Eleanor
1000+ Posts
I spent five nights in Holland in March 2017 visiting the bulb fields, Keukenhof gardens and some of the small towns to the north of Amsterdam.
Itinerary
We have been talking about visiting the Dutch bulb fields for years - after all it is easy on the overnight ferry from Hull. Somehow, it never reached the top of the list. I decided it was about time I went. I was tied to dates when the family were on holiday (grandparenting duties). I started googling companies and itineraries. I eventually decided to go with Saga having decided theirs looked the most interesting itinerary. It was a river Cruise in Rex Rheni.
As well as a full day at Keukenhof, it also included a visit to Zaanse Schans Open Air Museum, the reconstruction of a C16th Dutch Trading ship as well as time to explore some of the smaller towns. They also offered a choice of flights from regional airports as well as the Channel Tunnel or ferry.
It is the first time I’ve used Saga and I was impressed. Catering for the 50+ market, they really do know how to take care of you.
I had a comfortable cabin, food and drink were excellent as were the three Saga reps on board.
DAY 1
I had an early morning flight from Manchester Airport, so booked an overnight at the Radisson Blu Hotel in the terminal building. It was a 15 minute walk next morning. A Saga rep was waiting in the Arrivals Hall at Schiphol Airport to meet the people on local flights. As we had several hours before boarding our river cruise boat, Rex Rheni, we were taken on a trip through the bulb fields to the seaside town of Noordwijk. It was a cold dull day in mid March and ‘bracing’ hardly begins to describe it. Rex Rheni was berthed in Amsterdam but relocated to Beverwijk that evening.
DAY 2
We spent a wonderful day at Keukenhof Gardens before rejoining Rex Rheni at Zaandam. These are the show piece of the Dutch bulb growers and 7 million bulbs are planted each year. They are only open for eight weeks each year so go get very busy.
DAY 3
There was an optional visit to the open air museum at Zaanse Schans this morning. Old houses, workshops and windmills from the area have been rebuilt here. After lunch, Rex Rheni sailed across the Markermeer and the Krabbersgat naviduct to Enkhuisen where we moored overnight.
DAY 4
A free shuttle bus was provided to Hoorn in the morning. After lunch, Rex Rhenni sailed across Markermeer to Lelystad. An optional excursion was organised to Bataviawerf to visit the reconstruction of a C16th Dutch East India Company trading ship.
DAY 5
Rex Rheni sailed from Lelystad back to Amsterdam, docking at lunchtime. We had a free afternoon to explore Amsterdam or join an optional tour.
DAY 6
Departure and transfer to the airport for my flight back to Manchester.
It was an interesting itinerary and I enjoyed myself. Unfortunately the weather was cold and dull most days which meant many of the pictures, especially at Zannse Schans, were disappointing with a Breughel quality. The Rex Rheni was solely chartered to Saga and there were just over 100 passengers. I was thankful I’d opted for the flight option as people who had travelled by the Channel Tunnel or ferry had found it a long journey.
Itinerary
We have been talking about visiting the Dutch bulb fields for years - after all it is easy on the overnight ferry from Hull. Somehow, it never reached the top of the list. I decided it was about time I went. I was tied to dates when the family were on holiday (grandparenting duties). I started googling companies and itineraries. I eventually decided to go with Saga having decided theirs looked the most interesting itinerary. It was a river Cruise in Rex Rheni.
As well as a full day at Keukenhof, it also included a visit to Zaanse Schans Open Air Museum, the reconstruction of a C16th Dutch Trading ship as well as time to explore some of the smaller towns. They also offered a choice of flights from regional airports as well as the Channel Tunnel or ferry.
It is the first time I’ve used Saga and I was impressed. Catering for the 50+ market, they really do know how to take care of you.
I had a comfortable cabin, food and drink were excellent as were the three Saga reps on board.
DAY 1
I had an early morning flight from Manchester Airport, so booked an overnight at the Radisson Blu Hotel in the terminal building. It was a 15 minute walk next morning. A Saga rep was waiting in the Arrivals Hall at Schiphol Airport to meet the people on local flights. As we had several hours before boarding our river cruise boat, Rex Rheni, we were taken on a trip through the bulb fields to the seaside town of Noordwijk. It was a cold dull day in mid March and ‘bracing’ hardly begins to describe it. Rex Rheni was berthed in Amsterdam but relocated to Beverwijk that evening.
DAY 2
We spent a wonderful day at Keukenhof Gardens before rejoining Rex Rheni at Zaandam. These are the show piece of the Dutch bulb growers and 7 million bulbs are planted each year. They are only open for eight weeks each year so go get very busy.
DAY 3
There was an optional visit to the open air museum at Zaanse Schans this morning. Old houses, workshops and windmills from the area have been rebuilt here. After lunch, Rex Rheni sailed across the Markermeer and the Krabbersgat naviduct to Enkhuisen where we moored overnight.
DAY 4
A free shuttle bus was provided to Hoorn in the morning. After lunch, Rex Rhenni sailed across Markermeer to Lelystad. An optional excursion was organised to Bataviawerf to visit the reconstruction of a C16th Dutch East India Company trading ship.
DAY 5
Rex Rheni sailed from Lelystad back to Amsterdam, docking at lunchtime. We had a free afternoon to explore Amsterdam or join an optional tour.
DAY 6
Departure and transfer to the airport for my flight back to Manchester.
It was an interesting itinerary and I enjoyed myself. Unfortunately the weather was cold and dull most days which meant many of the pictures, especially at Zannse Schans, were disappointing with a Breughel quality. The Rex Rheni was solely chartered to Saga and there were just over 100 passengers. I was thankful I’d opted for the flight option as people who had travelled by the Channel Tunnel or ferry had found it a long journey.