Holland Tulip Festival
As one of Europe’s top destinations, Amsterdam ranks equally high on our list of female-friendly cities, with safety and comfort being a highly desirable fringe benefit. It is wonderfully walkable, and as one of the greatest small cities in the world, Amsterdam is a sightseers dream. From its canals to ...
Read Full Description- Destination:
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Trip Length:
- 6 days
- Price Range:
- From $1699 to $1699 per person See what this includes and what this excludes
- Best Time to Go:
-
Apr 23, 2009 to Apr 28, 2009
- Recommended for:
-
Infants (under 2)
Adults (25 - 29)
Bachelor/Bachelorette Party, Girlfriend Getaway, Group Retreat
Detailed Trip Description
As one of Europe’s top destinations, Amsterdam ranks equally high on our list of female-friendly cities, with safety and comfort being a highly desirable fringe benefit. It is wonderfully walkable, and as one of the greatest small cities in the world, Amsterdam is a sightseers dream. From its canals to world-famous museums and historical sights, our Dutch destination is even more incredible when it involves a parade or special observance . . . and what better occasion for such festivity than when the greatest flower show on earth is held each April! Our tour catches it in full bloom and you will not believe the magnificent colors and heavenly scents of the flower fields until you come along with us and see for yourself. All photos depicted here were taken by WTC club members on our tour last April
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Amsterdam
Book your flights to arrive Schiphol Airport on Friday morning.
Day 2 - Amsterdam
Upon arrival in Amsterdam, you will be greeted by our personable and knowledgeable Dutch tour guide. She will escort our one group transfer at approximately noon, based on the majority of flights that usually arrive mid-morning. This gives you time to clear customs and immigration. For those who fly in at other times, the hotel is only 15 minutes away by taxi, or you can take the economical Schiphol hotel shuttle for 12 Euros, about $17 dollars one way.
Our residence is the historic 4-star deluxe Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam Hotel, located in the heart of the city's shopping and business centers and opposite Central Station, Amsterdam’s primary train station. You are within minutes from the Leidschesquare and all the famous museums such as Rembrandt, the Van Gogh, and the Rijksmuseum. Housed in a historic building, the hotel features 306 well-appointed, air-conditioned guest rooms ensuring a relaxing stay. Each room is equipped with wireless Internet, direct-dial telephones, cable TV, movie channels, mini-bars and safes. Additional amenities include access to the Victoria Active Club, an ultra-modern health club located in the garden wing of the hotel, with gym, indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam bath, solarium and beauty salon. Enjoy a meal in one of two restaurants or refreshments in one of two bars. And just outside the hotel are numerous restaurants within walking distance that offer a variety of international cuisine. At the Park Plaza Victoria, the blend of history and modern conveniences makes this the ideal hotel choice for our Amsterdam tour.
Since hotel check-in is mid afternoon, our guide will offer a walking tour of the area, with a stop at a local café for lunch on own. Dinner this evening is at a charming local restaurant. (D)
Day 3 - Amsterdam
Following buffet breakfast at the hotel, we set off for a full day of sightseeing in our private bus. First stop is the famous Haarlem Flower Parade. The parade of flower-decorated floats, called Bloemencorso van de Bollenstreek, makes a slow 40 km (25 mph) passage from Noordwijk to Haarlem, where the cavalcade forms an illuminated display. About 20 large floats are piled high with carefully arranged blooms in a profusion of scent and color, and more than 30 decorated luxury cars follow, interspersed with marching bands. We will watch the parade for part of it, and then return to Amsterdam for lunch on own near the canals.
Day 4 - Amsterdam
Enjoy a free day in a city with so much to see and do. Since museums are a main attraction in Amsterdam, we suggest several which offer English speaking tours and visitor pamphlets. The famous Rijksmuseum offers the unique opportunity to view all the highlights of the Golden Age in one place, with Rembrandt and Vermeer amongst its most exquisite masterpieces. The Van Gogh Museum houses the largest collection of paintings, organized chronologically into five periods, each representing a different phase of the artist’s life and work. The Hermitage Museum, a satellite of the one in St. Petersburg, has gorgeous Art Nouveau objects. And the Stedelijk, is the state museum of modern art. For other ideas, check out Frommer’s lengthy list of Amsterdam Attractions.
Tonight we regroup for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5 - Amsterdam
We depart early, after breakfast, and head to the Flower Auction in Aaslmeer, a short 24 km distance away. Traveling on our private coach and along with our guide, we will stop for a quick lunch before continuing to Keukenhof Park in the nearby city of Lisse.
Founded in 1950 by leading bulb growers, the Keukenhof is one of the largest open-air flower exhibitions in the world. As many as 7 million tulip bulbs bloom every spring, either in hothouses (where they may reach 3 feet) or in flower beds along the sides of a charming lake. In the last weeks of April you can catch tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and narcissi all flowering simultaneously. In addition, there are 50,000 square feet of more exotic blooms under glass. We will finish our flower day with a drive along the bulb route towards Haarlem and back to Amsterdam. We deliberately leave this evening free for you to choose how to spend your least night in Amsterdam. Many club members hook up to celebrate new friendships and make plans for their next WTC tour together!
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