Dutch Waterways: Flemish and Dutch Art and Landscape during Tulip Season

Featuring 1 Hotel Night in Amsterdam and 7 Nights aboard the 18-Cabin Magnifique IV

Join SBMA and the American Horticultural Society (AHS) as we embark on a privately chartered river barge cruise along Dutch waterways. This journey features seven nights aboard Magnifique IV and promises a harmonious blend of natural beauty and human artistry with expert-guided garden tours and visits to world-class art museums.

With 18-cabins, Magnifique IV boasts an intimate and welcoming atmosphere with an impressive variety of amenities on board.  

During the height of blooming season, visit public and private gardens on expert-guided tours, including Keukenhof Gardens and the Hortus Bulborum collection garden. View antique botanical prints by special arrangement at Teyler’s museum and visit a working tulip farm to experience Dutch tulip cultivation firsthand. In Amsterdam, observe the business of the blooms at Aalsmeer’s floral auction and learn about innovative horticultural techniques inspired by Wageningen University’s Foodvalley. Study the stunningly preserved windmills at Kinderdijk as they actively pump water to maintain polder water levels at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

While highlighting Holland’s botanical wonders, the journey also showcases world-class art museums that house masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age. At the world-renowned Rijksmuseum, marvel at works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh. In Haarlem, visit the Frans Hals Museum and admire both contemporary art and pieces by 16th- and 17th- century masters. Finally, visit the Mauritshuis Museum, famous for its superb collection of Dutch Golden Age art.

There will also be an opportunity to participate in an optional post-trip extension in Amsterdam, featuring private access to historic homes and gardens along the Vecht River.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the beautifully manicured gardens of Keukenhof and visit a working tulip farm during the height of blooming season.
• Enjoy a gardener-led walk through one of Holland’s oldest remaining private landscape gardens.
• Access rare horticultural prints not available to the public by special arrangement at one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands.
• Delve into the history and cataloguing of blooms at the Hortus Bulborum.
• Observe the business of the blooms at Aalsmeer’s floral auction, which sends blooms worldwide in a flurry of activity.
• View artistic masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age at the Rijksmuseum, Frans Hals, and Mauritshuis Museums.
• Relax and enjoy a specially arranged organ concert in Haarlem.
• Watch the UNESCO World Heritage Kinderdijk windmills busily pumping water to maintain the Dutch polder water levels.
• Dock overnight in town centers with easy walk-off access to explore independently.

 

ITINERARY

Tuesday—Wednesday, April 15—16

Home/Amsterdam

Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Amsterdam. Upon arrival, transfer to the luxurious Conservatorium Hotel, conveniently located in Amsterdam’s cultural epicenter. In the evening take a private canal cruise of the city with a welcome reception on board.

Conservatorium Hotel (R)

 

Thursday, April 17

Zaandam

Today visit the world-renowned Rijksmuseum, which houses masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh. Next, stroll to the colorful Bloemen Market, the city’s famous floating flower market dating back to the 17th century. Admire a variety of beautiful and fragrant flowers and plants displayed in barge shops along the Singel canal before embarking Magnifique IV. This evening relax and enjoy a welcome reception and dinner while cruising to Zaandam.

Magnifique IV (B,R,D)

 

Friday, April 18

Alkmaar

Take a guided walk through the manicured landscapes at Keukenhof Gardens during peak blooming season. Also known as “the Garden of Europe,” Keukenhof is most famously known for its tulip collection. However, a magnificent variety of flowers including daffodils, lilies, roses, irises, carnations, and hyacinths can also be found here.  Next, explore the Hortus Bulborum collection garden home to over 4,000 different bulbous cultivars, species, and varieties in bloom as well as a special collection dedicated to the preservation of heirloom bulbs.

Magnifique IV (B,L,D)

 

Saturday, April 19

Haarlem

In Haarlem, admire 16th- and 17th-century art collections and modern and contemporary works at the Frans Hals Museum before continuing to Teyler’s Museum for a specially arranged viewing of antique botanical prints. Later this afternoon, attend a concert at St. Bavo’s cathedral, featuring an organ formerly played by Mozart.

Magnifique IV (B,L)

 

Sunday, April 20

Alphen aan den Rijn

Enjoy a morning lecture on board, then depart for a visit to a working tulip farm. Here learn firsthand about tulip growing and harvesting and observe farm operations during the height of blooming season. Continue to the Orangerie Elswout for lunch, then wander amongst the heritage trees in the adjacent parkland. This evening dine on board en route to Alphen.

Magnifique IV (B,L,D)

 

Monday, April 21

Gouda

Visit the 19 working windmills at Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the early 18th century for land drainage, this beautifully preserved mill network still operates to this day.  Enjoy a privately arranged visit to a delightful Rococo manor and the oldest landscape garden in South Holland. Return to the barge in Gouda for an optional bike excursion before dinner on board.

Magnifique IV (B,L,D)

 

Tuesday, April 22

Oude Wetering

In Den Haag view an exquisite collection of Dutch Golden Age art, including works by Rembrandt and Vermeer, at the Mauritshuis Museum. Continue to a 36-acre greenhouse complex near Delft awarded worldwide for horticultural innovation and sustainability.

Magnifique IV (B,D)

 

Wednesday, April 23

Amsterdam

Take an early morning excursion to the Flora Holland auction house in Aalsmeer where blooms are purchased and shipped worldwide. Next visit Wageningen University to meet the innovators of Foodvalley. Learn about the program’s efforts to address the increasing global demand for food through sustainable practices. In the evening, rejoin the ship for a farewell reception and dinner.

Magnifique IV (B,L,R,D)

            

Thursday, April 24

Amsterdam/Home

Disembark this morning and transfer to Schiphol Airport for flights home or join the post-tour extension in Amsterdam.

(B)

 

POST TRIP EXTENSION IN AMSTERDAM

April 24-26, 2024

Visit sensational gardens and marvel at elegant Dutch Golden Age architecture in the verdant countryside surrounding Amsterdam. Cruise on the Vecht River, where special access will be arranged to tour historic private homes and gardens that once belonged to wealthy Dutch merchants. At the Leiden Botanical Garden, listen to a private lecture and tour one of the world’s oldest gardens instrumental in sharing plant specimens and knowledge with Asia during the Dutch Golden Age. Meander along tree-lined canals in Delft, where there will be an opportunity to visit the Royal Delft factory.

TBD (3B,1L, 1D)

 

SHIP:

The Magnifique IV took to European waters in 2020, after it completed a full conversion from a barge to passenger vessel by master shipbuilder Walter van Berkum. Accommodating no more than 36 passengers plus crew, the vessel is designed to create a welcoming relaxed atmosphere on board. The upper deck features a spacious salon with A/C, bar, and lounge.

The inviting restaurant is separated from the kitchen by a glass wall so you can see the talented chefs in action. Meals are served in a single seating and feature fresh and tasty Euro fusion cuisine. The teak sundeck invites you to enjoy the scenery as you float by and features a hot tub.

The upper deck features 10 suites with two beds next to each other hotel-style, a sitting area, and a large sliding glass window (172 sq.ft.), while the lower deck houses 8 twin cabins with two beds and fixed portholes (129 sq.ft.). All cabins have flexible bed configuration and offer a private bathroom with shower, basin, and toilet, as well as individually regulated A/C, flat screen satellite TV, mini safe, and hair dryer. WiFi is included.

 

PROGRAM RATES:

Lower Deck:

          Double (129 sq. ft.) ……………………………………………………….$6,990

            Single (129 sq. ft.)……………………………………………….……….$10,990

Upper Deck:

          Double (172 sq. ft.)………………………………...…….………………$9,990

 

PROGRAM RATES INCLUDE: All accommodations, meals, and excursions as specified in the itinerary • Comprehensive program of briefings, lectures and presentations • Transfers for all participants on group arrival and departure dates • Baggage handling • Gratuities to porters, waitstaff, guides and drivers • Gratuities to shipboard personnel • Port charges • Entrance fees • Welcome and farewell wine receptions • House wine, beer, and soft drinks with group lunches and dinners and on board Magnifique IV • Filtered water on motorcoaches • Criterion Tour Manager

PROGRAM RATES DO NOT INCLUDE: U.S. domestic and international airfare • Passport/visa expenses • Medical expenses and immunizations, if required at the time of travel • Private airport transfers or airport transfers outside of group arrival and departure dates • Travel and trip cancellation insurance • Excursions that deviate from the scheduled tour options • Airline baggage charges • Meals not specified in the itinerary; dishes and beverages not part of the included meals; liquor or soft drinks except as noted • Laundry or dry cleaning • Telephone and Internet charges • Room service • Other items of a personal nature

 

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