Films by Francesco
Hotel de L'Europe Amsterdam
The Flowers of Holland and Paris with David Beahm
April 9 - 15, 2012
Land only: $3,700 per person, Double Occupancy
$1,500 Single Supplement
Found on many a bucket list, the flower fields of Holland are one of the few human-made wonders that can be seen from space. This spring join renowned event producer David Beahm for an intimate tour through the famed Dutch fields and meet with some of the world's master flower growers. Experience the Aalsmeer Flower Auction: the source of many of the world's flower imports. Discover the cultural and historical context behind which Holland became the leader in the world of flowers. Of course, not all is tours and education. Romantic strolls through the canals of Amsterdam, a first-class train across Europe, and finally an exploration of the lesser known travels in the City of Lights. David Beahm invites you to a remarkable journey. From Dutch flowers, to Parisian roads less-traveled,you are bound to be thrilled.
Itinerary in Detail
- Date:
- Details:
- Monday
April 9, 2012
Amsterdam
Schiphol Airport
arrival transfer -
- When you arrive in the early morning at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, a driver will be waiting to whisk you away to the Hotel Chariot in Aalsmeer, where you may unpack and lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, you will board a coach with David and his colleague, Master Grower Loek van Eden. Together you will travel through a private tour of local growing fields and glass houses, from small gardens to expansive farms, receiving a survey of the origin of flowers. As a welcome to Holland, in the evening, you will be treated to dinner at Vork en Mes, a truly farm-to-table restaurant partially suspended over a lake in the Haarlemmermeer Forest.
- Itinerary includes:
Overnight at Hotel Chariot, Aalsmeer,
Half-Day Tour
Dinner at Vork en Mes
- Tuesday
April 10, 2012
Full Day of Art
& Flowers. -
- Your first morning in Holland will begin with a bright and early visit to the Aalsmeer Flower Auction, the center of flower culture and the most important flower auction in Holland (if not the world). You will learn about the intricate, high speed process of buying and selling flowers, while seeing first hand how millions of flowers are sold to all corners of the world in the blink of an eye. At midday, we continue on our tour of the gardens between Haarlem and Leiden. We will see the famous bulb fields displaying millions of colorful tulips, daffodils, narcissi, and hyacinths. Lunch will be taken at the world famous Keukenhof (Dutch for Kitchen Gardens), which boasts an astounding 80 acres of specimen flowers.
- In the afternoon we will proceed to the governmental city of Den Haag (The Hague) for a panoramic drive, passing the Peace Palace, the Binnenhof (including the Ridderzaal or Knight’s Hall), the seat of the Dutch government, and the palace of Queen Beatrix. You will then visit the Mauritshuis, the mansion of Johan Maurits, count of Nassau Siegen, which houses the Royal Cabinet of Paintings. One of the most revered collections in the world, the core consists of masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age, including paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Jan Steen, and Frans Hals. In the evening, you are free to dine with your newfound friends from the tour at one of the many local restaurants before heading back to Hotel Des Indes, Den Haag.
- Itinerary includes:
Full-Day Tour
Overnight at Hotel Indes, Den Haag
- Wednesday
April 11, 2012
Amsterdam city tour -
- After a late breakfast at Hotel Des Indes, transfer will be provided to David's favorite hotel in Amsterdam, the newly remodeled Hotel De L’Europe.
- City walk of Amsterdam
The afternoon walk begins in Jordaan, a neighborhood of Amsterdam offering great antique shops and other unique stores (like one dedicated entirely to toothbrushes). Afterward, you will be guided to the Begijnhoft: a lovely courtyard with a small church, chapel, and gorgeous houses – truly an oasis in this busy city center. The Beguines were a group of widows and unmarried women who led an austere and devout life dedicated to nursing and caring for the poor. In the late afternoon, we will make a stop for coffee and sweets at one of Amsterdam’s many notable coffee shops. - Upon our return to the hotel, you will have time to relax and dine at the Hotel De L’Europe’s wonderful restaurant, overlooking the Amstel River. In the evening, David will take a group of adventurers on an optional walking tour of the Red Light District. (But cannot be held responsible for any mischief you happen to get into!)
- Itinerary includes:
Breakfast at Hotel Des Indes
Half-Day Tour
Dinner and overnight at Hotel De L’Europe, Amsterdam
- Thursday
April 12, 2012
The Flowers of
Amsterdam -
- The morning will start with an exploration of the local flower markets and shops of Amsterdam as well as the flower auction that takes place directly on the Singel Canal. Following the auction, we will take a delightful guided canal cruise, outlining all of Amsterdam’s exquisite architectural landmarks.
- The afternoon will be spent at your leisure, during which you may very well get lost in all the sightseeing and shopping that Amsterdam has to offer. (We highly recommend visiting the Van Gogh Museum.)
- For our last evening in Holland, David invites you to dine with him at De Kas. One of Amsterdam’s most popular restaurants, De Kas was built within a renovated greenhouse and sports all the culinary accoutrements of an incredibly fresh organic garden as a result.
- Itinerary includes:
Breakfast at Hotel De L’Europe
Half-Day Tour
Dinner at De Kas
Overnight at Hotel De L’Europe
- Friday
April 13, 2012
First Class to Paris -
- After breakfast, a transfer will escort you to the train station for your Thalys high speed, first class, direct train to Paris. Enjoy delicious food and Wi-Fi internet access in a relaxed atmosphere while traveling through the beautiful Dutch and French countryside. Upon arrival, you will check into the Westin Vendôme Hotel, recently renovated and perfectly located within walking distance of the Louvre, the Tuileries, the Marais, and Rue Saint-Honoré, home to the best shopping in Paris.
- Early in the afternoon, enjoy a coach tour, which will highlight some of the most recognizable sites of Paris including the Eiffel Tower, the Arch de Triomphe, and the Champs-Élysées.
- In the evening, dinner will be at your leisure at one of the many restaurants surrounding the hotel. After, if you wish, join David at the club scene in the Marais, or feel free to explore the City of Lights at your own pace.
- Itinerary includes:
Breakfast at Hotel De L’Europe
Half-Day Tour
Dinner and overnight at Westin Vendôme, Paris
- Saturday
April 14, 2012
Paris on your
own and Farewell -
- Today, Paris is all yours! Of course, you are welcome to join David, who will be shopping off the Champs-Élysées on the Avenue Montaigne, stopping in on the Plaza Athénée and the Hotel George V, and strolling along the Rive Gauche and the Amsterdam Gardens. After a full day of shopping, sightseeing or relaxing, join us for a farewell dinner at David's favorite Parisian restaurant, Café Allard, which is tucked in a little alley on the rue St André des Arts. A friend sent him here for the classic French food experience years ago and he’s been coming back ever since. Of course, since this is our last night in Paris, we’re sure the reverie will continue into the night before we bid each other a fond adieu.
- Itinerary includes:
Breakfast at Westin Vendôme
Dinner at Café Allard
About David Beahm
David Beahm is one of America’s top event designers. Known for his inventive work and trademark over-the-top flower design, he has designed countless weddings for society, high profile and discerning clients, including Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas. He has also designed some of the most talked-about parties for New York’s top non-profit and for-profit institutions, including the Whitney Museum, Saks Fifth Avenue, the Plaza Hotel, and Lincoln Center.
An expert at transforming venues here in the United States, David also designs events for clients around the world. His destinations collection features some of the most luxurious and exclusive properties in the world, setting the stage for any event a client can imagine. Whether they want a beautiful wedding, a fabulous honeymoon or a relaxing corporate retreat, David can make any client’s dream a reality.
David’s insights and designs have been featured in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Style, The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest,Town & Country, People, Brides, TheKnot.com, and others. He has appeared on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and My Celebrity Wedding. He is a well-known speaker on the field of luxury weddings, and maintains a full herb and vegetable garden on the 23rd floor of his New York City apartment building.
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