Thursday- Saturday 22-24 April 2010: Social tours program

Hostess: Marjolijn van Eys

 

Thursday 22 April 2010 09.00-17.00 hrs :  17th century villages

Starting off with a guided bus tour through Amsterdam a visit will be made to the Zaanse Schans, Marken, Volendam and Edam.

The Zaanse Schans is a picturesque and pleasant Dutch country village, established as a "living museum" in 1960 on the river Zaan. You will see several working windmills and will visit one in particular, "De Zoeker". There is a cheese farm where you will see how the famous Dutch cheese was made in earlier times. You will see the craftsmanship of a shoemaker making wooden shoes, visit a museum of clocks and instruments, a bakery and a grocery shop.

Marken is a former island in the IJsselmeer which was separated from the mainland by a high tide in 1164 and is now linked with the Nes promontory by a 2 km/1.25 mile long dike built in 1957. In the 17^th century the shipping trade flourished in Marken. The principal tourist attractions of Marken are the characteristic old wooden houses and its traditional costumes. From Marken a boat trip will be made to the old fishing village of Volendam for lunch. There will also be some spare time to buy souvenirs with authentic Dutch appeal.

The day will end with a walking tour through Edam. The most obvious association with the name "Edam" is ‘cheese'. For centuries the well-known round Edam cheeses have been sent from this little town to all corners of the world. Edam is also a city with a rich history, which began in the 12^th century and developed into an increasingly prosperous town well into the 17^th century. Shipbuilding also played an important role in its growth.

 

Friday 23 April 2010 09.00-17.00 hrs : The Keukenhof / Leiden

This tour takes you to the world famous gardens of the Keukenhof. Richly colored bulb fields stretch as far as the eye can see; the Keukenhof is truly the greatest flower show on earth. The Park grounds were originally owned by Countess Jacoba van Beieren in the 15^th century, which were at the time used to grow vegetables and herbs.

Started in 1949 as a formal showcase for the bulb growers of the region, it is nowadays a well-known attraction luring tourists from all corners of the earth. The Keukenhof still, however, maintains its original commercial function, as well. You will be able to place orders at the park for spring-flowering bulbs, while summer-blooming bulbs can be bought immediately.

You will be free to stroll through this 70-acre park, containing a natural lake and woodland with centuries-old trees, flowering shrubs, lovely waterfalls and many statues. During your walk, millions of flowers or more than 700 varieties of bulbs can be admired. At both the outdoor and indoor flower exhibits, visitors can view a full range of bulbs in bloom; crocuses, narcissi, hyacinths, and tulips, as well as freesia, irises, lilies, dahlias, gladiolo, and amaryllis.

You will also visit the city of Leiden; a university town since 1575. Also know as the place of birth of Rembrandt. In the Golden Age, Leiden was the second most important city in the Netherlands with all of its wealth and academic fame. It is in this atmosphere that the sociable, authentic "Leidener" has been living alongside the equally sociable student in the charming, historic inner city lined with canals. Rembrandt, the most famous Leidener of all, would still be able to find his way around the picturesque streets and alleys today while making a discovery or two at the same time. Lunch will be along one of the many historic canals of the city. After lunch you will visit the 20 large floats and more than 30 decorated luxury cars of the annual Flower Parade. The Flower Parade will leave the city of Noordwijk to travel its 40 km/ 25 mile route on Saturday, but is on display several days before.

 

 

Saturday 24 April 2010  09.00-17.00 hrs : Amsterdam City tour/ Floating flower market

You will start the day with a bike tour through old Amsterdam and the Jordaan with a visit to some of its little courtyards.After lunch you will pay a visit to "the Singel flower market". It is one of the most colorful and fragrant places of interest of Amsterdam in all four seasons. It is unique in that the merchandise is displayed on floating barges. This is a relic from the days when the flowers and plants sold at this market were shipped in from the horticultural areas around the city by barges. Fresh flowers are still brought in every day; by vans, however, and no longer by boat. This floating flower market on one of the oldest canals of Amsterdam was first held in 1862. It has since developed into the best-known flower market of Holland. Whatever your favorite flower, you are bound to find it here.

This day will finish with a guided tour in the Rijksmuseum with the famous 17^th century paintings of Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals or a visit to the van Gogh museum.