GW holiday: Gardens of the Netherlands

Known for its artistic heritage and picturesque canals, the Netherlands is a great country to visit. Join us on this tour to discover an array of wonderful gardens and museums – all in the company of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Associate Editor, David Hurrion.

Your holiday includes

• Six nights in four-star accommodation with bed and breakfast at the NH Hotel Amersfoort
• Return Eurostar from St Pancras, London to Rotterdam Central (economy class)
• Two evening dinners and two lunches
• Free entry to gardens, museums and attractions as per the itinerary
• Tour led by GW Associate Editor, David Hurrion

Your itinerary

• WEDNESDAY 6 SEPT Travel from London to Rotterdam on Eurostar and transfer to NH Hotel Amersfoot. Enjoy a welcome drink, dinner and introductory talk from David Hurrion.
• THURSDAY 7 SEPT We begin with an early-morning visit to the world’s largest flower auction – the Aalsmeer Flower Auction, where you can marvel at the huge variety of flowers bought and sold every day. After taking in the splendour of this location we move on to the Leiden botanical Garden, where you are free to wander the various areas and to grab lunch (not included). In the afternoon we depart for the Museum Voorlinden, with its garden by landscape architect Piet Oudolf. We then return to the hotel.
• FRIDAY 8 SEPT We arrive at Singer Laren mid-morning for a visit to this unique heritage site comprising a museum, theatre and sculpture garden. The museum is located in a beautiful villa and the sculpture garden was designed by Piet Oudolf. After a light lunch in the orangery, there will be a guided tour of the garden, which is decorated with sculptures by contemporary Dutch artists.
• SATURDAY 9 SEPT Our day starts at the Hessenhof Nursery with a talk from the owners, followed by a free-flow visit. Late morning, we depart for Paleis Het Loo, where you can grab some lunch (not included) before heading off on a guided tour of the garden and a self- guided visit to the house.
• SUNDAY 10 SEPT The Kröller- Müller Museum, with its large sculpture garden, is the first stop of the day. Nestled in the heart of the Hoge Veluwe National Park, it houses the world’s second- biggest Van Gogh collection and has one of the largest sculpture gardens in Europe. In the afternoon we go to the Mien Ruys Gardens for lunch (included) and a guided tour of the gardens, their designs dating from 1924 to the present day.
• MONDAY 11 SEPT We depart for Amsterdam to visit the Hortus Botanical Gardens at leisure. One of the world’s oldest botanical gardens, it was first established in 1638 for the growing of medicinal herbs to combat the plague. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish, before enjoying a final dinner in Amersfoort.
• TUESDAY 12 SEPT Our last day takes in a tour of DakAkker Rooftop Farm – at 1,000m2, the largest open-air rooftop farm in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe, growing vegetables, edible flowers and fruit. Then to Rotterdam Central Station for the Eurostar home.

Terms and conditions

Organised by and subject to booking conditions of Travel Editions Tours Ltd. All timings are approximate and may be changed. Joining instructions sent 14 days prior to departure. Experts/locations may be substituted. Price excludes: holiday insurance, meals other than those stated, items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, calls etc, porterage and gratuities. *£1,795pp in a twin or double shared room. Single suppl: £270.