Springtime in the Alps & Chelsea Flower Show

Experience Overview

From the flowers of London’s Chelsea Flower Show to the fresh air of the Swiss Alps and springtime along the Seine in Paris, this three-week tour recharges and rejuvenates. In Amsterdam, visit the world renowned Keukenhof Tulip Gardens to witness 7 million floral bulbs bursting through the earth. Not to be outdone, Louis XIV’s magnificent grounds at the Versailles Châteaux are sure to delight before a glittering evening in Paris and a trip to the lily pond of the Monet Gardens. Onward to the UK through Royal Tunbridge Wells, the fabulous Sissinghurst Gardens give way to the magnificent floral displays and show gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show. A Thames River cruise and dinner at a local restaurant end the vacation in style.

Highlights

Dining Summary

10 Dinner with Wine (DW)
17 Breakfast (B)

Additional Included Highlights

Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
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.
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

Woking: Explore the beautiful Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden and delight the senses with roses of all shapes, sizes, colours and fragrances. Stroll through the picturesque orchard, the huge cathedral like Glasshouse and the Exotic Garden.
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.

Top Rated Highlights

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.
Keukenhof: Visit Keukenhof to see millions of multicoloured bulb-flowers in bloom on select departures.
Maastricht: Maastricht is one of the oldest cities in Holland, where churches, city walls, monumental merchant houses and big squares merge seamlessly with contemporary boutiques and restaurants. Join a Local Expert to learn about its history and see the sights.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Picturesque Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the best-preserved medieval town in Germany and a truly enchanting destination. Step back in time and explore the city walls, towers, and gates around the old town as well as the old town itself.
Munich: During your orientation of the city with your Travel Director, see Feldherrnhalle in the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, the English Garden, the Hofbräuhaus, St. Peter's Church and the famous Marienplatz.
Innsbruck: Nestled amidst majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a beautiful city offering a unique combination of nature, history, and culture. Stroll the streets of the picturesque Old Town, with your Travel Director, learn about its history and admire the Baroque and Gothic architecture.
Bolzano: Explore the streets and squares to admire the Tyrolean-style architecture of this town flanked by impressive mountains.
Isola Bella: Take to the waters of Lake Maggiore for a delightful cruise to the beautiful Borromean Islands. Visit Isola Bella renowned for its incredible palace and stunning Italian-style baroque garden.
Lauterbrunnen: Enjoy your orientation of the village that takes its name from 'many fountains,' referring to the 72 waterfalls that are within the surrounding valley.
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.
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.
Sissinghurst Castle Garden: Enjoy exquisite aromas and explosions of color in the many varied garden spaces of Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, split by stunning buildings, old pink brick walls and high clipped hedges.

Travel Director

"Italians are very fashionable but their cooking is the opposite - simple, rustic and down to earth. A handful of quality vegetables, fresh herbs and beans are turned into a warm and comforting soup."
"Munich is the capital of beer, so taking guests into the famous Hofbräuhaus, at any time of year, gives them a small idea of what it’s like to attend Oktoberfest."
"Paris is truly a delight to all the senses – seeing the iconic architecture, hearing about the history, smelling the wonderful bakeries and tasting the local specialties during our foodie walk."

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.

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Trip Details

Product Code: 35410

Tour Type: Group Tour

Accommodation: Deluxe

Transport: Private

Guide Language: English

Travel Styles: Family, 55+, Luxury

Tour Operator: Insight Vacations (CA)

Supplier Code: 357.1646A

Starts: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Finishes: London, United Kingdom

Duration: 18 days

Departures: Guaranteed

Physical Rating: Easy

Includes

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $11,395 ($633 /day)

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Arrive Amsterdam

Welcome to the vibrant, artistic city of Amsterdam, famed for its canals, art museums, cobbled streets, and its bicycles! Airport transfers to your hotel depart at 09:00, 11:30 and 14:30, then your time is yours to explore this fascinating city. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a delicious Welcome Dinner.

Accommodation: Hilton, Amsterdam, Apollo, Amsterdam
Meals: Dinner with Wine

2

Day 2: Aalsmeer and Keukenhof

For the early risers 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! This year Keukenhof celebrates it’s 75th anniversary. Hailed as the most beautiful spring garden in the world, and for a good reason – the sea of colour is breath-taking. With tulips as the show stopper, you can expect to see a wide array of flowers including roses, lilies, daffodils and irises.

Meals: Breakfast

3

Day 3: Amsterdam to Maastricht

Journey through the polder landscape. Along the way, visit a rustic cheese workshop to learn the secrets of the dairy industry and witness the ancient art of clog making. Continue to the pretty town of Maastricht on the Dutch/Belgian border. Join your Local Expert for a guided visit of the city. The heart of the city is home to the beautiful Vrijthof square. This special square has become famous as the backdrop to the summer concerts including Andre Rieu, walk around Vrijthof square and take in the breath-taking panoramas.

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Maastricht.
Meals: Breakfast

4

Day 4: Medieval Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Venture to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the best-preserved town on the Romantic Road. Plunge back into the 16th century during your orientation as you walk through narrow cobbled streets lined with high-gabled houses to the market square, dominated by its Renaissance town hall. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure for further exploration on your own. Tonight enjoy an authentic dining experience at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Altes Brauhaus
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

5

Day 5: Rothenburgh ob der Tauber your way

The day is yours to enjoy the medieval town at your leisure, perhaps visit one of the Christmas stores to purchase some decorations, visit Rothenburg Castle Gardens or take an excursion to Dresden.

Accommodation: Altes Brauhaus
Meals: Breakfast

6

Day 6: Rothenburg to Munich

Continue on the “Romantic Road”, meandering through river valleys and rolling countryside, heading for the Bavarian capital of Munich. An orientation on arrival gives you the chance to explore the Olympic Stadium, University, Victory Arch and the stunning Marienplatz. Soak up the sublime mix of traditional and enjoy the lakes, parks beer gardens and museums.

Accommodation: Steigenberger Hotel Munich
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

7

Day 7: The Dolomites

This morning we travel to Austria to visit the Alpine city of Innsbruck, set in a valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Enjoy an orientation with your Travel Director as you walk the narrow streets of the Old Town, lined with medieval houses and arcades, to see the Golden Roof. Continue through the Italian Alps and some of the most spectacular scenery Europe has to offer, before arriving at the stunning town of Bolzano. Explore the streets and squares of this alpine town, with your Travel Director.

Accommodation: Parkhotel Laurin, Bolzano.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

8

Day 8: Italian Lakes

Descending the Dolomites, head to the medieval walled town of Soave, in the Veneto region of Italy. This fascinating town is famed for its wine, and is situated at the foot of an impressive castle. During your visit take time to admire the intricate architecture of the churches and palaces, including the Palazzo di Giustizia, the 14th century law court and the residence of the Captains of Serenissima. Continue through picturesque scenery to the much-loved Italian Lakes District, and settle into your lakeside hotel for a two night stay in this stunning region.

Accommodation: Simplon, Baveno
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

9

Day 9: Isola Bella excursion

The Italian Lakes District, a favourite haunt for artists and travellers where a full day is set aside to relax and enjoy. Take a cruise to Isola Bella, the largest and most famous island, renowned for its incredible palace and stunning Botanical Gardens. There is a guided tour of this privately owned palace with free time to admire the gardens.

Accommodation: Simplon, Baveno
Meals: Breakfast

10

Day 10: Italian Lakes - Swiss Alps

Enjoy a morning at leisure in Como. Nestles in the foothills of the Alps, this is a prime people watching spot with Europe’s rich and famous. Travel across the border into Switzerland and ascend the Swiss Alps where we stay for the next two nights.

Accommodation: Romantik Schweizerhof, Grindelwald
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

11

Day 11: Grindelwald Valley

Marvel at the dramatic glacial views as you travel along Grindelwald Valley, and follow the sparkling Lutschine River to Lauterbrunnen. Enjoy your orientation of the village that takes its name from 'many fountains,' referring to the 72 waterfalls that are within the surrounding valley. See the Staubbach Falls plunge 300 metres. Later, perhaps take a cog- wheel train ride to the summit of the Jungfrau Mountain?

Accommodation: Lindner Grand Hotel Beau Rivage, Interlaken.
Meals: Breakfast

12

Day 12: Into Burgundy

This morning, we visit Chillon Castle, set on a rocky inlet on Lake Geneva, immortalised by Lord Byron's 'Prisoner of Chillon'. For nearly four centuries, this water fortress was the residence of the Counts of Savoy and an important stop for traders. We stop in the nearby resort town of Montreux, set against the pristine backdrop of snow-covered peaks and vineyards, with time for lunch before continuing to Burgundy and historic Dijon. Time permitting, enjoy a walking tour with your Travel Director through the medieval streets where you are sure to appreciate the wealth and elegance of the city’s architectural heritage.

Accommodation: Grand Dijon La Cloche
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

13

Day 13: Versailles

Visit the Château de Versailles, one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th century French art. Visit the Château and the extensive gardens which in Louis XIV’s view were just as important as the Château itself. In glittering Paris tonight, perhaps see one of the world-famous cabaret shows for an evening of glamour?

Accommodation: Pullman Paris Centre Bercy.
Meals: Breakfast

14

Day 14: Paris & Monet's Garden

This morning, take a short trip to Giverny and visit the charming house and gardens where, the great Impressionist painter, Claude Monet, lived and worked from 1883 until his death in 1926. The stunning gardens were the inspiration for his famous water lilies paintings. Return to Paris where this afternoon is at leisure and, in the evening, enjoy a highlight dinner in true French style.

Accommodation: Pullman Paris Centre Bercy.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

15

Day 15: The Garden of England

After crossing the channel to Britain this morning, continue to Sissinghurst, one of the best known and admired gardens in the world. Enjoy exquisite aromas and explosions of color in the many varied garden spaces of Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, split by stunning buildings, old pink brick walls and high clipped hedges. Then to your hotel in picturesque Kent.

Accommodation: The Spa Hotel Tunbridge Wells.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

16

Day 16: Wisley Gardens to London

The Gardens of Wisley were gifted to the Royal Horticultural Society in 1903 and since then it has evolved into a world class garden. Explore the beautiful Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden and delight the senses with roses of all shapes, sizes, colors and fragrances. Stroll through the picturesque orchard, the huge cathedral like Glasshouse and the Exotic Garden. Continue to London, where the rest of the day and evening is at your leisure.

Accommodation: The Cumberland, London, Thistle Marble Arch, London
Meals: Breakfast

17

Day 17: Chelsea Flower Show

A transfer in the morning takes you to the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show. Bringing together the very best show gardens, flowers, and gardening from around the world, lose yourself amongst the magnificent floral displays and model gardens. Enjoy elaborate displays featuring courtyard, city and roof gardens, and hear from the experts. This evening toast your travel companions at your Celebration Dinner the perfect way to complete your memorable journey!

Accommodation: The Cumberland, London, Thistle Marble Arch, London
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

18

Day 18: Farewell London

After breakfast bid your Travel Director and fellow travel companions farewell, and transfer to London Heathrow Airport to meet your ongoing flight.

Meals: Breakfast

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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

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