When one thinks of Holland, flowers are probably the first thing that comes into mind... See this enigmatic country as you travel from Amsterdam to Maastricht, stopping off at various towns and sites of interest en route such as the Keukenhof gardens - the largest spring garden in the world, Leiden's university gardens, the former Royal Summer residence and the Floridade exhibition to mention but a few. In the company of your private tansportation and driver, you'll get to see as much as possible during your stay while taking things at your own pace. Enjoy a mix of experiences from a guided walking tour in the historical city of Leiden, to learning about the culture of the country at the Open Air Heritage museum, and gain a greater appreciation for the horticultural side of life in Holland.

Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, and the epicentre of the country's finance and culture. Amsterdam's attractions, including its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, and its red-light district, draw 4.2 million tourists annually. This city fans out south from the Amsterdam Central railway station, which is serviced regularly from the airport. Amsterdam's rich architectural legacies make a stroll through the downtown, or a canal tour, a memorable experience. It is a city of bicycles, families, tidy streets and courteous manners. Quite opposite to the reputation, it's the peace and tranquility that lingers in your memory after departing this city.

Upon your arrival into Amsterdam, you'll be picked up by your private driver at the airport and brought on a brief panoramic city tour of the city before being dropped off at your hotel. This city is teeming with history and culture at every turn. Discover the many canals, bridges, and beautiful 17th and 18th century mansions as well as The Royal Palace on Dam square, the historic buildings along the Amstel River and the colorful flower market.

Please note that although our drivers can have a general knowledge of the city of Amsterdam, they are not licensed guides. Please let your Sales Advisor know if you would like a licensed guide accompany you for a more indepth panoramic tour.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be presented to you by your driver upon arrival. Alternative arrangements will be made if you do not have a private transfer at the start of your itinerary.

A great way to see the city and experience it in local fashion is to rent a bike for a day or even a few hours. Amsterdam is one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the world and bicycles have sometimes more space on the road than their fellow pavement users. Expect to pay EUR12 per day for a bike rental. For bike hire contact:MacBike, Mr Visserplein 2 or Weteringschans 2. Tel: +31 (0)20-620-0985 or Rent-a-Bike, Damstraat 20-22. Tel: +31 (0)20-625-5029. From the picturesque Jordaan district where streets are named after flowers to the artistic Westerpark where open-air concerts, theatre and exhibitions take place, Amsterdam abounds with walking opportunities that combine well with cultural heritage.  Amsterdam's infamous Red Light District is in the very centre of the city, concentrated on two canals (Oudezijds Voorburgwal and Oudezijds Achterburgwal) and the interconnecting streets. It is definitely an eye-opener, the working girls sit or stand in windows beckoning at passers-by.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be presented to you by your driver upon arrival. Alternative arrangements will be made if you do not have a private transfer at the start of your itinerary.

The NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky (4*) is located in the very heart of the city, right on the central Dam square near many major tourist and business attractions. The  property offers a total of 468 stylish guest rooms, including one split-level suite, six luxurious junior suites, and 35 fully equipped apartments. Stop by the fitness center for a workout or relax with a soothing massage after your busy day. There is no shortage of fine food and drink at the NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky. Enjoy the hotel’s exquisite buffet breakfast, served every morning in the Summer Garden and glass-roofed Winter Garden. The hotel restaurant Reflet offers an à la carte dinner selection and menu of belle époque French style cuisine. Grand Café Mathilde offers a great selection of homemade tea, liqueurs, and an exceptional view of the Dam plaza.

Overnight at NH Krasnapolsky (4*).

Spend the day in the company of your private vehicle and driver (8hrs) and meet up with a private guide in Leiden after some independent time at Keukenhof gardens. After meeting up in your hotel this morning, you will be taken to Keukenhof where you will get to visit the largest spring garden in the world. Visitors from all over the globe have enjoyed the splendor of over 7 million flowering bulbs for over fifty years. Don't miss the fantastic indoor floral displays.

From here, continue on to the historical town of Leiden. This university town has a rich history, with many historical monuments, an excellent shopping center and many terraces to enjoy a drink in the sunny spring open air. Meet up with your private guide (4hrs) and after getting your orientation of the city, continue on to  the Hortus Botanicus where you will visit the university garden of Leiden. The garden was founded in the year 1575 as a medicinal garden and the first place in the Netherlands where tulips were grown. During the visit you'll have a chance to see the living history of plants.
At days end, you'll be returned to your accommodation in Amsterdam. (incudes entrances to Keukenhof garden & Hortus Botanicus).

Overnight at NH Krasnapolsky (4*).

Spend the day in the company of a private vehicle and driver(8hrs). This morning discover some of the sites in the area such as the Palace ‘t Loo, the favorite summer residence of the Royal Family of the Netherlands from 1686 to 1975. During your private visit of the palace, you'll get to see the stables and the garden before continuing on to Arnhem. Visit the Open Air Museum (voted European Museum of the year in 2005), where you can discover how the Dutch lived and worked since 1600. Experience the magic of the past in more than 80 houses and workshops. Take a historic tram ride or enjoy a walk through this wooded museum park. The Open Air Museum offers complimentary English speaking guided tours and there is also a guidebook available at the entrance.  Observe the history of Dutch architecture and the daily life of people in the Netherlands in the museum village, the historic farms, the old farmhouses, workshops, windmills and trams from all over the

Overnight at NH Krasnapolsky (4*).

Maastricht is located in the southern part of the Dutch province of Limburg, of which it is the capital. The city is widely known as a city of history, culture, local folklore and education and is popular with tourists for shopping and recreation. It is also a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network.

Today you'll depart Amsterdam for Maastricht, stopping off en route at both the Appeltern and Arcen gardens for a full day of touring (8hrs). After your driver picks you up at your hotel this morning, you'll proceed to Appeltern for a visit of The Appeltern Gardens. Designed and laid out for inspiration and enjoyment, over the past twenty years the park has been growing in leaps and bounds and boasts over 200 model gardens (the largest collection of plants in The Netherlands), a huge sculpture garden and a charming plant market. You will get the chance to learn about the latest garden trends, natural decorations, products, plants, horticulturalists and designers during your visit.

From Appeltern, you'll continue onwards to Arcen where you will get to visit its gardens, a 32 hectares park, which has some of the most diverse flowers and trees  in Europe. In the centre stands an ancient castle monument and you'll also find a Rosarium, Water gardens, theme gardens of different countries and a large tropical greenhouse.

From here, continue on to Maastricht. (includes entrances into Appeltern & Arcen gardens).

Located next to the Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Center (MECC) and the Randwyck Railway Station, and directly outside the historical city center, the NH Maastricht (4*) provides a sophisticated gateway for  culture. Guests can appreciate fine art at the nearby Bonnefanten Museum, explore the fascinating St. Pietersberg Caves, or drive 30 minutes to visit the nearby cities of Hasselt, Luik, and Landgraaf--boasting the largest indoor ski resort in the world. Stunning scenery lines the 20-minute drive to Valkenburg and its world-class sauna, Thermae 2000. The NH Maastricht welcomes guests with 275 comfortable rooms. A luxurious health club with sauna, solarium, and fully equipped fitness room provides a complete package of wellness at a discounted rate for hotel guests.The Garden restaurant specializes in succulent breakfasts, lunches, dinners for individuals and groups. Dine a la carte at Seasons, which tempts guests with a varied array of lunch and dinner options. In Bistro/Bar Bizonder, enjoy high tea by day or cocktails by night. 

Overnight at NH Maastricht (4*).

Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

Take the train from Maastricht to Venlo today - home of the World Horitcultrual exhibition - Floriade. The train transfer should take approximately 1 hour and requires one change of train. 

Please let your Sales Advisor know if you would like a one way or return private transfer arranged for you to the Floriade exhibition park.

Floriade is an impressive exhibition, which takes place every ten years, and where horticulture specialists come to admire the thousands of flowers, plants and trees. The 2012 edition of the Floriade (open from April 5th to October 12th) has 5 themeparks: Relax and Heal, Green engine, Education & Innovation, Environment and World show stage.  There are already 35 countries mainly in Africa and Asia that have a pavilion in the park and there will follow more countries. Spend the day at leisure wandering throughout the exhibition taking in the various things of particular interest to you.

Take the train from Venlo to Maastricht today. The train transfer should take approximately 1 hour and requires one change of train. 

Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

Overnight at NH Maastricht (4*).

Meet your private guide today for an hour and a half guided walking city tour of Maastricht. Visit of one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands which has been often destroyed in history because of its strategic location. Like most southern cities, Maastricht has lively pedestrian streets and the brick houses give an impression of stability. See the defense walls still intact on the southern end of the town and visit the Basilica of St. Servais (built around 1000) which is a must see. Admire its rich treasury, consisting of a collection of liturgical objects, statues and paintings. (no entrances or transportation included). You can either use taxis to get around, or have a car and driver service - please let your Sales Advisor know if you would like to add the latter to your itinerary today. 

Maastricht offers many museums, churches, historical buildings, hidden alleys and spacious squares. You can find any form of architecture here, ranging from Roman excavations to the modern design of the Bonnefantenmuseum. Exhibitions at NAi Maastricht inform you about architecture in the European region around Maastricht. It is a great city with many historical structures and squares, and there’s one place in particular that you cannot miss visiting and that’s ‘het Vrijthof’ -  a beautiful square in the center of the histrical part of town, paved with old cobblestones and surrounded by trees. Many very nice restaurants and cafes encircle the square. This square has attracted people since Medieval times when pilgrims came to see the grave of Saint Servatius, located in the St. Servatius Basilica, a Romanesque cathedral with crypts and treasures.

Another bascilia worth visiting is the Basilica of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek) is a renowned Roman catholic basilica dating back to the 11th century. The main attraction is the miraculous statue of Our Lady, Star of the Sea. Besides the chapel with the statue of Our Lady, there’s much more arts and crafts to be admired. The treasury of the basilica holds a large number of objects of religious arts and crafts. Marvel at the richly embroidered copes and chasubles, relics in beautiful holders, processional banners, church silver and statues.

Maastricht’s main art museum is the Bonnefantenmuseum. This museum holds a mixture of medieval and contemporary art. The structure itself is a great architectonic highlight. Other museums are the Natural History Museum, Architecture Institute Maastricht and Fort St. Pieter.

Overnight at NH Maastricht (4*).

Take a private train station transfer in Maastricht. 

Take the train from Maastricht to Amsterdam Schiphol airport today. The train journey typically takes about 1.5hours and requires one change. 

Please speak to your Sales Advisor if you prefer to a have a private car and driver to transfer you to the airport today.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).