Castles, Palaces And Gardens Of The Netherlands

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1: We travel to France via LeShuttle and arrive at our comfortable and welcoming hotel in time for dinner.

Day 2: Today our excursion takes us to the largest and most luxurious castle in the Netherlands, Castle de Haar. This fairytale castle’s dramatic and ornate architecture, impressive towers and moat are straight from the storybooks. Characterised by its rich and extravagant history, the castle has many extraordinary secrets and stories hidden behind its walls. The flamboyant and exceptionally well-preserved interior is beautifully decorated with a varied collection of antiques from across the globe. During our visit there will be time to swich off from it all and explore the extensive grounds and gardens which are immaculately kept. This afternoon we travel to Utrecht the fourth largest city in the Netherlands, which many regard as the cosier alternative to Amsterdam. We embark on a guided walking tour of this compact medieval centre which is set out around canals and built around the Dom tower which may be seen from any point in the city. The city boasts beautiful canals with extraordinary wharf cellars housing cafés and terraces by the water, fascinating museums and remarkable historical buildings. Utrecht certainly is the lively, beating heart of Holland.

Day 3: After breakfast this morning we travel to Paleis Het Loo, an original 17^th century palace of the House of Orange. Formerly a royal residence, the palace is now a museum housing its own collections and exhibitions focusing on the Dutch royal family. Wander through the baroque palace gardens which were designed to surprise and impress visitors with every inch carefully curated with unique plants and trees, impossibly elaborate fountains and grand statues. We return to our hotel later this afternoon.

Day 4: We begin our day with a visit to Trompenburg Tuinen Arboretum, a beautifully designed botanic garden boasting a large collection of trees, shrubs, perennials bulbs and tubers. A green pearl in the city of Rotterdam, the former country estate covers 20 acres and boasts a magnificent collection of plants including 700 varieties of rhododendron, the Dutch National Collection of hostas and historic oak and beech trees.  This afternoon enjoy time at leisure in Rotterdam, a city known for its modern architecture, vibrant food scene and historic port. One of the most iconic landmarks of the Netherlands are the industrialist cube houses designed in the 1970s by Dutch architect Piet Bloom. These very unusual houses are an architectural wonder and you can be explored at the Kijk-Kubus Museum House where you can step inside and marvel at the design of these fascinating and unique residences. Perhaps visit the Euromast Lookout Tower and wonder at spectacular 360 panoramic views over the impressive city skyline. Rotterdam also offers great shopping and a huge variety of restaurants with a visit to MarktHal a must for foodies with over 100 vendors from across the globe.

Day 5: After breakfast this morning. we begin our journey home.

Best Western City Hotel, Woerden

Palace Het Loo

Accommodation

Best Western City Hotel, Woerden

This beautiful new hotel was built in 2016 and is located in the capital of the Dutch Green Heart, an area popular for walking, cycling and boating. Located on the edge of the pretty Roman city of Woerden, the Castle is 500 metres away. The hotel’s inviting lounge is the perfect spot to switch off from it all and enjoy the view of the Oude River.

All rooms are en-suite with TV, fridge, kettle, safe and a hairdryer. The hotel has a lift.