spring flowers & the golden age of dutch art

A cruise exploring the horticultural highlights & art treasures of the Netherlands aboard the MS Royal Crown – 29th March to 7th April, 7th April to 16th April & 16th April to 25th April 2019

Spring is the perfect time of year to immerse yourself in the cultural and horticultural splendours of the Netherlands. During our YR\DJH ZH ZLOO H[SORUH WKH FRXQWU\VLGH LQ VRPH GHSWK YLVLWLQJ WKH PDJQLÀFHQW ÁRZHU GLVSOD\V RI WKH .HXNHQKRI WKH SLFWXUHVTXH towns of the Zuider Zee, the botanical gardens in Utrecht and of course the art treasures of Amsterdam and The Hague. The Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 London, Bristol, Manchester or Edinburgh to Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Fly from your chosen CKTRQTV D[ UEJGFWNGF ƃKIJV QT VTCXGN by train in Standard Premier Class from London St Pancras. Drive to the MS Royal Crown and embark.

Day 2 Amsterdam.

After breakfast on board, we will depart for a visit to the Rijksmuseum, arguably Amsterdam’s most important art venue. Return to the ship for lunch and this afternoon there will be an optional tour to visit the ‘Bloemenmarkt’, one of the city’s most colourful attractions and the YQTNFoU QPN[ ƃQCVKPI ƃQYGT OCTMGV

Day 3 Amsterdam.

This morning we will visit the Van Gogh Museum which houses one of the world’s largest collection of works by the artist. Return to the MS Royal Crown for lunch and this afternoon there will be a choice of included excursions. Choose to join a relaxing canal cruise or visit the Hermitage Museum.

Day 4 Enkhuizen, Edam & Volendam.

After breakfast on board we depart for our exploration of the Zuider Zee. We will drive to Edam, a tranquil little town with charming historic houses. We then continue on to the attractive town of Volendam to see its colourful YQQFGP JQWUGU CPF QNF ƂUJKPI DQCVU in the harbour. Enjoy some free time here before returning to your ship in Enkhuizen for lunch and an afternoon at leisure.

Day 5 Arnhem.

After breakfast join an excursion to Middachten Castle & Gardens. Although the castle dates from the early Middle Ages, the house in its present form was built towards the end of the 17th century and still includes some Medieval parts.

Day 6 Veere & Middelburg.

Today we explore Southern Zeeland, starting in the 13th century town of Veere, a charming place with well-preserved houses and a marina. Enjoy free time here to explore before we sail on to the Medieval town of Middelburg where we enjoy a guided walking tour.

Day 7 Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft.

From Rotterdam we depart HQT C HWNN FC[ VQWT 1WT ƂTUV UVQR YKNN be The Hague for a visit to the beautiful Mauritshuis Museum with its marvellous collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings. Afterwards continue on to Delft where we will enjoy lunch and a walking tour of VJKU RTGVV[ VQYP ƂPKUJKPI YKVJ C XKUKV to see the Delft Blue Pottery.

Day 8 Keukenhof Gardens & Haarlem.

After breakfast drive to nearby Keukenhof Gardens for a morning in this extraordinary horticultural heaven. After lunch on board enjoy some free time in Utrecht or join an optional excursion to Haarlem.

Day 9 Utrecht.

This morning we will visit Utrecht’s Botanical Gardens at Fort Hoofddijk, a unique natural treasure consisting of thousands of plant species. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure in this pretty town. Alternatively you may wish to join our optional excursion to see the opulent De Haar Castle.

Day 10 Amsterdam to London, Bristol, Manchester or Edinburgh.

Disembark after breakfast. Transfer to the airport and return to your chosen 7- CKTRQTV D[ UEJGFWNGF ƃKIJV QT VQ London St Pancras by Eurostar.