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Springtime Tulips and Keukenhof Gardens (Fly & Cruise)

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4.3 stars(3 reviews)
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Discover the colours, flowers and windmills of Belgium and the Netherlands.

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
8 days From £2,495 per person

2023 Tour code: NEZ23

About the tour

We lose ourselves in the scents and colours of spectacular floral displays on this scenic cruise through Belgium and the Netherlands. Walk among floral displays at Keukenhof Gardens, visit poignant war sites and meander the quaint streets of Amsterdam, Bruges, and Ghent.

Highlights

View Dates & Pricing

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - To Amsterdam

Fly* from your closest airport to Schipol Airport in Amsterdam, where you'll be met by a Great Rail Journeys representative who will escort you to the ship.

Once on board, take some time to settle into your comfortable cabin and relax in your new surroundings. We enjoy a welcome drink in the lounge before a sumptuous 5-course dinner in the panoramic restaurant, followed by live music.

*If you would like to travel by rail, view our Rail & Cruise option here.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Amsterdam or Hoorn and the Medemblik Steam Railway

You have a choice between two excursions today; you could take a sightseeing tour of Amsterdam, visit Hoorn and journey on the Medemblik Steam Railway. Visit Amsterdam, a city famous for its tree-lined canals, crooked buildings and laid-back atmosphere. Among the sights we discover is vibrant Dam Square, the city's bustling main square, dominated by the Royal Palace - a classical 17th-century masterpiece. Finally, you could visit Hoorn, one of the oldest cities in The Netherlands and an attractive harbour-town. From here, step back in time with a journey on the Medemblik Steam Railway.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - The Battlefields of Ypres

Our vessel arrives in Ghent, in Flemish Belgium. This morning, Colonel Piers Storie-Pugh will come aboard to deliver a fascinating talk about the battlefields in the region, using his expertise in the field to take us back in time. In the afternoon, our excursion takes us to the infamous Ypres Battlefields, a key battlefront in the First World War. We are accompanied by experts who take us through some of the most poignant sites, including Tyne Cot Cemetery where many of the combatants were buried. We return to the ship later for dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Ghent

Discover the attractive town of Ghent this morning, as we venture into the narrow streets and pretty boulevards for a guided tour. Built in an instantly identifiable style, the architecture lends an elegant grandeur to the buildings here, and we discover some of the finest examples on our tour, which includes the ever impressive St Bavo's Cathedral and the Belfry.

After lunch, your time is your own to explore more of Ghent.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Bruges

Today we pay a visit to the fairytale city of Bruges. An exceptional example of a medieval town which takes great pride in its history, Bruges is a truly an enchanting city. With winding streets opening up to large squares, often filled with locals enjoying the cafés that serve up plenty of Belgian delicacies. Here we discover the canals, churches and noble old townhouses famous across Europe. Later, after our day in Bruges, we enjoy another delicious dinner on board.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Arnhem

We arrive into Arnhem this morning and enjoy another talk from Colonel Piers Storie-Pugh. After some free time, you have another choice of 2 excursions. Your first option is to visit the excellent Hartenstein Airborne Museum, in nearby Oosterbeek, for a guided tour. This institution focuses on the fierce Battle of Arnhem in WWII, and was the setting of the war film 'A Bridge too Far'. The museum features a collection of various artefacts from the battle itself.

Alternatively, you may wish to visit the interactive Netherlands' Open Air Museum, recounting the storied history of this proud European country. Tonight, we sit down to an elegant gala dinner with our captain.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - The Keukenhof Gardens

This morning we arrive back in Amsterdam. We are joined on board by the wonderful Charlie Dimmock, star of BBC's Ground Force.

We enjoy a presentation as well as a question and answer session with her, learning about her time at the BBC and her tips on horticulture and garden care.

Afterwards, we experience a true highlight of our cruise, visiting the colourful and enjoyable Keukenhof Gardens. Filled with all manner of glorious tulip displays, this is one of the best floral displays in Europe. Following dinner this evening, we're serenaded by a traditional Dutch sea shanty choir.

Please Note: For the 13/04/2023 departures our guest speaker will be David Domoney. David currently co presents on Love Your Garden with Alan Titchmarsh.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Homeward bound

After a buffet breakfast, your cruise comes to an end and you are transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Ships

MS Amadeus Imperial
MS Amadeus Cara

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Flight upgrades
London Hotels
Door to door luggage upgrade from £80

Reviews

4.3 stars4.3 / 5 · 3 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (1)
  2. 4 stars
    (2)
  3. 3 stars
    (0)
  4. 2 stars
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  5. 1 star
    (0)

Paul Robinson

4 stars

Submitted 16 May 2022

Excellent food and service. Visit to Bruges too short - not enough time to visit the Church of our Lady to see Michaelangelo's Madonna and Child. More should have been made òf the Ghent Altarpiece, a must attraction and one of the highlights of the trip. Most guests did not find out about it until the day of the visit, only to find it had to be booked in advance. Cabin very comfortable. Minor criticisms include design of the toilet roll holder and the need for a small caddy for tea bags to avoid stains on the carpet and elsewhere.

Collected by Trustpilot

P Buley

4 stars

Submitted 15 May 2022

Great trip. Amazing flowers!

Collected by Trustpilot

G Bower

5 stars

Submitted 13 May 2022

Lovely boat, excellent food, friendly and competent staff.

Collected by Trustpilot

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Springtime Tulips and Keukenhof Gardens (Fly & Cruise)

Discover the colours, flowers and windmills of Belgium and the Netherlands.

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