Arrive in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. After exiting customs, meet your local assistant in the terminal’s arrivals hall. Your group will then travel by private coach to the hotel. Even though your group will arrive before the hotel’s check-in time, feel free to store your luggage with the reception staff. There will be free time until this evening to begin exploring Amsterdam. Consider visiting one of its excellent museums like the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. Tonight join your fellow group members for a welcome dinner of Dutch specialties in the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 2:

After breakfast in the hotel, your group will meet a local guide in the lobby for an exciting tour of this scenic city. Approximately 800 years ago, the Amstel River was dammed, giving the town its name. Where medieval fishing boats once docked, your group will see 17th century houses, street performers and some of the city’s most luxurious stores. Here in Dam Square lies the historic heart of Amsterdam. See the Royal Palace, which was originally constructed as the Town Hall. Pass the Mint Tower, with its clock and bells that still seem to echo Amsterdam’s Golden Age.

Also of particular interest is the 16th-century Weeping Tower, which according to legend derived its name from the sailors’ wives who used to bid their husbands an emotional farewell from here. Then we’ll pass the Floating Flower Market on Singel Canal, which is a stunning mass of flowers strung along the canal on permanently-moored barges. After free time for lunch, the group will proceed to the Anne Frank House, where eight people from three separate families lived together in near total silence for more than 2 years during World War II. It was here that Anne wrote her famous diary as a way to deal with the boredom and her youthful jumble of thoughts, which had as much to do with personal relationships as with the war and the Nazi terror raging outside her hiding place. The tour will finish in the city center, and the rest of the day is free to shop, to wander alongside Amsterdam’s canals and to sample more of this country’s cuisine.

Day 3:

After breakfast in the hotel your group will depart on a full-day excursion of windmills and tulips. The first stop today will be in Zaanse Schans, a neighborhood in the town of Zaandam, to admire its collection of historic windmills and its traditional craft shops. Afterwards, the group will travel south to the lovely city Haarlem, where the group will have free time for lunch.

Afterwards, continue south to the city of Lisse to tour the legendary Keukenhof Gardens where vast numbers of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths create dazzling patches of color. Blooms here ? at their peak- have a short but glorious season. The park is said to be the greatest flower show on earth, and it’s Holland’s annual spring gift to the world. (Note: Keukenhof is only open from March to May. For groups traveling outside of that time, a guided tour of Haarlem is highly recommended with a possible inside visit of the Corrie ten Boom Museum. Alternative ideas include a visit to Delft to tour one of its famous porcelain workshops or a tour of Volendam to visit a cheese farm).

Day 4:

This morning is free to relax, sleep in, shop or sightsee. For those wanting to relax, consider heading to Voldelpark, Amsterdam’s loveliest park. Lunch is on your own. This afternoon’s guided tour will consist of a fun boat tour of Amsterdam. This is undoubtedly the best way to appreciate this city of canals. Afterwards, the group will undergo the Heineken Experience, a self-guided tour at its former brewery. Learn all about one of the Netherlands’ best exports. The group will go straight to a local restaurant for a farewell-to-the-Netherlands dinner. After dinner group members can walk back to the hotel or stay in the center.

After breakfast the group will check out and transfer by private coach to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport for your short flight to Prague. Upon arrival your group will be transferred to the hotel by private coach. Prague’s position at the crossroads of Europe has made it a magnet for foreign traders since before recorded history. By the early 10th century it had developed into a thriving town with a large marketplace (the Old Town Square) and two citadels (Prague Castle and Vysehrad), from where its first ruling dynasty, the Premyslids, conducted their many family feuds. Tonight the group will dine together in the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 6:

After breakfast, your group will embark on a full-day sightseeing tour of this fairytale city. The journey begins as your group crosses the Vltava River, which has played a vital part in Prague’s history and has provided inspiration for artists, poets and musicians throughout the centuries. Many bridges cross the river and you will visit the most famous one, the Charles Bridge, which was completed approximately in the 15th century. It is perhaps Prague’s most familiar monument and connects the Old Town with the Little Quarter.

We’ll continue to the Prague Castle complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The history of Prague begins with the castle, founded in the 9th century by Prince Borivoj. The castle has since been rebuilt many times. After a disastrous fire in 1541, the badly damaged buildings were rebuilt in Renaissance style. The castle enjoyed its cultural heyday under Rudolph II. Later, the Hapsburgs who resided in Vienna used the castle only occasionally. Since 1918, it has been the seat of the president of the Republic. Your guided tour of the castle complex will feature the St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, the Basilica of St. George, the 16th century Golden Lane and Daliborka Tower. After the tour at Prague Castle your group will proceed to the Old Town Square to see the Astrological Clock, which was built in the beginning of the 1400’s. The guided tour will finish at the hotel, and the evening is free for group members to continue visiting Prague on their own.

Day 7:

After breakfast, meet your local guide in the hotel lobby for a morning excursion by private coach to the spectacular Karlstejn Castle, a medieval structure commissioned by Charles IV in the 14th century. Your group will enjoy an excellent guided tour with admission included inside the castle. Before returning to the hotel in Prague, your group will have lunch at a local restaurant that serves up traditional Czech fare (included). Upon arriving to the hotel, enjoy the remainder of the afternoon to visit more in Prague on your own. A group dinner is not included on today’s program, but all group members should be back to the hotel at the agreed meeting time for tonight’s performance at the State Opera House or concert venue.

Day 8:

After check-out, your group will transfer this morning to Prague International Airport for your return flight to the USA

??????? Tour Keukenhof Gardens’ seventy-nine acres of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in Lisse

??????? Guided tour of the remarkable Anne Frank House

??????? Guided city tour of Prague

??????? Experience the beauty of the Czech countryside

??????? Meals: Continental breakfast daily. Lunch and dinner as noted in itinerary

??????? Ground transportation via air conditioned luxury coach

??????? English speaking assistants and guides

??????? Admission tickets as outlined in itinerary