Holland at Tulip Time

Day 1

ARRIVE AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS (D)

Your walking adventure in the land of wooden shoes and windmills begins today below sea level at the Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam! The balance of the day will be free to relax in the charming fishing village of Volendam, located on the shores of the Lake IJsselmeer.

Day 2

VOLENDAM-DELFT, THE NETHERLANDS (B,D)
Amsterdam on Foot Walk 5 km, rated 1+ (non-sanctioned)

Our day begins in Amsterdam with a fun and educational canal tour through this Venice of the North. Free time during the lunch hour will provide an opportunity for a sobering, self-guided tour through the Anne Frank House. After an afternoon guided walking tour of this intriguing city on stilts, we'll proceed to the charming medieval city of Delft, our home for the next four nights.

Day 3

ACTIVITIES FROM DELFT (B)
Keukenhof Gardens Tulip Walk 10 km, rated 1+ (non-sanctioned)

We'll spend this morning in the beautiful Keukenhof Gardens. Cameras will be clicking as we wander through theme gardens displaying millions of tulips and other bulbs. Following lunch, we'll enjoy the special atmosphere of the Bollenstreek Flower Parade, oldest and largest of Holland's annual flower parades.

Day 4

ACTIVITIES FROM DELFT (B)
Walking Holland's Capitals, Old & New 10 km, rated 1

Today's trail winds through the medieval town center and along the historic canals of Delft, 16th century headquarters for the young nation of Holland. Part two of today's event takes us through a plethora of gardens and canals lined by mansions in The Hague, present-day capital of Holland.

Day 5

ACTIVITIES FROM DELFT (B,D)
Kinderdijk Windmill Walk 10 km, rated 1

The highlight today is a relaxing trail amongst eighteen majestic 18th-century windmills. This afternoon we'll explore more marvels of Dutch water wizardry with an excursion by ferry to the medieval Dutch fortress town of Woudrichem.

Day 6

DELFT TO USA (B)

We leave beautiful Holland today with fond memories of windmills and canals, friendly people, and the unforgettable table images of field upon field of flowers displaying the colorful hues of spring. What better way to explore the history, culture, and scenery of The Netherlands?

Day 1

DELFT-BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (B,D)
Holsbeek, Belgium Walk 10 km, rating unavailable

We bid farewell to Holland this morning and continue south into Belgium. First stop is the medieval Old Town of Antwerp, for a guided tour of what was once Europe's second largest city after Paris. From Antwerp, our route takes us to Holsbeek for a walk featuring rural and small town Belgium.

Day 2

BRUSSELS-BRUGES, BELGIUM (B,D)

Todayʼs first activity is a walking tour of Brussels, capital of Belgium, royal residence, and seat of the European Union. After lunch, weʼll drive west to Bruges, one of the most charming medieval centers in Europe. Our hotel for the last two nights is on a narrow, winding cobblestone lane that invites the traveler to wander just a bit further…

Day 3

ACTIVITIES IN BRUGES (B,D)
Bruges Medieval Meander 5 km, rated 1+ (non-sanctioned)

Our guided walking tour today takes us past the principal sights of Bruges. Noble-looking buildings, church steeples chiming the hour, and the dark, swan-graced waters of the canals lend elegance and a hint of medieval wealth dating back to Bruges' Golden Age. The afternoon is free to wan- der and explore: shop for famous Bruges lace and chocolate or take a boat trip on the canals.

Day 4

BRUGES-USA (B)

An early morning departure takes us to the Brussels Air- port for our flight back across the Atlantic. We return home enriched by our exposure to the unique history, culture, and scenery of these two Lowland Countries.