is on.The next departure will be Spring, 2015.
If you are interested in info about this tour when it becomes available, please email us: specialgrouptours@yahoo.com
What your tour package includes: The services of your driver/guide for 6 touring days, your accommodation for 5 nights while on the tour including breakfast daily, 3 dinners, all entrance fees to gardens and attractions, a full day ticket to the Ghent Flower Show, transportation, all taxes and tips other than those you may wish to give your guide.
Airport transfers, accommodation pre and post tour not included but can be added to your package as you wish. Ask us for details.
Brussels is well connected via the Eurostar from London and TGV rail services from most major European cities. We are happy to assist you with international air or rail services. Please ask us for details.
We offer scheduled gardens tours throughout the year.
This tour begins and ends in Brussels with pick-ups from select Central Brussels hotels and from the Eurostar Midi Station. Current Eurostar trains arrive at approximately 10.00.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
Day 1:
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! Part of the royal palace grounds, the Royal Glasshouses were built by King Leopold II to accommodate his collection of plants from the Congo. The series of eleven massive greenhouses contains a selection of rare plants, kept in peak condition by a team of 20 gardeners. We will spend ample time here, enjoying the collection.
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. Small, but pretty and a nice contrast to the Glasshouses.
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 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
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