Holland is Flowers & City Secrets

Explore

Write a Review
Popular Travel Destinations

Recently Reviewed Hotels Around Amsterdam

Holland is Flowers & City Secrets

General Information


HOLLAND = Flowers & city secrets
Type:
Sightseeing
Price from:
219 EUR /person
Phone:
+31[0]418633887
Fax:
+31[0]847314302
Payment Types:
  • No Cash
  • No Credit Card
  • No Cheque
  • No Travellers cheque
  • No Paypal
  • No Wire Transfer
Duration:
2 days
Location Start:
Amsterdam
Location Finish:
The Hague
Start time:
09.00 am
End time:
07.00 pm
We Speak:
Dutch, German, Spanish, English, (other languages on request)
Toursrequestform

Last updated: 02/01/2009

Historical cities of Haarlem and Leiden prosper because of the flower trade. Hectic mornings at the biggest flower auction. Walk on dryland, smell the colorful dutch flowers in the Dune & Bulb Region.

Photos (click on a photo to view it)

HOLLAND = Flowers & city secrets Flower Auction Aalsmeer Fort de Kwakel Dutch dunes Leiden city of Rembrandt Windmills at Aarlanderveen

Itinerary

Day 1

{bold}Highlights{-bold}
> Flower auction Aalsmeer
> Cruquius steam pumping station
> Cities Haarlem & Leiden

We make an early start from the capital of the Netherlands Amsterdam to flower capital of the World, Aalsmeer. You need to get up early, but a visit to the auction makes it more than worthwhile. A flower auction is a fascinating sight. Feel for yourself the tension in the auction rooms. Behold dozens of tractors with flower trolleys swarming around. It will dazzle you.

We continue to fort ‘De Kwakel' which is part of the Defense Line of Amsterdam, which was placed on the World Heritage List in 1996. This 135 km-long line of defense encircling the capital city, constructed between 1883 and 1920, water management and control played an important role in its design: the defense line could be operational within 48 hours by flooding the surrounding areas.

At the former steam pumping station "De Cruquius", we experience how the Haarlemmermeerpolder got drained and land was created out of water. The Cruquius is an industrial monument of world proportions.

For lunch we visit Haarlem, which has been the historical center of the tulip bulb-growing district for centuries and bears the nickname 'Bloemenstad' (flower city), for this reason. During a city walk we discover some of the secrets that Haarlem keeps. One of the largest dune-areas of the Netherlands is only a short distance away from Haarlem. The dunes are mainly used as a waterwin-area for the region of Amsterdam. This unique dutch landscape has a great variety (from open to dense) of flora and fauna that may be discovered on foot.

In the city of Leiden (Leyden), where Rembrandt was born and raised, we spend the night in a monumental hotel. But first we enjoy a meal in a pleasant and friendly restaurant.

Day 2

{bold}Highlights{-bold}
> Dune and Bulb Region
> Walk on dryland below sealevel
The following morning after breakfast we explore Leiden through a canal cruise. Enjoy the old city center from the water, old storehouses, windmills, houseboats and much more. Through the flower fields (in bloom from half march until half may) we go to Lisse to visit Museum de Zwarte Tulp (The Black Tulip museum). For centuries, growers are trying to create a black tulip. So far they haven't succeeded. The museum illustrates the history of the Bulb District as well as the origins and the bulbiculture and its tools.

We need to take the ferry over the Kagerplassen to reach the village of Kaag for lunch. Because of the secluded location (you can only reach Kaag by water) the village has been able to cherish it's old history and beautiful scenery over the water.

After lunch we go for a walk in the polder of the Groene Hart (Green Heart). The Groene Hart is characterized by its rural character which contrasts the urban areas around it. The polder was and is still being drained by a system of windmills. So put on your booths, because we walk through the fields, passing cows, climbing fences and get real close to the windmills to see perfectly how a deep polder is being kept dry.

After walking the polder we bring you to the governmental capital of the Netherlands, The Hague. Visit the palaces, museums, governmental buildings and seaside resort Scheveningen with a long sandy beach, an esplanade, a pier, and a lighthouse.

Extra Information

Inclusions -
Meals (lunch 2x, dinner and breakfast)
Exclusions -
Tips
Extras -
{italic}More travellers on a booking > lower price!{-italic}
Prices are per person, 2 days 1 night, all included.
ADD ON'S
{italic}CityStays{-italic}
Our Tours are easily extended with CityStays. Our tours start and end in the bigger cities, where there is lots to see and do. You can book a CityStay before or after your tour. We will arrange your hotel and give you inside information and tips about what to do and where to go. Explore the city at your own pace or maybe you would like to go shopping or enjoy the city hussle from a café.

{italic}Transfer{-italic}
Are you interrested in several routes? Not a problem, we also offer you a transfer service to take you from -for example- the end of tour A to the start of tour B. Or from the airport to your hotel.

{italic}Combinate{-italic}
Are you interrested in several routes? Not a problem, just combinate your Tour with another Tour or Event. And add a CityStay in the city you like.

Couldn't find what you're looking for? Check out more tours & excursions in Amsterdam

1-day tours

Long tours

Email the tour operator - Holland is Flowers & City Secrets

close

Important Notice : Avoiding Fraud

It's rare, but some helpful hints to watch out for with regards to fraud:

  • It is important to NEVER wire funds or use/employ other fund transfer mechanisms such as western union: Always use a credit card to protect yourself against fraud. If owners pressure you into providing a deposit or refuse to accept credit cards, there is a high probability that this is a scam.
  • If at all suspicious of fraud, ask to see their website, or any other literature they can provide or send to you. Ask them for contact details for guests who have previously stayed on their property insisting on telephone numbers. Be suspicious of emails that originate from free email services (yahoo, hotmail, gmail, etc)
  • Research the property thoroughly on the internet to see if there is any history or mention of scams associated with the property.