Tempo to Tulips

 

For those who appreciate Music, the Arts, &
Holland’s Explosion of Flowers
Orchestrated by Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association
April 17-26, 2012

 

ITINERARY:

DATE
April 17	Washington D.C.  Nonstop to Brussels and on to Bruges, Belgium.
April 18	We spend two nights in Medieval Bruges and are guided through this beautiful city.
April 19	Enjoy free time. Our centrally located hotel is a great base for exploring tiny lanes, the canals, and seeing lace makers create their craft. Enjoy an authentic Flemish Pot dinner.
April 20-22	Depart Bruges for the Netherlands and Amsterdam with a stop to admire the architectural beauty of Antwerp – the home of Peter Paul Rubens. Our guided tour shows us his work in the Cathedral of Our Lady. During our three days in Amsterdam, we will take a canal boat tour and tour the Anne Frank House, Westerkerk Church, and the Rijks Museum. Take time to visit Van Gogh Museum on your own or simply stroll through the villages of Amsterdam. There will be an option to visit  Floriade –a horticultural event that occurs only every 10 years– if you wish to go.
April 23-25	On the way to Delft, our next home, we spend the day at the most beautiful gardens in the world, Keukenhof, and ride on the old fashioned whisper boat. A tour of historic Delft and a visit to the Royal Delft Pottery are also in store for this leg of our journey.  Enjoy the amazing small streets and canals of Delft and experience how differently these people live. This village/city is the home of the artist Vermeer and you can just imagine him living and painting here. Dinner at  Delft Houw – a café in the forest that serves all organic foods grown and raised locally at the charming farm next door. Have your cameras ready as we are up close and personal to sheep, goats, roosters, pheasants, ponies, and darling ducks –a truly unique experience!
April 26	We say dank u vel –thank you– as we head home after a very special look at this part of the world. Departure flight from Amsterdam Schipol Airport to Washington D.C.

COST OF TRIP:
$3650.00  including round trip air fare from Washington.
A $350 deposit is required to hold your space on this trip.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Judy Borisky Metzger
205.977.6298 or 703.371.7574
judyb@brownelltravel.com
or
Jan Hamlin
703.360.1998
jhamlin2@cox.net

 

DESTINATION NOTES:

BRUGES             A Medieval City of architectural and artistic treasures from the past, Bruges is a World Heritage Site and got its city charter in 1128. Upon visiting Bruges, you will immediately notice that this city carefully cherishes its architectural and artistic treasures from the past.
                               
DELFT                 In South Holland, Delft was a rural village in the middle Ages, and received its city charter in the 13th century. Delft’s town centre is typically Dutch and filled with canals connected by picturesque tiny bridge. Delft is famous for its ceramic pottery called Delftware & famous artist, Johannes Vermeer. 

AMSTERDAM In the province of North Holland, Amsterdam was a small fishing village in the 12th century. Gable facades and rich architecture give Amsterdam an extraordinary look –the entire city retains its former splendor and is UNESCO World Heritage designated site.  The Concertgebouw Concert Hall in Amsterdam is known to have the best acoustics in the world.

KEUKENHOF   The world’s largest and the most beautifully laid out gardens, this area originated as a 15th
GARDENS         century hunting grounds. Over 7 million flower bulbs are planted here annually. There is no way to describe the fields that you will see in ordinary countryside –there is a blaze of colors as far as the eye can see in the many fields.  You truly must be there to experience this extraordinary phenomenon!

ALKMAAR        Granted city rights in 1254, Alkmaar lies on an ancient sand bank that afforded protection from the sea during medieval times. Alkmaar has many medieval buildings that are still intact, most notably the tower of the Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk, and its world famous organ.

HAARLEM        The oldest mentioning of Haarlem dates from the 10th century. From the 1630s until present day, Haarlem has been a major trading centre for tulips. Artists and craftsmen migrated to Haarlem with painters like Frans Hals and Jacob van Ruisdael and the city is a cultural goldmine.