CroisiEurope - Dutch Bulbfields Cruise

A feast for the senses! With 7 million flower bulbs, Keukenhof Gardens is awash with the sight and scent of blossoming flowers. Plus, Amsterdam, Volendam, Alkmaar, Antwerp and Bruges

Dutch Bulbfields Cruise & Keukenhof Gardens

Walking through the dazzling spectacle of 7 million bulbs every colour of the rainbow, Tulips, Hyacinths, Daffodils, Orchids, Roses, Carnations, Irises, Lilies, you’ll be overwhelmed by the spectacle of colour and perfume of the flowers. Expansive gardens covering 35 hectares, filled to the brim with flower beds, beautiful landscaping and magnificent floral exhibitions.

As Dutch history goes, Keukenhof is young. Situated on the grounds of a long-razed castle, inhabited during the fifteenth century by a countess whose four husbands (one at a time) included a dauphin of France and a Duke of Gloucester, it was opened a few years after the end of World War II by a group of bulb-growers intent on exhibiting the splendor of Dutch flowers. Did they ever succeed! Keukenhof had become prestigious enough by 1962 for Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard to have celebrated their twenty-eighth wedding anniversary on the grounds, with imported royals and heads of state topping the guest list."

Your Holiday Includes:

Channel Crossing

1 Night - The Netherlands

4 Nights - MS Gérard Schmitter

Buffet Breakfast - 5 Mornings

Buffet Dinner - 1 Evening

3 Course Dinner – 3 Evenings

4 Course Gala Dinner - 1 Evening

All Inclusive Drinks Package (Cruise) - Including Beer, Wines, Spirits, Soft Drinks, Tea and Coffee

On Board Activities

Included Highlights:

Breda
Admission to Keukenhof Gardens
Amsterdam
Amsterdam Canal Cruise
Volendam & Marken
Alkmaar - Cheese Market Day
Antwerp
Bruges

Notification of Boarding Times:

Departure Times/Itinerary/Luggage Labels will be forwarded approximately 10 days prior to departure.

Day 1

We depart early morning to head south for our crossing to France. We arrive late afternoon at our hotel in The Netherlands. Dinner is included this evening.

Day 2

After breakfast, we make our way to the most beautiful Spring garden in the World. Keukenhof Gardens opens 8 weeks per year, displaying a staggering 7 million blooms. The site covers 80 acres of dazzling display. This rainbow carpet of flow is a riot of colour, set amongst shimmering lakes, ancient trees, flower shrubs and beautiful water gardens. The Dutch do know a thing or two about tulips - the variety of flower and colours are overwhelming. There are restaurants located within the park.

Late afternoon, we board the MS Gérard Schmitter in Amsterdam, our base for the next 4 nights. After settling into your cabin, enjoy a welcome cocktail with the on-board crew and dinner in the restaurant.

B, D

Day 3

A hearty breakfast commences our day, before we disembark and head into Amsterdam for our canal cruise. Our 1 hour cruise takes in the highlights of Amsterdam. Impressive canal houses with clock gables, spout gables and neck gables, the Skinny Bridge and the port of Amsterdam. The audio system guides you through the experience and lets you in on interesting facts about the city. We return to the MS Gérard Schmitter for lunch.

Spend the afternoon exploring Amsterdam, or join us to Volendam and Marken. Volendam was for years a small, orderly fishing village. Now, however, it is a town that is gaining more and more visitors thanks to its tranquillity, its still authentic spirit and its atmosphere. Marken is a small village to the northeast of Amsterdam. The traditional colored wooden houses are one of the most attractive aspects of this former island. We sail this evening to Wijk Bij Duurstede.

B, D

Day 4

After breakfast, we depart the MS Gérard Schmitter for Alkmaar. Thousands of visitors from all over the world come specifically to Alkmaar for the cheese market. A special spectacle with a square full of cheese and lugging cheese carriers. Time to discover its unique culture and picturesque nature before we return to ship for our Gala Dinner Evening.

B, D

Day 5

Today we cruise towards Antwerp. Antwerp is the capital of cool and grandeur. This port city has been seducing anyone with a taste for style for centuries. This was already applicable during the time of Baroque innovator Peter Paul Rubens, and it has not lost an iota of its glamour since. We overnight in Antwerp, so there is plenty of opportunity to explore the local area.

B, D

Day 6

Enjoy our last breakfast on board before we disembark and commence our journey home, stopping in Bruges. With picturesque canals and gabled houses, it is no wonder Bruges is often referred to as the 'Venice of the North'. After lunch, we head to Calais for our afternoon crossing back to the UK.

B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included

Your Accommodation

MS Gérard Schmitter

Named after the founder of CroisiEurope, the MS Gérard Schmitter sails on the Rhine and the Danube, to meet the many wonders offered by these two romantic rivers.

The MS Gérard Schmitter is an intimate-sized Premium ship, measuring 110m long and 11.40m wide. It can accommodate 174 passengers, in 87 cabins spread over three decks. The size of each cabin is 13.50m2, offering amenities and providing guests with all the comforts they need during their stay. Decorated in subtle chocolate brown shades, combined with glimpses of rosy-lilac, gives the ship a welcoming atmosphere. The decoration, created by Maria Rosa Rosello, pays tribute to the founder of CroisiEurope, who liked to paint delicate and flowery designs. Located on the middle deck, the restaurant, where all meals are served during the cruise, offers delicate cuisine in a refined setting, where large windows allow guests to fully enjoy the panorama. On this same deck is also the lounge / bar with a dance floor, while on the sun deck, an ideal place to relax and admire the landscapes, passengers can enjoy comfortable sunloungers, as well as a large shaded area.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Name	Address	Contact Details	Distance
Burntwood	The Wych Elm Pub Bridge Cross Road Burntwood
Cannock	The Bus Station Cannock
Hednesford	The Bus Stop Outside Tesco Victoria Street Hednesford
Lichfield	The Bus Station Lichfield
Rugeley	The Bus Station Rugeley
Stafford	Outside the Police Station Eastgate Street Stafford
Sutton Coldfield	McDonalds Lower Parade Sutton Coldfield
Tamworth	Assembly Rooms Corporation Street Tamworth