European Affair and Chelsea Flower Show with Insight Vacations

10 days

23 May 25 to 01 Jun 25

Book by 30 Apr 25

London welcomes you with the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, where you might rub shoulders with royalty and celebrities. Cross the English Channel to indulge in the grandeur of Loire Valley Chateaux, including Chenonceau and Chambord, steeped in French royal history. Your journey culminates with a tour of King Louis XIV’s opulent palace of Versailles and a serene visit to Monet's Garden, completing this unforgettable vacation filled with beauty and elegance.

Includes

10 Day Insight Vacations Guided Holiday
9 Nights in stylish, hand picked hotel accommodation
Authentic dining inclusive of 9 breakfasts & 4 dinners with wine
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned coach
An expert Insight Travel Director
From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination
Baggage handling everywhere, we include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels
Hotel and restaurant tips are included
Personal radio headsets, gives you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any of your local expert's fascinating insights and commentaries
Additional experiences during your free time that can be purchased at an additional cost
Top Rated Highlights
Amsterdam Canal Cruise
Bruges City Tour
Loire Valley Excursion
Aalsmeer Flower Auction
Claude Monet House
Château de Versailles
See the Top Sights of Paris and much more!
Unique Insight Experiences
Chelsea Flower Show: Experience the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show, an inspiring and enjoyable showcase of fabulous floral displays and cutting-edge garden design. Immerse yourself in colour and ingenuity as you enjoy the very best show gardens, flowers, and gardening from around the world.
Monnickendam Cheese Workshop and Clog Making Demonstration: Journey through the polder landscape to visit Monnickendam. Along the way, visit a rustic cheese workshop to learn the secrets of the dairy industry and witness the ancient art of clog making.
Make Travel Matter Experiences
Venice Artisan Glassblowing Demonstration: Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing, now practised by precious few masters. Watch artisans create delicate works of art using rare traditional practices. The workshop's master craftsmen teach visitors about the traditional craft of glassblowing and its history which dates back to the 15th century. Every visit helps to support the workshop and the survival of this traditional craft.

Excludes

Flights
Transfers not mentioned
Visas
Travel Insurance
Items of a personal nature

Extras

On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
Additional experiences that have been curated by your Travel Director from their own in-depth local knowledge can be signed up for on tour at an additional cost.
Please note that this may not be a definite departure. Ask us for alternative departures.

Highlights

9 Nights in stylish hotel accommodation
13 Meals
Unique Insight Experiences

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive London

On arrival, you are transferred to your hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore London. This evening join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a welcome drink and trip briefing at your hotel before enjoying a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation: Thistle Marble Arch Included Meals: Dinner with Wine

Day 2: Chelsea Flower Show

Enjoy a full day to experience the famous Chelsea Flower Show – the ‘mecca’ of all garden shows. A transfer in the morning takes you to the famous show! The Chelsea Flower Show will bring together the very best show gardens, flowers, and gardening from around the world. You will see magnificent floral displays, model gardens, English garden tools and a host of garden structures and artefacts. This afternoon a transfer back to your hotel is provided. Accommodation: Thistle Marble Arch Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: London to Amsterdam

Accommodation: Jakarta by Westcord Hotel/Hyatt Regency Hotel Amsterdam Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 4: Monnickendam

Journey through the polder landscape to visit Monnickendam. Along the way, visit a rustic cheese workshop to learn the secrets of the dairy industry and witness the ancient art of clog making. Accommodation: Jakarta by Westcord Hotel/Hyatt Regency Hotel Amsterdam Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Aalsmeer and Bruges

Experience the excitement at the very epicentre of the international flower trade! Each day, over 19 million flowers are sold at 'Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer', the world's largest flower auction. Witness all the action from a specially designed viewing gallery as traders bid against the clock for a mind-blowing assortment of blooms. A unique experience you'll remember forever! Meet your Local Expert from Bruges for a stroll along cobbled streets, lined with high-gabled houses from the 16th century. Visit the Market Square dominated by the 83-meter medieval bell tower, The Belfry of Bruges. Explore Burg Square with its ornate Gothic town hall and glorious frescoes on the walls of the Holy Blood Chapel, followed by a relaxing canal cruise before finishing the day off at the local restaurant. Accommodation: Duke’s Academie Hotel/Hotel De Tuilerieen Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 6: Bruges at Leisure

With your free day perhaps explore magical Bruges by Horse and Carriage? Don’t forget to try some of the tempting chocolates or beers for which Belgium is renowned. Accommodation: Duke’s Academie Hotel/Hotel De Tuilerieen Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Monets Giverny

Visit the house and famous gardens of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet. His passion was his garden, which is kept alive in the same tradition and is home to famous ponds with water lilies. You have time to explore the gardens before departing for Paris, the City of Light. Accommodation: Le Méridien Etoile Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Loire Valley Excursion

The stunning Loire Valley is world-famous for its magnificent Chateaux, as well as beautiful landscapes and delicious wine. Visit two of the most famous Chateaux and be transported back in time as you explore them and their gardens. Chenonceau Castle, known as the 'Ladies' Chateau' it perfectly embodies the elegance of 16th century design in the Loire Valley. Chateau de Chambord, an awe-inspiring Renaissance chateau inspired by Leonardo de Vinci. As evening decends, the City of Light lives up to its name as the monuments, buildings are lit up in all their glory. For that special touch of excitement and glamour don’t miss the chance to join an Optional Experience to one of the world-famous cabaret shows. Accommodation: Le Méridien Etoile Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Versailles and Paris

Visit the Château de Versailles, one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th century French art. This former royal residence is world renowned for its architecture, grandeur, and extravagant gardens. With a Local Expert, explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris. See famous landmarks including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the facades of the Louvre. Stroll the banks of the River Seine and admire romantic bridges, and enjoy a drive along the Champs Elysée’s to the Arc de Triomphe. You are in for a memorable evening starting with a delicious Celebration Dinner serving delicious French cuisine and wine. Perhaps this evening experience a Seine Cruise and Illuminations tour? Accommodation: Le Méridien Etoile Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 10: Farewell Paris

Your memorable journey comes to an end as you bid your Travel Director farewell. Transfers arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08.30 and 11.00. Included Meals: Breakfast

Terms & conditions

Prices are per person twin share, include discounts, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and can be requested. Excludes flights, transfers, visas, travel insurance and anything not mentioned. Savings are not valid on all itineraries and/or departure dates, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. High season supplements and block out dates may apply, pricing varies pending departure date. Package excludes flights. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply). Insight Vacations reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime. All savings / discounts mentioned have already been included in the advertised price. Pentravel and Tour Operator reserves the right to withdraw or amend promotional offers at any time. Full payment due 120 days prior to departure or at time of booking if booked within 120 days of departure; whichever comes first. R3000 per person deposit required at time of booking for Level 1 tours to hold space; some trips require payment in full at time of booking. Savings are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Advertised price is based on 23 May 2025 departure. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.

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