Queen's Day

Itinerary

Day 1: 28 April Kick back and relax on the way to Amsterdam over the English Channel and get to know the people who will be next to you for the biggest street party in the world! After a drive through France and Belgium, we arrive in Amsterdam early evening. We head out together for dinner, an orientation of the infamous Red Light District and maybe a few drinks to kick the party off. Day 2: 29 April Today is the warm-up for Queen's Day but with any excuse for a party, the Dutchies can't quite wait for the big day and so Queen's Night (the night before) can be just as crazy. Brace yourself to party like the Dutch do! Today is a good chance to check out some of the big sights in town before the party gets started – a visit to the Heineken Experience to learn about (and try!) the famous Dutch Nectar, or take in Van Gogh's works at his nearby museum, or maybe a visit to the infamous Der Wallen Red Light District to see the city's alternative side? We take a bike tour out to a traditional cheese and clog making factory in the countryside riding along the banks of the river Amstel. Tonight, your Guide will lead you out to start the night's parties. Day 3: 30 April. Queens Day! The day we've all been waiting for! We don't want to miss a second of this crazy Dutch tradition. From the early morning the city is literally flooded in a sea of orange as the streets erupt in a celebration of the birthday of Queen Beatrix. Queen's Day originally was the celebration of the birthday of Queen Wilhelmina (1880-1962), on August 31. But after 1948 Koninginnedag (Queen's Day) moved to April 30 (the birthday of Queen Juliana). When the current Queen Beatrix (whose birthday is in January) succeeded Juliana in 1980, she decided to keep the holiday on April 30th as a tribute to her mother, AND, more importantly, because the weather in April is much nicer than in January! With live free stages on every square in the city and special events in every bar, canal boat and club, the city is one giant orange party, and what's more, the Dutch let down all their trading laws for a day too so the city becomes a giant street market where you can buy ANYTHING at really cheap prices. Awesome. Day 4: 1 May We say goodbye to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and head back to London via the ferry. Our coach is equipped with screens and a multi-channel audio system so there is plenty to keep you entertained on the way home. Or why not join Busabout's Hop-on Hop-off network and join our coach that leaves Amsterdam for Berlin?