European Affair and Chelsea Flower Show
Experience Overview
Experience the finer things in life as you cruise through the canals of medieval Bruges and witness the world’s largest flower auction in Amsterdam. Arriving into London, Britain puts its best foot forward with the internationally renowned Chelsea Flower Show. Be on the lookout for the royal, the rich and the famous at the world’s premier garden show. Hop the English Channel to France and live it up at the Loire Valley Chateaux—where the riverside castles at Chenonceau and Chambord flash back to the heyday of the French royal family. The regality continues with a tour of King Louis XIV’s palace of Versailles before the vacation draws to a close at Monet's Garden and water-lily pond.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
Additional Included Highlights
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
Insight Experiences
- London: Experience the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show, an inspiring and enjoyable showcase of fabulous floral displays and cutting-edge garden design. Immerse yourself in colour and ingenuity as you enjoy the very best show gardens, flowers, and gardening from around the world.
- Monnickendam: Journey through the polder landscape to visit Monnickendam. Along the way, visit a rustic cheese workshop to learn the secrets of the dairy industry and witness the ancient art of clog making.
Top Rated Highlights
- Amsterdam: Cruise along the waterways, discovering the architectural gems of the old city, including mansions dating from the Golden Age of the 17th Century.
- Aalsmeer: The colossal Aalsmeer Flower Auction is the size of 200 football pitches and even has its own fire brigade, hairdresser and bicycle repairman! Over 30,000 species are featured, with 43 million flowers and 5 million plants are sold daily Monday to Friday. The most popular varieties are roses, tulips and chrysanthemums.
- Bruges: Visit the Market Square and famous belfry of the Market Hall with your Local Expert. See the Gothic town hall in Burg Square and the frescoes on the walls of the Holy Blood Chapel.
- Giverny: Visit the fascinating house and gardens where Claude Monet, the Master of Impressionism, lived and worked from 1883 until his death in 1926. Revel in an oasis of color, both within the house and in the fragrant gardens.
- Chambord: The stunning Loire Valley is world-famous for its magnificent Chateaux, as well as beautiful landscapes and delicious wine. Visit two of the most famous Chateaux: Chenonceau Castle, and Chateau de Chambord, and be transported back in time as you explore them and their gardens.
- Versailles: Visit the Château de Versailles, one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th century French art. This former royal residence is world renowned for its architecture, grandeur and extravagant gardens.
- Paris: Experience the magic of Paris with Insight Vacations as you explore its iconic sights, landmarks, and charming streets. Meander along the picturesque banks of the River Seine, delving into the rich history of its beautiful bridges and renowned landmarks, including the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, and the Arc de Triomphe. Whether from the comfort of your coach or a scenic vantage point, immerse yourself in the timeless stories that bring this enchanting city to life.
Travel Director
- "I love to see how guests react to Paris because, despite its fame, it still surprises. It’s a majestic city, which shines in the daytime and sparkles at night."
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Trip Details
Product Code: 35158
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Insight Vacations (CA)
Supplier Code: 355.1645A
Starts: London, United Kingdom
Finishes: Paris, France
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $6,525 ($652 /day)
Itinerary
On arrival, you are transferred to your hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore London. This evening join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a welcome drink and trip briefing before enjoying a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Thistle Marble Arch, London, Hilton London Bankside, London
Meals: Dinner with Wine
Enjoy a full day to experience the famous Chelsea Flower Show – the ‘mecca’ of all garden shows. A transfer in the morning takes you to the famous show! The Chelsea Flower Show will bring together the very best show gardens, flowers, and gardening from around the world. You will see magnificent floral displays, model gardens, English garden tools and a host of garden structures and artefacts. This afternoon a transfer back to your hotel is provided.
Accommodation: Thistle Marble Arch, London, Hilton London Bankside, London
Meals: Breakfast
Departing London, we travel through the lush green Kent countryside to board our ferry in Dover, watching the impressive White Cliffs disappear into the distance as we cross to France. Our journey today ends in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam.
Accommodation: Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam, Jakarta by Westcord Hotel, Amsterdam.
Meals: Breakfast
Journey through the polder landscape to visit Monnickendam. Along the way, visit a rustic cheese workshop to learn the secrets of the dairy industry and witness the ancient art of clog making. The best way to see this remarkable city is from the water as you cruise through the canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the elegant merchant houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, their facades reflect when trade flourished during Amsterdam's Golden Age. Relax as you pass stunning gables, beautiful churches and the iconic Magere Brug, better known as the Skinny Bridge, with a delicious meal onboard.
Accommodation: Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam, Jakarta by Westcord Hotel, Amsterdam.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Experience the excitement at the very epicentre of the international flower trade! Each day, over 19 million flowers are sold at 'Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer', the world's largest flower auction. Witness all the action from a specially designed viewing gallery as traders bid against the clock for a mind-blowing assortment of blooms. A unique experience you'll remember forever! Meet your Local Expert from Bruges for a stroll along cobbled streets, lined with high-gabled houses from the 16th century. Visit the Market Square dominated by the 83-meter medieval bell tower, The Belfry of Bruges. Explore Burg Square with its ornate Gothic town hall and glorious frescoes on the walls of the Holy Blood Chapel, followed by a relaxing canal cruise before finishing the day off at the local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel De Tuilerieen, Bruges., Radisson Blu, Bruges
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
With your free day perhaps explore magical Bruges by Horse and Carriage? Don’t forget to try some of the tempting chocolates or beers for which Belgium is renowned.
Accommodation: Hotel De Tuilerieen, Bruges., Radisson Blu, Bruges
Meals: Breakfast
Visit the house and famous gardens of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet. His passion was his garden, which is kept alive in the same tradition and is home to famous ponds with water lilies. You have time to explore the gardens before departing for Paris, the City of Light.
Accommodation: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris
Meals: Breakfast
The stunning Loire Valley is world-famous for its magnificent Chateaux, as well as beautiful landscapes and delicious wine. Visit two of the most famous Chateaux and be transported back in time as you explore them and their gardens. Chenonceau Castle, known as the 'Ladies' Chateau' it perfectly embodies the elegance of 16th century design in the Loire Valley. Chateau de Chambord, an awe-inspiring Renaissance chateau inspired by Leonardo de Vinci. As evening decends, the City of Light lives up to its name as the monuments, buildings are lit up in all their glory. For that special touch of excitement and glamour don’t miss the chance to join an Optional Experience to one of the world-famous cabaret shows.
Accommodation: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris
Meals: Breakfast
Visit the Château de Versailles, one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th century French art. This former royal residence is world renowned for its architecture, grandeur, and extravagant gardens. With a Local Expert, explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris. See famous landmarks including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the facades of the Louvre. Stroll the banks of the River Seine and admire romantic bridges, and enjoy a drive along the Champs Elysée’s to the Arc de Triomphe. You are in for a memorable evening starting with a delicious Celebration Dinner serving delicious French cuisine and wine. Perhaps this evening experience a Seine Cruise and Illuminations tour?
Accommodation: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Your memorable journey comes to an end as you bid your Travel Director farewell. Transfers arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08.30 and 11.00.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Insight Vacations (CA)
Part of The Travel Company (TTC) family of brands, Insight Vacations began operations in 1978 and is based in Cypress, CA. Journeys are featured to destinations, such as the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Latin America, North Africa, Asia, the UK and Ireland. The company offers are a variety of tours under the classifications of Regional Journeys, Country Roads, Discovery Journeys, Easy Pace trips, and Special Interest tours. Insight is the ideal name for the tour operator, as the journeys provided by Insight Vacations allow travelers to gain further insight into whatever destination they wish to explore. For example, Discovery Journeys are the ideal choice for first-time visitors to Europe. Itineraries include Dine-at-Home or Farm-to-Table experiences so travelers can learn more about how locals live and dine. Regional Journeys allow trip-goers to see a specific location in Europe that they have always wanted to see – Poland, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The carefully planned trips enable customers to immerse themselves in one specific region or country and to become acquainted with its culture, traditions, and people. For anyone seeking travel off the beaten track, Insight Vacations offers Country Roads – trips that lead travelers off the well-tread tourist trail to explore hidden gems where visitors can savor the local produce with Farm-to-Table dining. Some trips are offered under the Easy Pace travel style – the ideal trip choice for trip-goers who wish to slow their pace during their vacation. During these tours, vacationers stay at least 3 nights at each destination, giving them some additional time to explore a place and enjoy it. Regardless of the travel style, many of the vacations offered by Insight Vacations begin with Relaxed Starts – giving travelers time to sleep in a little, spend more time at breakfast, or explore an area on their own. The tour company prides itself on providing business class tours that features luxury coaches with 40 seats. While most coach touring operators provide vehicles with 53 seats, Insight Vacations has re-configured its motor coaches to hold up to 40 guests. This gives passengers extra leg room while traveling and offers them more space and privacy.
In Business Since 1978
Share a personalized trip brochure!
Why Choose Us?
We Work for You
Our goal to make you happy! That means ensuring our travel consultants have the best product knowledge and excellent customer service. A positive customer experience is our #1 goal!
Our Products
We offer an broad selection of travel products, including all-inclusive vacation packages, pre-packaged tours, custom travel itineraries, destination weddings, and luxury vacations.
Escapes Cares
We believe in giving back. When you book with us, you are contributing to tree planting through our partners at Veritree, as well ocean conservation though Oceana Canada.
