Make your own arrival to Amsterdam and check into the first hotel. Amsterdam is one of the crown jewels of Europe and there is so much to do and see here. If you arrive early make sure you go for a walk to marvel at the 17th century townhouses in the World Heritage listed canal district. The Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Vondelpark or a canal cruise are just some of the things you can do and see in Amsterdam. Note: Other dates in April may be possible however a minimum 2 night stay in Amsterdam is required for 18-21 April and 24-27 April (at the start or end of your trip). The rates are always on request - please ask our team.

Meals:  Nil

It may be tempting to linger in Amsterdam, but today you will see your first tulip fields! Set off early and leave the hustle and bustle of the lively capital to enter the South Kennemerland region. First you head to Cruquius, a steam-driven pumping station for a lesson in Dutch water management. The steam mill Cruquius, Haarlem is a Dutch 'Rijksmonument" and it has also been declared an Anchor Point of ERIH, The European Route of Industrial Heritage. It is thought to be the largest steam engine – and certainly the largest beam engine – ever built. The land reclamation of Haarlemmermeer by means of steam power marked the breakthrough of the Industrial Revolution in the Netherlands. You then cycle from Cruquius in a loop around Haarlem and just after the village of Bennebroek you can catch your first glimpse of the tulip fields. Top off your day roaming lovely downtown Haarlem, from impressive Grote Markt square, to the white drawbridge on the River Spaarne. Optional upgrade available: stay in Santpoort instead of Haarlem - must be requested at time of booking, supplement applies. The hotel is located in a manor house with a beautiful park, surrounded by nature, about 7km outside Haarlem. Dinner is included at the manor house. Note at times due to availability in Haarlem, it's necessary to book here in which case the supplement will also apply.

Meals:  B

Downtown Haarlem deserves to be explored thoroughly. We recommend a city walk to discover the city’s hidden "hofjes”, a square of tiny almshouses set around an idyllic courtyard, built by the church or private charity to house single older women. Also dating back to the Dutch Golden Age, the works of Haarlem painter Frans Hals (group portraiture) and his townsmen including Jacob Ruysdael (land- and seascapes) and Pieter Saenredam (church interiors) are on display at the Frans Hals museum. In the afternoon get set for a colourful bike trip through the Dune and Bulb Region. Tulips, crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths are grown here commercially for bulb export and temporarily transform the landscape into one of the country’s best-loved tourist attractions. Leiden is the country's oldest university town. It has a very busy cultural events calendar and a friendly city centre with canals, monuments windmills and museums. The historical botanical gardens get special mention. Note: if you want to spend a day at the world famous Keukenhof flower exhibition, we recommend staying an extra night in Leiden - please request at the time of booking. See www.keukenhof.nl for information and bookings (recommend pre-book - tickets can be booked from late October.)

Meals:  B

The route back to Amsterdam takes you past several lakes, across the rural ‘Green Heart’, to the River Amstel. Along the way you will encounter pretty villages and grand country houses. This is one of the greenest routes and leads you right into Amsterdam and your hotel. As you may have guessed, the city is named after the river. In the 13th century, Amsterdam started out as a fishing village by a dam at the mouth of the river. The oldest part of Amsterdam is around the Oude Kerk (Old Church). Known as Amsterdam’s living room, it is the oldest building in the city.

Meals:  B

The trip concludes in Amsterdam after breakfast.

Meals:  B