Keukenhof Tulip

Avalon river cruises to include major horticultural show Floriade in 2012

Avalon Waterways is pleased to announce that for the first time it will be including a visit to Floriade on all of its Tulip Time cruises to Holland and Belgium next year.

Held in the Netherlands only once every 10 years, Floriade is a major world horticultural expo enjoyed by more than two million visitors. The 2012 show will be held in Venlo, near the Dutch and German border, and will feature over 100 exhibitors from dozens of countries.

Keukenhof Gardens

A visit to Floriade is included in all nine Tulip Time departures, which sail from Amsterdam. Also included is a visit to the legendary Keukenhof Gardens, sure to make these cruises an unforgettable holiday gardening enthusiasts.

Next year’s Floriade will have five core themes showcased by Dutch designer Jan Taminiau, each separated by woodland areas: health, sustainability, culture, innovation and the green city.


Avalon Waterways’ 8 day Tulip Time cruises featuring Floriade depart between April 7 and May 5, and also include stops in Antwerp, Ghent and Rotterdam. Including accommodation in staterooms measuring at least 172 square feet on the youngest river fleet in Europe, all meals – with elegant dinners served with wine – and daily sightseeing, the cruises are priced from $2,028 Cdn. Avalon will be happy to arrange airfare and pre-or-post cruise stays in Amsterdam if requested.

Find out more about Avalon at www.avalonwaterways.ca; about Floriade at www.floriade.com and Keukenhof Gardens, www.keukenhof.nl . For reservations, see your travel agent.

Photos copyright Anne Gordon