Springtime Tulips River Cruise & Keukenhof Gardens

Springtime Tulips & Keukenhof Gardens

8 Days | Amsterdam Round Trip

From please call pp

Easily one of the most enduring images of The Netherlands, the Dutch bulbfields are a wonderful sight; a vibrant sea of flowers in many dazzling colours. In particular the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens make for a spellbinding attraction. These famous gardens stretch out across 80 acres of parkland, which also includes ponds and landscaped gardens. They boast a wonderful choice of flower displays, along with many greenhouses and even a working windmill. Of course the tulips – as one of the Netherlands’ most iconic emblems – feature most prominently, and approximately seven million tulip bulbs are planted here each year. There is also a marvellous display of orchids, daffodils and crocuses amongst others, making the incredible Dutch bulbfields a truly unmissable sight. Our holidays to the Dutch bulbfields also visit some of the Netherlands’ other great highlights, such as the incomparable, canal-lined city of Amsterdam and the famous cheese-producing town of Edam. Other great highlights include lesser-known gems such as Zanse Schaans, a fascinating open-air museum that faithfully depicts rural Dutch life in the 17th and 18th centuries. And of course, our tours include some of the finest railway journeys in Europe, with modern trains such as the Eurostar from London, and charming nostalgic heritage lines like the Medemblik Steam Train, which travels through the idyllic Westfrisian coastal countryside.

Whats Included:

Escorted throughout your tour by an on board Tour Manager and Cruise Director
7 Nights cruise on board the Amadeus Silver II
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner every day of your cruise
Excursion to the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens
Excursion to the Battlefields of Ypres
City tours of Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp
Unique flexible excursions , you choose how to spend your day with options including A tour of amsterdam, A journey on the Medemblik Stream train, Hartenstein Airbourne Museum, Or a visit to the Dutch Open air Museum
On board entertainment
Tea & Coffee making facilities in every cabin
Complimentary WIFI
The Amadeus Club, with Library, games & bar
Gym
Bicycles available for you to use and explore
All local taxes & port charges included

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a twin cabin with a limited number of single cabins available on all decks, at the relevant supplement. Travel options…..Its all included in the price… and exclusive to Great Rail Journeys Fly & Cruise For those who prefer to travel by air, Great Rail Journeys are excited to offer the option of flying to your destination from airports across the UK. On arrival in Amsterdam you will be met by our representative and transferred to your 5*-star ship. On departure we included a transfer to the airport for your flight home Rail & Cruise Travel by rail to Amsterdam in Standard Class, departing from our departure office in London St Pancras. For those wishing for that little extra touch of luxury, we also offer a First Class Upgrade from only £200 per person which sees you travel in Standard |Premier Class on Eurostar service with light meals and drinks. Passengers are escorted by one of our tour managers.

Amsterdam to Amsterdam

Day 1 - London to Amsterdam, Netherlands

Meet your Tour Manager at London St Pancras today, where you board the Eurostar Service to Amsterdam, where you’ll be escorted you to the ship. OR Fly from your closest airport to Schipol Airport in Amsterdam, where you’ll be met by a Great Rail Journeys representative who will escort you to the ship. On arrival you board your vessel and settle into your cabin and your new surroundings. Later, enjoy a welcome drink in the lounge before a sumptuous 5-course first dinner in the restaurant.

Dinner

Day 2 - Amsterdam

After waking up to your first morning and breakfast on board, you are given a choice between two fascinating excursions. Your first option is a guided sightseeing tour of Amsterdam, taking in all the sights which make this enigmatic port city one of the most loved in Europe. Discover the Royal Palace, Dam Square and the pretty canals for which Amsterdam is famous. Your second option is a visit to the town of Hoorn where you embark on a nostalgic steam train trip on the wonderful Medemblik Steam Railway.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 - The Battlefields of Ypres

Our vessel arrives into Ghent today, in Flemish Belgium. This morning. Colonel Piers Storie-Pugh comes aboard to deliver a fascinating talk about the battlefields in the region, using his impressive expertise in the field to take us back in time. In the afternoon, our excursion takes us to the infamous Ypres Battlefields, a key battlefront in the First World War. We are accompanied by experts who take us through the old trenches as well as up to the poignant site of Hill 60, one of the worst areas of fighting that Europe has ever seen. You also see the Tyne Cot cemetery where many of the combatants were buried. Return to the ship later for dinner.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 - Ghent

Discover the attractive town of Ghent this morning as you venture into the narrow streets and pretty boulevards for a guided tour. Built in an instantly identifiable style, the architecture lends an elegant grandeur to the buildings here, and we discover some of the finest examples on our tour which includes the ever impressive St Bavo’s Cathedral and the Belfrey. After lunch, we pay a visit to the fairytale city of Bruges. An exceptional example of a medieval town which maintains its historicity, Bruges is truly an enchanting city with winding streets opening up to large squares which are often filled with locals enjoying the local cafés serving Belgian delicacies. Here we discover the canals, churches and noble old townhouses which are famous across Europe. Later, after our day in the towns of Belgium, we enjoy another delicious dinner on board our vessel. The ship sails overnight to Antwerp.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 - Bruges

Today we pay a visit to the fairytale city of Bruges. An exceptional example of a medieval town which takes great pride in its history, Bruges is a truly an enchanting city.

With winding streets opening up to large squares, often filled with locals enjoying the cafés that serve up plenty of Belgian delicacies. Here we discover the canals, churches and noble old townhouses famous across Europe.

Later, after our day in Bruges, we enjoy another delicious dinner on board.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 - Arnhem

We arrive into Arnhem this morning. After free time, you have another choice of two excursions. Your first option is to visit the excellent Hartenstein Airbourne Museum in nearby Oosterbeek for a guided tour. This institution is based on the fierce Battle of Arnhem in WWII, the setting of the war film ‘A Bridge too Far’. The museum features a collection which includes various artefacts from the battle itself. Alternatively, you may wish to join the excursion which visits the Netherlands Open Air Museum, recanting the storied history of flight in this proud European country. Tonight we sit down to an elegant Gala dinner with our captain and crew.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 - The Keukenhof Gardens

This morning we arrive back in Amsterdam, and are joined on board by the wonderful Charlie Dimmock, star of the BBC’s Ground Force. We enjoy a presentation as well as a question and answer session with her, learning about her time at the BBC and her tips on horticulture and garden care. Later, we experience a true highlight of the tour, visiting the magnificent kaleidoscope of colour that is Keukenhof Gardens. Lined and filled with all manner of glorious tulips displays of all sizes and variety, this is one of the best floral displays in Europe and indeed the rest of the world. In the evening, we are serenaded back on board by a Dutch sea shanty choir.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 - Homeward Bound

After a buffet breakfast, your cruise comes to an end and you disembark your ship in Amsterdam. Here you are escorted by your Tour Manager by rail back to London. OR You are transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Breakfast

The Amadeus Queen, the 15th river cruise ship of the Austrian ship operator, will tour the Danube, Rhine and Main rivers as well as Dutch and Belgian waterways from spring 2018. Similar to its prominent predecessors, this ship will also continue the company’s orientation to high quality river cruises in Europe.

This new vessel follows the award-winning model of the Amadeus Silver ships but offers even further innovative developments. The popular concept of spaciousness has been maintained. This includes not only generous public areas but also spacious cabins: 12 large suites impress with an outdoor balcony and a cozy reading corner whilst the 69 standard cabins mainly have panoramic window fronts which can be automatically lowered and luxurious bathrooms. A new on-board highlight is the indoor pool, the roof of which can be opened in fine weather. In the evenings, this area may also be used for informative talks, functions and cinema showings. Amadeus operate bilingual cruises (English/German), meaning that all announcements, menus and daily programme, etc. will be provided in both languages. All excursions are operated with English speaking guides.

Onboard Features & Facilities

• Panorama-Restaurant • Panorama-Bar • Indoor Swimming Pool with Amadeus-Club Lounge • Outdoor glass-shielded “River Terrace” • Sun Deck with lounge chairs, giant Chess Board and Shuffleboard • Sun Deck Lido-Bar • Fitness Room • Hair Salon, Massage Room • Gift Shop • Laundry Service • Complimentary bicycles onboard • Wi-Fi available • Lift

Accommodations & Amenities

Stay in one of the elegantly appointed Classic Staterooms or Amadeus Suites and enjoy unexpected little luxuries.

Classic Staterooms

Be transported into a realm of chic comfort in one of the 69 large staterooms. The beautiful 188 sq ft design is loaded with high-tech hospitality and swanky décor. Escape with the view from your state-of-the-art panoramic window on the Strauss and Mozart decks that extends across the entire width of the cabin. Automatically lower the windows to make the stateroom become it’s own balcony. Included are all the necessary details: a flat screen TV, WiFi, cabinet, seating area, a safe, and the Amadeus Signature Bed and en-suite bathroom with shower and WC.

Staterooms are located on all decks. The Mozart and Strauss Decks include the innovative French Balcony.

Balcony Suites

These 12 carefully designed suites with a lounge area, offer outdoor seating to sip your morning coffee and 284 sq ft of space to relax. Included are the little luxuries as well as the Amadeus Signature Bed, a large luxurious bathroom with shower & WC, WiFi, a flat screen TV, a safe and a minibar.

Suites are located on the Mozart Deck.

Balcony Suites

284 ft² – Mozart (Upper) Deck

Walk-out exterior balcony
Comfortable corner sofa
Luxurious bathroom en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe & hair dryer
Direct dial telephone
In-room safe
Mini-bar
Large walk-in wardrobe
Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
Flat-screen television
Individual climate control

A-1 Staterooms

188 ft² – Mozart (Upper) Deck

Drop-down panoramic french window
Spacious en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer
Mini-bar
Large walk-in wardrobe
Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
Flat-screen television
Individual climate control
Direct dial telephone
In-room safe

B-1 & B-4 Staterooms

188 ft² – Strauss (Middle) Deck

Spacious en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer
Drop-down panoramic french window
Mini-bar
Large walk-in wardrobe
Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
Flat-screen television
Individual climate control
Direct dial telephone
In-room safe

Amadeus Queen Cat C-1 & C-4 Lower Deck Cabin

C-1 & C4 Staterooms

172 ft² – Haydn (Lower) Deck

Spacious en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer
Panoramic window (cannot be opened)
Walk-in wardrobe
Choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed)
Flat-screen television
Individual climate control
Direct dial telephone
In-room safe

Launched in April 2020, the Amadeus Imperial is designed to offer our guests an effortless combination of the vibrant energy of a river cruise day with an increasingly calm and intimate ship experience. The new ship offers 72 spacious deluxe cabins (17.5m²/ 188 sq.ft.) and 12 Amadeus suites (26.4m^²/ 284 sq.ft.) in total. As on all ships built since 2011, the Amadeus Imperial cabins on the Mozart and Strauss decks also feature lowerable panoramic windows along the entire cabin width.

All deluxe cabins and suites are equipped with comfortable, spacious bathrooms, an infotainment system, a flat screen television, a telephone, a cabin safe, a minibar and individually adjustable air conditioning. The suites also have an accessible outdoor balcony with a seating area.

Explore this ship in a virtual 360 degree tour

360° Tour

Onboard Features & Facilities

• Panorama-Restaurant • Panorama-Bar and Lounge • Amadeus-Club • “Café Vienna” with Viennese coffee specialities • Outdoor glass-shielded “River Terrace” • Sun Deck with Lido-Bar, lounge chairs, shade awnings, giant Chess Board and Shuffleboard • Fitness Room • Hair Salon, Massage Room • Gift Shop • Laundry Service • Complimentary bicycles on board • Wi-Fi available • Lift