Amsterdam, Tulips, Cheese & Steam 2026

Duration

7 Days

Departure Dates

8th April 2026

Prices from

£1,849 Per person

Experience the Netherlands on this fantastic tour featuring the incomparable bulbs in bloom at Keukenhof Gardens, the historic steam train from Hoorn to Medemblik, a relaxing cruise across the beautiful IJsselmeer plus a stay in Alkmaar to coincide with their Cheese Market! Not forgetting a day in Amsterdam including a canal trip and the opportunity to sneak in some extra steam at Goes-Borsele.

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Alkmaar 1 ©iStock

7 days from £1,849

DEPARTS

Wednesday 8 April 2026

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Discover the most beautiful spring garden in the world at the famous Keukenhof Gardens
Enjoy a nostalgic journey on the Hoorn to Medemblik Steam Train
Cruise on an old-fashioned steamer across the IJsselmeer
Experience Alkmaar’s traditional cheese market day
Take a relaxing cruise amidst Amsterdam’s canals
Enjoy free time to explore Amsterdam
Visit picturesque Delft
Ride behind steam at Goes-Borsele
Stay in two traditional and historic hotels

Also included in your Tour Fare:

6 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 4 evening meals
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then onwards through the Netherlands to Alkmaar and our hotel for four nights, the Grand Hotel, where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

After breakfast this morning, we travel eastwards to the town of Hoorn where we join the historic Museum Steam Train that meanders along a unique railway line, across the West Frisian meadows, and past characteristic station buildings to Medemblik. Here, an old-fashioned steamer awaits to sail gently across the IJsselmeer to the village of Enkhuizen and, after a day of nostalgia amidst the timeless scenery of North Holland, we re-join the rail system at Enkhuizen and travel back to Alkmaar in time for our evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 3

It is Friday in Alkmaar and this can mean only one thing - it's Cheese Market Day! Spend the morning watching the spectacle of cheese trading in the town's Waagplein beside the weighing house. In the afternoon, we enjoy time at leisure to explore or relax at the hotel before we reconvene in the early evening and enjoy a meal together in the hotel restaurant.

B, D

DAY 4

Today, we travel by rail to Amsterdam where we enjoy a cruise along the city's most beautiful canal belt, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore; perhaps visit Anne Frank House or learn about beer at the Heineken Experience before returning to Alkmaar in time for our evening meal.

B, D

DAY 5

Today, we journey by coach to the fabulous Keukenhof, "the most beautiful spring garden in the world", open just a few weeks each year, where awesome swathes of tulips, crocuses, and daffodils burst out of the rolling countryside. Discover huge rivers of colour beneath great avenues of trees with the greatest collection of bulbs including over 1,000 varieties of tulip. In the afternoon we transfer to Bergen op Zoom via medieval Delft, home of the famous blue and white Delft pottery, and we can stroll around the beautiful town centre that is rich in history and awash with delicious craft beers and picturesque canals. Following our visit, we continue to our hotel for the next two nights, the historic Hotel De Draak, the oldest hotel in the Netherlands. Tonight, we dine at leisure in the city centre on the Grote Markt Square with many great restaurants to suit every palate and budget.

DAY 6

Today, we make our way by train into the rural province of Zeeland for our visit to the Goes-Borsele Steam Railway. The historic steam and diesel trains ply the route from Goes itself along 13km of track through a beautiful rural route through orchards, fields, and small villages to the charming village of Hoedenskerke. Later we return to Bergen op Zoom for our final evening, dining at leisure in one of the many wonderful restaurants.

Day 7

We bid farewell to Bergen op Zoom and the Netherlands, returning by rail to Brussels, where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

*Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described steam train travel are in place, we do reserve the right to make substitutions should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

HOTELS

Grand Hotel, Alkmaar

Ideally located in the heart of Alkmaar and set in the former Post Office, the stately Grand Hotel is the perfect starting point to explore the city with its famous cheese market, various museums, theatres, and cosy shopping streets. The modern bedrooms offer an en-suite bathroom with a shower, a flat-screen TV, and tea/coffee making facilities.

Hotel De Draak, Bergen op Zoom

The grand Hotel De Draak is the oldest hotel in the Netherlands offering beautiful architectural styles with modern day comforts. Every bedroom is unique in its design and decoration providing an en-suite bathroom, a hairdryer, ironing facilities, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

FARES

From London St Pancras International:
Standard Class rail travel to/from the Netherlands, including Eurostar Standard	£1,849
Supplement for Eurostar Plus upgrade	£150
First Class rail travel to/from the Netherlands, including Eurostar Plus	£2,049
Join at Alkmaar & Leave at Bergen op Zoom	£1,579
Single Traveller Supplement	£490
Deposit	£185

6 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 4 evening meals

Eurostar and rail travel to and from the Netherlands in the class of your choice

All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Moderate Tour Suitability Table

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Grand Hotel, Alkmaar

Hotel de Draak, Bergen op Zoom

Museum Steam Train

Alkmaar Cheese Market

Keukenhof Gardens

Delft

Goes-Borsele Steam Railway

Alkmaar 2 ©iStock

Grand Hotel, Alkmaar ©Grand Hotel

Hoorn to Medemblik 1 ©AdobeStock

Hoorn to Medemblik 2 ©Museumstoomtram

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Amsterdam, Tulips, Cheese & Steam 2026

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What our customers say

Sounds like the holiday for you?

Why Book with Railtrail

Unique Experiences

Financial Protection

Loyalty Rewards

Award Winning Team