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Gardens in the Netherlands

A new programme created for one of our long-standing garden clients, featuring the northern provinces of the Netherlands as well as a stay in Amsterdam.

A new programme created for one of our long-standing garden clients, featuring the northern provinces of the Netherlands as well as a stay in Amsterdam. As ever, we aim to offer a variety of experiences, contrasting historic gardens with contemporary gardens, formal layouts and more natural and romantic planting. The opportunity to meet the owners and creators of beautiful gardens – and occasionally to interact with internationally-known landscape designers – is one of the most enriching aspects of these tours.

THE ITINERARY
Day 1
Groningen
AM
Arrive Amsterdam Airport and transfer by private coach to the charming small Frisian town of Franeker
PM
Lunch in a restaurant
Continue to a luxury hotel with a well-maintained formal garden in the university city of Groningen
PM
Drinks and dinner in the hotel
Day 2
Groningen
AM
Visit the formal garden of the Prinsenhof
Leave to visit a private garden with a series of colorfully-planted ‘rooms’
Continue to a farmhouse with a meandering natural garden or ‘slingertuin’
PM
Lunch at the restaurant
Return to Groningen for an optional walk and/or time at leisure
Guided out-of-hours visit to the Groninger Museum
Dinner independently
Day 3
Groningen
AM
Leave to visit a restored farmhouse and private garden in neo-classical style, with an orchard featuring ancient apple and pear varieties
Visit the gardens of Dekema State
PM
Lunch at a restaurant in the scenic town of Leeuwarden
Continue to Mantgum and visit some small village gardens with a noted garden designer, ending with a visit to his garden, followed by refreshments
Return to Groningen
Dinner independently
Day 4
Groningen
AM
Leave to visit the herbaceous borders and nursery of De Kleine Plantage
Continue to Leens and visit the church of St. Petrus, with a brief organ recital
PM
Lunch at the restaurant in the gardens of a 14th century manor house
Continue to Menkemaborg and visit the castle and gardens
Visit a small private garden with themed borders in Warffum
Return to the hotel
Dinner at a restaurant
Day 5
Apeldoorn
AM
Leave for an out-of-hours visit to the inspirational gardens of the late Mien Ruys at Dedeemsvart
PM
Lunch at a restaurant
Continue to Apeldoorn and visit the former royal Palace of Het Loo, with its restored formal parterre gardens, dating from the mid-17th century
Continue to stay at a luxury hotel, a former country house, set in landscaped riverside gardens
Dinner in the hotel
Day 6
Nr Arnhem
AM
Leave to visit the beautiful gardens of a moated country house, in the same family for generations
PM
Lunch at an historic inn in a picturesque old village
Continue to visit the garden of a celebrated landscape architect, famous for his use of ornamental grasses
Dinner in the hotel restaurant
Day 7
Nr Arnhem
AM
Leave for the Hoge Veluwe National Park and visit the Kroller-Müller Museum and Sculpture Park
Lunch independently in the Museum café
PM
Return to the hotel
Part of the afternoon at leisure
Visit the gardens of a privately-owned castle
Visit and private dinner in the castle, by special arrangement
Return to the hotel
Day 8
Amsterdam
AM
Leave for a special visit to a neo-Gothic castle and its restored gardens, still in private hands
PM
Lunch at a restaurant
Continue to a 4* or 5* luxury hotel in the historic center of Amsterdam
Private canal boat excursion with drinks
Dinner independently
Day 9
Amsterdam
AM
Leave for a guided visit to the recently re-opened Rijksmuseum
Lunch independently
Afternoon at leisure
PM
Dinner at a stylish restaurant, in the former municipal greenhouses
Day 10
Amsterdam
AM
Optional early morning excursion to the flower and plant auction in Aalsmeer
Leave for Leiden and visit the Botanical Garden, founded in 1590
PM
Continue to Wassenaar for lunch at a private townhouse
Continue to The Hague and visit the recently-restored Mauritshuis, a show- case for paintings of the Dutch Golden Age
Return to Amsterdam
Dinner independently
Day 11
Amsterdam
AM
Leave for visits with a garden designer to include some private canal house gardens
PM
Lunch independently
Afternoon at leisure
Visit Huis Van Loon with the curator, followed by drinks in the garden and farewell dinner in the dining room
Day 12
Amsterdam
Leave for Amsterdam Airport for return flights

  • SPECIALTOURS’ CONTACTS ARE THE BEST. THEIR HOTEL CHOICES ARE PERFECT….. RESTAURANTS ARE DIFFERENT AND INTERESTING, LOCAL AND DELICIOUS. NO DETAIL IS LEFT TO CHANCE AND GLITCHES DISAPPEAR BEFORE THE TRAVELLERS EVEN NOTICE. IN THE NICEST WAY, THEY RUN A TIGHT SHIP.

     Pam Niner Organizer of Private Tours Board Member, The Visiting Committee of the Garden Club of America

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