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The Netherlands
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Keukenhof Tulips, Canals & Amsterdam in Springtime

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You are viewing the 2026 itinerary. Select your departure year
20252026
6 days From £1,799 per person
4.5 stars(32 reviews)
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Celebrate springtime in the Netherlands, enjoying the spectacular Keukenhof gardens, a tour and canal cruise in Amsterdam, and a scenic ride on the Medemblik Railway

Mobility Rating 2

2026 Tour code: AMB26

About the tour

Experience the joys of spring in the Netherlands on this glorious break featuring world-famous gardens, picturesque canals and windmills.

Based in the attractive city of Utrecht, our holiday is packed with excursions to enchanting locations, including the stunning Keukenhof Gardens - with its swathes of multi-coloured spring flowers - a guided tour and canal cruise in wonderful Amsterdam with free time to sightsee, a trip on the Medemblik Steam Train to the waterside town of Medemblik, and a visit to the preserved 19th-century village of Zaanse Schans, known for its windmills and traditional craftspeople.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Wandering through the beautiful Keukenhof Gardens
Wandering through the beautiful Keukenhof Gardens
Experience a day among the flowers at Keukenhof Holland. One of the world’s best-loved gardens, Keukenhof is celebrated across Europe for its glorious tulip displays, vivid colours and magnificent spring flowers.
A nostalgic journey on the Medemblik Steam Train
A nostalgic journey on the Medemblik Steam Train
From Hoorn to the peaceful West Friesland town of Medemblik, we take a scenic journey through a quintessential Dutch landscape of tulip fields, windmills and quaint villages on this heritage steam train.
Visiting the windmills and workshops of the Zaanse Schans
Visiting the windmills and workshops of the Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is a delightful residential area of characterful wooden houses, craft shops and museums. After a guided tour of a windmill, a weaver’s house, and a cheese maker, there’s free time to explore.
Exploring Amsterdam on a guided tour and canal cruise
Exploring Amsterdam on a guided tour and canal cruise
Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Dutch capital on a guided tour of its landmarks. Cruise the unique canals, drift past medieval architecture, then explore Amsterdam’s museums, galleries and parks at your own pace.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - By rail to the historical city of Utrecht

Our springtime holiday to the Netherlands begins when we meet our Tour Manager at London St Pancras this morning to board the Eurostar service to Rotterdam, travelling in Plus class with a light meal served at our seats. In Rotterdam we change trains to Utrecht, arriving mid-afternoon. Our hotel is a short walk from the station and once we've checked in you are free to get to know this interesting city - described as 'the cosy alternative' to Amsterdam, and less than half an hour away by train.

The fourth largest city in Netherlands, Utrecht has a similar character to the capital, but on a smaller scale - including colourful canals, historical buildings and lively cafés. This evening we enjoy our first dinner at the hotel.

Includes
  • Eurostar Light Meal
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Guided tour of enchanting Amsterdam

After a buffet breakfast, we catch the train to Amsterdam. Here we tour the capital with a local guide, seeing classic landmarks such as Dam Square, the Begijnhof, a cluster of medieval houses, the shopping street of Kalverstraat, and the 'skinny bridge' over the River Amstel.

After our tour you are free to explore over lunch. Art lovers may wish to visit the Rijksmuseum or the nearby Van Gogh Museum, while Anne Frank's house recalls the sobering story of the young girl whose diaries document how her family hid during World War Two.

This afternoon we take a leisurely cruise down Amsterdam's World Heritage site, the Canal Ring - a network of historic canals from the medieval port, that encircled the city's Old Town. From our comfortable seats aboard this glass-topped boat, we enjoy views of 17th-century gabled houses, quaint bridges and shady canal paths. At the end of the afternoon we take the train back to Utrecht, where we have an evening ahead to spend as we wish.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 3 - The inspiring gardens of Keukenhof

Today is a highlight of our holiday as, after breakfast, we are transported by coach to the Keukenhof Gardens*, where - with entry included - we are free for most of the day to wander through several themed gardens at leisure. Each exhibition area in the vast Keukenhof Holland park includes a shop and a café or restaurant, while the Mill area includes a small boat and picnic area.

Open only from the end of March to the beginning of May, the gardens present an astonishing display of over 7 million daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and other spring-flowering bulbs. Besides early spring flowers, there are seasonal shows of other uplifting flowers, including scented freesias, chrysanthemums and roses. As you walk among these glorious swathes of flowers of every hue and shade contrast with brightly-coloured sculptures, creating a one-of-a-kind experience.

We are transferred back to our hotel in Utrecht around mid-afternoon, where we are at leisure, to relax or get to know the city better, for the rest of the day and evening.

*Please note, on the mid-April departure Days 3 and 4 will be reversed.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Exploring the diverse attractions of Utrecht

Today is completely free in picturesque Utrecht, whose main attractions are within walking distance of our hotel. Utrecht's iconic symbol is the impressive 14th-century Dom Tower, the Netherlands' tallest church tower with a panoramic viewpoint.

Train enthusiasts will be keen to visit the Spoorwegmuseum, the Dutch National Railway Museum, whose vast collection ranges from the 19th century 'glory days' of international trains to the 'steel monsters' of the 1930s. Meanwhile, the city's Centraal Museum has a multi-faceted collection of art, design and fashion including Dutch favourites such as the Red Blue Chair by architect Gerrit Rietveld.

Utrecht is known for its lovely green spaces and the Wilhelmina Park is a popular place to enjoy lunch, overlooking its lake. On the outskirts of the city is the opulent Castle De Haar, the largest and most luxurious castle in the Netherlands, which can be reached easily by train or bus. Of course, you may be perfectly content to wander the tree-lined canal paths, passing bridges adorned with colourful flowers and stopping to enjoy a meal at one of the many inviting restaurants.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - A nostalgic trip on the Medemblik Steam Train

Driving to Hoorn this morning, one of the Netherlands' oldest cities, we take a self-guided tour of the Hoorn Steam Train Museum (entry included). The next tour highlight is a ride on the evocative Medemblik Steam Train, which has travelled this route since 1887. This heritage train takes us on a scenic journey to the peaceful West Friesland town of Medemblik, surrounded by the waters of the Ijsselmeer. After travelling through a typical Dutch landscape of tulip fields, windmills and quaint villages, we arrive into Medemblik where there is free time for lunch.

This afternoon brings another special excursion, as our coach transfers us to the Zaanse Schans, a beautifully-preserved residential area of characterful 18th and 19th-century wooden houses, handcraft shops and museums. After a guided tour of one of the windmills, we visit a weaver's house and a cheese maker. We then enjoy free time to explore this quaint living museum with its clog workshop, bakery museum and craft shops. We transfer back to our hotel at the end of the afternoon before a final dinner at the hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Homeward bound

After a leisurely breakfast and a free final morning in Utrecht we meet at the station ready to catch our train to Rotterdam.

Later this afternoon, we join the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras, travelling in Plus class. This springtime holiday in the Netherland has taken us to the glorious Keukenhof gardens, along the atmospheric canals of Amsterdam and to the quaint preserved village of Zaanse Schans. Based in attractive Utrecht, we have immersed ourself in the unique ambience of the Netherlands, travelling among typical Dutch scenes of windmills, tulip fields and historic towns.

On arrival back into London St Pancras station, you are free to make your way home.

Includes
  • Breakfast
  • Eurostar Light Meal

Additional information

Classic collection

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

NH Utrecht Hotel, Utrecht

NH Utrecht Hotel, Utrecht

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Trains

Eurostar
Medemblik Steam Train

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Upgrades

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Reviews

4.5 stars4.5 / 5 · 32 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (17)
  2. 4 stars
    (14)
  3. 3 stars
    (1)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Mrs C Turley

5 stars

Submitted 27 Apr 2019

Excellent holiday, really well planned and executed. The tour manager was great and ensured that everything went really smoothly.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mr K Cox

5 stars

Submitted 19 Apr 2018

Very enjoyable holiday. Thank You

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mrs A Buckley

5 stars

Submitted 02 Jun 2017

The holiday was well organised,the hotel was excellent and we had a tour manager who 'managed ' us all very well.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mrs W Prosser

5 stars

Submitted 01 Jun 2017

Really enjoyed it. Our tour manager was very good and friendly. Hotel was well located and the staff and management couldn't have done more.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mr M Renshaw

5 stars

Submitted 27 May 2017

I gave our feedback in the comprehensive questionnaire at the end of the trip. Why this?

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mrs C Jones

5 stars

Submitted 25 May 2017

This holiday was all I wanted we had a very good guide and Delft was a great place to stay also our group were very friendly. .

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

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