Caren's Charters

Remember last summer’s heat! Escape to a land covered with flowers and chocolate! Only once every 10 years is the biggest and best flower show presented- and that is in Holland, where 20 million flowers are processed daily!  With 90% of the world’s cocoa being produced here, this is a busy place.  Read on…

Monday, August 13 • Departure
Meet at Kansas City International Airport to begin our adventure! We’ll start our international flight bound for Amsterdam, Netherlands. In flight meals served.

Tuesday, August 14 • Amsterdam

Welcome to Amsterdam!  You’ll love this exotic, clean city, where most everyone speaks English and the streets are immaculate. Ninety percent of the world’s chocolate is produced right here, along with the biggest supply of flowers.  Upon arrival at Schiphol Airport we meet our tour director and driver. After transferring into Amsterdam, we board a boat and take a city tour.

--photo copyright Netherlands Board of Tourism

Amsterdam, a city of canals, is often called the “Venice of the North” as is Bruges, which we visit later on this tour. The rest of the day is free to relax before our welcome dinner.

Wednesday, August 15 • Amsterdam
This morning we visit the Anne Frank House and Museum. We’ll also discover a “secret church” and see how people of the 16^th century coped with religious intolerance when we visit this clandestine church, “Our Lord in the Attic.” The early afternoon is at leisure to explore Amsterdam, perhaps to visit the Van Gogh Museum or the world-renowned Rijksmuseum. This afternoon we drive to nearby Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum and craft village. Dinner tonight is on our own.

Thursday, August 16 • Venlo area

--photo copyright Netherlands Board of Tourism

We depart Amsterdam early for a visit to the Flower Auction in nearby Aalsmeer, where 20 million flowers are sold

each morning, then shipped to all corners of the world. Driving eastward, we stop at Het Loo Palace and Gardens

--photo copyright Paleis Het Loo

in Apeldoorn, the former residence of the Dutch Royal Family of the House of Orange. Continuing on, we visit the Kröller-Müller museum with its extensive collection of Van Gogh paintings located in the Hoge Veluwe National Park. Our day ends in the Venlo area, site of Floriade 2012.

Friday, August 17 • Venlo area
We spend a full day at the Floriade, the once-a-decade world horticultural exhibition and the leading showcase for Dutch horticulture. New exhibits and new shows are constantly changing during the Floriade’s exhibit which runs March through October.

Saturday, August 18 • Brussels, Belgium
We drive to Brussels this morning, the capital of Belgium and headquarters of the European Union. An orientation to the city includes the Grand Place, Brussels’ magnificent central square which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. A rare and spectacular sight awaits us there, the “Flower Carpet,” a magnificent display of flowers that

 --photo copyright Brussels Tourist Office

covers the entire square. This event occurs for 5 days every other year. Imagine an oriental looking carpet, full of intricate designs, and then realize that is made entirely of flowers!

For beer aficionados interested in learning about the world famous Belgian brew, there is a brewery museum directly on the Grand Place. We also have an opportunity to shop

--photo copyright Brussels Tourist Office

(for whatever!) at Brussels’ sprawling flea market.  This is the city of Tintin, of recent movie fame.

 
Sunday, August 19 • Bruges
A westerly drive takes us to Bruges, located in the country’s Flemish (Dutch-speaking) region. Bruges is considered to be one of Europe’s most beautiful cities and its city center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We make a stop en route in the medieval city of Ghent. Before arriving in Bruges, we also have a history lesson on WW I as we take a guided tour of the Flanders Fields battleground.

Monday, August 20 • Bruges
We have a full day to explore Bruges, beginning with a guided walking tour of the historic city center. Our tour ends with a visit to the Roose Chocolate Factory where we view

the production of pralines and judge for ourselves if the Belgians really do make the world’s best chocolates. This afternoon we visit several distinctive private gardens in the Bruges area. 
 
Tuesday, August 21 • The Hague, Netherlands
Another fascinating day of sightseeing begins as we drive through the Zeeland region on our way to The Hague (Den Haag), Netherlands’ capital city. We first visit one of the region’s impressive private gardens. Next, we marvel at a technological wonder known as the Delta Works, a massive system of dikes and dams that some have called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” At the village of Kinderdijk, which boasts the largest collection of old

windmills in the Netherlands, we learn how the Dutch have been pumping excess water from the “polders” since the Middle Ages. This area is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner tonight in The Hague is on our own.

Wednesday, August 22 • The Hague
This morning we drive the short distance to Delft to visit the Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles, the Royal Delftware Factory. Artisans have been producing the distinctive “Delft Blue” porcelain since the 17th century. Returning to The Hague, we tour the International Court of Justice, located in the Peace Palace. The rest of our day is at leisure. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner.

Thursday, August 23 • Return
This morning we transfer to Schiphol Airport and board our homebound flight.  Meals: Breakfast/In flight.

$4,675 double plus insurance $415

$5,295 single plus insurance $485

Purchase of travel insurance is highly recommended Trip is non-refundable.

DUE NOW:  $500 deposit, plus insurance

DUE Feb 27, 2012:  $1,200

DUE Apr 27, 2012:  Final payment

Always check Travel Policies and Information.

Round trip airfare from/to Kansas City and Holland.

Deluxe, private motorcoach while in Europe.

Caren’s Charters guided services and escorts plus local tour director.

Three to four star hotel lodging.

Baggage handling for one suitcase per person. (Carrys-on are your responsibility).

Admissions to sites listed in itinerary.

Meals 9 breakfasts, 5 dinners, in addition to any in-flight meals.

Tips and taxes included for hotel rooms, restaurants, and for local guides.

Passport costs (must have current passport, good for 6 months past return trip date)

Gratuities for local tour director or driver

Gratuities for Caren at your discretion

Baggage amount imposed by airlines (none currently for overseas travel)

Beverages with meals (except breakfast)

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