Holland in Bloom featuring the Floriade

Day 1 : Fly to Amsterdam

We fly to the Netherlands, known for their tulip fields, windmills, canals, and interesting architecture.

Day 2 : Zaanse Schans & Haarlem

We arrive at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam this morning where we meet our English-speaking Dutch guide and driver. Our first visit is the famous Zaanse Schans, a picturesque village and open-air museum featuring Holland’s iconic windmills and quaint wooden houses. View a range of traditional trades such as cheese and clog making. This afternoon enjoy a walking tour of the historic city of Haarlem including St. Bavo's church and the Corrie Ten Boom House, a hiding place for Jews during World War II. Our home for the next three nights is in Haarlem.

Get to know your fellow travelers during a delicious welcome dinner this evening.

Day 3 : Amsterdam

Begin the day with a visit to the Rijksmuseum where we view an unrivaled collection of 16th and 17th century art including works by Rembrandt and other Dutch Masters like Vermeer and Frans Hals. Next a local guide joins us to learn about the fascinating city of Amsterdam and her unique architecture, including a narrated boat ride through Amsterdam’s enchanting canals. The city is comprised of 70 islands connected by more than 1000 bridges and miles of canals. This evening enjoy a typical Dutch dinner before our second overnight.

Day 4 : Floriade World Horticultural Expo

Today we are guests at Europe’s most spectacular horticultural fair, the Floriade World Horticultural Expo. This year’s theme is “Growing Green Cities.” We are invited to see, smell, and taste the astonishing innovations that aim to make the future more sustainable with exciting horticultural attractions, tastings, workshops, conferences, art installations and so much more. The expo is held in the community of Almere near Amsterdam, a planned city whose clever urban design highlights its verdant natural surroundings.

Day 5 : Aalsmeer Flower Auction

We are spectators at the Aalsmeer Flower Auction, the world’s largest flower market. Around 20 million flowers of many varieties are traded on a daily basis. Learn how the flowers journey from the fields to local florists in an amazingly short amount of time. Afterwards we travel just outside the city of Utrecht to tour Castle de Haar and see the beautiful and extensive gardens. We enjoy lunch in a nearby restaurant. Today’s final destination is Valkenburg, a historic city in the southeastern province of Limburg. This evening enjoy dinner at Chateau St. Gerlach, a former monastery located on a beautiful estate.

Day 6 : American Cemetery & Belgian Beer

We start our day with a visit to the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. Immaculately maintained rows upon rows of crosses and Stars of David mark the final resting place of 8,301 American military and over 1,700 missing in action from WWII. We cross into Belgium to visit the Diepensteyn Stud Farm to learn about the origin and history of the Belgian draught horse. Originally bred as a work horse and eventually replaced by tractors, we see these magnificent horses which today are used by The Palm Brewery to promote their beer. Tour the Palm Brewery and have an opportunity to taste this Belgian brew. This afternoon we enjoy a walking tour of the beautiful city of Bruges, the Venice of the Netherlands.

Day 7 : Gouda & The Hague

Journey to the city of Gouda to see the historic cheese market and learn how cheese was bought and sold in times past. After our tour of Gouda, we will enjoy a stroopwafel making demonstration and have time to shop the charming streets. Later we have a panoramic tour of The Hague, the Royal City of the Netherlands and the country’s government seat. See the Peace Palace, the home of the International Court of Justice for the United Nations. Our last three nights are spent in the city of The Hague.

Day 8 : Delft

This morning we visit the charming city of Delft. On our guided walking tour through the historic area of Delft we see one of the most beautiful squares in the Netherlands. This afternoon tour Royal Delft, the last remaining earthenware factory from the 17th century. Here we watch skilled artisans create this distinctive, hand-painted blue & white porcelain.

Day 9 : Keukenhof

Sure to be a highlight of our vacation, we visit Keukenhof, “the Spring Garden of Europe.” Pathways throughout this beautifully landscaped park weave among creatively designed plantings of tulips, daffodils, narcissus, and other spring blossoms. Stroll through the gardens at your own pace, view plantings in the three exhibition halls, and walk up the windmill for a magnificent look at the adjoining bulb fields. Our farewell dinner is at the beautiful historic seaside resort, the Kurhaus.

Day 10 : Fly Home

We fly home with wonderful memories of our adventure.