Chelsea Flower Show & Floriade 2022 Amsterdam to London

Day 1  Overnight flight

Day 2  Zaanse Schans – Amsterdam

Day 3  Amsterdam

This morning enjoy a guided walking tour of Amsterdam to discover the capital of the Netherlands. Amsterdam was founded in the Middle Ages and has many historical buildings. You will see the most important sights such as the Dam Square with the impressive Royal Palace and New Church, the canals with the arched bridges, the Rijksmuseum and Waterloo Square. Afterwards visit the Rijksmuseum with an expert guide. This museum features famous paintings such as Rembrandt’s `Night watch’ and `Jewish bride’. Paintings by Johannes Vermeer, Frans Hals, Jacob van Ruisdael are on exhibit as well. In the afternoon you will visit the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. In the garden and the greenhouses a staggering 4,000 types of plants from all over the world. An expert guide will show you around in this haven of tranquillity in the busy city.
Overnight in Amsterdam.

Day 4  Amsterdam – Floriade Expo – Amsterdam

After breakfast you will depart to Almere to visit the Floriade, World Horticultural Expo, which has become the largest public event in the Netherlands. The theme of the Floriade Expo 2022 is ‘Growing Green Cities’. During the Expo, different countries, cities and companies will offer inspiring ideas about the Green City of the Future. As a visitor, you can participate and contribute to four relevant sub-themes: green, food, energy and health. Return to Amsterdam, remainder of the day free for independent activities.
Overnight in Amsterdam.

Day 5  Amsterdam – Bruges

This morning you will travel from the Netherland into Belgium and drive to Bruges. This charming town is called the ‘Venice of the North’. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided walking tour of Bruges. You will see the Holy Blood Cathedral, the Belfort, the Lake of Love, the Church of Our Lady with Michelangelo’s Marble Madonna, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Beguinage and the historic centre with its canals, lace workshops, ancient buildings. Afterwards enjoy time at leisure to explore Bruges on your own. At the end of the afternoon, gather again for a guided tour at ‘De Halve Maan Brewery’ where you can learn all about the making of the typical ‘Brugse Zot’ beer. The tour is followed by a lovely dinner and a beer tasting.
Overnight in Bruges.

Day 6  Bruges – Calais – Dover – Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens – London  

This morning you will travel to Calais, France. You will cross the channel, the ferry will take you in less than two hours to Dover, England. Upon arrival you will see the impressive white cliffs of Dover loom on the horizon. Your journey continues through Kent’s countryside to the renowned Sissinghurst Castle and Gardens. The gardens created by the poet and writer, Vita Sackville-West, and her husband Sir Harold Nicolson are a must for garden lovers. Stroll through the colourful cottage garden and the rose garden, which surround the Elizabethan Mansion. Your next and last stop for today will be London City.
Overnight in London.

Day 7  London

This morning you will enjoy a guided city tour of London. Highlights of this tour will be the Tower of London, the Big Ben and Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square with the Lord Nelson Column and Piccadilly Circus. The tour through this captivating city ends at Buckingham Palace. Every day at 11:30 am the Changing of the Guard ceremony is being held here. Witness this colourful spectacle of British pageantry.  In the afternoon you will visit Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms. Discover the secrets hidden beneath the streets of Westminster in the underground nerve centre where Winston Churchill and his inner circle directed the Second World War.
Conclude your day in London with a typical British Afternoon Tea.
Overnight in London.

Day 8  London Chelsea Flower show        

After breakfast you will depart for Ghent, a charming town with stunning architecture and lively squares. A local expert guide will show you Ghent, see important buildings from the Middle Ages, such as the UNESCO World Heritage listed Belfry Hall, the oldest part of the city, the ‘Korenlei ‘ and the ‘Graslei’ which is considered the most beautiful street in the city, due to the historic buildings and their facades’ reflection in the River Lys. You will continue to the St. Baafs Cathedral and see the famous Ghent Alter Piece by the Van Eyck brothers. After some free time you will depart for Meise, located just north of Brussels. Here you will visit the Botanical Gardens, one of the largest in the world, with 18.000 species of plants. On the gardens’ grounds, Bouchout Castle is located. A guide will show you the gardens, the Orangery and the Plant Palace. From Meise it is only a short drive to  Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the administrative center of the European Union. Overnight in Brussels. 

Day 9  London  – Windsor Castle  – Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew – London  

Today starts with a guided city tour by coach.  See the main sights of Brussels such as the Royal Palace, the Palace of Justice, which is larger than St. Peter’s in Rome. This impressive structure rules the Brussels skyline and can be seen from almost any vantage point in the city. The tour will continue on foot in the old town to see the Market Square, with beautiful houses and of course you don’t want to miss ‘Manneken Pis’. This unique Brussels icon has been amusing visitors on the corner of Rue de L’Etuve & Stroofstraat since 1619. Over time it has become a tradition for visiting heads of state to donate miniature versions of their national costume for the little naked boy. Manneken Pis even has its own wardrobe section on display at the Brussels Museum which includes over 760 outfits – even an authentic Elvis jumpsuit. In the early afternoon you will depart for Paris, the City of Lights.
Overnight in Paris.

Day 10  Departure

After breakfast you will depart for London Heathrow Airport for your flight back home.