Day 1: Depart North Wales and travel to York. Enjoy some time at leisure in this historic city before we continue to Hull for our overnight ferry crossing to Rotterdam. Tonight relax and enjoy the on-board entertainment.
Day 2: Keukenhof Gardens
After arrival in Rotterdam, we disembark the ferry and travel to Keukenhof Gardens (admission included), where floral arrangements are found in a picture book setting of old trees and waterways. With over 50 years of displaying its floral art and with a different theme every year and a fresh look every day, Keukenhof has developed into a showcase for the flower bulb and ornamental plant industry. The history of Keukenhof, the name meaning ‘kitchen garden’, goes back to the 15th Century. Tulips proliferate but there are daffodils, hyacinths, narcissi and crocuses to admire as well.
Explore these magnificent gardens and displays at your own pace, relax with a drink or something to eat in the on-site cafe/restaurant or treat yourself to some bulbs from the gift shop.
Day 3: Heritage Boat and Steam Train Experience
Travel to the town of Hoorn where you will join the ‘Museumstoomtram’, an historic narrow gauge, steam hauled train for a scenic railway journey to Medemblik. The train stops at stations along the route, each a little museum in its own right, with views of windmills and (in season) the fields of tulips. On arrival, perhaps visit the town’s Bakery Museum and cafe whilst you wait to board the museum ship ‘Friesland’ for a relaxing cruise on the Ijsselmeer to Enkhuizen, passing the remarkable Houtribdijk, a 17- mile dyke and dam completed in 1975 as part of the Zuiderzee land reclamation project.
Day 4: Amsterdam & Delft Pottery Guided Tour
This morning, we journey to Amsterdam, where there will be time at leisure to explore some of the many facets of this vibrant city. Museum fans are spoilt for choice with great exhibitions at Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank’s House. For a slightly unusual museum experience, head to the interactive Heineken experience to tour the original brewery and sip perfectly chilled beer. For the energetic, explore this unique city on foot with its famous tree-lined canals and preserved 17th Century gabled houses. View the city from its famed canals by taking an optional 1-hour cruise along its historic waterways.
We continue to Delft, and a visit and tour of the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory Blue Pottery, renowned worldwide for its artistry. Enjoy a guided tour where you will learn all about the instantly recognisable beautiful blue porcelain and watch the craftsmen and women at work. There will be time to browse the on-site shop before we make our way back to the Europort in Rotterdam for our overnight sailing to Hull.
Day 5: Piece Hall & Home
We disembark our ferry in Hull and make the return journey to North Wales, stopping enroute at The Piece Hall in Halifax. The Piece Hall is unique - a Grade I listed Georgian masterpiece and the oldest remaining Georgian cloth hall in the world!
Standing at the heart of Halifax since 1779, the huge open-air courtyard is today surrounded by unique and boutique independent shops, bars, cafes and a restaurant. The stories of Georgian Halifax are told in the specially created exhibition spaces, while the central courtyard is a spectacular venue for a year-round events programme of live music, dance, film and spectacle. Afterwards, we complete our journey home to North Wales.