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Holland Tulip Time and Dutch Gardens

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Famed Kuekenhof Gardens, Holland’s Bulb Fields plus many smaller 'hidden' gems guests on big bus tours miss!

5 days/4 nights from Amsterdam

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Why not travel on this special tour with members of your gardening club?

Overviewicon Itineraryicon

This is a suggested tour itinerary for private departures, adjustable to best suit your specific wishes. Price based on how many travelers, your chosen package inclusions and your chosen level of accommodation.

 

This tour begins and ends in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is one of Holland’s Art Cities and is best explored by foot, tram or boat. We recommend spending time independently pre or post this short garden tour.

 

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

INFO

Spoilt for choice in Amsterdam! There’s simply so much to see and do! Garden fans should enjoy the immaculate eighteenth-century garden at the Willet-Holthuysen Museum and the Flower Market. If you are up for an early morning venture, nearby Aalsmeer Flower Auction is another nice option, opened Monday through Friday from 7 – 11am only. Then there’s the Anne Frank Museum, the Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt House, the Rijksmuseum for the finest collection of Dutch old masters…

 

NOTE: This garden tour involves ample walking and visits many rural locations and places of interest with several steep inclines, many with pathways of grass, stone, gravel and dirt which can be very slippery when wet. Suitable footwear is essential. Those with mobility issues may not find this itinerary suitable. If in doubt, please discuss conditions with us. It can be modified appropriately.

 

PLEASE ALSO NOTE that Kuekenhof is only opened for a few months each spring, typically from mid March through early May. This tour is designed to operate during that time frame but can go out other times of year without Kuekenhof and the bulb fields.

Day 1

Tuesday

 

We will depart from our central Amsterdam departure point at approximately 9am, our route today takes us to a unique garden property. The Tropical Gardens in Luttelgeest, ‘Orchideeën Hoeve,’ is one garden of interest. Here is the largest collection of orchids in The Netherlands. An astounding wealth of orchids, at least 2500 different species arranged on tree trunks and amid water streams and other tropical plants. The gardens complex also features Malaysian and Taiwanese style spaces and an extensive Butterfly Valley where thousands of colourful butterflies live.

 

Subject to availability, our accommodation for the first two nights can be in a first class property on the edge of Apeldoorn, close to the De Veluwe National Park.

 

Overnight: Apeldoorn area

PROPERTY SUGGESTION: Bilderberg Keizerskroon or similar http://www.bilderberg.nl/uk/hotels/hotel-de-keizerskroon/ Dinner, bed and breakfast

Day 2

Wednesday

 

De Tuinen van Appeltern is a ‘must-see’ Dutch garden, housing the largest collection of plants in the country with over 200 model gardens. This 15 hectare park was designed as an experience for all senses, intended to be an inspiration for gardeners and garden lovers.

 

Kijktuinen Nunspeet is called ‘the flowering heart of the Veluwe,’ a 4.5 hectare oasis of calm featuring a variety of garden styles from traditional to innovative. The centre is a 2 hectare gem landscaped by garden and landscape architect L.J. Goedegebuure.

 

Overnight: Apeldoorn area, same property as above

Dinner, bed and breakfast

Day 3

Thursday

 

Near Apeldoorn is Palace Het Loo with its beautiful formal gardens. The palace was designed in the 17th century for William III and his Queen Mary. No longer used by the Dutch royal family but as a national museum, a place to experience pure opulence and to perhaps play royalty for a while!

 

Medieval Utrecht is our next port of call, a compact city that was the epicenter of politics and religion in the Middle Ages. Now a university city, the well preserved grand houses along the scenic canals feature regional ‘wharf cellars,’ many of which are now nice cafes. During our time here, explore Utrecht Botanical Gardens, a small gem featuring more than 6,000 plant species collected over the past 350 years.

 

We then make our way to our next overnight location. Upon arrival into Delft, we will enjoy a brief orientation walking tour. The town is popular with tourists but, by arriving late in the afternoon, we can miss the main and maddening throng. This evening and tomorrow morning, in this place almost unchanged since Vermeer painted it in the 1600s, you will have free time to relax in a canal side cafe, explore the quaint shops or visit the Vermeer Museum and Blue Porcelain Museum as you wish. The Botanic Garden of Delft at the University of Technology was founded on its present location in 1917 and is well worth some time for those that wish more garden time.

 

Overnight: Delft

PROPERTY SUGGESTION: Hotel Koophandel or similar http://www.hoteldekoophandel.nl/

Day 4

Friday

 

A leisurely day spent in Delft and The Hague/Den Haag.

 

The Hague/Den Haag is home to the Royal Family, the seat of Dutch government, the international criminal court and the Peace Palace. On a panoramic tour, we can see the fabulous medieval Parliament buildings and the ‘Lange Verhoot’ area with its spectacular homes. The highlight of our time here is certain to be Mauritshuis, home to famous works including Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring,’ ‘View of Delft’ and Rembrandt’s ‘Dr Nicolas Tulp.’ Later, subject to limited opening times, we may be able to see the local Japanese Gardens.

 

Tonight, if the group is so inclined, we may choose to try an Indonesian rice table dinner, now considered a typical Dutch dinner. A rice table consists of rice served with approximately 10-15 different spicy vegetables, pork, fish, chicken and beef dishes to sample. No matter what cuisine we choose, a group dinner is included this evening.

 

Overnight: Delft, same property as above

Day 5

Saturday

Keukenhof is our main destination today, making our way there via the stunning Holland tulip bulb fields. Certainly an unforgettable spectacle! We will spend ample time in Keukenhof but will also have some time for wandering off the beaten track, seeking out some excellent photo opportunities and hopefully meeting some locals. The gardens of Keukenhof will surely be the highlight of our day, bursting with millions of tulips and other spring bulbs – what one guide book calls ‘the rainbow of natural beauty.’ The gardens here, described as one of the most photographed places on Earth, also offers one of Holland’s largest sculpture gardens.

 

Our tour will finish this evening in Amsterdam.

 

 

Please note: All attraction 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 beyond our control.

 

Please note that your final day to day itinerary may fluctuate to accommodate variable opening times/days for listed attractions, special events and places of interest. Please discuss your needs with us for an individual itinerary with rate quote.

 

Oft imitated, never duplicated! This is an original SGT itinerary, property of Special Group Tours and to be used only with express permission/in conjunction with SGT.

Inclusionsicon

What Your Tour Package Includes

This is a suggested tour itinerary and can be modified to best you your individual wishes.

 

Suggested tour package includes: # of touring days with vehicle & exclusive services of your driver/guide/companion, your accommodation for # nights while on the tour including full breakfasts, all taxes and tips other than those you may wish to give your guide. Your price also can include dinners and/or entrance fees to attractions or these items can be left out of the up front package/to be paid directly for maximum flexibility. Airport transfers, accommodation pre and post tour, scheduled city day tours/attraction passes/transport passes or theatre/event tickets can be added to your package as you wish, subject to availability. 

 

SGT is at your service!

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The Special Group Tours Advantage is our unique and intimate understanding of what you expect traveling in the UK and Europe. We have not only visited but have spent many years living in and loving the cultures you will experience down the ‘B’ Roads and off the beaten track. We have worked with local suppliers and our guide/companion team for over a decade, creating unique special interest itineraries. Special Group Tours offers our “insider” knowledge to you.

 

The SGT Small Group Touring Concept is traveling with just 4 - 14 guests per departure. It is our aim to introduce you to the 'real' country and its people, not just ticking the boxes of a standardized route and treating you as an individual and not a number. Our concept allows for a leisurely touring pace and flexibility to get off the beaten track to discover hidden gems. Of course you'll see the major sites but so much more too!

 

At Special Group Tours, it is our priority that you have the most enjoyable holiday possible. You deserve it!