Day 1: 11 May 2024 – York then Hull to Rotterdam overnight ferry
Depart North Wales and travel to York. Enjoy some time at leisure in this historic city before we continue to Hull for our overnight ferry crossing to Rotterdam. Tonight enjoy your 5-course evening meal followed by on-board entertainment.
Day 2: 12 May 2024 - Zaanse Schans and Volendam
After breakfast and arrival in Rotterdam we disembark the ferry and travel to Zaanse Schans, a living and working community of traditional Dutch life, whose origins date back to the 18th Century. Watch traditional clog- and cheese-making, visit iconic Dutch windmills and buildings and experience beautiful architecture from the 18th and 19 centuries. Local charges apply for some attractions.
Afterwards we continue to Volendam, Holland’s best-known fishing village, where the locals still dress in traditional costume. Spend time strolling through this beautiful village, see the harbour with many old ships and learn more about Volendam in one of its museums. The village offers plenty of tourist shops and restaurants where you can try the local smoked eels, a Dutch delicacy! Afterwards, we head to our hotel in Amersfoort for a two-night stay.
Day 3: 13 May 2024 - Het Loo Palace and Amersfoort
After breakfast we travel to Het Loo Palace and its wonderful gardens (‘The Woods Palace’), a guided tour is included. Het Loo is a former royal residence in the heart of the Netherlands, close to the town of Apeldoorn. The main building was home to the ruling House of Orange for over three centuries and today houses a national museum entirely devoted the House of Orange-Nassau and its place in Dutch history. The decorations alone are worth a visit, and the extensive gardens, often described as being the ‘Versailles of Holland’, are absolutely stunning. They extend over seven hectares and contain a wealth of fountains, statues, and citrus trees.
In the afternoon we continue to Amersfoort, where we have free time to explore this well-preserved medieval city, renowned for its historic walls, churches, city gates and beautiful canals.
Day 4: 14 May 2024 - The Hague and Delft Pottery
A morning guided tour of The Hague will highlight the main cultural and historical sights this city has to offer, including the Peace Palace, Noordeinde Palace, Queen Beatrix’s Office and The Binnenhof where the Dutch Parliament is established.
There will be some time at leisure to get some lunch before driving to nearby Delft, famous for its Royal Porcelain. Established in 1653, the Royal Delft "Porceleyne Fles" is the last of the great 17th-Century Delftware manufacturers. The world-famous Royal Delftware is still hand-painted here according to centuries-old tradition. Enjoy a guided tour of the factory and watch the production of the iconic white and blue porcelain. Afterwards, you can discover all that Delft has to offer by walking along its tree-lined canals with centuries old houses and little bridges.
In the late afternoon, we make our way back to the Europort in Rotterdam for our overnight sailing to Hull. Enjoy another 5-course meal this evening.
Day 5: 15 May 2024 – Manchester then Home
Enjoy a final breakfast before we disembark our ferry in Hull and make the return journey to North Wales, stopping en-route in Manchester.