Wednesday, April 10, 2024

● Breakfast at Hotel

● Visit Hortus Botanicus Leiden

● Explore Rosarium Westbroek Park

● Visit Royal Delft Pottery

Meals Included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging - Golden Tulip Leiden Center or Tulip Inn Leiden Center

The day kicks off with a captivating visit to Hortus Botanicus Leiden, a botanical garden featuring a rich collection of plants. You'll then explore Gravenhage/The Hague and indulge in a lunch amidst the floral beauty of Westbroekpark, followed by a scenic stroll in Rosarium. The afternoon includes a visit to the Royal Delft Pottery in Delft, where you'll learn about the centuries-old art of Delft Blue. The day concludes with a culinary adventure at a local restaurant in Leiden.

HORTUS BOTANICUS LEIDEN

The Hortus Leiden is the oldest botanic garden in The Netherlands. The oldest section of the Hortus, dating back to 1590, is the current Front Garden. It has been renovated with new plants and in 2000, a new glasshouse was added to form the Winter Garden. The Clusius Garden gives an impression of what the Hortus was like around 1600, when the bonds between the Netherlands and Asia were formed. The exchange of plants and knowledge between these cultures can be seen in the Japanese Garden. The Hortus’ pride, Victoria amazonica, can be admired in the Victoria Glasshouse.

ROSARIUM WESTBROEKPARK, The Hague

The Westbroekpark in The Hague was created during the 1920’s according to a design by Pieter Westbroek. The colorful rose garden is one of the park's highlights, as is the romantic tearoom where you can enjoy high tea. The Westbroekpark rosarium has acquired international fame. The rose garden contains approximately 20,000 rose bushes and more than 300 varieties of roses. 

THE ROYAL DUTCH DELFTWARE, Delft

The Royal Dutch Delftware Manufactory "De Porceleyne Fles", established in 1653, is the last remaining Delftware factory from the 17th century. The world famous Royal Delftware is still entirely hand-painted according to centuries-old tradition.

A visit to Royal Delft includes:

• The history of Blue Delft and Royal Delft and its development and production process. • Master painter at work • The dining room of Vermeer and the Dutch Royal family Chamber • Museum with antique Delft pieces • Ceramic rooms  with building ceramics • Historical courtyard • Visit to the factory

Thursday, April 11, 2024

● Breakfast at Hotel

● Visit Keringhuis and Maeslant Kering

● Visit Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum

● Visit Molens Kinderdijk UNICEF

Meals Included - Breakfast , Lunch, Dinner

Lodging - Golden Tulip Leiden Center or Tulip Inn Leiden Center

Today focuses on innovation and natural beauty. You'll start with a visit to Kinderdijk for a tour of the famous windmills. After lunch, the journey continues to the Trompenburg Gardens & Arboretum in Rotterdam, immersing you in the diversity of plants and trees. You will proceed to the impressive Keringhaus and Maeslant Kering. The day ends with a return to Leiden for a relaxing dinner.

KERINGHUIS,  Hoek van Holland

Visit The Keringhuis, Public Water Management Information Centre about flood risk management in the Province of Zuid-Holland and the impressive Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier. The Keringhuis shows how the Dutch still manage to keep their feet dry. The Maeslant Storm Surge barrier is the last part of the Dutch Delta Works and is the world’s largest moveable barrier. This impressive construction cannot be described in words, only experienced.

STICHTING TROMPENBURG TUINEN & ARBORETUM, Rotterdam

Trompenburg is a beautifully designed botanic garden (20 acres) boasting a large collection of trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs and tubers. Located in the district of Kralingen just outside Rotterdam city center, this is a real treasure trove for any plant lover and an oasis of tranquility for walkers away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Due to this special collection, Trompenburg is also acknowledged as a museum and municipal monument, The Green Museum of Rotterdam.

KINDERDIJK

In The Netherlands today boasts more than 1,000 mills. Around 1740 near Kinderdijk stood no less than 19 sturdy mills built, which are well preserved to the present day. The mills drain the excess water from the Alblasserwaard polders - situated below sea-level - after which the water is sluiced into the river Lek (Rijn). The powerful mill sails serve to transmit wind force on to large paddle-wheels which scoop up the water. Nowadays power-driven pumping engines do the job, including one of the largest water screw pumping-stations in Western Europe. The Foundation "Wereld Erfgoed Kinderdijk" maintains and preserves the windmills in Kinderdijk. The preservation is not limited to the windmills themselves, but also covers the area in which the windmills are situated. In 1997 the mills of Kinderdijk were put on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.

Friday, April 12, 2024

● Breakfast at Hotel

● Experience the Keukenhof

● Visit Zaanse Schans

Meals Included - Breakfast , Lunch, Dinner

Lodging - Hotel Van der Valk Emmeloord

The morning is dedicated to the enchanting Keukenhof, known as the "Garden of Europe." Here, you'll enjoy the overwhelming colors of tulips and other flowers during floral shows and themed gardens. After lunch, you'll enjoy a visit to  Zaanse Schans.

Zaanse Schans is an open-air museum near Amsterdam, Netherlands, showcasing traditional Dutch life with well-preserved historic windmills and houses. Transfer to Emmeloord over the Markerwaarddijk. The Markerwaarddijk is a dike that spans the Markermeer, serving as both a barrier against flooding and a roadway connecting the provinces of North Holland and Flevoland. Then a relaxing evening, dinner, and a comfortable night at Hotel Van der Valk EMMELOORD.

Landgoed De Keukenhof 

The most beautiful spring garden in the world! Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Keukenhof Gardens during the 2024 Tulip Festival. More than 7 million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths fill over 79 acres with color and fragrance. Discover the latest trends in gardening and get new ideas from inspirational gardens and numerous works of art, among the flowers.

Zaanse Schans

The Zaanse Schans is a residential area in which the 18th and 19th centuries are brought to life. Despite the fact that visitors from all over the world visit this neighborhood every day, it is good to know that people still live here. Keep this in mind during your visit. Stroll past the bakery museum and enjoy the smell of fresh cookies, or take a look at the warehouse where clogs are made. You should be sure not to miss the cheese factory, pewter foundry and the various windmills. The Zaanse Schans is a unique part of the Netherlands, full of wooden houses, mills, barns and workshops.

Saturday, April 13, 2024

● Breakfast at Van Der Valk Hotel Emmeloord

● Visit De Stekkentuin, Espel

● Visit Het Zwaluwhuis, Ens

● Visit Pantr, Luttelgeest

Meals Included - Breakfast , Lunch, Dinner

Lodging - Van der Valk Hotel Emmeloord

Today unveils the hidden treasures of De Stekkentuin in Espel and Het Zwaluwhuis in Ens, two unique gardens each telling its own story. After lunch, you'll visit De Orchideeënhoeve in Luttelgeest, surrounded by colorful orchids and tropical flora. The day concludes with a delightful dinner in Emmeloord.

DE STEKKENTUIN, Espel

Landscape and farm garden of 4,000 m2, with special plant collections: 350 species of helleborus, cyclamen, snowdrops, and 25,000 bulb flowers in spring, next to the hosta walk; 200 holyhocks, 90 hydrangea, and a sedum collection. 

HET ZWALUWHUIS, Ens Bezoektuin en tuinontwerp

A sleek rural farm garden in the Noordoostpolder. The NOP, since 1942 reclaimed land from the former Zuiderzee. The garden has been landscaped in 2014, so a young garden, with many grasses, perennials fruit trees, and small kitchen garden.

DE ORCHIDEEENHOEVE, Luttelgeest

Explore the Orchideeën Hoeve and discover the most magnificent jungle park of Europe. Wander around in the indoor park (25,000 m2) and let yourself be enchanted by breathtaking nature full of exceptional flowers, plants, and animals. Visit the tropical butterfly garden, cavort around the water-rich playground, have lunch in the fairytale-like "Suspended’ Flower Garden," and discover the brand-new meerkat garden.

Sunday, April 14, 2024

● Breakfast at Van der Valk Hotel Emmeloord

● Visit Tuinen de Lage Oorsprong

● Visit Paleis het Loo

Meals Included - Breakfast , Lunch, Dinner

Lodging - Landgoed Groot Warnsborn Arnhem

You'll commence the day by exploring Tuinen de Lage Oorsprong, an oasis of peace and with historical elements, sculptures and varied vegetation. Next, transfer to Paleis het Loo to enjoy lunch and a stroll through the Palace gardens. The evening concludes with a relaxed dinner and overnight stay at the beautiful Landgoed Groot Warnsborn in Arnhem.

Monday, April 15, 202

● Breakfast at Landgoed Groot Warnsborn Arnhem

● Visit Arnhem Centre, Arnhem

● Visit Eusbuis Church, Arnhem

● Visit De Boschtuin in Wolfheze

Meals Included - Breakfast , Lunch, Dinner

Lodging - Landgoed Groot Warnsborn Arnhem

The day begins with a stroll through the beautiful gardens in the center of Arnhem, followed by a visit to the impressive Eusebius Church. After lunch, you'll explore De Boschtuin in Wolfheze, a garden farm maintained by the efforts of many volunteers. The day concludes with dinner at a charming local restaurant in Arnhem.

DE TUINEN VAN HET SPIJKERKWARTIER, Arnhem

In town centre of Arnhem, city quarter Spijkerkwartier, one can find 11 “hidden” gardens, open to the public. These special gardens are designed by the residents, who mostly maintain the gardens themselves.

EUSEBIUS CHURCH BUILDING, Arnhem

The Eusebius Church tells the history of almost twelve centuries of Arnhem, and not just as the capital of Gelderland. The city was an important power and trade center in Europe under Karel van Gelre (1467-1538). In the Second World War (1944-1945), the Eusebius Church, like the people of Arnhem, had a very hard time. But the church was resurrected during the recent reconstruction period and has given the city and its inhabitants their pride back.

- The Battle of Arnhem

The Eusebius Church was at the center of the fighting during the Battle of Arnhem. On the night of 19 to 20 September 1944, the church was heavily shot at and almost completely burned out. To make matters worse, when the Rhine Bridge was blown up in 1945, half the tower broke loose and collapsed onto the battered nave of the church.

- Spectacular Panorama lift, Glass balconies

Thanks to the glass wall, the lift offers an increasingly wider view of Arnhem, the Rhine, the Betuwe and the Veluwezoom. At the same time, the lift offers a view of the inside of the tower. This enables the bells of the impressive carillon in the tower to be admired up close.

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

● Breakfast at Landgoed Groot Warnsborn Arnhem

● Visit private garden at Klein Boskoop in Stroe

● Canal Cruise Amsterdam

Meals Included - Breakfast , Lunch, Dinner

Lodging - NH Schiphol Amsterdam

Today, you'll discover the charming private garden Klein Boskoop in Stroe, where every corner offers a new visual delight. You'll enjoy a relaxing lunch cruise through the canals of Amsterdam, followed by a free afternoon in Amsterdam. Dinner will be á la carte before retiring to the NH Schiphol Amsterdam Hotel.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

● Breakfast NH Schiphol Amsterdam Hotel

● Visit FloraHolland Royal Co-Operative Flower Auction

● Visit Hortus Bulborum

● Explore Singel Canal Floating Flower Market

Meals Included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging - NH Schiphol Amsterdam Hotel

Early in the morning, you'll visit the Royal Cooperative Flower Auction FloraHolland in Aalsmeer, providing a unique opportunity to witness the flower trade in action. Next, you'll explore the historic Hortus Bulborum in Limmen, home to a treasure trove of ancient flower bulbs. The day concludes with a leisurely walk along the Singel Canal in Amsterdam, followed by dinner in a characteristic restaurant.

ROYAL CO-OPERATIVE FLOWER AUCTION, Aalsmeer

The Netherlands is the heart of the international floriculture sector. It has an intricate and high-quality network of companies, ranging from breeders and growers to sales experts and export firms, representing every aspect of the business. The Netherlands is the place where supply and demand come together, from Europe and beyond. FloraHolland flower auction plays a key role in the Netherlands, land of Floriculture where its position as marketplace fulfils the role of matchmaker, intermediary and knowledge center.

STICHTING HORTUS BULBORUM, Limmen

The foundation manages the unique Hortus collection garden with its 4,000 spring-flowering historical bulbs. This collection consists primarily of tulips, narcissus and hyacinths, but there is also a small number of Fritillaria and crocus, primarily the C.vernus types. In addition to functioning as a gene bank, the garden has a seasonal display of thousands of heirloom bulbs, some of which are no longer in commercial production. Certain tulips originated in the 16th century. The Fritillaria persica on display was already in cultivation as early as 1577, while the oldest narcissus is several centuries older yet. The visiting public has the pleasure of enjoying such legendary tulips as the ‘Duc van Tol Red and Yellow ‘(1595), ‘Zomerschoon’ (1620), popular during the Tulipmania (1635-1637) period or the exotic parrot tulip ‘Perfecta” (1750), and many other fascinating examples.

Singel Canal Floating Flower Market

Walk the only floating flower market in the world. Located in the city center, the flower stalls are found on boats, moored on the canals, reminiscent of days gone by when the market was supplied daily by boats.