Dutch Treat
Springtime in Holland
April 21 – 29, 2003
INTRODUCTION
Wedged in Europe between Germany, England
and Belgium, is Holland—one of the most attractive
and popular destinations for gay men. It is a country of breathtaking
natural beauty, miles of sandy beaches, and modern towns rich in history,
art and culture. Though big in hospitality, attractions and fun, Holland
is small in size, enabling us to explore it comfortably from one central
location. Gay-friendly Amsterdam will be our home for the duration
of this tour. (No packing and unpacking!)
Amsterdam is a city of hyperbole; the most enlightened
and liberal gay mecca in Europe—perhaps in the world. The gay community
is so socially integrated that it is difficult to distinguish a gay/lesbian ‘style
and scene’ that differs from Amsterdam’s own traditional tolerance and acceptance.
We would be hard pressed to find another destination anywhere in the world where
we can travel together in such complete comfort and social acceptance.
Our Dutch Treat tour is designed to provide
you with a delightful exposure to Holland. The tiny towns and villages near Amsterdam
offer a quick step into the past, with locals wearing traditional garb and wooden
shoes. Marvel at the colorful Dutch landscape, with millions of blooming tulips, characteristic
windmills and
imposing dikes. More than half of Holland lies below sea level and is
kept from flooding by an ingenious system of canals, mills, locks and dams.
Discover the royal city of The Hague, home
of Queen Beatrix and seat of the government. Bike in Hoge Veluwe National
Park, and from Volendam to Edam. See how porcelan is created
at Delft, and try painting your own design. Tilt at windmills in the countryside,
and observe how they have been put to good service for centuries. A huge attraction
is the opportunity to revel in the diverse, exciting nightlife of Amsterdam.
This tour is the ultimate introduction to Holland!
Join us for a Dutch Treat, and then stay on as the entire country
parties in honor of the Queen Mum's birthday! You'll be talking about this trip
for years to come!
THE ITINERARY
Monday, April 21, 2003
Depart U.S.
Take an international overnight flight from your
home city to Amsterdam.
Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Arrival in Amsterdam
Arrive this morning or early afternoon in Amsterdam
and transfer on your own from the airport to our hotel (detailed instructions
will be provided prior to departure). The afternoon is free to recover
from jet-lag or explore on your own.
This evening (around 6pm) the group meets in the
hotel lobby for brief presentations by our host and guide, with introductions
all around. The guide will then lead us on a short walking tour of Amsterdam’s
main gay district. Afterwards we head to a wonderful restaurant for our Welcome
Dinner. The rest of the night is free to check out Amsterdam’s gay nightlife.
Overnight in Amsterdam. (Welcome Dinner included)
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
Amsterdam City Tour / Candlelight Canal Cruise
This morning is free to sleep in after last night’s
revelry or to explore on your own. In early afternoon the group meets
in the hotel lobby to take a half-day panoramic city sightseeing tour
by motorcoach. We include stops at the Homo Monument, the Rijksmuseum
and a diamond factory. After dinner the group gathers to enjoy a two-hour
candlelight canal cruise through the illuminated waterways of Amsterdam,
including wine and cheese. Overnight in Amsterdam. (Breakfast
included)
Thursday, April 24, 2003
The Hague / Scheveningen / Delft
After breakfast we transfer from Amsterdam to The
Hague for a city tour including the Peace Palace (Seat of the International
Court of Justice). Close by we visit the Mesdag Museum at the seaside
resort of Scheveningen. Continue on to the town of Delft for a walking
tour and a visit to one of the factories where Delft blue pottery is
made. At the factory we have the option (Euro30) to participate in
painting our own porcelan tile under the supervision of a professional
painter from Delft. Your tile will be baked in the oven for 2 days
and returned to you at our hotel. Perhaps a new Delft pattern will
be born? In late afternoon return to Amsterdam, and the rest of the
day is at your leisure. Overnight in Amsterdam. (Breakfast
/ Lunch)
Friday, April 25, 2003
De Hoge Veluwe National Park
After breakfast we transfer by motorcoach
southwest of the city to Arnheim. Here we plan to spend a good portion
of the day in the Hoge Veluwe National Park. The Park has 26 miles
of paved bicycle paths. Two bike routes have been mapped out. Visitors
to the ‘Hoge Veluwe’ National Park can use one of the 1,000
'white bikes' free of charge. The bikes enable you to visit the many
places of interest in the park quite easily. A number of game observation
areas have been created and if you are lucky, you will see red deer,
mouflons and wild boar at dusk. We include admission to the Kroller-Muller
Museum (in the park) and the Royal Palace 't Loo in Apeldoorn, plus
provide a picnic lunch in the park. This will surely be one of our
most memorable days! Return to Amsterdam and the evening is free. Overnight
in Amsterdam. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Saturday, April 26, 2003
Tulips & Annual Flower Parade
After breakfast transfer to Keukenhof Gardens for
a morning walking tour of the world’s largest tulip garden. The Keukenhof
is the most exciting and colorful spring attraction in Holland. In
the last fifty years millions of visitors, both from Holland and abroad,
have discovered that springtime in the Keukenhof offers an exuberant
feast for the eyes. Some 80 acres of winding paths, gurgling streams,
placid ponds and more flowers than you have ever seen in one place
at one time. There are tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other flowering
bulbs, flowering shrubs, ancient trees and countless natural surprises.
After lunch (on our own at Keukenhof), drive to Haarlem
to enjoy the famous flower parade “Bloemencorso” from Noordwijk to
Haarlem. We are incredibly fortunate that this annual event just happens to coincide
with our visit. Return to Amsterdam and the evening is free. Overnight in Amsterdam. (Breakfast)
Sunday, April 27, 2003
Windmills / Volendam & Edam
After a late breakfast we transfer to the
Zaanse Schans open-air museum where we have an opportunity to clamber
around and through a working windmill. Continuing to Volendam we visit
a cheese farm and wooden shoe factory en route. Lunch is on our own
in the absolutely gorgeous village of Volendam.
After lunch, weather permitting, we enjoy a short bicycle
ride from Volendam to Edam to enjoy the flowers and pastoral Dutch countryside.
Return to Amsterdam and the evening is free. Overnight in Amsterdam. (Breakfast)
Monday, April 28, 2003
Free Day / Farewell Dinner
Today is completely free to explore on
your own, visit museums, go sightseeing, enjoy optional adventures,
souvenir shop or party like crazy. This evening the group gathers in
the hotel lobby and proceeds to our Farewell Dinner at the historic Five
Flies, considered the most famous Dutch Restaurant in Amsterdam.
(They even have an original etching by Rembrandt!) After we say our
farewells to our guide and to each other, the remainder of the evening
is free. Those who are not staying on for Queen's Day will enjoy one
last night on the town. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
Departure / Queen's Day
The tour officially ends after breakfast.
We provide guidance on the best way to get to the airport for those
traveling today. The train is the only way to go since traffic will
be all tied up throughout the city due to the Queen's Day celebrations.
Tuesday, April 29 – Thursday, May
1, 2003
Queen’s Day Celebration Optional Extension
We provide two additional nights hotel
accommodations in Amsterdam with breakfast included. Your days are
completely free to enjoy the fabulous festivities surrounding Queen's
Day: April 29, 2003. Recovery day is on April 30th, with departure
on May 1st.
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