Day 1 – Eurostar to Brussels & transfer to Valkenburg

We board our Eurostar train at your choice of either London St Pancras International or Ebbsfleet Station for the journey to Brussels in standard class coaches (upgrade to Standard Premier class available at a supplement) where we meet our tour manager who will accompany us throughout the tour. On arrival in Brussels we transfer by coach to the 3* Best Western Hotel Walram (or similar) in Valkenburg, near Maastricht for a four night stay on half board basis.

Day 2 – Aachen & Schloss Augustusburg

This morning we enjoy an included guided tour of the great Roman spa city of Aachen, home to one of Europe’s oldest and most dramatic cathedrals. We continue to the UNESCO listed Schloss Augustusburg at Brühl. When the Archbishop as the ruler of Cologne was banished from the city at the end of the 13th century, Brühl developed into one of his most important residences. Schloss Augustusburg impressively demonstrates the extravagant lives that the court of Electors and Cologne archbishops once led, and is well known for its staircase created by Balthasar Neumann and the extensive Baroque gardens.

Day 3 – Floriade 2012

Today is the highlight of our tour. We visit the Floriade, a World Horticultural Expo staged once every ten years in the Netherlands. Featuring a daily cultural programme of music, dance, literature, theatre and visual arts, the event is home to the world’s most exquisite and exceptional flowers, plants, trees and fruit and vegetables across a 100 acre site.

Day 4 – Chocolate Jacques & Caves of Remouchamps

We spend some time at leisure in Valkenburg this morning and you may choose to explore the County Museum or visit the Marlstone Caves for which the town is famous. We then enjoy a guided tour at Chocolate Jacques, where we can see chocolate producers at work and learn about the history of this fascinating product. We continue to the Caves of Remouchamps, first opened to the public in 1912. We visit a hall occupied by Palaeolithic hunters 8,000 years ago and take a boat trip that glides mysteriously and without a sound along a winding subterranean river.

Day 5 – Brussels & Eurostar to UK

This morning we spend some time at leisure in Brussels and you may choose to visit the Museum of Ancient Art, or the Planete Chocolat Museum where you can learn about the recipes, mixtures and flavours associated with Duval Chocolate. We return to the station in Brussels for our return mid afternoon Eurostar train to either Ebbsfleet or London St Pancras International.

We stay four nights on half board basis at the good quality 3* Best Western Hotel Walram (or similar) in Valkenburg, near Maastricht. Located in a quiet square on the banks of the River Geul and only two minutes walk from the town centre, the hotel has a restaurant, indoor swimming pool and sauna. All rooms are en-suite.

Upgrade to Eurostar Standard Premier (more spacious and comfortable seating with light meal & a drink) £110

Insurance £29

Single room supplement £59

Entrance fees to places visited as part of this itinerary (except to Floriade which is included)

If you are a Group Organiser and think you can get a group of 20 or more, we can tailor make your own Floriade tour exclusively for your group.

You could:

• Travel by coach and ferry (rather than by Eurostar) – Click Here for our suggested 5 day group tour itinerary by coach and ferry starting from £369 per person.
• stay at a 4* hotel
• on bed & breakfast basis
• with fewer or different excursions
• for more (or fewer) days
• include all entrance fees and gratuities