Tulip gardens of Holland

Ribbons of colour as far as the eye can see.  That is what you see when you drive along tulip fields in bloom  the sight of a lifetime!  Private gardens with imaginative and varied bulb displays provide insight into the wonderfully diverse world of Dutch horticulture.  The world-famous Keukenhof where 20 Million bulbs are planted every year is an unforgettable must-see.  We also visit the  largest wholesale flower market in the world in Aalsmeer as well as Amsterdam's secret gardens.  We round off the tulip theme with a flower arranging workshop.  Based in the Nordoostpolder for two nights and Amsterdam for three nights. 

Mid-April to early May.

Liz Z.

I first wanted to thank you for a fantastic week in the Netherlands.  You have impeccable taste and are extremely organized.  I really don’t think the trip could have been better! 

April 2018

Jennifer D.

Our trip to Holland was nothing short of superb! I have heard nothing but raves since we're back.  Thank you for all of your thoughtful planning and care in seeing to it that everyone thoroughly enjoyed.  It was a first class trip - we saw amazing gardens, dined on delicious food and wine and were totally charmed by the Dutch and their incredibly warm hospitality.

April 2011

Day 1

We meet in the morning at Amsterdam airport, board our private bus and drive  to our hotel near Apeldoorn for early checkin and lunch.  In the afternoon, we visit Het Loo Palace Gardens , one of Europe’s finest formal gardens, sometimes referred to as the Versailles of the Netherlands. We continue to the Kröller-Müller Museum, home to the second-largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world (after the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam).  

Day 2

We begin the day at the Mien Ruys Gardens. A seminal force in post-war continental garden design, Mien Ruys was the inspiration for the new Dutch wave gardeners Piet Oudolf and Hank Gerritsen.  Her experimental gardens are a trove of ideas for planting schemes and design.  We also visit   3 private gardens showcasing beautiful seasonal bulb displays.

Day 3

Today we travel to Amsterdam, driving along the bulb route, lined with tulip fields. We  visit 2 private gardens on the way, all with spectacular bulb plantings.   We reach Amsterdam in the late afternoon, settle into our hotel and start the evening with a private cocktail cruise in a beautiful old-fashioned boat on the canals of Amsterdam.

Day 4

This morning we take a walking tour of the center of Amsterdam and its hidden gardens.  We attend our very own flower arranging workshop with a a professional Dutch florist before heading to Keukenhof in the early evening light when most of the tourist      buses have left.  A magical place with over 7 million tulip bulbs planted annually

Day 5

Today we get an early start to visit Alsmeer Flower Auction Market, the largest in the world with a turnover of 18 million fresh flowers daily.  This afternoon is at leisure, to enjoy shopping or explore the city's many museums.  We gather again  for a farewell dinner in town