Overall Trip Highlights

• Experience the world-famous Dutch Flower Parade, Europe’s answer to the Rose Parade—with every float made entirely of fresh spring blooms.

• Enjoy premium grandstand seating for the best views of the parade’s elaborate, moving floral masterpieces.

• See the parade floats up close the next day, displayed in Haarlem’s city center for stunning photos and details you can’t catch during the procession.

• Visit Keukenhof Gardens, home to 7 million flowers and recognized as the most beautiful spring garden in the world.

• Take a private guided tour of the Rijksmuseum, featuring Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer.

• Cruise Amsterdam’s canals on a private salon boat, learning the city’s history while drifting through its most scenic views.

• Walk through historic Haarlem, the hidden gem of the Netherlands and the final stop of the flower parade.

• Tour the charming Dutch countryside—windmills, cheese farms, and wooden clogs in Zaanse Schans and Edam.

• Shop and explore the Floating Flower Market in Amsterdam, a one-of-a-kind canal-side floral experience

Experience the Rose Parade of Europe! The Holland Flower Parade

Every Beatrice Bradley trip is crafted to maximize the experiences had during the trip.
The itineraries are specially made to allow time for engaging in conversation and having belly laughs with a new friend. We hope that the activities and experiences may allow you to come out of your comfort zone and to try new or unique things.
These trips are made to replicate a ‘friends get-away trip’. 

Day One: Welcome to Amsterdam

Arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at your leisure and enjoy a seamless transfer to your centrally located hotel, nestled along the Singel canal. Unpack, unwind, and soak in the beauty of your surroundings—stepping outside, you’re greeted by cobblestone streets, historic homes, and canal views. In the evening, gather with your hostess and fellow travelers for a cheerful welcome reception, featuring a floral-themed toast and introduction to your upcoming adventure.

Highlights

• Arrival at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: Private transfer to the heart of the city.

• Charming Historic Hotel: Stay in a boutique canal-side property with timeless Dutch elegance.

• Welcome Reception: Enjoy wine, laughter, and bonding with your fellow Beatrice Bradley travelers.

Day Two: Discover the Soul of Amsterdam

Wake up in the heart of old-world Europe and get ready to fall in love with Amsterdam. Today is your deep dive into the soul of this enchanting city—where history, beauty, and resilience meet.

Begin with a captivating walking tour through Amsterdam’s most iconic and charming neighborhoods. With a local expert leading the way, you’ll explore the famed Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes)—a postcard-perfect grid of canals, tulip-trimmed bridges, boutique windows, and historic row houses. Visit the serene hidden courtyard of the Begijnhof, hear stories of powerful women in Dutch society, and stand in the bustling Dam Square, where history has unfolded for centuries.

After a delightful morning immersed in the city’s charm, prepare for an unforgettable and emotional afternoon. You’ll walk the very streets Anne Frank once looked out on from her hidden annex. Your timed visit to the Anne Frank House includes an intimate audio-guided tour of the spaces where she and her family lived in silence. This is not just a museum—it’s a journey through courage, hope, and humanity.

This day will touch your heart, lift your spirit, and leave you forever changed.

Highlights

• Iconic Amsterdam Walking Tour: From canals to cobblestones, see the city’s best with a local guide.

• Begijnhof Courtyard & Royal Square: Quiet sanctuaries and storied places of power.

• Anne Frank House Visit (Timed Entry): An incredibly moving experience of history and heart.

Day Three: Dutch Masterpieces, Dreamy Canals & a Burst of Blooms

Today is a feast for the senses—art, flowers, water, and wonder. You’ll begin your day at the world-renowned Rijksmuseum, home to the most iconic works of the Dutch Golden Age. With a private guided tour, you’ll stand face-to-face with Rembrandt’s Night Watch, Vermeer’s Milkmaid, and other legendary works that have captivated the world for centuries. Your guide will bring the art to life with the stories behind the brushstrokes—how power, beauty, and even flowers were woven into each canvas.

After this cultural deep dive, prepare to see Amsterdam from its most graceful angle—by boat. Step aboard a private canal cruise and float through the city’s historic waterways in comfort and style. This isn’t your average boat ride—it’s an intimate, elegant experience with stunning views around every bend. Gabled rooftops, blooming window boxes, and centuries-old bridges create a moving postcard, while your guide shares tales of the city’s past. 

The afternoon continues in full bloom with a visit to the famous Floating Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt). This colorful stretch of flower stalls floats along the Singel Canal and overflows with tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and Dutch charm. Smell the flowers, snap a dozen photos, and pick up some bulbs or souvenirs to bring a little piece of Holland home with you.

Highlights

• Rijksmuseum Guided Tour: Discover the artistry, symbolism, and Dutch pride behind the nation’s most beloved masterpieces.

• Private Canal Cruise: Drift through Amsterdam’s storybook canals in classic Beatrice Bradley style.

• Visit the Floating Flower Market: A one-of-a-kind floral experience right in the heart of the city.

Day Four: Windmills, Wooden Shoes & Secret Flower Gardens

Get ready to step into a living postcard. Today we’ll journey beyond the city into the storybook countryside of Holland, where time seems to slow down and tradition comes to life.

Our private coach will whisk us away to Zaanse Schans, a village straight from the 18th century, complete with working windmills, wooden houses, and locals crafting clogs and cheese using methods passed down through generations. Stroll along the riverbank and watch the windmills turn, explore workshops, and get a hands-on peek into authentic Dutch life. It’s charming, photogenic, and delightfully immersive.

But the hidden gem of the day is saved for last—our visit to the Zaanse Flower Garden, a local treasure known only to those in the know. Wander through artistically designed floral paths, discover sculptural garden surprises, and learn about sustainable Dutch gardening. It’s peaceful, inspiring, and overflowing with color—without the crowds.

We’ll return to Amsterdam in the early evening with hearts full, cameras packed with pictures, and a deeper appreciation for Dutch beauty beyond the city.

Highlights

• Zaanse Schans Windmill Village: See traditional Dutch life come to life with clogs, windmills, and wooden houses.

• Visit to the Zaanse Flower Garden: A hidden floral haven known for its serenity and artistry.

Day Five: From Canals to Cobblestones – Welcome to Haarlem

Today we trade one charming city for another as we journey to Haarlem—quieter, quainter, and known by locals as the true hidden gem of the Netherlands.

After a relaxed morning check-out, we’ll take a short, scenic ride to Haarlem, where cobblestone lanes, medieval buildings, and flower-laced streets await. Upon arrival, check in at the Amrâth Grand Hotel Frans Hals, perfectly located in Haarlem’s historic city center and just steps away from the heart of the Flower Parade festivities.

This afternoon, we’ll set out on a walking tour through Haarlem’s old town, where Gothic spires rise above vibrant markets and tulip-colored shopfronts. You’ll visit the impressive St. Bavo’s Cathedral—a striking Gothic structure where both Mozart and Handel once played the organ. Stroll through charming lanes, stop by hidden courtyards, and take in the artistic energy that has flowed through this city since the days of Dutch masters.

Tonight, enjoy a calm, cozy evening settling into Haarlem’s warm, floral embrace. This peaceful city is your home for the rest of the journey.

Highlights

• Transfer to Haarlem: A smooth ride into a more tranquil Dutch treasure.

• Check-in at Amrâth Grand Hotel Frans Hals: Perfectly placed for exploring and parade viewing.

• Walking Tour of Historic Haarlem: Discover hidden gardens, grand churches, and local charm.

Day Six: Keukenhof Gardens – A Floral Wonderland

Today is the floral centerpiece of your entire Dutch adventure—an unforgettable journey to the one and only Keukenhof Gardens, the most beautiful spring garden in the world.

Board our private coach and travel through fields of color to Lisse, where over 7 million tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and spring blooms erupt in a stunning display across 32 hectares of gardens. This is not just a garden visit—it’s a bucket list experience.

You’ll enjoy self-paced exploration with special BB-hosted meet-up points along the way. Visit the Orchid Pavilion, stroll through artistic floral mosaics, and take in the mirror-like ponds, gentle fountains, and thematic pavilions. 

There’s plenty of time for photos, inspiration, and soaking in this floral dreamscape before heading back to Haarlem in the late afternoon. Tonight, gather in the hotel lounge and relive the day’s highlights with your fellow flower lovers.

Highlights

• Private Coach to Keukenhof Gardens: A smooth and scenic drive through blooming countryside.

• Explore the World’s Most Beautiful Spring Garden: Tulip fields, floral sculptures, and peaceful paths.

Day Seven: A Grandstand Seat to the World-Famous Flower Parade

It’s the most spectacular day of the journey—the Dutch Flower Parade, known as Bloemencorso Bollenstreek—and you’ll have a grandstand seat to all the magic!

This morning, we’ll depart and arrive at our grandstand viewing area, where you’ll experience the vibrant start of the parade in style and comfort. As the floats begin to pass, you’ll be swept into a world of color, creativity, and fragrance. Each life-sized float is crafted entirely from real flowers—tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and roses—arranged in breathtaking designs that move to the rhythm of live music and joyful celebration.

Throughout the day, our journey continues as we follow the parade route through blooming countryside and lively villages. Streets are lined with cheering spectators, houses are decorated in springtime splendor, and the spirit of the Netherlands is on full display.

In the evening, we return to Haarlem to witness the parade’s dramatic finale. As twilight settles, the floats roll into the city center illuminated with twinkling lights and a festive buzz. This rare nighttime arrival offers a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience that turns the city into a floral wonderland.

Highlights

• Premium Grandstand Parade Viewing: Watch the parade in comfort with unbeatable views of the most dazzling floats.

• Follow the Festivities Through Flower Country: Enjoy scenic countryside stops and lively village celebrations.

• Evening Float Arrival in Haarlem: See the illuminated floats light up the city and your heart

Day Eight: Up-Close Floats, Hidden Gems & a Bit of Dutch Wonder

After the excitement of the Flower Parade, today invites you to slow down and take it all in—literally. The stunning floats from yesterday’s parade are now on full display right in Haarlem’s historic city center, and you’ll have the rare chance to see them up close in the daylight.

Walk through Haarlem’s charming squares and admire the incredible craftsmanship that goes into each float: the petal-by-petal detail, the layered textures, the scent of thousands of fresh blooms still in the air. It’s a peaceful, joyful way to revisit the magic and take those perfect close-up photos you didn’t get during the parade.

Highlights

• Float Viewing in Haarlem: See the spectacular parade floats up close, with time for photos and admiration.

• Evening Farewell Gathering: Reflect, laugh, and toast to an incredible journey with newfound friends.

Day Nine: Farewell to Amsterdam

Transfers to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol begin at 7:00 AM in groups. Say goodbye to newfound friends and the beautiful sights of Amsterdam as you prepare for your journey home.

Note: This itinerary serves as a general guide to what we will be doing, seeing, and eating, with the final version provided approximately two weeks prior. The published itinerary is an example and may be adjusted to include accommodations, tours, or restaurants of comparable quality to ensure the best experience.