See the Dutch tulip fields in springtime with Adam Frost
EACH spring the Netherlands is transformed into a riot of colour as its seemingly endless tulip fields burst into bloom. Book on to this cruise and you’ll spend five memorable days on the Dutch waterways getting up close with these spectacular displays and much more in the company of award-winning landscape designer and Gardeners’ World presenter Adam Frost.
He’ll give a fascinating talk about his life and career, as well as answer all your horticultural questions in a Q&A session.
The presenter will accompany you for an unforgettable visit to Keukenhof Gardens, spread across 79 acres in Lisse, Holland, and known as one of the largest and most beautiful gardens in the world. There you’ll see tulips, daffodils and hyacinths amid pretty lakes, trees and pavilions.
Adam says: ‘Spring is a magical time of year to visit, when the tulip displays are at their most beautiful, and I can’t wait to explore them alongside Mail on Sunday readers next year.’
As well as getting time to explore Amsterdam – one of Europe’s most fascinating cities full of gorgeous canals and exceptional art museums – you’ll sail the Ijsselmeer, a peaceful inland bay, and see the series of beautiful historic villages along its shore.
Rotterdam is another port of call, where you’ll enjoy an informative guided tour from the old harbour to the modern architecture, passing by the Witte Huis – Europe’s first skyscraper that was built in the Art Nouveau style.
REASONS TO BOOK
Exclusive events with Adam Frost: The Gardeners’ World host will join you for part of the cruise, giving an insightful talk and Q&A, as well as signing copies of his books**. Adam is one of the UK’s foremost gardening experts and you’re bound to pick up some top gardening tips from him to apply in your own garden.
Keukenhof Gardens visit: First proposed as a spring park in 1949,
NATIONAL COLOURS: The vibrant flower fields as the Netherlands springs into life the gardens now feature more than seven million flower bulbs, including an incredible 800 varieties of tulip.
A stylish river cruise: You’ll be sailing on MS Emily Bronte, an extremely elegant river ship, opulently decorated with a richly coloured, marble-floored lobby flooded with natural light from a stunning atrium above. There is gleaming brass, polished copper, sparkling glass and intricate wrought iron throughout, too.
Enjoy fine-dining: You’ll have meals on board, where the restaurant rivals the finest on-shore establishments. There’s also the Riverview Kitchen with a large panoramic windows.
Explore Netherlands: You will visit Kinderdijk, renowned for its beautifully preserved windmills that line the canal banks, set against a stark backdrop of pancake-flat marshlands. These windmills have been a
Unesco World Heritage site for more than 20 years.
Stay in Amsterdam: See the capital city on a canal cruise and wander its streets at your leisure.
Exceptional art is always close by, from small galleries to the worldrenowned Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum.
You might choose to visit Anne Frank’s house, rummage through the Waterlooplein flea market or relax at a cafe, sipping rich Dutch coffee.