Dutch Bulbfields in Spring 759
5 Days Starting and ending in London, United Kingdom
Visiting: London, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Utrecht
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BCDB
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Special diets catered:
Vegans, Meat, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating river cruise through the enchanting landscapes of Holland and Belgium with the "Dutch Bulbfields in Spring 759" tour. Begin your journey with a swift Eurostar ride from London to Brussels, then onward to Antwerp, where you'll explore the Rubens House and the historic Botanic Garden. Cruise leisurely to Rotterdam, with opportunities to discover its innovative architecture. Delight in the breathtaking floral displays at Keukenhof and explore the charming city of Amsterdam, including an optional canal cruise. Visit the picturesque Kasteel Museum Sypesteyn and the grand De Haar Castle, each surrounded by stunning gardens. Conclude your adventure with a visit to the Museum Van Loon in Amsterdam before returning to London. Enjoy all-inclusive drinks on board, comfortable accommodations, and the expertise of a professional tour manager throughout this unforgettable journey.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: London
Accommodation: Overnight cruise
Accommodation Name: Overnight cruise
Meals Included: Dinner
We depart by Eurostar train from London St Pancras to Brussels where we change trains and continue to Antwerp. On arrival in Antwerp, we first visit the Rubens House and its newly revamped reception centre, library and Baroque garden, filled with over 17,000 plants. Later this afternoon we will visit the 200-year-old Botanic Garden, which boasts a substantial number of exceptional trees and shrubs. We later board our ship and enjoy a welcome cocktail reception before dinner.
Day 2 : Antwerp-Rotterdam
Location: Rotterdam
Accommodation: Overnight cruise
Accommodation Name: Overnight cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we have a leisurely day on board ship, as we cruise from Antwerp to Rotterdam, crossing the Oosterschelde and Westerschelde, two sheltered inlets off the North Sea. Lunch is served on board.
On arrival in Rotterdam there will be an opportunity to go ashore and explore at leisure or choose to join the optional walking tour of the city. Rotterdam combines innovative architecture and a stormy history. First founded as a small fishing village some 800 years ago, the city has grown to significantly important in industry due to its strategic location along some of Europe’s largest rivers. During World War II the city centre was almost completely destroyed by German bombing but has arisen from its ashes to become a cultural hub. Some of the standout architectural wonders include the De Rotterdam Tower designed by Rem Kollhaas, the redeveloped Centraal Station and the iconic Eramus Bridge.
Day 3 : Rotterdam-Utrecht-Keukenhof-Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam
Accommodation: Overnight cruise
Accommodation Name: Overnight cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we cruise from Rotterdam to Utrecht. After lunch on board, we will depart by coach for a visit to one of the most famous gardens in the world - Keukenhof. Over seven million bulbs are planted annually and around one million visitors pass through it from mid-March to mid-May - it is truly breathtaking.
We re-join the ship in Amsterdam and following dinner this evening you are free to explore, alternatively, there will be an optional canal cruise to give you the opportunity to view this spectacular city in its nighttime splendour. Journeying through the canals at night is an exhilarating experience and this tour will allow you to see the best of the city). We overnight here in Amsterdam.
Day 4 : Kasteel Museum Sypesteyn-Utrecht-Amsterdam
Location: Utrecht
Accommodation: Overnight cruise
Accommodation Name: Overnight cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After a short drive out of the city we find Kasteel Museum Sypesteyn, which was built in the early 20th-century in the 17th century style by Jonkheer Catharinus Henricus Cornelis Ascanius of Sypesteyn as a tribute to his family as the last descendant of the Van Sypesteyn line. The castle is surrounded by stunning gardens with hedges, moats and decorative wrought-iron gates. Paths and bridges allow for a leisurely stroll through the orchards, the park and the castle garden, featuring both indigenous and exotic planting.
This afternoon we visit De Haar Castle in Utrecht. which has equally splendid grounds including a Roman garden, ponds and canals, romantic vistas and impressive avenues. As was the fashion when the garden was reconstructed around 1895, the garden closest to the castle was in the French style while the surrounding parkland was in a Romantic English landscape style, with fanciful ponds and picturesque little bridges.
We once again overnight in Amsterdam.
Day 5 : Amsterdam-Brussels-London
Location: London
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast on board, we disembark the ship and spend the morning in Amsterdam, beginning with a visit to the Museum Van Loon, a magnificent canal-side private residence from the Dutch ‘Golden Age’, with a large collection of paintings, fine porcelain and silver. The formal gardens perfectly complement the Classical style of the house.
In the afternoon, we catch the train from Amsterdam Centraal railway station to Brussels, where we board the Eurostar service to London St Pancras, where we expect to arrive late evening.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation is included in the tour package.
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Meals as per the itinerary
Meals are provided as per the itinerary.
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Comfortable coach travel throughout
Comfortable coach travel is included throughout the tour.
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Services of a professional tour manager
The services of a professional tour manager are included.
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Train travel
Train travel is included in the tour package.
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All visits as outlined in the itinerary
All visits as outlined in the itinerary are included.
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Fast and comfortable journeys between London and Brussels/Amsterdam with Eurostar
Fast and comfortable journeys between London and Brussels/Amsterdam with Eurostar are included.
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All drinks on board the ship
All drinks on board the ship are included.
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Enjoy the breathtaking display of flowers at Keukenhof
The tour includes a visit to enjoy the breathtaking display of flowers at Keukenhof.
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Visit to botanic gardens in Antwerp, Kasteel de Haar and Kasteel Museum Sypesteyn in Amsterdam
Visits to botanic gardens in Antwerp, Kasteel de Haar, and Kasteel Museum Sypesteyn in Amsterdam are included.
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
Tipping and gratuities are not included in the tour package.
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Optional walking tour of Rotterdam
The optional walking tour of Rotterdam is not included and may incur additional costs.
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Optional canal cruise in Amsterdam
The optional canal cruise in Amsterdam is not included and may incur additional costs.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with Eurostar train journeys between London and Brussels/Amsterdam, complemented by comfortable coach travel and scenic river cruising on board a ship.
Accommodation
Enjoy the comfort of an overnight cruise as you travel through the scenic waterways, with all the amenities you need for a relaxing journey.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes travel by Eurostar train from London to Brussels, and then continues by train to Antwerp. There is also comfortable coach travel throughout the tour, and the journey includes a river cruise on board a ship.
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Are meals included during the tour?
Yes, meals are included as per the itinerary. Specific meals mentioned include breakfast, lunch, and dinner on various days of the tour.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
Accommodation is provided on an overnight cruise ship during the tour.
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What are some of the key attractions visited during the tour?
Key attractions include the Rubens House and Botanic Garden in Antwerp, Keukenhof gardens, Kasteel Museum Sypesteyn, De Haar Castle, and the Museum Van Loon in Amsterdam.
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Is there an opportunity for optional activities during the tour?
Yes, there are optional activities such as a walking tour in Rotterdam and a canal cruise in Amsterdam.
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What is the starting and ending point of the tour?
The tour starts and ends in London, UK.
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Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?
You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.
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What facilities do your coaches have?
Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.
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Do I have to go on the included excursions?
Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.
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Is there time to relax?
Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.
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Do I need to be an expert?
Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.
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How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?
You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding
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Do you have self-drive holidays?
Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!
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What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?
There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.
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Where are your departure points?
UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .
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What about the company that will be kept?
For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.
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What is a Brightwater Holiday?
Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.
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Why is there a single supplement?
Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.
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How much are your optional excursions?
Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.
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Can I pre-book my coach seats?
Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.
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How to get there? Easy!
With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.
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Apr 14, 2025 - Apr 18, 2025Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Brightwater Holidays allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform brightwater holidays, 25 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Brightwater Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 15% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brightwater holidays charges.
At 40 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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