Enjoy a short springtime rail break to the colourful Dutch bulb fields as they burst into bloom, exploring the sights of Delft and Amsterdam enroute

Your holiday begins by meeting the Tour Manager and travelling group at London St Pancras to board the Eurostar to Rotterdam.

On arrival in this Dutch port city, we continue by coach to Delft to enjoy a guided tour to the Royal Delft porcelain factory, famous for manufacturing the artistically designed Delft Blue pottery. This iconic blue and white earthenware has been manufactured in this city since the 17th century in the style of traditional Chinese porcelain. There is free time to explore this historic city that was once the seat of the royal house of Orange as well as being the birthplace of artist Johannes Vermeer, whose works include the Girl with the Pearl Earring. Delft's charming centre is criss-crossed by tranquil canals and overlooked by the piercing towers of the Gothic Old and New churches.

This evening, we transfer to our hotel in central Utrecht for four nights, where we get to know the group over dinner in the hotel.

After breakfast, there is a free day to explore the sights of Utrecht at your own pace. An important religious centre since the Middle Ages, Utrecht's iconic symbol is the impressive Dom Tower, the tallest church tower in the country. Built in the 14th century, it was originally connected to St Martin's Cathedral but, when the nave collapsed in the 17th century, it became separated and has remained free-standing ever since.

With tree-lined canals and attractive medieval buildings in the centre, Utrecht is often called a 'cosier alternative to Amsterdam', and its main attractions are within walking distance from our modern hotel. Set in a restored 19th-century train station, the Rail Museum traces the history of train travel through interactive and informative displays. Another option is to head just out of the city to Castle De Haar. Surrounded by a moat with fairytale turrets piercing the sky, this 19th-century medieval-style castle has expansive landscaped gardens.

Dinner tonight is on your own, and there are many attractive restaurants in Utrecht serving up a wide range of cuisines.

Today is a holiday highlight as we transfer by coach to the incredible Keukenhof Gardens near Lisse. This springtime visit coincides with the most spectacular time to visit one of the world's largest flower gardens.

Open only from the end of March to the beginning of May, we experience the expansive park as it bursts into colour with dazzling spring blooms and intricate flower displays. Elegant arrangements of daffodils, tulips and other spring plants are laid out in incredible detail to resemble famous works of art, creating an astonishing and delicate spectacle. There is free time to wander at your own pace, marvelling at these vibrant gardens where approximately seven million bulbs are planted each year.

Returning to the hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore or relax. Perhaps soak up the atmosphere at a traditional café with a favoured Dutch snack of bitterballen or enjoy dinner at a restaurant lining one of the city's attractive squares.

This morning, we travel by rail to the Dutch capital and embark on a sightseeing tour. An expert local guide shows us around the city, taking in Dam Square, one of the most famous landmarks of the city, the Begijnhof, home to a cluster of medieval houses, the upmarket shopping street of Kalverstraat, and the 'skinny bridge' over the River Amstel.

After the tour, you are free to explore one of Europe's most visited cities at your own pace. Art lovers may prefer to head to the Rijksmuseum, which contains an impressive collection of famed masterpieces, or the nearby Van Gogh Museum, home to the largest number of the artist's works. Anne Frank's house recalls the incredible and sobering story of the young girl who documented her family hiding from invading Nazis during World War Two, while the intriguing Body Worlds explores human anatomy in dynamic fashion across seven floors. If you wish to visit Anne Frank's House and Body Worlds, we recommend booking in advance.

Returning to Utrecht by rail, we enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel tonight.

Based in the historic city of Utrecht, we have been perfectly located to explore the delights of a Dutch spring. From witnessing the astonishing floral displays as the colourful tulips and seasonal flowers burst into bloom at the Keukenhof Gardens to touring the iconic Delft porcelain museum, we have explored the sights and culture of the Netherlands. A tour of its capital, Amsterdam, also revealed its history along charming streets lining serene canals.

After breakfast, we travel by rail to Rotterdam and you join the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras, where your holiday comes to an end.

Our Discoveries range offers everything you need at a great price so you can travel with confidence. It provides comfortable, locally run accommodation*, standard rail or economy flights and expert-led group tours. You'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. *where available

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

Located in the Hoog Catharijne mall, this 3-Star hotel in central Utrecht is a short distance from the train station and the city's medieval centre. The stylish, modern hotel features a bar and a fitness centre, while the included breakfast buffets provide a wide range of food and drink. All air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, desk and kettle.

Your holiday begins the moment you meet your Tour Manager at St Pancras International and board the Eurostar train for mainland Europe. If you wish to get your holiday off to an extra special start, why not consider upgrading your on-board accommodation from Standard Class to Plus Class?

As well as all the amenities enjoyed in Standard Class, Plus Class travellers benefit from extra spacious, comfortable seats, complimentary newspapers and magazines and a light snack with drinks served at your seat during the journey. Before 11am, the light snack comprises breakfast pastries, yoghurt, fruit juice and tea or coffee. After 11am there is a choice of 2 main dishes and a dessert, accompanied by soft drinks, wine or beer and tea or coffee.

Prices for an upgrade from £110pp each way. Please call us for more details.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.