Floriade 2022 and Beyond
What can you expect at this celebration of all things green?
WHY SHOULD YOU GO?
Join Sandy Lipkowitz, owner of We Make Travel Easy & a Conde Nast Traveler "2021 Top Travel Specialist for “Floriade 2022 and Beyond." This is the most important International Horticulture Expo; happening only once in a decade. Post Floriade, we’ll sail, on a private ship charter, in luxury, aboard AmaWaterways’ beautiful AmaPrima to experience, several very special gardens, in The Netherlands and Belgium.
DATES: May 29-June 7, 2022
Tour Includes
DAY 1 - Sunday, May 29 | Amsterdam
Pre-Cruise: Amsterdam hotel check-in with Cruise Manager.
Welcome Reception and Briefing. Free time at night.
DAY 2 - Monday, May 30 | Amsterdam
Visit to Floriade
Once every 10 years, Floriade is the place to enjoy the scent and color of flowers, plants, vegetables and fruit. The Expo’s theme, “Growing Green Cities” offers 40 countries’ inspiring presentations, a spectacular greenhouse complex, a cable car over the park, pavilions with sustainable innovations, vibrant arts and culture programs and international tastes to sample. All full of energy, action, in wonderful, green surroundings.
DAY 3 - Tuesday, May 31 | EMBARKATION DAY
Early morning visit to Aalsmeer Flower Auction. Experience the hustle and bustle of the world's largest flower auction, followed by 2nd day at Floriade.
Embarkation on AmaPrima; late afternoon.
DAY 4 - Wednesday, June 1 | Amsterdam
There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Then enjoy a scenic cruise out of Amsterdam to Utrech.
Afternoon a choice will be made to visit either:
The gardens of Paleis Het Loo are reconstructed to the original 17th-century design of King-stadtholder William III and his wife Queen Mary II, the founders and first inhabitants of Paleis Het Loo. A Dutch Baroque garden, with many symmetrical parterres, impressive fountains and historical planting. The gardens were intended to give prestige and status to William and Mary and impress their guests.
Or
Custom Vlinderhof Gardens it is an experience with over 100 species of plants. The Vlinderhof is designed by internationally famous Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf. Oudolf designed the HighLine Park in Manhattan.
DAY 5 - Thursday, June 2 | Veere
Morning (am) - Cruising the Delta.
Afternoon (pm) - Veere walking tour w/ oyster tasting
OR Bike tour
OR Middleburg w/ Roosevelt house visit
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise through the delta before arriving in Veere, the Netherlands’ medieval harbor town. This former fishing village turned yachting town is known for its town square, where some houses boast gorgeous gardens – although the highlight is the town hall, with its 48-bell carillon! Enjoy learning more about it on your walking tour, or journey instead to the Flood Museum, where you’ll learn about the devastating floods of 1953, followed by a visit to a landmark recognizing the Roosevelt family’s relationship with the Dutch royal family. For those who prefer an active adventure, pedal from Veere, with its cobblestone streets and charming harbor, to the historic town of Middelberg and back.
DAY 6 - Friday, June 3 | Ghent
Morning (am) Ghent walking tour OR Bike tour
Afternoon (pm) Bruges highlight tour OR Ghent “Castle of the Counts of Flanders”
Ghent, stroll through the Capital of East Flanders, learning about its unique history on your walking tour, or pedal through the spellbinding town on a guided bike tour. Bruges, visit the town later in the day or spend your afternoon at Ghent’s moated Castle of the Counts, which boasts an eye-catching design as well as a ghoulishly interesting collection of medieval torture devices.
DAY 7 - Saturday, June 4 | Brussels
Morning (am) custom garden excursion Rozentuin Coloma (Rose Garden)
Afternoon (pm) choice of City tour
OR Chocolate Special Interest Tour
OR Bike Tour
The Coloma Rose Garden is one of the largest rose gardens in Europe with over 3,000 varieties of roses from all over the world. All the important ancestors of the modern rose were planted here, along with a complete collection of Lens roses.
Choose from afternoon excursions that include a visit to Beersel Castle, one of the oldest and authentic moated castles in Flanders, or delight your palate with a Belgian chocolate tasting.
DAY 8 - Sunday, June 5 | Antwerp
Morning (am) - morning custom garden excursion to Arboretum Wespelaar
Afternoon (pm) Antwerp walking tour
OR Beer
OR Waffles & Chocolate
OR Bike Tour
The ambition of Arboretum Wespelaar is to contribute to the knowledge and further study of all woody plants from the temperate climates of the world. By building up living collections of as many species as possible within our target groups, the arboretum hopes to contribute to the conservation of rare and threatened species.
Later in the day, beer enthusiasts will appreciate a tasting of the local brew while foodies may prefer our excursion to sample some of Belgium’s culinary delights such as its fresh and fluffy waffles. An afternoon bike tour is also available.
DAY 9 - Sunday, June 6 | Dordrecht
Custom garden excursion
Botanical Garden in Leiden
Kinderdijk Windmills OR Bike Tour
The Hortus botanicus Leiden is the oldest botanic garden in The Netherlands. The oldest section, dating back to 1590, is the current Front Garden. In 2000, a new glasshouse was added to form the Winter Garden. The Clusius Garden gives an impression of what the Hortus was like around 1600, when the bonds between the Netherlands and Asia were formed. The exchange between these cultures can be seen in the Japanese Garden.
In the afternoon, venture to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, a lovely village renowned for having the country’s greatest concentration of windmills, all dating from the 18th century. You may also pedal past the windmills from the seat of a bike.
DAY 10 - Sunday, June 7 | Amsterdam
Disembark from ship in the morning
Effective August 2021 until further notice, AmaWaterways requires that all guests coming on-board comply with all current regulations for travel by each jurisdiction through which the vessel will cruise. At this time, it means that all guests must be fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccines from either Moderna, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca or one dose from Johnson and Johnson. Additionally, the final shots need to be administered at least 14 days before travel with any of the two dose vaccines and 28 days with the one dose vaccine. The vaccination requirement also applies to accompanied minors. This rule or others may be in effect at the time of the charter, part charter or group movement and no exceptions will be made.
INCLUSIONS ABOARD SHIP:
Panoramic Lounge with bar, piano and dance floor
Walking track, pool with swim-up bar, fitness room and bicycles for in-port exploration
Complimentary Wi-Fi
The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant with glass-enclosed kitchen and tasting menu
Breakfast and lunch featuring regional cuisine; multi-course dinners made with fresh local ingredients
Hand-selected wine, beer and soft drinks with meals— plus a Sip & Sail cocktail hour
All-day tapas menu and afternoon tea; 24-hour coffee station
Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs
YOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Airfare
Vessel fuel surcharges
Passport and visa fees
Baggage fees
Port charges, port taxes and fees
Travel, health, accident, or other insurance
Vaccinations
Laundry
Additional food and beverages
Optional excursions
Gratuities or other items or services of a personal nature
Travel Insurance is strongly recommended