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Home>Craft Holidays>Delightful Holland and Dutch Bulb fields with Rijswijk Quilt Festival

Delightful Holland and Dutch Bulb fields with Rijswijk Quilt Festival

10 April 2023

8 days from £2,175pp

Set sail and experience first class service on MS Arena and at our 4-star hotel in The Hague. Experience wonderous views, captivating towns and cities and the Rijswijk Patchwork and Quilt Days Festival.

Keukenhof Gardens visit
Walk through the old town Nijmegan
Workshops with Sallieann Harrison
Explore Rotterdam 'Manhatten on the Meuse'
Tour of Delft and visit to the Royal Delft
Relax in the 4-Star Babylon Hotel
Rijswijk Patchwork and Quilt Days Festival

Sail through Holland on the 4-star MS Arena cruise ship and discover what the Netherlands has to offer. From the world-class Keukenhof Gardens, the famous Arnhem known for its battle in WWII and Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands, to ‘Manhattan on the Meuse’ Rotterdam, and ‘little Amsterdam’ Delft. Finally take a break in the Babylon Hotel in The Hague and take delight at the Rijswijk Patchwork and Quilt Days Festival.

Day 1: UK - Amsterdam
Meet Sallieann Harrison and your Arena Travel Tour Manager at London Heathrow airport for your flight to Amsterdam. Transfer to The MS Arena for the next 4 nights. Enjoy dinner this evening with your fellow stitchers.
Day 2: Keukenhof Gardens
Our included full day excursion is to Keukenhof Gardens. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the 32-hectare site. Enjoy the swathes of flowers, themed pavilions and wonderful atmosphere that surrounds this world-class display that’s only open for 6 weeks a year. Early evening, we re-join our ship in Amsterdam and set sail towards Arnhem.
Day 3: Amsterdam - Arnhem - Nijmegan
This morning there is an optional excursion to join a guided walking tour of Arnhem. Arnhem is probably most famous for The Battle of Arnhem which was one of the largest battles in WWII. You’ll need to return to the ship at lunchtime, as we continue to sail onwards to Nijmegen whilst enjoying our first workshop with Sallieann.
Late afternoon we will arrive into Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands which nestles on the banks of the Waal River. We are berthed here overnight, so perhaps take a walk through the old town.
Day 4: Nijmegan - Rotterdam

Whilst sailing to Rotterdam this morning we will enjoy our second workshop with Sallieann. Rotterdam is known as ‘Manhattan on the Meuse’ because of its impressive skyline. Explore Rotterdam independently or there is an optional excursion to take a trip up the Euromast observation tower where you can see as far as Antwerp on a clear day. This evening we will enjoy our final dinner on board as we berth overnight in Rotterdam.
Day 5: Rotterdam - Delft
This morning we bid farewell to our captain and crew and disembark the MS Arena. A transfer will be waiting to take us to Delft, also known as ‘Little Amsterdam’. Here we will meet a local guide and explore Delft on a walking tour and enjoy some time at leisure for lunch and a visit to the Royal Delft.
Later this afternoon we will check into our hotel in The Hague for our 3-night stay.
Day 6: Rijswijk Patchwork and Quilt Days Festival
A full day at Rijswijk Patchwork and Quilt Days Festival. This festival brings together displays of beautiful quilts showcasing different styles and techniques as well as shops from Holland and overseas selling a wide range of fabrics and patterns.
Day 7: Hand-sewing Workshop with Sallieann
Relax and enjoy a full day hand-sewing workshop with Sallieann Harrison, including lunch and morning and afternoon refreshments.
Day 8: The Hague - UK
After breakfast we will check out of hotel. You’ll have the morning at leisure to either relax at the hotel and continue with your stitching projects or venture into The Hague for a stroll. This afternoon you’ll be transferred to the airport where you will board your flight home to London Heathrow.

Travel

Flights from London Heathrow to Amsterdam, checked luggage included
Coach transport as detailed in the itinerary

Accommodation & Food

4 nights' full board accommodation on MS Arena. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and late evening snacks included each day as well as a welcome drink and Captain's Gala dinner on our final evening onboard.
3 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at Hotel Babylon, The Hague
1 lunch at the hotel during the workshop

Services

1 full day and 2 half day workshops with Sallieann Harrison with kit included
The services of an experienced Arena Travel Tour Manager who will accompany the tour throughout
Gratuities for the coach driver

Visits

Full day at Keukenhof Gardens
Walking tour of Delft with English-speaking local guide
Royal Delft Factory & Museum
Full day at Rijswijk Quilt Festival

Sallieann Harrison

Sallieann Harrison is a popular designer and regular presenter of patchwork and quilting for TV’s Sewing Street. Her passion for sewing led her into the world of American patchwork and quilting in early 2000 whilst living in the USA. Since then Sallieann has gone on to complete an honors degree in education and has been teaching and working in the education sector both as a patchwork tutor and as an education compliance officer for Ofsted. Her love of sewing and depth of knowledge has led her to both exhibit and demonstrate at the Houston International Show and teach residential courses for the Women’s Institute College Denman. Her inspiring fun sewing creations (that are not always limited to quilts) can often be found in popular sewing magazines.

Fly from London Heathrow

Return flights from London Heathrow are included in our package on our specific arrival and departure dates plus one item of checked in luggage, per person.

Transfers will also be included on our specific arrival and departure dates to take you to your holiday destination. If you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.

Meet us at the ship

For complete flexibility, make your own transport arrangements to and from the ship. We will provide you with times and locations as well as some useful information for you to make your own arrangements to join your cruise.

If you require any further information to assist with your travel plans, please contact our Holiday Advisors who will be happy to help.

Dates
10-17th April 2023

Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights

Prices

Basic package price: £2175 based on twin/double occupancy of Upper Deck Superior cabin

Single occupancy:
£2715 based on single occupancy of an Upper Deck Cabin (includes single room at Babylon Hotel, The Hague

£2520 based on single occupancy of a Main Deck Cabin (includes single room at Babylon Hotel, The Hague).

Discounts:
Non crafter: £50
Meet us there: £100

Deposit: £350

All prices are listed per person

Your Accommodation

Hotel Babylon, The Hague

★★★★

In the heart of The Hague this modern 4-star hotel is within easy reach to The Hague’s attractions, with the tram directly outside the hotel means it is easy to explore.

Hotel Facilities & Amenities

Bar
Restaurant
Fitness Centre
Located right next to the Central Station of The Hague

Room Facilities & Amenities

Flat screen TV
Hairdryer
Kettle and Coffee Machine
Bath
Wi-fi

MS Arena

★★★★

Our new 4-star ship has all the ingredients of an unforgettable river cruise; comfort, style and the crew’s unfaltering attention to detail is everything.

MS Arena is completely deserving of its place in our premier cruise collection! Whether you’re cruising the Dutch Waterways, the rivers Rhine, Moselle or Danube, all the way to the Black Sea, this elegant, 4-star ship promises everything you’d wish for – and more – making for an unforgettable river cruising experience.