PLEASE NOTE: Holland isn't on the agenda for 2023 or 2024, but could be available as a Private Tour.
Who hasn't dreamt of tiptoeing through the tulips? Early spring is a magical time of the year in the Netherlands, and there is so much to see (especially after a long Canadian winter).
For many, the highlight of this tour will be our visit to the Keukenhof Tulip Park. I first visited this place in 1980, and it still amazes me. It's hard to exaggerate how magnificent this expansive facility appears in all its colourful glory.
Beyond the tulips, there's lots more to see and experience - including King's Day on April 27. This is the Dutch equivalent of Canada Day or the Fourth of July - a great big party in every town and city in the Netherlands. TravelMaven guests will get to choose between the small city hospitality of Leiden or the wilder party found up the road in Amsterdam (or both!).
Speaking ofAmsterdam, we'll spend a day there as a group and guests will have a chance to visit on their a-la-carte day. Amsterdam is home to world-class museums and many other Instagram-worthy attractions, but has become very heavily touristed in the past 20 years, and consequently lost some of its charm and authenticity.
As such, those familiar with the Netherlands increasingly recommend staying in one of the smaller cities within an hour of Amsterdam such as Utrecht, Gouda, Haarlem, Delft or Leiden. All these cities offer the quintessential Dutch experience within easy striking distance of downtown Amsterdam, and the locals still outnumber the tourists!
I chose Leiden for several reasons (even though my heart is in Delft, where I lived as a high school exchange student). First, Leiden is centrally located between the places we will visit, including Schiphol Airport. Second, our hotel is right across the street from the station, making day trips very convenient. Finally, as a university town, Leiden has a youthful vibe and lots of affordable places for a coffee, beer or meal.
So, if you’ve ever wanted to see the tulips and windmills that made the Netherlands famous, here's your chance to give yourself a real Dutch treat! I've explored much of this small country (and still speak Dutch), and I’d love to share what I've learned with you.
Let's start with Amsterdam, a famous city that has been attracting visitors for hundreds of years. In fact, it has been featured in so many books and movies that many first-time visitors feel they've been there before. One reason for its popularity is the city remains largely intact from the 17th and 18th centuries. It was not seriously damaged during the 20th century, and heritage designations have preserved almost all of the heirloom architecture.
For art lovers, the city is also home to three world class museums: the Rijksmuseum; the Van Gogh Museum; and the Amsterdam City Museum. For history buffs, there's the Ann Frank House and Holocaust Museum. For architecture fans, the city is basically one huge outdoor exhibit. And for those curious about the “night life”, lets just say it isn’t hard to find...
Beyond Amsterdam, the tour highlight for many will be our visit to the Keukenhof - the most famous tulip park in the world. This beautiful facility is only open six weeks a year, and has become Holland’s most popular tourist attraction. In my opinion, a visit to the Keukenhof in April is truly an unforgettable experience.
Beyond Amsterdam, Leiden and the Keukenhof, we'll also visit Delft, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Haarlem. For those who want to get some fresh air, we’ll walk through the dunes and along the beach of the North Sea. For early risers, we will also visit the Aalsmeer Flower Auction. One great thing about Holland is everything is close-by, and the train and bus networks make intercity travel a breeze.
This is a small group tour, limited to 12 guests and geared to active adults. Our goal at TravelMaven is to make your vacation amazing by combining the best of independent travel and group tours. In other words, we lay out a plan and make all the arrangements, but guests retain the flexibility to manage their own time and add in the things they like. For me, that’s a win/win for everyone!
TOUR RATING: PREMIUM
PACE: Active
GROUP SIZE: Max 12 guests
HIGHLIGHTS
Leiden Windmill
Leiden Farmers Market
Amsterdam Walking Tour
Amsterdam Museums*
Amsterdam Canal Cruise*
Keukenhof Tulip Park
Haarlem Visit
Aalsmeer Flower Auction
Katwijk ann Zee beach walk
Indonesian rijstafel dinner
Royal Delft Blue factory
Delft Market Square
Rotterdam Harbour Tour
Rotterdam Markthall
Maduradam Museum
Scheveningen Promenade
Mariutshuis Museum
cycling tours*
photography tour*
* denotes optional activity
PRICE INCLUDES:
4 star Golden Tulip Hotel, Leiden (7 nights), breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 3 dinners, full-time TravelMaven Tour Concierge, all admissions & fees, all ground transportation and all taxes.
This tour is guaranteed to depart. This Land Package is in Canadian dollars, based on double occupancy and guaranteed once a $250 deposit is received.
SAT APR 23: Depart Toronto
The recommended Air Canada flight plan is a 20:35 departure from Pearson Airport in Toronto.
SUN APR 24: Leiden (L,D)
Guests will arrive at Schiphol Airport at 10:00 and transfer to Leiden (20 minutes away). Upon arrival at our hotel, we will enjoy a light lunch before check-in. After unpacking and refreshing ourselves, we will make a walking tour of Leiden city centre, including a visit to a working windmill. In the early evening we'll walk to a nearby Dutch pancake house for our Welcome Dinner.
Leiden in the evening
MON APR 25: Amsterdam (B)
After breakfast, we will catch a train to Amsterdam. Barry will lead a walking tour, pointing out famous sites along the way. In the afternoon, guests will be able to pick their own activities, such as a visit to a museum or canal sightseeing cruise. Barry will continue with his walking tour of neighbourhoods for those interested, and guests may return to Leiden with Barry in late afternoon or stay longer and return by train on their own later in the evening.
Amsterdam canal
TUE APR 26: Keukenhof & Haarlem (B)
After breakfast, we will take a 30 minute bus ride to the nearby Keukenhof Tulip Park. Guests will be free to wander this amazing facility at their leisure. In the late afternoon, we will catch a bus into Haarlem. After a walk (and coffee) in this lovely city, we will return to Leiden by train for a free evening.
Keukenhof Tulip Park
WED APR 27: Katwijk aan Zee Walk, King's Day Celebrations (B, D)
Right after breakfast we will catch a bus to nearby Katwijk aan Zee for a walk through the dunes and along the beach. Upon returning to Leiden before noon, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy King's Day celebrations in Leiden, or catch a train to the biggest party around in Amsterdam.
King's Day Celebrations in Leiden
THU APR 28: Delft & Rotterdam (B) On this day we will visit Delft, one of Holland's most famous and picturesque small cities. We will visit the Royal Delft Blue factory, followed by lunch and free time in the town square. Thursday is Market Day, so there will be lots of activity and things to see. Mid afternoon, we will catch a train to nearby Rotterdam for a short walking tour, followed by free time for dinner at the spectacular Markt Hall.
Delft street
FRI APR 29: Alsmeer Flower Auction, The Hague (B)
Early birds and flower lovers can join Barry for a very early visit to Royal FloraHolland in Aalsmeer, returning to the hotel for breakfast. Mid morning we will head to the nearby capital of The Hague for a variety of activities, including Madurodam, Scheveningen Beach, the Dutch Parliament and the precious Mauritshuis Museum, home to Vermeer's famous Girl with a Pearl painting.
Girl with Pearl at Maurithuis Museum
SAT APR 30: A LA CARTE Day (B,D)
On this day, guests get to make their own program (with help from Barry). Some will undoubtedly return to Amsterdam, while others may take a photography tour of Leiden. For those more adventourous, a day-trip to Kinderdijk to see the windmills is another option. Several hiking, cycling and walking tours are available in the region. We will finish our day with a Farewell Dinner in Leiden.
SUN MAY 1: Heading home (B)
After an early breakfast, we will head to the airport to catch our 11:55 Air Canada flight home, arriving in Toronto at 14:05.
Kinderdijk Windmills near Rotterdam
Leiden
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