The flat, sandy fields to the south west of Amsterdam burst into color every Spring with the appearance of millions of daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths. On this tour you will see this unforgettable spectacle as we journey to the heart of the Dutch bulb growing region. We visit the famous Keukenhof gardens, where every year the region's growers put on a magnificent display of blooming bulbs; the fascinating Hortus Bulborum, a living museum of old tulip varieties; and Amsterdam's Tulip Museum, which traces the bulb from its ancient wild origins to modern 21st century cultivation.  But there is much more to this tour than bulbs, for we also visit the gardens of designers Mien Ruys and Piet Oudolf, the Palace of Het Loo, one of Europe's great gardens, the world's largest flower auctions at Aalsmeer, and several little-known but superb private gardens which will open especially for our group.  We also explore the historic cities of Zutphen; Gent, Bruges, and Amsterdam, and take a memorable cruise on the scenic River Vecht.

Land Tour Price:
9 Nights -- $3775.00
Single supplement: $725.00
Meals included: all Breakfasts (B), 2 Lunches (L), 1 Tea (T), 4 Dinners (D).
Limited to: 18 members


ITINERARY
 
April 8 (Thursday) -- Depart
Board plane for the overnight flight to Amsterdam.


 April 9 (Friday) -- Arrive and Zutphen
On arrival at Amsterdam Schiphol airport we transfer to our hotel in the historic town of Zutphen.  Relax or sightsee on your own, then in the evening we gather for a welcome dinner. (D)

April 10 (Saturday) -- Mien Ruys Garden and Het Warmelo
Two fine gardens feature today, starting with the delightful gardens of Mien Ruys, the famous Dutch garden designer. As we walk around the series of small gardens, we'll see how her influential ideas evolved since the 1920s, when the first gardens were laid out here. After a lunch stop in Ootmarsum, a picturesque village noted for its half-timbered houses and quaint square, we travel to Het Warmelo, a private estate with lovely azaleas and rhododendrons and a series of gardens dating from different periods, including a fine French Rococo garden. Return to Zutphen. (B,T)

April 11 (Sunday) -- Die Wiersse and Het Loo Palace
This morning we visit Die Wiersse, a private moated manor house, with canals, sunken garden, tunnel arbor and secret garden, that has remained in the same family since 1678.  This afternoon we visit the famous formal gardens at the Palace of Het Loo, with geometric parterres, colorful plantings, fountains, and statuary. We continue to our hotel in the center of Amsterdam, a wonderful city of canals, historic buildings, and world class museums. (B,D)

April 12 (Monday) -- Tour of Private Canal House Gardens, the Tulip Museum, and Free Time
After a leisurely breakfast we meet our specialist local guide who will take us on a tour of some of Amsterdam's private canal houses and courtyard gardens.  We'll also learn about Tulip mania in the 17th century and visit the Tulip Museum, which traces the history of the bulb from its ancient wild origins to modern 21st century cultivation.  The rest of the day is set aside for individual sightseeing or shopping.   High on your list of possible visits might be the Van Gogh Museum, the impressive Rijksmuseum, with its collection of medieval and 17th century Dutch paintings, and the Anne Frank House.  (B,L)

photo courtesy Netherlands Board of Tourism

April 13 (Tuesday) -- Keukenhof Gardens and Hortus Bulborum
Today we drive to the heart of the Dutch bulb industry, past colorful fields of flowering tulips and hyacinths, to the world famous Keukenhof gardens, where more than eight million flowering bulbs provide a riot of color carpeting 70 acres of parkland.  Later in the day we visit Hortus Bulborum at Limmen, a unique living museum with a wonderful collection of historic tulip varieties from days past. Return to Amsterdam.  (B)

April 14 (Wednesday) -- Cruise on the River Vecht
Today's excursion takes us south of Amsterdam to the River Vecht.  We'll board a boat and enjoy a scenic cruise along this beautiful waterway, past castles and grand country estates built by wealthy merchants in the 17th and 18 centuries.  We'll have lunch on the boat, then visit the elegant garden of a nearby private estate.  Return to Amsterdam.  (B,L)

April 15 (Thursday) -- Aalsmeer Flower Auction, Kinderdijk, and Two Private Gardens
An early departure this morning to catch the excitement of the Aalsmeer flower auction, where every day around 19 million flowers and plants are sold.  We then travel south, stopping at the Kinderdijk, famous for the 18 picturesque old windmills that line the banks of a scenic waterway.  After crossing into Belgium, we'll visit two lovely private gardens with borders, spring bulbs, and fruit orchards, which should be in full blossom at the time of our visit.  We continue to our hotel in the historic city of Gent.  (B,D)

photo courtesy Netherlands Board of Tourism

April 16 (Friday) -- Gent and Piet Bekaert's Garden
This morning we spend time with a local guide who will take us on a tour of Gent, a wonderfully preserved city of canals, old buildings, cobbled streets, and medieval lanes.  During the tour we'll take a boat through the tranquil waterways, then enjoy free time for individual sightseeing or shopping.  Later we'll visit the magical formal garden of Piet Bekaert, the late painter, architect, garden designer, and poet.  Return to our hotel. (B)

April 17 (Saturday) -- Two Private Gardens and Bruges
We travel to two fine private gardens near Bruges this morning. First we visit the garden of a designer with 'outdoor rooms,' parterres, and a large plant collection, then we'll be guests at a private moated chateau, idyllically set in wonderful Flanders countryside, with gardens in part designed after WWII by Mien Ruys.  We make the short journey to medieval Bruges, possibly the most picturesque town in Europe, for free time in this wonderfully unspoilt city of tranquil canals, narrow streets, antique buildings, and several great museums. Return to Gent. (B,D)

April 18 (Sunday) -- Depart
After breakfast we make the short journey to Brussels airport for the return flight home. (B)


Included in the tour price:
-- 9 nights accommodation in comfortable hotels with private bathroom
-- tour coach throughout with P.A. system and air-conditioning
-- entry to all gardens and sites as per the itinerary
-- all breakfasts and other meals as indicated in the tour itinerary
-- services of tour manager, usually Jeff Sainsbury, from Amsterdam airport until departure of return flight
-- tips for hotel porters, bellmen, doormen, waiters at tour meals, and sightseeing guides
-- arrival and departure transfers (certain restrictions apply; please ask for details)

Not included in the tour price:
-- airfare and airport taxes
-- excess baggage charges
-- personal expenditure such as room service, telephone calls, drinks, and optional activities
-- meals other than those specified in the itinerary
-- tour manager and driver gratuities
-- travel insurance
-- any other items not specifically included

To reserve a place on this tour:
Please read the Booking Terms and Conditions, print out and complete the Booking Form, and mail to:

Roberts Travel
Attn: Priscilla Earhart
208 5th Street South
P.O. Box 1048
Columbus, MS 39703

Tel: 1-800-748-9685
E-mail: priscillae@bellsouth.net

or E-mail Jeff Sainsbury: info@jeffsainsburytours.com

For Booking Conditions, click here
For Booking/Registration form, click here