Standard itinerary for the 4 day packages

Day 1

We travel to the Netherlands where on arrival we transfer to our comfortable hotel near Arnhem. Dinner is served in the hotel?s restaurant this evening.

Day 2

This morning, following breakfast, we depart for Venlo in the south-western corner of The Netherlands, close to the German border, the venue for Floriade 2012. We have a full day here to explore the extensive site which was created specially for the event in an area of natural woodland. The site comprises five separate areas, linked by tree-lined avenues, each with its own theme: Relax & Heal shows how horticulture makes our lives healthier by promoting our physical and mental wellbeing and includes topics such as healthy eating - including seasonal and regional produce - the food festival, rituals and religions, and sports activities. Just like the human body, the predominant feature of Relax & Heal is organic shapes. There are no straight lines here, but fluid paths and soft, lustrous, grassy hillocks, creating a harmonious landscape. Planting theme: 'summer visitors'. Green Engine demonstrates how horticulture is an important economic engine and supplier of green energy, with the sector's entire supply chain, from product development and logistics functions to applications and contact with end users, on display. The design is inspired by industrial designs, machines and motors, a fantastic pas de deux of technology and nature. Planting theme: 'pioneers'. Education & Innovation focuses on increasing horticultural knowledge throughout the region, which will continue to benefit in years to come. The design theme is one of constant changes of perspective. Huge ground-features ensure that you won't be able to view the entire field in just one go, as a result the landscape entices you take a journey of discovery. Planting theme: 'explorers'. Environment shows how living and working in a green environment improves our quality of life, covering topics such as the green city, better garden architecture, climate-neutral entrepreneurship and our perception of the new living and working landscape. The design clearly refers to a city, but one bursting with greenery, which in turn attracts all kinds of creatures, such as birds and butterflies, creating a sustainable symbiosis between city and nature. Planting theme: 'acrobats'. World Show Stage promises to provide some of the liveliest exhibits, celebrating the myriad connections between nature and culture around the world. The design here is intense and lively, with water playing a vital role, uniting the various continents and as a shared source of all life on Earth. Planting theme: 'seducers'. We return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 3

After breakfast this morning we drive to the east of Arnhem to Piet Oudolf's Private Garden at Hummelo. The revered garden designer Piet Oudolf, figurehead of the New Perennial movement with his own distinctive style inspired by English gardens, progressed from designing private gardens for his neighbours to Best in Show at Chelsea in 2000. Since then the gardens he has designed include the Millennium Garden in Chicago; the Evolution Garden at Floriade 2002; The September 11 Garden at Battery Park, New York; new borders at Wisley and a new walled garden at Scampston. His own garden features expansive, naturalistic plantings of many grasses and late flowers, but to obtain the plants his designs require he has had to breed his own. Using a combination of locally available varieties and those he travelled widely to find, the result is a fascinating and unique garden. In the afternoon we visit the gardens at Het Loo Palace, just north of the charming town of Apeldoorn. This was the medieval castle of Prince William of Orange and is now recognised as one of Europe's finest formal gardens. When the Dutch Royal Family decided that it would no longer use the palace in 1969 the government opted to turn it into a museum, fully restoring the formal seventeenth century garden to its original state. The palace's type of baroque garden is unique to the Netherlands. It is a late Dutch interpretation of the Italian-French garden dating from the first quarter of the seventeenth century. The exotic flowers and plants and the constant supply of fresh water for the fountains must have made the gardens of Het Loo a spectacular sight worth seeing even then. Your guide will advise you on the best areas to visit. Dinner is served on our return to the hotel this evening.

Day 4 - 27 April & 11 May 2012 departures only

This morning following breakfast we check out of our hotel. This morning we continue to one of the most famous gardens in the world - Keukenhof. This is the bulb grower's magnificent display of all the different tulip, daffodil and hyacinth varieties. Over 7 million bulbs are planted annually and around 1 million visitors pass through it from mid March to mid May - it is truly breathtaking. We will also tour through the area surrounding Lisse including Noordwijkerhout and Hillegom where you will be astounded by the fields of colour which open up in front of your very eyes. Later, we return to the UK where on arrival the group shall disperse.

Day 4 - 15 June, 13 July, 10 August & 7 September 2012 departures only

This morning following breakfast we check out of our hotel. This morning we will visit the Gardens of Appeltern. Here nearly 200 model gardens of every type display innumerable plants and gardening products for every conceivable purpose, and are a source of inspiration, information and enjoyment for everyone. Later, we return to the UK where on arrival the group shall disperse.

Itinerary for 3 day coach package

Day 1

We depart from central London and head south, stopping en route at the Menzies Chequers Hotel, Gatwick (overnight accommodation can be organised either here or in London before and after the tour on request). We will continue to Dover in time to catch a mid morning ferry to Calais. On arrival in France we will head northwards through Belgium and on into The Netherlands and our comfortable hotel near Arnhem. Dinner is served in the hotel's restaurant this evening.

Day 2

This morning, following breakfast, we depart for Venlo in the south-western corner of The Netherlands, close to the German border, the venue for Floriade 2012 where we will spend the day. Dinner will be served at the hotel in the evening.

Day 3

This morning following breakfast we check out of our hotel. We then head for Amsterdam, where you will have plenty of time to explore the shops, markets and galleries of this vibrant and historic city. You may wish to visit the Anne Frank House where Anne wrote her famous diary. The Anne Frank story is well documented although you should be prepared to queue to get in! Amsterdam is truly a haven for museum buffs - other museums in the city include the Maritime Museum, the Theatre Museum, the Modern Art Museum and there is even a Tea and Coffee Museum. Visit the De Oude Kerk, one of the many spectacular churches in Amsterdam or stroll through the narrow streets which link the major canals. Here you will find unexpected little shops which specialise in everything from kites to beer. We also offer an optional canal cruise which is one of the best ways to see the city (prices to be confirmed). Later, we continue to Calais to catch an evening P & O ferry to Dover. Once again we stop off at the Menzies Chequers Hotel, Gatwick and continue to London where we expect to arrive late evening.

3-star Postillion Hotel, Arnhem (or similar).