ITINERARY

Thursday 28th to Monday 1st August

The band went on tour in Holland stayed at Utrecht for five days/four nights, which involved performing at three concerts and also sightseeing across a number of towns.

There are two other Holland Tour 2005 pages one with some photos and another with the Chairman's Diary.


The Itinerary was as follows:

Thursday
0600 Assembled at meeting point
0630 Departed from Chippenham
13:30 Ferry Departed to Calais
20:45 Arrived at NH Utrecht Hotel, Utrecht, Holland

Friday
Day visit to Delft
Evening concert in Delft Town Square

Saturday
Full day visit to Amsterdam with local guide
Afternoon concert in the courtyard at the Historical Museum

Sunday
Day visit to The Hague and Kijkduin
Group evening meal in Utrecht

Monday
Morning sightseeing in Bruges
Afternoon concert in Bruges Market Square
1530 Departed Bruges for Chippenham

0100 Arrived in Chippenham Tuesday morning


Places we have visited...

UTRECHT is the second oldest city in Holland. The historical importance of the city, the numerous canals and wharfs, the Museum Quarter, the wonderful cafes, bars and restaurants just off the Cathedral Square provide a variety of sightseeing options for everyone. The courtyards and cloisters which are often hidden off the main streets, as well as the pretty and incredibly small almshouses, which can be found tucked away down alleyways. The Dom Tower that stands at 112 metres high, is the focal point of the city and the tower can be climed for a loverly view of the surroundings.

DELFT is famous for its little canals and the world famous blue and white Delftware Pottery, Delft is also known as "the city of the House of Orange". The mausoleum of Prince William of Orang (founder of the Kingdom and forefather of the Dutch Royal House) can be found in the Nieuwe Kerk on the Market Square, and it is also the burial vault of the Dutch Royal Family. The city is also closely associated with the renowned Dutch painter Vermeer, who lived and worked in Delft.

AMSTERDAM has a Heineken Brewery, Van Gogh Museum and a Rijks Museum. Anne Frank's House is where the teenage Anne and her family hid from the Nazis during the occupation of Amsterdam in WWII. Amsterdam is full of atmosphere, culture and history. The 17th century atmosphere of the canals, the canal side houses and the many monuments form the unique decor of this metropolis, which has been known for centuries for its freedom and tolerance.

THE HAGUE is well known for the being the centre of Dutch politics and royalty and its architectural history spands seven centuries. Some of the most famous buildings include the Binnehof, Holland's former Parliament building, and several palaces such as the Noordeinde Palace, with its wonderful grandes and the Lange Voorhout Palace, which is now a museum. Art lovers might like to visit the Mauritshuis, where paints by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan Steen, Franz Hals and other Dutch masters can be seen. The Hague boasts its own beach resort, Scheveningen which is the scene of the north sea jazz festival and various other events in the summer.

BRUGES is one of Europe's best preserved Medieval cites and the Belgium's most visited attraction. The ornate 13th century architececture hails back to the time when Bruges was a prosperous cloth manufacturing town. The medieval market place has a 83 metre belfry for a view of the city. At Burg there is an elaborate town hall and and the ancient Basilica of the holy Blood wher some drops of Christ's blood are said to be stored. Nearby there is the Begijnhof this is a 13th century convent, which is home to the Benedictine nuns.

KIJKDUIN is at the edge of a wide sandy beach and located amidst a large area of dunes is beach resort Kijkduin. Lovely beach pavilions at this frendly beach resort just south of The Hague. Kijkduin is known for its quiet atmosphere and beautiful natural surroundings.


The tour was great and enjoyed by all
Many thanks to Phil and Dawn who organised the tour.