The Charlemagne
See Holland at its most vibrant time, the spring tulip extravaganza. Our exclusive cruise, aboard the privately chartered luxury river boat Charlemagne which has been so popular with our Alumni travellers, will take a party of just 32 along windmill-lined rivers and through charming Dutch towns to the spectacular flower auction in Aalsmeer.
Windmills and tulips
Starting and ending in picturesque Amsterdam with its historic monuments and network of canals, we shall call at Schoonoven, known for its silversmiths and cruise along the Lek visiting the 19 World Heritage listed 17th Century windmills at Kinderdijk, and experience Gauda, famous for its cheese. We visit the dazzling fields of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths at the Keukenhof Gardens then cruise on to Aalsmeer. Here, we experience the world’s biggest flower auction where some 10 billion flowers are sold every year then tour Haarlem, centre of the bulb trade.
Historic Villages
With charming days cruising passing fields of blooming flowers we continue to Alkmaar and its 17th Century fortifications, picturesque houses and majestic 15th Century gothic town hall, and visit Zaansche Schans, a reconstructed 300 year old village complete with wooden houses and windmills. Back in Amsterdam, round off the tour with fascinating visits to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gough Museum.
The Joys of Cruising
The crew of Charlemagne will treat you to gourmet meals, superb matched wines, and escorted visits to the historical and botanical sites of the region. With the blooming flowers enhancing the lovely scenery along the route with a vivid palette of colours, what could be more relaxing and yet so stimulating?
Accompanying lecturer
Dr Stephen Harris is Druce Curator of the Oxford University Herbaria, UK. A specialist in evolution and the conservation of plants, Dr Harris is also an expert on the history of the Tulip and Holland’s influence on the world’s plants in the 17th and 18th centuries. He has published many articles on these subjects.
Tour Cost
£1670 per person sharing (Single supplement £770). Upper deck suite supplement £200 per person (Two available).
Cost includes return flights, UK departure
tax, transfers, full board throughout, all excursions. Not included are any specially levied
taxes, insurance, foreign departure tax, fuel surcharges,
drinks, and tips to crew on board and local guide.
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