5 Days • 4 Nights
Tulips & Spring Gardens: Keukenhof, Flower Fields & Amsterdam
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- A full day at world-famous Keukenhof, the 'Garden of Europe', is the glorious heart of this journey. Keukenhof, open only for eight weeks each spring, is the most beautiful flower garden in the world, where some seven million tulip, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs are planted each year to flower in dazzling, perfumed displays. You wander its sculpted lawns, winding paths, ponds and windmill among rivers of colour, marvel at the themed pavilions with their prize blooms and orchids, and drink in the sheer scale and artistry of the planting. The colour, scent and beauty are overwhelming.
- Cycling or driving through the blazing tulip fields of the Bollenstreek is a spectacular highlight. Around Keukenhof and Lisse lies the Bollenstreek, the great bulb-growing region of the Netherlands, where in spring the flat fields are painted in astonishing ribbons of red, pink, purple, orange, white and gold, stretching to the horizon beneath the huge Dutch sky. You explore them by bicycle along the flat, quiet lanes, or by vehicle, stopping to photograph the blazing stripes and to visit a working bulb farm. The colour and scale are breathtaking. Cycling or driving through the blazing tulip fields of the Bollenstreek.
- Enchanting Amsterdam and its floating flower market add canals and colour to this journey. Amsterdam in spring is at its loveliest, its glittering UNESCO canals lined with tilting gabled houses, blossoming trees and flower-filled window boxes. You glide the canals on a classic cruise, watching houseboats, bridges and terraces slip by, and visit the famous Bloemenmarkt, the world's only floating flower market, where barges brim with tulips, bulbs and blooms of every colour along the Singel canal. The beauty and colour are captivating. Gliding the glittering canals of enchanting Amsterdam in spring and browsing the Bloemenmarkt, the world's only floating flower market.
- The great windmills of Kinderdijk add iconic Dutch beauty to this journey. No image says the Netherlands like a windmill, and Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the most beautiful windmill landscape of all, where nineteen stately eighteenth-century windmills stand in a long row along the polders and canals, their great sails turning against the vast spring sky. You stroll the peaceful dyke-top paths, drift past the mills by boat and step inside a working mill to see how a miller's family once lived. The heritage and beauty are captivating. Strolling among the great row of nineteen turning windmills at UNESCO-listed Kinderdijk.
- The joy and spectacle of the Dutch spring make this a uniquely uplifting journey. There is nothing else quite like the Netherlands in tulip season, when the whole country seems to burst into colour and celebration. Beyond Keukenhof and the fields, you may catch the spectacular flower parade, with its enormous floats built entirely from blooms, browse local flower markets, and feel the light, joyful spring mood that fills the terraces and towns. The uplift and colour are unforgettable. Sharing in the joy and spectacle of the Dutch spring, from the flower-float parade to the light, celebratory mood that fills the terraces and towns.
- Above all, this journey offers the Netherlands at its most beautiful and joyful, in glorious tulip season. Each spring the Netherlands becomes one of the most spectacular and joyful places on earth, and this journey is built around that magic. Over five days you spend a full day at world-famous Keukenhof, cycle or drive through the blazing tulip fields of the Bollenstreek, glide the canals and flower market of Amsterdam and stroll among the great windmills of Kinderdijk, all in the short, glorious tulip season. The combination of dazzling gardens, blazing fields, glittering canals and iconic windmills makes the springtime Netherlands utterly captivating.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 5-day journey.
Your spring tulip journey begins as you arrive at Schiphol Airport, aptly surrounded by flower fields, and are met and transferred into enchanting Amsterdam. In spring the city is at its loveliest, its glittering canals lined with tilting gabled houses, blossoming trees and flower-filled window boxes, and its easygoing charm is felt at once. Spend the rest of the day settling in and relaxing after your journey, perhaps taking a first gentle stroll along a canal or browsing the famous Bloemenmarkt, the world's only floating flower market, brimming with tulips and bulbs. This evening, a welcome dinner introduces you to Dutch flavours and to the colourful days ahead among gardens, fields and canals. As the spring mood works its magic, rest well, ready to be dazzled by the tulips of Keukenhof tomorrow.
Today you enjoy Amsterdam in glorious spring before heading to the flowers. You take a classic canal cruise along the UNESCO ring of the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, gliding past tilting merchant houses, blossoming trees, houseboats and countless bridges, the loveliest way to feel the city's rhythm. You visit the famous Bloemenmarkt, the world's only floating flower market, where barges along the Singel brim with tulips, bulbs and blooms of every colour, and browse for bulbs to take home. There is time to wander the elegant canal belt and enjoy a terrace in the spring sunshine. The beauty and colour are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel. This evening, savour the city's dining. Rest well, for tomorrow you move to Lisse, at the heart of tulip country.
Today is the glorious centrepiece of your journey, a full day at Keukenhof. You transfer to Lisse, at the heart of the bulb region, and spend the day at Keukenhof, the world-famous 'Garden of Europe', open only for eight weeks each spring. Among sculpted lawns, winding paths, ponds and a windmill, you wander through some seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in dazzling, perfumed displays, marvel at the themed pavilions with their prize blooms and orchids, and drink in the sheer scale and artistry of the planting. The colour, scent and beauty are overwhelming. As the day ends, you check into your hotel near Lisse, surrounded by flower fields. This evening, savour a relaxed local dinner amid the spring countryside. Rest well in the heart of tulip country.
Today you immerse yourself in the blazing tulip fields themselves. In the Bollenstreek, the great bulb-growing region around Lisse, the flat fields are painted in astonishing ribbons of red, pink, purple, orange, white and gold, stretching to the horizon beneath the huge Dutch sky. You explore them by bicycle along the flat, quiet lanes (or by vehicle if you prefer), stopping to photograph the blazing stripes, to visit a working bulb farm and, if timing allows, to catch the spectacular flower parade with its enormous floats built entirely from blooms. The colour and scale are breathtaking. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, dazzled by the fields. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in the flowering countryside. Rest well, savouring your final evening amid the tulips.
On your final day you add one more iconic Dutch image before you leave. You journey to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site where nineteen stately eighteenth-century windmills stand in a long row along the polders and canals, their great sails turning against the vast spring sky, and stroll the peaceful dyke-top paths, drifting past the mills by boat and stepping inside a working mill. Then you are transferred to Schiphol Airport for your onward departure. You leave having seen the Netherlands at its most beautiful and joyful, the dazzling gardens of Keukenhof, the blazing tulip fields of the Bollenstreek, the glittering canals and flower market of Amsterdam and the great windmills of Kinderdijk. The colour and joy of the Dutch spring stay vivid long after you land, and you depart already dreaming of a return.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 4 nights accommodation, a welcome dinner
- Daily breakfast
- Transfers and touring by comfortable private vehicle, train or boat as per itinerary
- Sightseeing and experiences as per itinerary with expert local guides
- Entrance fees to museums, gardens and attractions as per itinerary
- private touring and guiding as per itinerary, a full-day Keukenhof gardens visit with entry, a guided tulip-fields excursion in the Bollenstreek, an Amsterdam canal cruise, a Kinderdijk windmills visit, and all listed entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Some lunches and dinners not specified
- Optional bicycle hire, flower-parade tickets and tips for guides and drivers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: The Netherlands is part of the Schengen Area, so many nationalities (including UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) enjoy visa-free short stays of up to 90 days, while others need a Schengen visa arranged in advance; a passport valid for at least three months beyond your stay is required. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact process for your nationality and assist with the Schengen visa where needed
- Currency: The currency is the Euro (EUR); the Netherlands is largely a cashless society, and cards (especially contactless and debit) are accepted almost everywhere, from museums and restaurants to markets and canal cruises. Note that some smaller shops and market stalls prefer cards over cash, and a few even decline cash, so a travel card is invaluable; ATMs are widely available
- Best time to visit: April and May are magical, when the tulip fields bloom and Keukenhof gardens open in a riot of colour, while June to August brings warm, long summer days ideal for canals, cycling and terraces. Spring and early autumn are gloriously quieter; the Dutch climate is mild but changeable year-round, so pack layers and a waterproof whatever the season
- Language & etiquette: Dutch is the official language, but the Netherlands has some of the best English in the world and you will have no trouble at all; the Dutch are famously direct, friendly, tolerant and down-to-earth, and a straightforward, honest manner is appreciated. Tipping is modest, rounding up or around five to ten percent for good service, as service is included
- Getting around: The Netherlands is compact, flat and superbly connected, with fast, frequent, punctual trains linking Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Delft in minutes, plus trams, buses and canal boats; cycling is a way of life, with safe, dedicated bike lanes everywhere. Watch for bikes when crossing roads, as cyclists always have priority and move fast
- Health & safety: The Netherlands is one of the safest, cleanest and most orderly countries in the world, with excellent healthcare and very low crime; normal city precautions against pickpockets apply in busy tourist areas of Amsterdam. Tap water is excellent and safe to drink, pharmacies are widespread, and an EHIC/GHIC or travel insurance is recommended for European visitors
- Culture & customs: The Dutch value punctuality, honesty, equality and a relaxed live-and-let-live tolerance; the famous 'gezelligheid' (cosiness and conviviality) is central to life, best felt in a brown cafe or on a sunny terrace. Amsterdam's coffeeshops and red-light district are part of the city, but respect local rules, do not photograph people, and behave considerately
- Power & practicalities: Power is 230V with type C and F (round two-pin) plugs, so bring an adapter; the Netherlands is very flat, making walking and cycling easy, though canal-house stairs are famously steep and narrow. Many museums and Keukenhof benefit from advance booking, which we arrange, and the country is exceptionally welcoming to visitors of every kind
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly can I see the tulips and Keukenhof?
The Dutch tulip season is short and glorious, running roughly from late March to mid-May, and Keukenhof gardens open only for about eight weeks in that window. The peak of the tulip fields is usually mid to late April, though it shifts a little each year with the weather. Because timing is everything, this tour runs only in spring, and we advise on the best dates for the fullest bloom. If you travel outside the season, we offer year-round tours focused on canals, art and windmills instead.
Is Keukenhof suitable for all ages and abilities?
Yes, Keukenhof is wonderfully accessible and enjoyable for everyone, from young children to grandparents. The gardens have smooth, mostly flat paths, plenty of benches, cafes and rest spots, playgrounds for children and a petting zoo, and wheelchairs and scooters can be arranged. There is a huge amount to see, so we allow a full, unhurried day. We pre-book your entry to avoid the queues, and can arrange a private guide within the gardens to bring the story of the tulip and the displays to life.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary (such as a welcome dinner or a special tasting). Dutch food is hearty and characterful, from herring, cheese and bitterballen to stroopwafels, pancakes and the beloved 'rijsttafel' Indonesian feast that is a national institution, and the cafe and restaurant scene in the cities is superb and cosmopolitan. We usually leave lunches and most dinners free so you can explore, recommending the best spots at every stage.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Your journey is private by default, with your own expert local guide and comfortable private vehicle or boat where touring is included, giving you flexibility, depth and a pace tailored to you; small-group and seat-in-coach options can be arranged if you prefer. Because the Netherlands is so compact and superbly connected, we often combine private touring with easy, fast train journeys and scenic canal boats, and knowledgeable Dutch guides bring the art, canals, history and culture vividly to life.
Do I need a visa for the Netherlands?
The Netherlands is in the Schengen Area, so many nationalities enjoy visa-free stays of up to 90 days, while others need a Schengen visa arranged in advance. We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality, advise on the best option, and assist with the Schengen visa where needed, so entry is smooth. A passport valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure is required.
Is the Netherlands safe to visit?
The Netherlands is one of the safest, cleanest and most orderly countries in the world, with very low crime, excellent infrastructure and superb healthcare, and travel here is exceptionally smooth and easy. Normal city precautions against pickpockets apply in busy areas of Amsterdam, but visitors feel comfortable and welcome everywhere. English is spoken almost universally, making the Netherlands one of the easiest and most rewarding countries in Europe to travel.
When is the best time to visit?
April and May are magical, when the tulip fields bloom and Keukenhof gardens open, while June to August brings warm, long summer days ideal for canals, cycling and terraces. Spring and early autumn are gloriously atmospheric and quieter, and December brings festive lights and markets. The Dutch climate is mild but changeable, so we advise on the best timing for your interests, whether tulips, cities, cycling or cruising.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of Amsterdam, the tulip fields and Keukenhof, the windmills, Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft, Utrecht, the cheese markets and pretty Giethoorn, add a canal or river cruise, extend cycling in the countryside, include the Wadden Islands, and tailor the pace, comfort and focus to you. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point for your ideal journey through the beautiful, welcoming and endlessly charming Netherlands.
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