Floriade 2012
World Horticultural Expo, Venlo - The Netherlands
Garden Tour Including Keukenhof
June 14th - 25th, 2012
and
September 13th - 24th, 2012
Floriade is a unique World Horticulture Fair organized once every ten years. The central theme of the Floriade is:
Be part of the theatre in nature; get closer to the quality of life. The five overriding themes of Floriade 2012 will be:
• Relax & Heal – the importance of horticulture for healthy lives
• Green Engine – horticulture as an economic engine and supplier of green energy
• Education & Innovation – the interaction between horticulture, education, and innovation
• Environment – the importance of a durable society and of green (work) surroundings and gardens for our well-being
• World Show Stage – horticulture as an inspiration source for art, culture, and entertainment
The name Floriade originates from the Latin word “floriat,” which means designing flowers. The Northern Limburg region, to which Venlo belongs, is the second largest horticultural region of The Netherlands. Visitors to Floriade 2012 Venlo will first pass through a colorful, magical Welcome Garden, then enter the impressive Nature’s Theatre, which will act as the central Floriade hub. From there, guests will have the option of visiting multiple “Experience
Zones,” touching upon a variety of topics including life, local and world connections, the seasons, and community. You will enjoy gardens from Indonesia, the UK, Yemen, Tunisia, Nepal, India and Pakistan to name a few…there will be so many to see that we will give you the whole day to see the show…it is that big. Products from the tree nursery, fruit & vegetable, professional gardening and landscaping, flower bulb and floristry sectors will be displayed in all their glory throughout the park.
Day One
On arrival in Amsterdam, our luxury touring coach will whisk us off to the open-air museum in the old hamlet of Zaanse Schans on the banks of the river. This will be our first breath of fresh North Sea air. Here we find characteristic wooden houses, charming stylized gardens, small hump-backed bridges, historic windmills and wonderful little shops. Our Hotel in Amsterdam will greet us with welcome refreshments and get-acquainted dinner this evening. 3 nights DB
Day Two
Aalsmeer Flower Market requires an early start to discover the amazing organization of this world famous flower market. Here thousands of flowers are auctioned by a clock system and sent daily all over the world. We continue into Amsterdam for our sightseeing canal tour. A special group walking tour of hidden treasures behind the facades of impressive homes and private gardens has been arranged for us this afternoon. We return to our Hotel for our evening dinner.BD
Day Three
Today we will visit Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam, followed by personal time to discover your personal interests. The Riijks Museum and the Van Gogh Museum next door both are fantastic attractions where you will find amazing tapestries and paintings by the old masters. Ann Frank house is another popular visit but we warn that you may have to wait awhile here. Please give yourself time to wander along the canals where you will find the Bloemmarkt. This is the floating flower market, which is spread across several houseboats moored on the Singel Canal. Now take time out for light refreshments at one of the cafes on Rembrandt Plein. Enjoy it all on this, your free evening and share your Amsterdam adventures with us later.
Day Four
On leaving Amsterdam we visit the Appeltern gardens which are designed and laid for our inspiration and enjoyment. The park has been growing in leaps and bounds and boasts over 200 display gardens. Piet Oudolf has a display garden here as does noted garden designer, Jacqueline van der Kloet, who spoke last year at the Toronto Botanical Garden. We will have free time in the park and then continue south to Vergeten Groente (forgotten vegetables) this is an interesting garden and the historic vegetables are now of great interest to many. Nearby, Maastricht is the oldest city in Holland, dating from Roman times which we can explore personally this evening before dinner at our centrally located hotel..- 2 nights BD.
Day Five
FLORIADE 2012 - WORLD HORTICULTURAL EXPO
This is our opportunity to enjoy the world most exquisite and exceptional flowers, plants, trees fruit and vegetables. Additional daily cultural programmes of dance, theatre, visual arts are here for us to “use all our senses “and experience the influence horticulture has on the quality of our daily lives.BD
Day Six
Today our route takes us into Germany through Aachen and through the Ardennes to Luxembourg. Upon arrival Nature lovers will delight in the brilliance of the Butterfly Garden in Grevenmacher. In just a single visit to this unique hothouse, you’ll discover everything you need to know about butterfly species from all over the world. You’ll even find exotic tropical plants. If you time it right, you may very well witness butterfly births in the “hatchery.” You will also have a chance of a travel back in time as you witness 1,000 years of history in a mere 100 minutes. The Wenzel Walk takes you through Luxembourg’s oldest quarters, allowing you to experience the culture and history of this rich city. Its oldest sections were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Among other fascinating sights, you’ll view the Bock Promontory; Castle Bridge, built in 1735 from red sandstone; and the Church of St. Ulric, the city’s oldest parish church. To learn more about the development of this multi-faceted city, history enthusiasts can view audio-visual programs in the archeological crypt of the Bock Promontory and in the Jacob Tower. BD
Day Seven
This is our chance to enjoy a cruise on the Moselle from Trier – Germany’s oldest city dating from 16BC. After visiting Porta Nigra and Church of Our Lady, you will cruise up the Moselle to be met by the coach in Cochem and then an afternoon Wine tasting before heading back to Luxembourg for dinner. BD
Day Eight
This morning we travel into France and we will have a short visit to Verdun where France lost so many young men in the First World War. We will then travel onto Reims in the heart of Champagne Region for a Champagne tasting at Moet et Chandon as well as a visit to Reims Cathedral before dinner.B
Day Nine
Today we will tour through Champagne to Epernay and then onto Vaux le Vicomte, Le Notre’s first masterpiece before expanding his ideas at Versailles, a fascinating historical garden and reaching far out into the landscape. We then tour an important step in the Art of Gardens at Roseraie du Val-de-Marne. The work of Edouard André and of Jules Gravereaux and subsequently his son Henri, is historically important because they were the creators of an exceptional garden : the first garden entirely dedicated to roses. 1910 is thus a momentous year in the Art of Gardens.The optimal flowering period at the Roseraie is in June, we therefore recommend that you come during this month to make the most of a visit in full bloom. We then head into Paris with dinner overlooking Notre Dame.BD
Day Ten
This morning, a tour of Paris with all the highlights including Notre Dame, l’Opera, Champs Elysees and Arc du Triomphe as well as Tour Eiffel and Jardin des Plantes, Today, the most popular botanical garden in France covers a total of 28 hectares (about 69 acres). It's situated on the Left Bank of the River near the Latin Quarter and this will allow us time to return to the hotel to prepare for our Farewell Dinner and Seine Evening cruise.
Day Eleven
We say Farewell Europe as we travel home...
Inclusions:
•
Air return with Air Canada
Air return with Air Canada•Accommodations in twin 4* First Class hotels including breakfast & dinner daily.
Accommodations in twin 4* First Class hotels including breakfast & dinner daily. •Touring on Executive tour coach with washroom/dvd/fridge.
Touring on Executive tour coach with washroom/dvd/fridge. •Full service tour manager/guide throughout.
Full service tour manager/guide throughout. •Entrances.
Entrances. Not Included:
•Air taxes
Air taxes •Travel Insurance.
Travel Insurance. •Lunches & Beverages
Lunches & Beverages •Items of personal nature.
Items of personal nature.COST:
$4250 CAD based on twin occupancy ( INCLUDING AIR FROM TORONTO )
$3650 CAD LAND ONLY based on twin occupancy
$ 700 CAD Single Supplement
A $500 Non-Refundable deposit is due at time of booking. Balance is due 60 days prior to departure.
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