Haarlem

One of the best destinations in Springtime is the Netherlands and we are to visit Haarlem, the city of flowers and the centre of the Dutch bulb growing district. Haarlem is a small, friendly city located in the north west of the Netherlands and is a close neighbour to Amsterdam. It was established in 1245 and still retains its medieval character with cobbled streets and historic architecture. It was once a major trading port on the North Sea and has been a hub of art and culture for centuries with its grand churches, spectacular museums and world-famous art. It has been voted three times as Holland’s Best Shopping City with its many exclusive stores, specialist bookshops and charming antique showrooms. The central main square is the Grote Markt, which has changed little since the 17^th century, and here you will find some of the city’s most notable buildings and delightful coffee shops. 

Haarlem was the home of Corrie Ten Boon and we hope to visit her former home, which is now a museum. We will have a full-day visit to the famous Keukenhof Garden which is only open for a few weeks in the Spring. It is estimated that there are seven million bulbs planted each Autumn and, when in bloom, it is a riot of colour and an unforgettable sight. The day trip to Keukenhof will be included in the cost of this holiday.

There will be the possibility of you to visit nearby Amsterdam where you can enjoy a canal trip or visit its famous art galleries. There are also many interesting towns that are just a train trip away, such as: Delft, Alkmaar and Leiden.

We are to stay in the Van der Valk Hotel Haarlem which is a spacious, comfortable hotel with all modern facilities, including a fitness centre and bicycle rental.

Vacation notes:

• Accommodation is in a spacious hotel located 2km from the city centre with dinner, bed and breakfast
• A day trip to Keukenhof Garden is included in the cost
• This is a moderate activity level holiday involving a lot of on-foot sightseeing
• Travel will be from Glasgow airport

Cost: