Get your summer off to a glorious start with this gorgeous river cruise in Holland. You'll spend six nights on board the delightful MS Arena, winding your way to your final destination - the sensational International Horticultural Exhibition Floriade 2022. This famous Expo only takes place once every 10 years and promises dazzling displays of plants and flowers.
You'll be joined by Telegraph gardening writer Helen Yemm. Helen will be onboard throughout the cruise and will hold an exclusive talk and Q&A where there will be the opportunity to ask her your gardening questions. She'll also join you on the excursion to the Floriade Expo 2022.
The theme of this decade's Floriade is 'Growing Green Cities', which looks at solutions to make cities greener and healthier. There are 2,000 types of plants, flowers, and crops on display at the Expo, complemented by live music, expert talks, and art installations. This decade's Floriade marks the start of a new city district, Almere, close to Amsterdam. The infrastructure will become part of the community and legacy of Amsterdam and become a Green City Arboretum, with trees, shrubs, and flowers that will contribute to a healthy and sustainable city.
Before reaching Almere for Floriade, you'll visit several ports to explore the fascinating history and culture of Dutch towns and cities in the north of Holland. You'll have the opportunity to explore a magnificent museum in Amsterdam, a traditional bakery in Den Helder, a large botanical garden in Harlingen, and a Dutch Baroque Palace in Kampen on optional excursions.
Meet our special guest Helen Yemm
Helen Yemm is best known for her weekly problem-solving gardening page in Saturday's Daily Telegraph and is sometimes seen presenting on BBC2's shows, including Gardening from Scratch and Gardening Week. Helen enjoys hosting tours of her East Sussex garden to share her passion with other keen horticulturists.
Cruise aboard a brand new ship
A new, four-star ship for 2022, the MS Arena brings elegance and style to river cruising. Floor-to-ceiling windows invite the ever-changing scenery inside as you gently cruise through Dutch waterways. All cabins feature panoramic windows or a French balcony, although the ship's sun deck promises the ultimate vantage point and the perfect place to enjoy an evening drink.
The author of The Telegraph's weekly gardening column, Thorny Problems, Helen is a passionate hands-on gardener. She has written several books about gardening including Gardening in Your Nightie. She is also a lecturer, teacher and broadcaster whose credits include the BBC's Gardening from Scratch and Gardening Week
Please note the lead-in price is for the cruise-only option
Cruise only from £1,045pp*
Travel by coach from £1,199pp*
Travel by air from £1,245pp*
Travel by rail from £1,295.00pp*
* Price based on two sharing a room. Single supplement available from £225. Deposit £350pp. Prices shown are subject to availability and change. Please note this is the cruise-only price, call for travel options. Always check the FCDO travel advice, as it includes the very latest information on safety, security, travel warnings and health. For more information, visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. Offer is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel.
On arrival in Amsterdam, you'll board the MS Arena, a new river ship for 2022. Dinner is served in the ship's panoramic restaurant, and then there's time to settle into your cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship.
This morning, there's the opportunity to join an optional excursion to the Van Loon Museum in Amsterdam. This magnificent private residence was built in 1672, and throughout the rooms, there are collections of fine paintings, furniture, and curiosities from over the centuries. The garden is equally splendid - a quiet oasis in the middle of bustling Amsterdam. Lunch is served back on board before the ship sets sail to Hoorn. You'll arrive in time to disembark and explore this historic little city.
Den Helder is at the northernmost tip of North Holland. After lunch on board, there's the option to join an excursion to the Medemblik Bakery. This two-storey museum demonstrates how delicious Dutch cookies, gevulde koek and speculaas, are created. Tonight, you'll relax over dinner as the ship departs for Harlingen.
Harlingen is home to De Kruidhof Botanical Garden, the largest botanical garden in the Netherlands. There's the option to take an excursion to explore its themed gardens before returning to the ship for lunch and setting sail to Kampen.
Enjoy views from the ship's restaurant at breakfast before disembarking in Kampen for the chance to visit Het Loo Palace, a Dutch Baroque palace built for William, Prince of Orange. You'll return to the ship in time for lunch before the ship sails to Lelystad, where the ship will dock overnight. There's time to explore Lelystad at leisure in the evening.
After breakfast onboard, you'll make your way by coach to the Floriade World Horticultural Expo in Almere. Staged once every ten years, the 2022 Expo takes place over five zones celebrating plants, fruit, and vegetables. You'll be accompanied by gardening expert Helen Yemm, known for penning the long-standing Thorny Problems weekly gardening page in the Telegraph.
After a final breakfast and a fond farewell, you'll disembark the MS Arena for your return journey home.
Four-star ship with excellent facilities, comfortable cabins and a stylish lounge bar
Step aboard and feel right at home from the minute you set sail on the stylish and spacious MS Arena. Take advantage of the wellness and fitness suite, treat yourself to a drink or two with new friends in the Ambassador's Lounge or soak up the ambience and spectacular sights from the comfort of the elevated sun deck.
Port visits are the highlights of anybody's cruise, but the crew onboard MS Arena want to make sure your time on the ship is just as special. When you're not at port, the fitness suite, library or sun deck are just a few of the places where you can spend time indulging in the things you love. There's also the onboard shop for stocking up on souvenirs and essentials, and for your convenience there is complimentary WiFi onboard. Panoramic windows throughout the ship's main and upper decks you won't miss any of the stunning river scenery.
Dine on fresh and delicious dishes in the Panorama Restaurant, then head up for a drink at the Ambassador's Lounge Bar. You can also relax in the lounge with a book, chat with fellow guests or simply watch the world drift by.
All of the cabins on board the MS Arena feature outward-facing floor to ceiling panoramic windows with French balconies, allowing you to take in the wonderful views of the river and surroundings from the comfort of your own cabin.
The spacious cabins feature en-suite bathrooms with a shower and toilet. There's plenty of space and storage for your belongings, plus air conditioning, TV, telephone, hairdryer and a safe all come as standard. You can choose from accommodation on the upper deck or main deck; all with contemporary furnishings, providing the ideal home from home on your cruise.
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* Price based on two sharing a room. Single supplement available from £225. Deposit £350pp. Prices shown are subject to availability and change. Please note this is the cruise-only price, call for travel options. Always check the FCDO travel advice, as it includes the very latest information on safety, security, travel warnings and health. For more information, visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. Offer is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel.