Amsterdam, Tulips, Cheese & Steam

DAY 1

Travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then onwards through the Netherlands to Alkmaar and our base for three nights, the Grand Hotel Alkmaar, situated conveniently in the heart of the town in its old Post Office building.

DAY 2

Travelling eastwards to the town of Hoorn, we join the historic Museumstoomtram Steam Train that meanders across the West Frisian meadows between the Zuiderzee towns of Hoorn and Medemblik. Here an old-fashioned steamer awaits to sail gently along the Ijsselmeer Lake to the village of Enkhuizen. After a day of nostalgia amidst the timeless scenery of North Holland, we re-join the rail system at Enkhuizen, travelling back to Alkmaar.

DAY 3

It is Friday in Alkmaar and this can mean only one thing – it’s Cheese Market Day! Spend the morning watching the spectacle of cheese trading in the town’s Waagplein beside the weighing house. In the afternoon we travel by rail to Amsterdam, where we take a cruise along the city’s most beautiful canal belt, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Observe the gracious 17th century gabled merchants’ houses, the numerous baroque churches, and the enchanting bridges. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore; perhaps visit Anne Frank House, discover the finest works from the 17th century at the Rijksmuseum, or learn about beer at the Heineken Experience. We return early evening by train to Alkmaar and enjoy a farewell meal in the hotel restaurant.

DAY 4

We journey by coach to Keukenhof, "the most beautiful spring garden in the world", open just a few weeks each year, where awesome swathes of tulips, crocuses, and daffodils burst out of the rolling countryside. Huge rivers of colour beneath great avenues of trees with some of the world's greatest collection of bulbs including over 1,000 varieties of tulip. Enjoy the 79 acres of park and gardens, strolling some of the 15kms of footpaths to explore the many themed pavilions, flower shows, and "inspirational" gardens with ideas to recreate at home. In the afternoon we transfer to Bergen Op Zoom via medieval Delft, home of the famous blue and white Delft pottery. Here we can take a stroll around the central market and beautiful town centre that is rich in history and awash with delicious craft beers and picturesque canals. Following our visit, we continue to our base for the next two nights at the oldest hotel in the Netherlands, the historic Hotel De Draak. Tonight is free to dine at leisure, our hotel is in the city centre on the Grote Markt Square and there are many great restaurants to suit every palate and budget. You are welcome to accompany your Tour Manager to their chosen venue if you wish.

DAY 5

Today we make our way by train into the rural province of Zeeland for our visit to the Goes-Borsele Steam Railway. Steam trains ply the route from Goes itself, where the society's engine sheds are open to the public, along 13km of track to the charming village of Hoedenskerke through an unspoilt rural route through the Zeeland countryside of orchards, fields and small villages. Later we return to Bergen Op Zoom for our final evening and again we dine at leisure in one of the many wonderful restaurants.

DAY 6

We depart Bergen Op Zoom, returning by rail to Brussels, then via Eurostar to London St Pancras.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner