Gardens of the Netherlands Spirit of the Danube

7 nightsFULL BOARDfrom£1549 NEW GARDENS OF THE NETHERLANDS aboard Spirit of the Danube – see pages 144-149 for details Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required. No fly option

Admire the springtime flora of the Netherlands.

Colourful Netherlands

Day 1: UK to Amsterdam. Travel by coach from Folkestone via Eurotunnel or ferry and embark Spirit of the Danube. Enjoy a welcome drink reception and dinner on board as your ship remains moored here overnight.

Day 2: Amsterdam to Beverwijk.

The Dutch capital is rightly popular for its friendly welcome, picturesque canals and world-class museums and galleries. Spend the day exploring the city at leisure. This afternoon an optional excursion visits Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s largest park. Spirit of the Danube sets sail early this evening and begins cruising towards Beverwijk, arriving later this evening for an overnight mooring. Day 3: Beverwijk. Look forward to an included excursion to the famous Keukenhof gardens, also known as the ‘garden of Europe’. More than seven million bulbs fill the park with vibrant colour and fragrance. Of course, the tulip displays are weather dependent, but they're normally in bloom from mid-March to mid-May.

Day 4: Beverwijk to Arnhem

Spirit of the Danube sails from Beverwijk early this morning, arriving in the city of Arnhem early this afternoon. Perhaps join an optional excursion to the Kroller-Muller Museum, located in the Hoge Veluwe National Park. Your ship remains moored in Arnhem overnight.

Day 5: Arnhem to Utrecht

Spend the morning at leisure in Arnhem, where the British 1st Airborne Division landed during Operation Market Garden of World War II, with the intention of capturing the bridges across the Nederrijn. This afternoon an included excursion visits the Belmonte Arboretum. Rejoin Spirit of the Danube in Wijk bij Duurstede and continue cruising to Utrecht, arriving this evening. Day 6: Utrecht This morning enjoy an included guided visit to the Flower Market on Janskerkhof Square, where Dutch flower vendors have been trading for over 200 years. This afternoon another included excursion visits Utrecht Botanical Gardens, located in the heart of Utrecht Science Park.

Day 7: Utrecht to Amsterdam

After an early departure from Utrecht, you’ll arrive in the Dutch capital this morning. Here you’ll have the opportunity to join an included culinary walking tour with a guide. Alternatively, you could opt for an included city coach tour and canal cruise. This afternoon you may like to join an optional excursion to Volendam, Edam and the Katwoude cheese farm. Spirit of the Danube remains moored in Amsterdam overnight. Day 8: Amsterdam to UK. Disembark Spirit of the Danube after breakfast and begin your return journey to the UK.

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY

Amsterdam 2 nights with breakfasts

included. Before your cruise stay at the locally rated 4-star Westcord Fashion Hotel (4Q), located within walking distance of the Vondelpark and close to a tram line which links with Amsterdam Central in 15 minutes. Only available when you fly or travel by Eurostar. Please see page 143 for details.

JOINING YOU ON BOARD…

Gardening broadcaster and author

Sir Roddy Llewellyn.

on selected cabin grades FREE CABIN UPGRADE worth up to £250^

RIVER CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

Utrecht Botanical Gardens

Look forward to an included trip to Utrecht Botanical Gardens. Originally called Hortus medicus, the gardens were first laid out in 1639 and are one of the oldest university gardens in the Netherlands. They were installed for students of medicine and played an important role in the development of systematic botany in the Netherlands. The gardens incorporate six diferent areas, including a Rock Garden said to be one of Europe’s finest, Tropical Greenhouses and an Outer Fort where marsh marigold and huge skunk cabbage flourish in the spring.

Keukenhof Gardens

Enjoy an included full-day excursion to world renowned Keukenhof gardens, 'the most beautiful spring garden in the world!' Admire colourful displays of tulips, dafodils and hyacinths and perhaps pick up ideas for your own garden from the themed gardens here.

The Belmonte Arboretum

From Arnhem an included excursion visits the Belmonte estate, which was established in the mid-nineteenth century by Thierry Juste, baron De Constant Rebecque de Villars. The estate was heavily damaged during World War II, then in 1951 a design by Professor Bijhouwer was used to turn the garden into an arboretum. There have been other additions since then including a large rhododendron collection and a transplanted rose collection.

A typical Amsterdam scene

SO MUCH INCLUDED…

Included travel insurance

VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 155

20 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners

Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner

Cruise Host

Interactive maps and audio headsets for independent exploration.

Plus... Drinks reception and Captain’s dinner • Complimentary Wi-Fi on board • All gratuities on board • Return coach travel via Eurotunnel or ferry.

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS

• Keukenhof Gardens • Arboretum Belmonte • Utrecht Flower Market • Utrecht Botanical Gardens • Amsterdam city tour and canal cruise

OR culinary walking tour of Amsterdam.

The flora of Utrecht Botanical Garden

Beverwijk Amsterdam

Rhine

Utrecht

NETHERLANDS

Arnhem

Prices are £s per person from: Mar 28, 2022 Lower Deck Twin (Forward - E) 1749 1549 Lower Deck Twin (D) 1849 1649 Middle Deck Twin, French Balcony (Forward - C) 2199 1999 Middle Deck Twin, French Balcony (B) 2299 2099 Upper Deck Twin, French Balcony (A) 2449 2099 Lower Deck Sole occupancy (D) 2649 2449 Middle Deck, French Balcony Sole occupancy (B) 3049 2849 Upper Deck, French Balcony Sole occupancy (A) 3299 2849 Cruise code AH612 Gardens of the Netherlands. 7 nights. ^Free cabin upgrade from Middle Deck B grade to Upper Deck A grade, subject to limited availability. §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £20 – see page 150 for details. TRAVEL OPTIONS: Prices based on return coach travel from Folkestone to Amsterdam via Eurotunnel or ferry. Eurostar standard is available for a supplement departing from London St Pancras to Amsterdam. Flights from Heathrow are also available for a supplement.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.