Teachers' Travel                     
Glorious Garden Tours

TULIPS OF HOLLAND PLUS FLORIADE

April - May, 2012     

Floriade is a World Horticultural Expo staged once every ten years in the Netherlands. It is a horticulturalist's Mecca spread over “100 acres with 100,000 flowers, 30 country exhibitions, wine tastings, cultural shows and regional culinary delights.  The park comprises five unique worlds - each a  themed zone connected by wooded areas. It is open from April 5, 2012 until Oct 7, 2012.

Keukenhof  is Holland's famous parkland filled with blooming tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other spring bulbs. It is a feast for the eye with its unique flower shows in the different pavilions. The 32-hectare park has 15 kilometres of footpaths where you can wander and enjoy a spectacular mix of flowers, spring blossoms and fragrance. Open March 22 - May 20.

SELF-GUIDED ITINERARY:

This holiday can be done at any time subject to hotel availability and opening dates for Floriade and Keukenhof.

Day 1 - Arrive Amsterdam and check into a comfortable three-star hotel in central Amsterdam.
             
Day 2 - Meet at the Damrak ( near Amsterdam's central station) at 9.30 am to join an escorted group travelling to Keukenhof.  The one hour journey is by coach through the scenic Dutch countryside passing flowering tulip fields. At Keukenhof,  one finds an unforgettable floral display created by more than seven million tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, spring bulbs and gorgeous trees. There are seven hours  to stroll through the park (self-guided) before taking the return coach to Amsterdam. Entrance to Keukenhof is included.

Day 3 - Meet at the Damrak (near Amsterdam's Central Station) at 10.00 am to join an escorted group travelling to Floriade. The three hour journey by private coach takes you to Venlo in the south of Holland. On reaching Floriade approximately 1 pm you can skip the line with your pre-paid entrance ticket.  You then will have approximately 5 hours to explore (self-guided). Floriade has horticultural displays plus  artistic and cultural events from around the world.  The section called "Relax and Heal" puts you in balance with nature in an Oriental setting. Healing herbs, tea rituals, a barefoot path and a spa-like ambience give visitors a special Yin-Yang experience.  The "Green Engine" area shows how industry and nature can complement each other. In the "World Stage" area you can sample world foods and  enjoy an international programme of entertainment in the spectacular amphitheatre. In the "Environment" area you learn about the importance of bringing green into the city.
At 6 pm board the coach to return to Amsterdam.

Day 4 - depart (or perhaps spend another day exploring Amsterdam)..

Package includes:
- Three nights in a comfortable hotel in central Amsterdam
- Continental breakfast daily
- Coach transport to/from Keukenhof
- Entrance to Keukenhof
- Coach transport to/from Floriade
- Entrance to Floriade

Cost depends on the dates your choose and hotel availability.  

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