'Floriade 2012' World Expo!

'Floriade 2012' World Horticultural Expo Gets Ready!

2012-02-24T04:14:00.001-08:00

2012 is an important year for just about everyone: here in the U.S. it’s an election year; for those adhering to the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, 2012 is the end of a “great cycle,” or “doomsday” as some like to call it; and for the Chinese, it is the auspicious Year of the Dragon.

While the above have all received generous media attention, there is one major event coming this year that you probably haven’t heard about unless you’re a devoted horticulturist: Floriade 2012.

In the case that you are a diehard gardener, then you’ve probably been waiting patiently for this horticultural expo that only comes around once every ten years. Well, this is your year! From April 5^th to October 7^th, Venlo, the Netherlands, will be hosting this massive flower and garden exhibition with the theme “Be part of the theatre in nature; get closer to the quality of life.”

The Floriade World Horticultural Expo was first held in 1960 and has since taken place roughly every ten years in different locations throughout the Netherlands. Like all expos, Floriade is an opportunity for the Netherlands to showcase their unique contributions to the world. Naturally you’ll see plenty of flowers at the expo, but it also touches on many other aspects of horticultural such as technology and social issues. Those horticulturists also know how to have fun! The six-month-long festival is jam packed with all sorts of entertainment such as musical performances, light shows, and open-air film screenings.

Preview of the Floriade Park

The event sprawls over 66 hectares, 40 of which are dedicated show grounds. The exhibits are divided up into five different theme worlds which are separated by wooded areas. This year’s themed areas are: Relax and Heal, Green Engine, Education and Innovation, Environment, and World Stage Show.

Each area is designed to immerse you in the theme, rather than just let you walk passively past booths. For example, the Relax and Heal world has a “spa-like ambience” to enhance the exhibitors’ focus on the relationship between nature and our health. While visiting this theme world, you can stroll along a barefoot path, participate in tea rituals, and sample from a wide variety of healing herbs.

Concept Art for Floriade 2012

While every day is packed with numerous colorful activities, this year’s main feature is the Floriade Harvest Show. This thirty minute show is a combination of music, theatre, dance, and acrobatics presented by a collection of young performers culled from developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The show’s material revolves around the theme of “Harvest Time,” which is important in horticulture, but also transcends it and relates to more general cultural traditions.

Floriade Concept Art

The architects of the expo haven’t forgot about the many children that will be accompanying their parents to Venlo. Each world includes a playground inspired by its theme. At Environment there will be a play ship with climbing rocks, while over at Green Engine there will be a climbing net for the young ones to scramble across.

Remember, this event only comes around once a decade, so if horticulture is your thing, put Venlo on this summer’s destination list.

Four Candidates Nominated for Floriade 2022

2012-02-13T06:18:00.001-08:00

The Dutch Horticultural Council (NTR) has selected four sites that may compete for the Floriade 2022: Almere, Boskoop Region, Amsterdam and Groningen.

The four selected candidates may present a bid book to the NTR that contains all the plans of the world horticultural exhibition as seen in 2022 in mind.Applicants are asked to submit their detailed offers by July 1 at the Dutch Horticultural Council to deliver, then the selection committee will evaluate the plans.

The NTR is during the closing ceremony of the Floriade 2012 in Venlo early October, known where the seventh edition of the Floriade 2022 will take place.

'Floriade 2012' Tours are Blooming Whilst Holiday Sales are Drooping

2012-01-26T06:57:00.001-08:00

LARKFIELD, England, January 19, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Door2Tour.com, the website tour consolidator, has revealed that overall flower show sales are up 158% year to date compared to the same period last year.

It has also found that that over half of the increase can be attributed to sales for the once-every-ten-years Euro flower show, Floriade 2012, an international event with more than 100 participants taking part from across the world, including countries, businesses and horticultural companies. Floriade 2012 is a showcase for the very latest trends in gardening, horticulture and the environment, with countless innovative attractions and interactive activities for all to take part in.

Despite the increase in flower show sales, Door2Tour.com has also found that interest in traditional UK breaks are down in line with recent reports from other travel companies such as TUI, who have also experienced weaker UK holiday bookings with an 11% drop in summer 2012 bookings compared to last year.

Rachel Jones, Online PR & Marketing Co-ordinator at Door2Tour.com, said: "Although sales for our flower shows appear to be blooming at the moment with favourites such as Chelsea and Floriade 2012 receiving huge interest from the public, this has been counteracted by drooping UK holiday sales despite holidaymakers tightening their money belts and trying to save the pennies by holidaying at home. One of the reasons for this decline in UK holiday sales could be because families simply cannot afford their annual holiday this year therefore are not booking anything at all."

The coach holidays company has also seen a 15% increase in Euro breaks, with a come-back for destinations like Rome, Spain, Belgium, Austria and Germany. Destinations that appear to have suffered since last year include France with interest in Paris city breaks declining, although trips to Disneyland Paris are selling extremely well, with travellers still being drawn to the major European theme park.

Rachel concluded: "Although our UK sales seem to be down this year compared to 2011, it would appear that our customers are taking advantage of the recent troubles in Europe and opting for European coach tours instead which is why we have seen an increase in interest for destinations such as Rome, Spain, Belgium and Austria. With many still trying to budget when it comes to planning their annual break away, some are choosing popular all-inclusive holidays so they do not have to worry about any hidden extras thus being able to enjoy their holiday. The added advantage of holidaying abroad is you're more or less guaranteed good weather compared to UK coach holidays where the weather is somewhat unpredictable."

Event sales are also flourishing, with a 73% increase in overall events sales. This has been boosted through early interest shown for events such as The X Factor and Dancing on Ice Live Tours, Royal Ascot, the British Grand Prix, The Grand National and the hotly anticipated Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

About Door2Tour.com:

Door2Tour.com is a consolidation of national and regional tour operators creating a diverse choice of UK, European and worldwide touring holidays including New Year breaks and Christmas breaks, coach holidays, day trips, mini cruises and holidays by air to many exciting destinations. All have live availability and offer the customer the opportunity to book online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Door2Tour.com features over 35 operators, including Cosmos holidays, Travelsphere and Leger Holidays.

PR contact: Rachel Jones 14 New Hythe Lane Larkfield Aylesford Kent ME20 6AB UK +44(0)1732-879138 http://www.door2tour.com

Teboza also in House of Taste at Floriade 2012

2012-01-09T12:14:00.001-08:00

"Aparagus to be offered through entire chain"

Teboza have arranged with the organisation of House of Taste at the Floriade to be permanently present with a fixed stand 'in their backyard'. Will Teeuwen is enthousiastic about the fact that they were able to obtain a stand. "We will be present for a period of three months with effect from the 5th of April in order to introduce the asparagus to an as wide as possible public. Between two and |three million visitors are expected."

Teeuwen mentions that they can reach every visitor of the Floriade. We are represented in the entire chain from seed to fresh product. In this way we can talk to everybody interested in asparagus from improve to customer.

Various activities will take place in the house of taste and there are a number of stand holders from the fruit and vegetable sector. "Close by is the asparagus pavillion, where people may obtain all information about asparagus" Will tells.

Also much will be done with cooking and tasting. Koppert Cress will also be present."

Teboza will not keep the stand at the Floriade till October. "The asparagus is a seasonal product and this will be presented till 1 July. After that Giel Hermans will take my place."

15 awesome travel destinations include 'Floriade 2012'

2012-01-03T06:37:00.000-08:00

Previous Photo Next Photo

[Associated Press (2011)]

The Lighted Sky: The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is predicted to be highly visible in 2012. Head north — far north — and dress warmly. This is a view from Norway.

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His heart's strings

According to some interpretations of the ancient Mayan calendar the world is supposed to end this year. Doomsday is set for Dec. 21, but that gives you nearly a year to see parts of the world you've been putting off. And if that dire prediction doesn't come true? You'll have been able to cross a few things off your bucket list.

• This year's biggest event is likely to be the London Olympics, for which England has spent $14 billion on new stadiums and other improvements. Now that'll be something to see.

• But there are plenty of other places to go and things to experience in the Year of the Dragon.

Here are 15 suggestions of what to do with your vacation time, some near and some very far.

FLOWER POWER

Floriade, the World Horticulture Exposition, is held every 10 years in the Netherlands, and this year it's Venlo's turn to host it. A 160-acre park with five floral and nature themes opens April 6 and runs through Oct. 7, so there is plenty of time to see what nature has wrought, tulips being just the start.

Besides horticulture displays, there are music performances and plenty of food. Venlo is about 85 miles or a two-hour train trip from Amsterdam. For more information, go to www.floriade.com

LONDON CALLING

Take your pick. The Olympics July 27-Aug. 12 where you'll see some of the world's best athletes compete at state-of-the-art venues or theQueen's Diamond Jubilee celebration June 2-5. Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years on the throne will be marked by a 1,000-boat flotilla on the Thames, a huge street picnic, a carriage procession ceremony and lots of people milling about on holiday. Probably even a protest or two. London is already an expensive destination so save your pounds, but the city will be at its best-dressed finest this summer. Oh, and there will be some Dickens-themed events to commemorate the British author's 200th birthday. For more information, go to www.visitlondon.com.

YEAR OF THE DRAGON

Chinese New Year is Jan. 23 and if you can't get it together to celebrate in China, consider San Francisco, which has one of the country's biggest celebrations. The annual parade, which has been in existence since just after the Gold Rush, is Feb. 11. San Francisco has the largest Chinatown outside of Asia. Dragons seem to be a motif these days with the popularity ofThe Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Travel to Stockholm and take a guided tour in English of sites in the book and movie. Go to www.stads museum.stockholm.se for more information.

BATTER UP!

While the powers that be tussle about where a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium might be located, the Miami Marlins debut their shiny $515 million homein the Little Havana neighborhood not far from downtown. Fans can sit in the air-conditioned, retractable-roof facility starting April 4 for the opener against the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. If spring training is your game and the Red Sox specifically,JetBlue Park debuts in Fort Myers with an outfield replica of Fenway Park's Green Monster. Tickets on the monster are just $15. The season begins March 3 and the Red Sox play the Rays at the new stadium on March 10 and 27. Major League Baseball's site, mlb.com, will lead you to tickets for all games.

HONORING THE TITANIC

Can't get enough Titanic lore? A new interactive visitors center in Belfast, Northern Ireland, honoring the White Star liner opens in late March, the 100th anniversary of the world's most legendary ship disaster. The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, after hitting an iceberg, and more than 1,500 people died. The new center honors Belfast's shipbuilding history and the attraction includes a ride that re-creates the shipyards of the early 1900s. There is also underwater footage of the wreck. This year also marks the 15th anniversary of the Academy Award-winning movie Titanic and a 3-D version of the film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet will be released in April. For more about the Belfast center, go to www.titanicbelfast.com.

AMERICAN ART

Bentonville, Ark.? Really? Yes, go to the middle of the country to a community of 35,000 people this year to visit an art museum that has garnered a lot of buzz. The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, opened in November by Walmart heir Alice Walton, is being called the nation's most important new art museum in a generation. Some 440 pieces of artwork are displayed, with more in storage, and visitors can expect to see Revolutionary War figure portraits, renderings of early settlers and American Indians, plus works from the Civil War period. Norman Rockwell's Rosie the Riveter from World War II is there, plus works by Winslow Homer, Thomas Eakins, Andy Warhol and Jenny Holzer. It's a small town but hotels and restaurants have sprung up to handle the visitors. Also, there's a new regional airport to make travel easier, too. Go to www.crystalbridges.org.

CAPITAL IN BLOOM

If you've always promised yourself that you'd go to Washington, D.C., to see the cherry blossoms, mark your calendar for March 20-April 27. This year's Cherry Blossom Festivalwill be especially grand since 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the planting of 3,000 flowering cherry trees, a gift from the Japanese government. For a list of activities, including the parade and the popular kite festival, go to www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

ART IN VIENNA

You'll have four months to visit Vienna for a major retrospective of artist Gustav Klimt. "Klimt: The Wien Museum Collection" runs May 15-Sept. 16 at Wien Museum. While you're there, say "Happy Birthday!" The Austrian artist's birthday was 150 years ago this year and you'd be hard-pressed not to find a Klimt exhibit in Vienna. At least 10 museums are planning shows. His most famous painting, The Kiss, is in the permanent collection at Vienna's Osterreichische Galerie Belvedere. The Belvedere is also having a special Klimt exhibition this year. Find more information at www.austria.info/us (click on "art").

JAPAN FOR FREE

The March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered a nuclear disaster devastated Japan in many ways, not the least of which were the deaths of 20,000 people. Tourism from outside the country has dropped more than 60 percent, which is also creating economic hardship. To lure people back, the Japan National Tourist Board hopes to persuade the government to fund 10,000 free flights for foreign visitors this year. The multimillion-dollar program is still awaiting approval, but if it is okayed online applications for free travel will start to be assessed in April for summer trips. Keep track of the news at www.jnto.go.jp.

THE ROOTS THING

Is this the year that you go back to the motherland? If you've always wanted to visit the town where your grandmother was born or perhaps take your children to your own parents' hometowns, 2012 is as good a time as any. Do as much research as you can before you set out to find the church where your great-grandparents were married or the lake that your dad said he always swam in as a kid. There are lots of online genealogy sites, such as www.ancestry.com or www.familysearch.org, to help get you started. Or sit down with a family member and play like a reporter digging for information.

THE LIGHTED SKY

NASA is predicting that the northern lights will be their brightest in 50 years in 2012. In fact, the aurora borealis is likely to be visible from as far south as Rome, but obviously the best place to see the light show is from a perch in the north. Norway, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Greenland, Alaska (think Barrow not Juneau), Canada and Russia are prime viewing spots. Tromso, Norway, is the town that beckons most aurora-chasers, and the best time to see this natural phenomenon is before April. Pack a heavy coat and lots of layers. For information, go to www.visittromso.no/en.

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SKY

Venus will be passing between the sun and the Earth this year, causing a total eclipse that won't be repeated until 2117. The best place to see the solar eclipse is northern Australia. Sort of a long way to go for 2 minutes of total darkness in the middle of the day, but there's plenty to do Down Under. Cairns is touting itself as eclipse central on Nov. 14 where predictions have the sky going dark just after sunrise at 6:39 a.m. For more information, including a guide of what to do when the sun returns, go to www.eclipsecairns.com.

'Floriade' Is Among World's Top 2012 Destinations

2011-12-27T07:41:00.001-08:00

Globe-trotters everywhere, it's time to raise your champagne glass and toast to all the wonderful new journeys you'll take in the new year. But where exactly should you go in 2012? As always, some places will stand out above the rest when it comes to unforgettable things to do and see.

To help you decide, we sought out recommendations from four travel experts: Robert Reid, U.S. travel editor for Lonely Planet; Martin Rapp, senior vice president of leisure sales at Altour; Anne Banas, executive editor at SmarterTravel; and Jeanenne Tornatore, senior editor for Orbitz.com.

We also sprinkled in a couple of suggestions from Travel+Leisure and Budget Travel.

Here are nine of the top destinations for 2012: England The royal wedding made it one of the world's most buzzed about destinations this year, but England is about to get even hotter.

There will be so much going on in 2012 that it's hard to keep count.

The country will celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee -- marking her 60 years on the throne -- with a river pageant on the Thames and a concert at Buckingham Palace at the beginning of June.

Then all eyes will be on London as it hosts the Summer Olympic Games in July and August, and the Paralympic Games in August and September.

Looking for more? There will be festivals, tours, performances and exhibitions to mark the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens.

"I love London. I think it's kind of the greatest city on Earth," Reid said.

"A lot of people think it's too expensive but ... there are all kinds of fantastic free attractions in London, so it makes it more affordable than you think."

Banas predicted travelers will have more choices than ever to stay in and get around the city, with new lodging options and better transportation in place for the Olympics.

World of the Maya. Some see it as an approaching apocalypse, others as the beginning of a new era. Whatever your beliefs are about December 21, 2012, interest is skyrocketing in the Maya, the ancient civilization known for the great cities it left behind in Mexico and Central America.

The date marks the end of a 5,126-year cycle on the Long Count calendar developed by the Maya, and there will be events on the occasion in Belize, Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras, Banas said.

If you want to see incredible ruins, Reid recommended skipping the tourist hordes at Tulum and Chichen Itza in Mexico and instead head to places such as Tikal, Guatemala (which George Lucas used as a location in the original "Star Wars"), and Chiapas, Mexico.

Reid was once exploring a site near Comitan, Mexico, and said he was astonished to discover he was the only person there.

"I had a pyramid to myself," Reid said. "You're just looking out over this mountainous valley, and you have the complete Mayan site to yourself. It's an unreal travel experience."

Myanmar (also known as Burma) U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said this month that she sees signs the country -- ruled by a military junta for almost 50 years -- may genuinely be opening up. The changes mean tourists who didn't feel they could support the regime can finally start planning a trip to Myanmar, Rapp said.

"It is extraordinary," he said. "It is really as close to authentic and unspoiled as you can get in that part of the world."

Reid also found it unforgettable.

"There's really no place in the world that you will find sweeter, more welcoming people," Reid said.

Rapp suggested starting the journey in Yangon (once known as Rangoon) and staying at either the Governor's Residence or The Strand. Don't miss "extraordinary" Inle Lake, he added, where you can stay at the Golden Island Cottages.

Chicago The Windy City will be prominent on the world stage in 2012, hosting the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in April, and both the NATO and Group of Eight summits in May, Tornatore noted.

Golf fans will also descend on a country club just outside the city for the Ryder Cup in September. But even if you're not planning to be there for any big event, Chicago is ready for an influx of visitors from all over the world during 2012.

"Chicago is a huge tourist destination in its own right," Tornatore said, citing the city's museums, major sports teams and shopping. St. Vincent and the Grenadines What's not to like about a tropical paradise that bills itself as "one destination, 32 gorgeous Caribbean islands"?

Located between St. Lucia and Grenada, this island chain has long drawn stars and vacationers with deep pockets, but it will become more accessible to a wider range of travelers thanks to a $240 million airport scheduled to open on St. Vincent, Travel + Leisure reports.

The Netherlands Flower lovers who flock to the country's stunning fields of tulips and who have made the colorful Keukenhof gardens one of the most popular attractions in the Netherlands will get an extra treat next year at the Floriade.

The horticultural expo, staged once every 10 years, showcases the world's best flowers, plants, trees, fruits and vegetables.

"This is a once in a decade flower show so it's even more spectacular than Keukenhof, and Keukenhof is already amazing," Banas said.

"It actually runs from April all the way through October, so there's a pretty wide range of time that you can go and see this."

The expo is expected to attract 2 million visitors.

Atlantic Canada Canada's Maritime Provinces are always a beautiful destination, but the region will be in the spotlight next year as it commemorates its connection to the Titanic and the 100th anniversary of the ship's sinking.

After the Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, three ships were dispatched from Halifax, Nova Scotia -- the closest major port -- to bring back the bodies of the victims. Some of the passengers were laid to rest in the city's cemeteries.

Halifax is planning lots of events to mark the anniversary, including a town parade, concerts and a film festival, Budget Travel reports.

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic -- which has a huge collection of wooden Titanic artifacts, including a deck chair -- will have a temporary exhibit on the crews involved in the Titanic recovery effort. Uruguay There are extraordinary hotels opening in this South American country, which has stayed below the radar for many tourists, Rapp said.

"People don't know it ... so it's a real find," he said. "I rode horses, because the horseback riding is superb. The beaches are completely unspoiled."

He recommended checking out the art-filled Playa Vik and the Estancia Vik as well as the Hotel Fasano in the seaside resort of Punta del Este. Orlando Reid conceded some people might think of this choice as "ridiculous," but he called Orlando a legitimate surprise.

"By Orlando, I refer to Orlando the city," he said. "Local Orlando (residents) will tell you that the amusement park scene has no connection to the city itself."

The metropolis most people breeze by as they head to Disney World will transform into celebrity central as it hosts the 61st NBA All-Star Game in February.

Reid advised travelers to check out the city's lakes, museums and scenic neighborhoods, including the bohemian Milk District.

He also praised Orlando's food scene.

"There's this very big, wonderful, authentic, fantastic and tasty Vietnamese restaurant community called ViMi -- it's more authentic Vietnamese restaurants than you find in New York or San Francisco," he said.

Neshanic, NJ, Garden Club offers 'Floriade 2012' trip

2011-12-18T15:25:00.000-08:00

The Neshanic Garden Club will hold its regular monthly meeting at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at the Station House on Olive Street in Neshanic Station. At 11 a.m. The Program, “Attracting Bees, Butterflies and Wildlife,” will be presented by Michael Pollock of the New Jersey Audubon Society. Please bring a bag lunch and a mug, beverages and desserts will be provided. Prospective members are encouraged to attend. For further information, contact club president Janet Gibson at 908-359-0176.

Former club president Diana Reinhardt of the Neshanic Garden Club has set a deadline of January 23, 2012, for registration for the Holland Trip which will be taken at the peak of the tulip season. The trip will take place on Sunday, April 15 through Monday, April 23, 2012. Trafalgar Tours is arranging the guided land tour at a cost of $2250 plus air fare of $1002.08. Also included are 7 nights at 4-star hotels with breakfast, 3 lunches and 3 dinners.

Sights included are: bus tour of Amsterdam; canal dinner cruise of Amsterdam; Palace of Het Loo, Floriade World Horticultural Expo staged every 10 years and displaying the world’s most exquisite flowers; Keukenhof Garden and Flower Parade of 2012 plus 32 hectare of beautiful tulips and other spring bulbs; Aalsmeer Flower Auction; Dr. Costerus Botanic Garden; DeLocht Farmstead and Museum built in 1859 and a free day in Amsterdam.

For further information about the sights and activities, please call Diana Reinhardt at 908-369-4362 or e-mail her at reinhardt9@verizon.net

Floriade comes with its own Fashion Week

2011-12-11T13:57:00.001-08:00

From May 7 to 13, 2012 Fashion Week takes place the Floriade. Theme is awareness for Fashion Design and Sustainability, shown from different angles and moments.

The purpose of Floriade 2012 is to inspire the visitor and "conscious" to the project JANTAMINIAU inspired by Floriade 2012.So keep Li Edelkoort a lecture, give runway photographer Peter Stigter a workshop on street photography and allows consumers 7 and May 8 the workshop "Design Piece 'following Peter Leferink, professor of fashion AMFI.

The Floriade Fashion Show will be held on Friday, May 11, in which five unique designs JANTAMINIAU, 15 master pieces and piece design of the workshop are presented.

Seven candidates for Floriade 2022

2011-12-05T07:06:00.001-08:00

The acceptance period for those who have to report to the Floriade 2022 to organize is now closed. There were seven candidates in the Dutch Horticultural Council (NTR) reported: The Region Rivierenland, the City of Almere, the Cooperative Flevoland 2022, the Region Boskoop 2022, North Holland North, the city of Groningen and the City of Amsterdam.

In the short term, selection of the Dutch Horticultural Council review the proposals against the set criteria. During January, the selection committee's recommendation to release the NTR. In late January NTR decides who will be invited to be a bid book to give. The evaluation of these proposals will result in early October 2012 announcement of the organizing party in 2022.

The world able to make it coincides with the closing of the Floriade 2012 in Venlo.

Riverland region candidate Floriade 2022

2011-11-30T08:10:00.001-08:00

The municipalities in the Riverland region have today officially applied for the Floriade 2022. A delegation this morning the candidate letter to the Dutch Horticultural Council handed. Candidates were able to log on December 1, 2011. The Dutch Horticultural Council is currently considering all nominations. Later than February 1, 2012 let them know who nominated for a bid book to give.

That must be received July 1, 2012 inside. In the closing week of the Floriade in Venlo (October 2012), the Horticultural Council will announce the following horticultural exhibition may organize. Besides the municipalities are also Greenport Betuwse Flower, the Chamber of Commerce, the Regional Tourist Board, and the province of Gelderland enthusiasm for Floriade. Ontzander Dekker van de Kamp, the necessary land available. They were also represented in the delegation.

Scenic Cruises Offers Voyages to 'Floriade 2012'

2011-11-25T06:14:00.001-08:00

Scenic Cruises' 18-day Flourishing Floriade Jewels of Europe

Highlights of the 18-day cruise include the three nights at Floriade, a medieval banquet in Marksburg Castle, an event where guests are invited to participate in European village life for a day, an organ recital at Melk’s Benedictine Abbey and a private Vienneseconcert of Strauss and Mozart music.

Departures are available in May, July, August and September, and prices start at $8,115 per person, double, and are all-inclusive.

The 15-day Jewels of Europe itinerary visits Amsterdam and Budapest, and features dozens of departures between April and October. Prices are available at $6,235, and include a one day visit to Floriade 2012.

Dutch 'Floriade 2012' pavilion committed to innovation

2011-11-24T07:54:00.001-08:00

"The Dutch pavilion at the Floriade 2012 is built with the latest techniques and materials, and shows how much knowledge and innovative entrepreneurs in the Dutch house."

Foreign minister Maxime Verhagen of EL & I at the signing of the plans for the state pavilion ' My Green World ".

The Dutch pavilion is built in the shape of a germ and symbolizes growth and renewal. The property includes a "smart skin"; transparent façade material that the heat flow in the building used for space heating or cooling. Inside the pavilion, visitors can see a simulated green world, with examples of innovative developments.

Vancouver Europe Garden Tour With 'Floriade 2012'

2011-11-16T06:29:00.000-08:00

BY STEVE WHYSALL, VANCOUVER SUN OCTOBER 29, 2011

In a gardener's life, there are a few must-do/must-sees. Seeing the Chelsea Flower Show in London, for instance, is one thing every keen gardener should do once in their life.

The Floriade, a mega horticultural world's fair held only once every 10 years in the Netherlands, is another world-class event every garden lover should experience once.

Sissinghurst, Great Dixter, Kew, the Keukenhof, Hampton Court Palace are all world-class gardens worthy of inclusion on any must-see list.

Few people get to see all these wonders in one trip.

But that's precisely what my next European garden tour is all about - taking 15 days in May to see it all.

This includes the magnificent Floriade, amazing Chelsea Flower Show, breathtaking Keukenhof and ethereal Sissinghurst along with Kew, Hampton Court and Great Dixter, plus a grand selection of exceptional private gardens and outstanding destinations in Holland, Belgium and England.

Gardens, gardens and more gardens can be a little overwhelming. I can't get enough of them.

But I agree that life needs more to find satisfaction and make a day complete, especially on vacation. So this European tour will also include plenty of time to take in cultural attractions, such as the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the theatre scene and exciting razzle-dazzle of London, and much more.

The adventure will start in Amsterdam with an orientating canal tour of the city followed the next day by a visit to the world-famous Keukenhof flower garden, mammoth Aalsmeer Flower Auction, where more than 17 million flowers are sold each day, and exclusive visit to the private garden of Holland's queen of landscaping, Jacqueline van der Kloet.

There will be time, of course, to enjoy the historic parts of downtown Amsterdam, including time at the quaint flower market.

From Amsterdam, we will visit the extraordinary garden complexes of Appeltern and Kijktuinen.

Appeltern is a one-of-a-kind centre (I've seen nothing like it anywhere else in Europe and nothing to compare it with in North America) that features 150 model gardens, closely linked, so that you are able to walk through dozens of completely different styles of garden in no time at all.

Each unique garden is separated artistically. You just won't find a collection of model gardens of this scope and quality anywhere in North America.

Kijktuinen is similar and also unique: a destination known only to top Dutch horticulturalists and landscape architects looking for innovative garden ideas.

The next day we will tackle what is the horticultural equivalent of a world's fair - the famous Floriade, a magnificent event covering more than 66 hectares and which is billed as a "global spectacle" and "spectacular theatre of nature" with five unique themed garden "worlds" separated by a wooded area.

The Floriade is such a gigantic undertaking that it can only be put on once every 10 years.

And it's no wonder that it takes a decade to put together. The site is so big that a 30-metre-high cable car system is being built to convey people from one end of the site to the other and also giving a bird's-eye view of the hundreds of special exhibits.

Dozens of countries from around the globe contribute top-notch sustainable, pioneering architectural landscape features to the Floriade, which is considered a "melting pot of cultures."

From Holland, we will move into Belgium, dropping into exquisite private gardens en route - gardens that have caught the attention of garden journalists from all over Europe, if not beyond and that yet these sites remarkably still remain private, quiet, beautifully serene retreats.

We will be entertained in these gardens by the owners before we continue on our way, winding up in one of Europe's most picturesque and charming old-world cities - Bruges, famous for its heritage architecture, some of which dates as far back to the Middle Ages.

The city of Bruges has been designated a World Heritage site because of the unparalleled beauty and historic nature of its extraordinary buildings, some of which appear in paintings by Flemish old-masters in the town's art gallery.

From Bruges, we will skip across the English Channel, taking the Eurostar express through the Chunnel to St. Pancras Station in London.

From there, we will head down to Kent to visit the iconic gardens of Sissinghurst and Great Dixter, two gardens that have thrilled and inspired gardeners for decades.

Built around the ruin of an Elizabethan house and set in the middle of its own woods with views of Kentish countryside on all sides, Sissinghurst was home to the writer and diplomat Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville-West, celebrated writer and gardener in the 1930s.

We will also see Great Dixter, the famous 20th century Arts and Crafts garden restored in the early 1900s by Edwin Lutyens but most famous for the work of author and gardener Christopher Lloyd, who was born at Great Dixter and left the estate to The Great Dixter Trust on his death in 2006.

Heading back into London, we will pop into see the 121-hectare (299acre) Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew followed by a quiet day out to Hampton Court where among other things we will see the longest herbaceous border in the world as well as one of the world's oldest and possibly biggest grapevine plus some amazing gardens and garden structures, such as a gigantic Victorian garden tunnel.

The Chelsea Show, of course, is an event that is worth attending all on its own. If you went to Europe only to see Chelsea, you would not be disappointed and it would be time well spent.

You will see outstanding gardens, immaculately designed and constructed, plus floral displays of incomparable beauty and botanical perfection.

Without doubt, this is a memory that you will carry for life.

For more details about this exclusive tour call Lyle Truden at Flight Centre in Vancouver at 604-682-5621 or email lyle.truden@flightcentre.ca.

swhysall@vancouversun.com

'Floriade 2012' -- A Global Gardening Spectacle!

2011-11-14T07:31:00.001-08:00

Got next year’s summer garden trip planned yet? For the last few years, I’ve made an annual pilgrimage each spring to the Chelsea Flower and Garden Show in London, England. It could be described as a world championship of gardening where the world’s premier designers compete to produce impossible designs and the latest plants are introduced like debutantes.

Next spring 2012, however, will be different. I’m planning to visit another garden show that vastly exceeds Chelsea in scope and size, a show that could be described as the gardening Olympics. It’s a much rarer event, occurring not once every four years, but only once each decade, the first one held back in 1960.The event is Floriade, promoted as a World Horticultural Exposition, a global spectacle taking place in the southeast Netherlands, close to the border with Germany in the city of Venlo.

The word Floriade comes from the Latin term floriat — to design with flowers, and is pronounced ‘florry yada.’ Funny, I hear ‘flowery yard,’ which is equally appropriate as it is indeed a big yard; a 66-hectare park, in fact, encompassing five areas separated by woodland. Each area will be unique, filled with programs and activities where visitors, as the organizers say, will see, feel, and experience nature in a totally different way each time. The five themes are Relax and Heal, Green Engine, Education and Innovation, Environment, and a World Show Stage.The Relax and Heal section area is to feature a garden designed in harmony with natural elements to balance the energy of visitors and simply make them feel good. Revitalizing — just the kind of thing that’s needed around midday when visiting any garden show.

There’ll be tranquil Japanese gardens there, too, and a restaurant featuring tempting foods of the orient. A section called a “stadspark” will be filled with vibrant plants and flowers as only the Dutch can grow them.An exposition is more than a show; it’s a place for learning and experiencing. The Green Engine section will focus on nature and industry, showing how horticulture is a huge economic driving force. It will have Villa Flora, an innovative, sustainable green office building containing an incredible indoor flower show. And of course, a Flower Bulb Pavilion to tell the story of Dutch bulbs with music, films, and fragrance.

In the Environment area, visitors can enter the Horticultural Pavilion to see displays of everything Dutch horticulture gives to the world.There’ll also be an Avenue of Garden Cultures with international gardens designed to provide wonder and inspiration, and a pavilion devoted to Dutch agriculture and horticulture. It is to feature a sushi style conveyor belt filled with produce for sampling.And then there’s the World Show Stage, the part of the park with a promenade of food, an open air theatre on a hillside, an eye-popping water garden, a pavilion featuring traditional buildings of Indonesia and, of course, more gardens, including an immaculate rose garden.

What Floriade really means is a massive, six month long, horticultural extravaganza running from April to October. Imagine, if you’re old enough to remember, an Expo ’67 for gardeners. That is Floriade.That’s about as much as I know about it, enough to make me want to spend the summer in The Netherlands, except I’d have to abandon my garden.Instead, it will be just a day there, but I’ll be spending a few days seeing more of the country including the famous Aalsmeer Flower Market before finishing off the trip back in England at the good old Chelsea Flower Show — couldn’t possibly miss it.

If you’d more details of this trip or would like to join my group for this tour, contact me below.David Hobson gardens in Waterloo and is happy to answer garden questions, preferably by email: garden@gto.net. Reach him by mail c/o Etcetera, The Record, 160 King St. E. Kitchener, Ont. N2G 4E5

Latest 'Floriade 2012' Newsletter

2011-11-11T07:26:00.001-08:00

There are less than six months to go before Floriade 2012 opens its gates. There is still plenty of work ahead to be done, but a lot has already been completed.

A notable success story you can read about in this newsletter is the Floriade cable lift: since April no less than 51,000 visitors have taken a ride on this attraction! This month also saw the festive opening of Villa Flora and construction of the Innovatoren is also nearing its final stages. The season ticket sales are very encouraging too, while the other types of tickets have also been on sale since last week. The gardens and pavilions in the park are rapidly taking shape and next month a staggering 1 million flower bulbs will be planted.

This newsletter hopes to bring you up to date on the latest Floriade developments.

Happy reading!

Visit Floriade 2012 Horticulture Event with Trafalgar

2011-11-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

Visit the sixth annual Floriade horitculture event with packaged deals fromTrafalgar.

The 6th annual Floriade event features 100 exhibitors paying tribute to horticulture and a cultural program of music, dance, literature, theater and visual art from all over the world. The event will be held in Amsterdam from April 5 to October 7, 2012.

Trafalgar will include full passes on two of its Holland itineraries. Guests joining the eight-day "Best of Holland" trip (from $2,225) will enjoy a relaxed pace holiday as part of Trafalgar’s "At Leisure" collection. Spending four nights in Amsterdam, two in Groningen and taking day trips toApeldoorn and Volendam, guests will experience beautiful Holland with inclusional highlights like a canal cruise, a visit to a cheese farm and a trip to the Rijksmuseum. On day four, guests head to Venlo to immerse themselves in all things botanical at Floriade.

Trafalgar also offers an 11-day "Best of Holland, Belgium & Luxembourg At Leisure" trip (from $2,725). On day seven guests will be treated to one of Trafalgar’s signature "Be My Guest" dining experiences in picturesque Bruges.

Trafalgar is encouraging travelers to book their 2012 summer Europe vacations early, offering up to $1,000 per couple savings when booked and paid in full by December 1, 2011 for travel between April 1 and October 31, 2012.

Visit www.trafalgartours.com

Uniworld Offers 'Floriade 2012'

2011-11-02T05:57:00.000-07:00

An expedition aboard the Sampo Icebreaker through the northern Gulf of Bothnia and the chance to jump into freezing Arctic waters are among the highlights of Bentours’ four-day Lapland Ice Safari. Prices start from $1644. For more information, visit www.bentours.com.au

Insight Vacations’ recently released 2012 Europe and Britain program sees the addition of 22 new itineraries including the nine-day Highlights of Poland, priced from $1985. Destinations visited include Krakow, Warsaw, Poznan and Malbork. For more information, visit www.insightvacations.com.au

For 2012, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has launched two itineraries taking in the world-famous horticultural festival Floriade, which is held once every 10 years. One of these is the eight-day Gems of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands with Floriade, priced from $2995. Floriade runs from April to October in the Netherlands. For more information, www.uniworldcruises.com.au

A journey into Norway is on offer from Discover the World, which has a 16-day Fjordland Explorer package. This round-trip from Oslo includes an 11-day Hurtigruten coastal voyage. Clients who book before February 29, 2012 can save up to 10% on selected voyage fares. Prices start from $4921 (including the 10% discount). For more information, visit www.discovertheworld.com.au

An upcoming end of year sale for Renault Eurodrive includes reduced rates, five free days on selected models, 50% delivery and return discount, and a past client loyalty bonus of three free days. The lease period begins at 15 days and is valid for deliveries up until January 31, 2012. A Megane Coupe Diesel 1.5L is priced from $1399 for 15 days, with five free days included. For more information, visit www.renaulteurodrive.com.au

Creative Holidays has launched its first Europe and UK Preview Brochure, ahead of the 2012 season. The brochure includes accommodation options, sightseeing tours and car hire in London, Paris and Rome, among a host of other features. For those visiting London, an overnight stay at The Ibis Earls Court is priced from $84. For more information, visit www.creativeholidays.com

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JAN TAMINIAU Fashion Week at Floriade 2012

2011-11-01T06:07:00.000-07:00

Jantaminiau's Masterclass consists of four parts of which the last two take place on 10 and May 11 in the Open Studio at the Floriade site.

Dutch academies are approached to 15 interested students to gather for this masterclass.

The assignment: design based on the theme "Nature Extends' completely from their own vision, a design in a sustainable manner, using sustainable materials. Fashion Show at the Floriade, the 15 designs shown to the public.

From May 7 to 13, 2012 Fashion Week takes place the Floriade. Theme is awareness for Fashion Design and Sustainability, shown from different angles and moments.

The purpose of Floriade 2012 is to inspire the visitor and "conscious" to the project JANTAMINIAU inspired by Floriade 2012.

So keep Li Edelkoort a lecture, give runway photographer Peter Stigter a workshop on street photography and allows consumers 7 and May 8 the workshop "Design Piece 'following Peter Leferink, professor of fashion AMFI.

The Floriade Fashion Show will be held on Friday, May 11, in which five unique designs JANTAMINIAU, 15 master pieces and piece design of the workshop are presented.

JANTAMINIAU also responsible for the design of the 2012 Floriade corporate where he was inspired by classic clothing gardeners.

Floriade and JANTAMINIAU are united by their love of culture, nature, quality and durability. The brand stands for JANTAMINIAU timeless, but also beauty with contemporary crafts and traditions and the use of technology in high esteem.

But the nature and the obvious ease with which it unfolds and forms, have a great value for the Dutch designer. Nature has beauty in it, and also is important what one does with nature and with nature is what happened.

The transience and destructive power of nature are also qualities that JANTAMINIAU inspire the design.

Durability is important: recycling, great respect for nature and the eternity of the creations are proof of this.The brand JANTAMINIAU looks, like Floriade, is proud to Dutch icons, Dutch ideas and products made with love in the Netherlands are conceived and produced.

Fargo, ND 'Floriade 2012' Tour Set

2011-10-30T17:27:00.001-07:00

By: Darrel Koehler, Grand Forks Herald

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Darrel Koehler

Darrel Koehler

There will be gremlins, goblins and perhaps even an occasional witch out on the prowl Monday night as we observe that most American holiday — Halloween. But while everyone else is out trick or treating or having generally a good time, the Prairie Gardener will be cleaning up his files for a five-month break from writing the garden column.
For several years, the column has been discontinued during the winter months — when gardening news is sparse — resuming in April and continuing through the following October. That will be case again this year. However, the Prairie Gardener will check his mail weekly at the Herald and he is in the phone book if you want to call or write during his absence. In April, he will resume the column by promoting Gardening Saturday set for April 14.

Besides ending the column for the winter, the gardening show on KNOX-AM ended late September and it also is expected to resume in mid-April. For 11 years, the Prairie Gardener has fielded garden questions live on air for the station during the growing season.

But we digress, so let’s get back to gardening.

Pumpkins galore
There fortunately were enough pumpkins to go around this year for those wanting them for display or for carving into jack-o’-lanterns. Some of the smaller pumpkins will end up in holiday pies and other baked goods. Other areas of the country weren’t so fortunate due to the deluge Hurricane Irene brought to the northeastern states earlier. Extreme drought elsewhere hurt yield. Locally, the pumpkin crop was a success.

Pumpkins are easy to grow. The Prairie Gardener ended up with enough volunteer plants in his garden to produce a crop without even bothering to plant them. Pumpkins are easier to grow than to classify. At least three different species are called pumpkins, and all can be correctly called squash. Besides classic orange, pumpkins come in green, blue-green and even white.
The four most common types grown include the following: Miniatures are used for centerpieces and indoor decorations. Pie pumpkins make flavorful baked goods, while field types are favored for jack-o’-lanterns. Giants indulge our appetites for real big stuff and these are the kind that make the news due to their huge size.

If you are planning to include pumpkins in your garden next year (youngsters love pumpkins) you can choose from these varieties: Miniatures would include Baby Boo or Jack Be Little. Pie types include New England Pie and Small Sugar. Field types for carving would be Howden or Rocket. And if you are into giants, there is the old favorite Atlantic Giant or Prizewinner.

Floriade set
Gardeners are counting the days before the Floriade, which is a world horticultural exposition, hosted every decade in the Netherlands. The sixth event is scheduled from April through mid-October 2012.

The event includes 165-acres, 100,000 flowers, 30 country exhibitions, wine tastings, cultural shows and region culinary delights.

Ron Smith and wife, Betsey, have joined Judy’s Leisure Tours, Fargo, in assisting with the tour set for June 4-14. For more information including a full day-day itinerary call Judy’s at (800) 598-0851.

Sign up early for a discount.

Fall jobs
The long-term forecast is indicating a warmer than-normal autumn. This is good news for gardeners who still have a myriad of tasks to complete before the first snow arrives. Typically, we get a taste of snow about mid-November with the bigger snowfalls arriving around Thanksgiving or into early December. We may want to be extra careful in winter preparation such as mulching and covering tender plants. The winter predictions call for a wetter and colder winter such as the La Nina event we experienced earlier.

Caution should be used if you are planning to do some late fall pruning. Fruit trees are typically pruned in April following winter. Spring-flowering shrubs should such as lilacs should be pruned right after flowering in the spring. If you prune now, you will remove the flowering buds that are already formed.

Hybrid tea roses, as well other tender roses and some shrub roses, require winter protection if they are to bloom again. If you have expensive roses, you may want to try the Minnesota tip method for protection. Dig a narrow trench on one side of the plant. Tie the canes together, loosen one side of the roots, tip the plant into the trench, cover with soil and mulch.

If that sounds like too much work and you don’t have a lot invested in the roses, you can make a mound a foot or so of soil over the center of the rosebush. Then cover the mound with some mulch and some chicken wire to hold the insulation in place. Plastic foam rose cones also work, however, they do need air hole and close monitoring. Mold can be a problem.

The winter sun and hungry varmints can harm trees, especially young trees with thin bark. Wrap trunks with plastic tree protectors, but be sure to remove as soon as weather warms in spring. If you don’t want to bother wrapping and unwrapping trees, use hardware cloth to form a cylinder several inches larger than the tree trunk. Push several inches into the soil. There are sprays that protect plantings from deer and rabbits, too.

Evergreen shrubs benefit from burlap screens or wrapping.

Thanks
Thanks go to the many people who have commented on the mini-garden at an intersection on the north end of East Grand Forks. It’s a beautification project where the Prairie Gardner wants to give something back to the community. It will be back in 2012. Farewell until April.

Koehler is the Herald’s garden columnist. Send garden questions to him in care of the Grand Forks Herald, Box 6008, Grand Forks ND 58206-6008. This is the final garden column for the 2011 gardening season. The weekly column resumes in April 2012.

Floriade/Chelsea Flower Show tour is a sell out!

2011-10-26T04:05:00.000-07:00

Insight Vacations has announced that due to popular demand, it has added two extra departures for its exclusive Floriade 2012, Chelsea Flower Show & Springtime in the Alps Tour after its first release and subsequent second departure sold out in record time.

An additional, brand new departure, the 17-day Floriade 2012, Hampton Court Flower Show & Summertime Alps has also been introduced in line with demand. This new tour follows the same successful itinerary, however departs later and takes in the world’s largest flower show at London’s Hampton Court Palace instead of the Chelsea Flower Show.

Lorraine Sharp, managing director, Insight Vacations said, “Insight Vacations’ 17-day Floriade 2012, Chelsea Flower Show & Springtime in the Alps Tour takes in two of the most famous horticultural events in Europe and Britain however the response to its initial release far exceeded our expectations.

“After this itinerary sold out, we released an additional departure, which also sold quickly. As such, we have now released a third and fourth departure, which will be travelling in reverse to the original itinerary as well as a new tour, the Floriade 2012, Hampton Court Flower Show & Summertime Alps.

“Commencing in Paris, the Floriade 2012, Chelsea Flower Show & Springtime in the Alps Tour is perfectly timed to take advantage of spring’s full bloom and of course the main attractions of Floriade and the Chelsea Flower Show.

“The Floriade World Horticultural Expo, an event so special it is only held once a decade, is held in the town of Venlo. Here, guests will have a full day here to become acquainted with some of the world’s most exquisite flowers, plants, trees, fruits and vegetables. But more than just a flower show, Floriade is a celebration of music, dance, theatre, literature and visual art from around the world.

“The tour will conclude in London, where guests will attend the 2012 Chelsea Flower Show, an event that is famous for bringing together the very best show gardens, flowers and gardening from around the world.

“Highlights in between include travelling along the picturesque trail of the Romantic Road, two leisurely nights in the Bavarian capital of Munich, stunning Bolzano, encircled by the majestic snow-capped Italian Alps, the combination of vivid blue waters and dramatic mountains in the Italian Lake District, the perfectly landscaped Botanical Gardens of Isola Bella and sparkling Paris including a visit to Monet’s Garden, the inspiration behind his famed water lily paintings.

“The 17-day Floriade 2012, Hampton Palace Flower Show & Summertime in the Alps, follows the same captivating itinerary with the addition of the spectacular Flower Show in the gorgeous grounds of Hampton Court Palace in London in place of the Chelsea Flower Show. The Hampton Palace show combines breathtaking floral displays with presentations and tips on how to grow fruit and vegetables. New for 2012 is the World of Gardens section which will feature 12 gardens celebrating the botanical highlights of different countries.

“If recent results are anything to go by, I recommend travellers get in quick to book their space and avoid disappointment.”

Insight Vacations’ 17-day Floriade 2012, Chelsea Flower Show & Springtime in the Alps Tour is priced from $5569 per person, twin share, land only, (single supplement from $1675). There are two departures on 11 May, 2012 ex Paris.

The 17-day Floriade 2012, Hampton Court Flower Show & Summertime in the Alps is priced from $5769 per person, twin share, land only (single supplement from $1775). This tour departs on 5 July, 2012.

Price includes tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show 2012 (or Hampton Court Flower Show 2012), tickets to the Floriade for 2012, 16 nights in first class hotel accommodation, the services of a professional Tour Director, transport by luxury air-conditioned 40-seat coach with extended legroom for added comfort, airport transfers, many meals and much more.

Bookings are available exclusively through travel agents and all Insight bookings attract World Rewards points for World Reward members. For more information see www.insightvacations.com.au

Global gardens 2012 Includes Holland's Floriade!

2011-10-22T10:21:00.000-07:00

A round-up of the biggest and best garden shows and events
from across the world next year.

Chelsea Flower Show (May 22-26) Relatively small but oh-so-smart, has now spawned its own Chelsea Fringe (www.rhs.org.uk and www.chelseafringe.com).

Jim Fogarty's winning design at the Nagasaki gardening show

Singapore Garden Festival (July 7-15) A biennial blockbuster majoring on spectacular orchids and top international designers (www.singaporegardenfestival.com).

Floriade (April 5-October 7) Held every 10 years in Venlo, Holland. An improving mix of environmental message and traditional commercial horticulture (www.floriade.com).

Philadelphia International Flower Show (March 4-11) Next year’s theme is Hawaii, the scale is vast and outstanding horticulturists flock here from all over the United States (www.theflowershow.com).

Landesgartenschau Nagold (April 27-October 7) The Germans take gardening very seriously and this event is a must-see for anyone interested in new ideas about environmental design (www.landesgartenschau-nagold.de).

Recruiting 150 trainees for the 2012 Floriade launch

2011-10-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

The recruitment of 150 trainee posts at Floriade 2012 is launched. Floriade 2012 offering 150 MBO and HBO students an internship opportunity. The search for the trainees undertake vocational services with the Floriade. This organization supports the Floriade also supervising the interns.
The majority of trainees will come from the vocational training Tourism, Hospitality, Economy, Trade, AOCs and HBO programs Hotel School, Leisure, Marketing, Communications and Sales throughout the Netherlands. Vocational Services selects the interns and coordinates substantive training supervision.

During an information day on October 12 are 75 educational institutions informed about the internship opportunities at Floriade. The schools will now inform the students. But students from other schools are welcome to apply. The students can for 10 weeks to half year internship at the Floriade, between late March and late October 2012. There are already some functions in the short term to be filled. By far the most features begin at the end of March 2012. All internship vacancies are listed on the site www.mbodiensten.nl .

Apply for Vocational Services is only possible and can even to 6 November. 1,2,3 and on December 4, students are invited to during the selection day Venlo Floriade. Shortly thereafter be known that 150 students have been selected for an internship at the World Horticultural Expo. Vocational Services in 2010 coached more than 160 students during their internship at the World Expo in Shanghai. MBO and HBO worked there in the Dutch pavilion and filled various positions. At Floriade 2012 will also be the case, the MBO and HBO graduates work in the guest reception, marketing, administration, catering, retail and events.

Special Sightseeing Tours To Floriade 2012

2011-10-14T13:30:00.001-07:00

For tourists interested in attending the once-in-a-decade horticultural event - Floriade 2012, Amsterdam City Tours is offering special sightseeing Floriade tours. The tours provider is also popular for its Keukenhof excursions.

AMSTERDAM -- The Floriade 2012 is a tourism draw card for the Netherlands and Amsterdam City Tours is offering sightseeing Floriade tours for a unique experience.

Floriade is an international horticultural event held in the Netherlands once every 10 years. It is an exhibition of flowers and gardening, drawing participants from around the world. The 2012 event is scheduled to be held from April through October in the region of Venlo and is a global spectacle drawing thousands of tourists to Netherlands.

"The Netherlands is internationally recognized for its horticultural traditions and achievements and Floriade is definitely the biggest event held here. The variety of flowers and gardening on display is simply amazing and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience we recommend to everyone. To make it easier to plan for Floriade, simply book a tour with us and we'll worry about the details," said Menno Jong of Amsterdam City Tours.

In addition to its Floriade tours, Amsterdam City Tours also provides Keukenhof tours. Keukenhof is an internationally renowned flower garden located in Lisse, a small town southwest of Amsterdam. It is the largest flower garden in the world with an estimated seven million flower bulbs planted ever year.

The park is scheduled to open from late March to May 2012 and Amsterdam City Tours has put together an enjoyableKeukenhof excursion so guests can make the most of the park known as the 'Garden of Europe'.

While the Floriade and Keukenhof tours are seasonal tours, the company also provides several other tours and activities to help visitors explore the Netherlands in a variety of ways. There's something for every tourist with historical tours taking guests through Anne Frank's house and The Hague, while the night tours offer pub crawls or even the chance to experience a walk through Amsterdam's famous red-light district.

"Amsterdam City Tours is your one stop shop as a tourist in Holland. Whether you're headed to Floriade, need a guide for your visit to Keukenhof or simply need a tour of the best clubs in Amsterdam - our tours will ensure you have the best experience. Check out the range of tours on our website and you will definitely find something you'd like to check out while you're holidaying in Amsterdam," said Jong.

All bookings for Floriade and Keukenhof can be made via Amsterdam City Tours' website. The company's user friendly booking system is used by customers from around the world. Credit cards and Paypal are accepted and customers can pay in US dollars, UK pounds or Euro.

About Amsterdam City Tours:A leading provider sightseeing tours in Amsterdam and surrounding cities, Amsterdam City Tours® can provide a private tour in Amsterdam and throughout Holland. Amsterdam City Tours also creates custom tours for visitors seeking a unique experience sightseeing in Amsterdam. The company offers a variety of day trips and Amsterdam tours through its website at http://www.amsterdamcitytours.com/.

Media Contact:
Menno Jong
info@amsterdamcitytours.com
Tramplein 8a, 1441 GP Purmerend,
The Netherlands
31299770799
http://www.amsterdamcitytours.com/

Floriade 2012 Opens Villa Flora

2011-10-06T08:58:00.000-07:00

Villa Flora was officially opened on October 4, 2011. This building is the flagship of the 2012 Floriade, where arrangers, florists and students will exhibit their art for Floriade visitors.

Villa Flora is the greenest building in the Netherlands, was highlighted during the opening.

Designer Jón Kristinsson- Emeritus professor, inventor and architect - for more than thirty years expert and pioneer when it comes to sustainable building.

Through innovative techniques, Villa Flora does not not require energy but provides it.

Large covered exhibition for the opening was the key to Villa Flora symbolically by the municipality to organize the Floriade handed. In Villa Flora is in a great exhibition of flowers, plants and flower arranging demonstrations.

Organizing already begun within the organizer of the exhibition, green motion , immediately after delivery has begun to organize the space. Anouk van Dijk: "The sink is already there wall, the floor is prepared for planting the tree and the candy comes in a few weeks."

Photo: Villa Flora

Travel Free to 'Floriade 2012'

2011-10-05T14:49:00.000-07:00

Our compensation package is among the best in the industry!

Here’s how it works: Simply gather together as few as 8 paying travelers on one of our trips, and as the 9th group member you'll travel free!*

Trip Type	Compensation
Grand Circle Land Vacation	NEW! Starting with October 2011 departures: 1 free trip* for 8 paying travelers; the 9th person's trip is free† For Jan-Sept 2011 departures: 1 free trip* for 15 paying travelers; the 16th person's trip is free
Grand Circle River Cruise	1 free trip* for 10 paying travelers; the 11th person's trip is free

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At Grand Circle, we strongly believe that word of mouth is our best advertisement. And it works. Just ask the more than 500 Group Leaders who have chosen a Grand Circle vacation for their travelers this year—and traveled FREE!

While many are retired, Grand Circle Group Leaders come from all walks of life. Some find their travelers in their civic or religious groups and others in alumni or business associations. Some advertise. And some simply want to take a special trip with friends and family. But they all love sharing their joy of travel. And all our Group Leaders appreciate the benefits their travelers receive with Grand Circle:

We Understand Our Travelers—We specialize in serving mature travelers.
Better Pacing for More Discovery—Our trips are leisurely paced and geared toward unique cultural discovery and interaction, so you and your travelers will really get to know each destination.
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Please note: Group Leader savings cannot be combined with our Vacation Ambassador Referral Program.

*Free trip is based upon average amount paid per person, including the tour price, extensions, and air add-ons. Excludes taxes, port charges, Travel Protection Plan, Business Class upgrades, Good Buy discounts, and applied Vacation Ambassador credits.

†New and effective with 10/1/11 departures. Prior to 10/1/11, we offer one free trip for 15 paying travelers on these vacations

Registration for organizing 'Floriade 2022' opens

2011-10-03T18:51:00.001-07:00

As of this week, the Netherlands Horticultural Council (NTR) has opened the registration for the organizing of the 2022 edition of the Floriade, the World Horticultural Expo that is held only every ten years.

A number of different regions, such as Noord-Holland Noord, Boskoop and the city of Almere, have already indicated their desire to organize the 2022 Floriade. They usually do so by providing the organizing council with a general description of their vision for the Floriade project.

Once the deadline is up, the event’s selection commission will choose a maximum of five potential candidates out of all the proposals that have been submitted. They will subsequently be asked to produce a more fully detailed project plan for the vast floriculture expo.

The Netherlands Horticultural Council would like to be able to announce the new organizers of the 2022 Floriade sometime in October, before the closing of the 2012 edition of the horticultural event.

That upcoming Floriade 2012 will be held in the Dutch city of Venlo, in the southernmost province of Limburg. The event revolves around the concept of ‘Green Emotions’ and will feature five large themed areas, on a site spanning roughly 66 hectares.

For the Floriade website, you may click here.

Nuts about nature? Then cruise to 'Floriade 2012!'

2011-09-28T10:03:00.000-07:00

More Images »

For those who haven't been, a river cruise can be a great value. Most beverages, including fine wines, beer and soft drinks are complimentary during lunch and dinner, as are all transfers on arrival and departure days and a whole host of guided shore excursions when in port.

Photograph by: Henning Kaiser, Getty Images

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises (www.uniworld. com) has put together two very impressive river itineraries for next year, both of which centre on a world-class event that only happens once every decade.

The Floriade Exposition is the one of the world's largest horticultural shows, gathering more than one hundred exhibitors from across the globe. Often referred to as the "Theatre of Nature," five unique themed worlds are present, each offering its own décor and cultural programs that allow visitors to truly interact with the beauty and majesty of nature in an ever-changing fashion.

Offered only once every ten years, Floriade remains one of the world's most highly prized expositions.

In order to properly showcase this one-of-a-kind event, Uniworld has crafted two expertly-planned itineraries for 2012 aboard their intimate River Ambassador: the seven-night Gems of Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands with Floriade and the more in-depth 14-night Grand Treasures of Europe.

You don't have to be nuts about nature to fully appreciate these voyages. Both itineraries explore some of the most breathtaking locations in Europe, including Germany's Upper Middle Rhine Valley, Antwerp, Brussels, Maastricht, Cologne, and the beautiful city of Brussels, in the heart of Belgium.

The 14-night Treasures of Europe itinerary even includes an additional two nights at the elegant Art Deco Imperial Hotel in Prague; a fitting way to top off a fantastic river cruise.

For those who haven't been, a river cruise can also be a great value.

Most beverages, including fine wines, beer and soft drinks are complimentary during lunch and dinner, as are all transfers on arrival and departure days and a whole host of guided shore excursions when in port.

It helps that Uniworld is no stranger to these waters. In fact, the company operates over five hundred departures sailing on thirteen rivers in some twenty countries.

While the line earned its stellar reputation on the waterways of Europe, river cruises that sail through Russia, Egypt, China, Vietnam and Cambodia are also on offer next year.

Although Floriade will run from April 5 to October 7, 2012, the popularity of the exposition coupled with the increasing demand for river cruises could make these itineraries some of the most sought-after in years.

Cruises & Free Admission to 'Floriade 2012'

2011-09-22T06:43:00.000-07:00

Floriade 2012, a global celebration of the world of horticulture where dozens of countries from around the world participate, will be held April 5-October 7, 2012 in Venlo, The Netherlands. GLP Worldwide Expedition which represents AMA Waterways in Canada, will be offering a visit and free admission to Floriade 2012 for passengers on select cruises during the running of the festival.

“Floriade 2012 is one of the most colourful and entertaining festivals worldwide and we wanted to give our cruise passengers the opportunity to visit this festival which happens only every ten years,” said Patrick Tsung, president of GLP Worldwide Expedition Travel and Tours.

“We even cover the admission fees for your visit to Floriade,” added Tsung.

GLP is offering free admission on many of its AMA Waterways European river cruise program including the following cruises: (Note – some cruise dates go beyond Floriade 2012’s dates.)

Tulip Time Cruise – 9-day cruise through Holland & Belgium . Departure dates of March 27 to April 28, 2012. Cruise only price starts from $2,199.00 CAD per person based on double occupancy.

The Enchanting Rhine – 13 days with 7-night cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, with 2 nights in Lucerne and 2 nights in Zurich. Departure dates of March 28 to November 21, 2012. Cruise only price starts from $2,199.00 CAD per person based on double occupancy.

Magnificent Europe – 16-day grand cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest through the Heart of Europe and crossing the Continental Divide. Departure dates of April 25 to December 25, 2012. Cruise only price starts from $4,799.00 CAD per person based on double occupancy.

Vineyards of The Rhine & Mosel – 12 days with 7-night cruise from Amsterdam to Luxembourg, then 3 nights in Paris. Departure dates of March 31 to September 19, 2012. Cruise only prices starts from $2,299.00 CAD per person based on double occupancy.

The cruises are all aboard AMA Waterways fleet of luxurious and elegant ships. Please contact GLP Worldwide for full details on cruise and land prices as well as cruise, land and air prices and other terms and conditions. Prices exclude port charges.

Floriade 2012 will feature more than 100 exhibitors from many countries. The park in Venlo will comprise of five colourful worlds and themes – Relax and Heal, Green Engine, Education & Innovation, Environment and World Stage Show and be connected by wooded areas in the 66 hectare park. There will be more than 900 featured acts from around the world filled with music, dance, theatre, literature and graphic art.

AMA Waterways leads the cruise industry with its fleet of eight luxuriously appointed vessels all designed with passenger comfort in mind. There are two new ships that have joined the fleet, the MS AmaBella and the MS AmaVerde – two 162 passenger vessels with the most modern and innovative facilities available today.

The 32 -page brochure AMA Waterways brochure is available and provides information on Included Features, Daily program elements, cabin categories, ship sailing dates and prices (in Canadian dollars), photos of the scenery and attractions, AMA Waterways’ premium experience features, and photos and complete description of the six vessels. The 2011 and 2012 AMA Waterways brochure is online as well at www.glpworldwide.com. It can be downloaded from the website.

Enjoy AMA’s premium experience which includes the following features: ships accommodate a maximum of 150 passengers (excluding the MS Amakatarina which has 212) ; spectacular 360 degree riverside views; small group shore excursions; complimentary High-Speed internet and Wi-Fi; flat panel TV’s with comprehensive entertainment options; staterooms with French balconies, gourmet dining and nightly entertainment; hair and beauty salon and massage therapist; complimentary bicycles; elegant public areas, and professional and friendly staff.

For further information please contact GLP Worldwide at tel: (905) 258-7778 or toll-free at (866) 760-1987; fax: (905) 258-7779; email: info@europeanwaterways.ca; www.europeanwaterways.ca. For a complete listing of cruises and land tours GLP Worldwide Expedition offers go to www.glpworldwide.com

Special 'Floriade 2012' Hat Designed

2011-09-19T10:19:00.000-07:00

The Dutch designer Jan Taminiau, who also Lady Gaga and Beyonce was dressed, the occasion of upcoming Budget for a unique hat-VVD Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen of Infrastructure and Environment developed.

Jan Taminiau is partnering with Floriade 2012

The hat is a symbol for design and durability and has the shape of a wreath. Reuse of materials is central to the design, while Tuesday Budget Day can be seen on the head of the minister.

Elements

Who Taminiaus Nature Extends collection knows, will be elements of it found in the hat: flower buds of cork and tampers with the same nails as the designs from his fall / winter of 2012. Lady Gaga wore in her viceoclip You and I also created from this couture collection.

All gold colored flowers on the hat and his hand made from recycled materials.

Cooperation

Taminiau is also partnering with the World Horticultural Expo Floriade , and not just the Minister for Budget to style. He also has five different designs for the World Horticultural Expo.

During the opening of the Arnhem Fashion Biennale in 2009 contributed Princess Máxima of the 'postzakoutfit "of Taminiau and singer Beyonce posed in designer shoes on her latest album cover.

Nuts about nature? Then get cruising and include a visit to 'Floriade 2012!'

2011-09-18T12:05:00.001-07:00

More Images »

Small villages nudge toward the edges of the river that drifts majestically past.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises (www.uniworld.com) has put together two very impressive river itineraries for next year, both of which centre on a world-class event that only happens once every decade.

The Floriade Exposition is the one of the world’s largest horticultural shows, gathering more than one hundred exhibitors from across the globe. Often referred to as the “Theatre of Nature,” five unique themed worlds are present, each offering its own décor and cultural programs that allow visitors to truly interact with the beauty and majesty of nature in an ever-changing fashion.

Offered only once every ten years, Floriade remains one of the world’s most highly prized expositions.

You don’t have to be nuts about nature to fully appreciate these voyages. Both itineraries explore some of the most breathtaking locations in Europe, including Germany’s Upper Middle Rhine Valley, Antwerp, Brussels, Maastricht, Cologne, and the beautiful city of Brussels, in the heart of Belgium.

The 14-night Treasures of Europe itinerary even includes an additional two nights at the elegant Art Deco Imperial Hotel in Prague; a fitting way to top off a fantastic river cruise.

For those who haven’t been, a river cruise can also be a great value.

It helps that Uniworld is no stranger to these waters. In fact, the company operates over five hundred departures sailing on thirteen rivers in some twenty countries.

While the line earned its stellar reputation on the waterways of Europe, river cruises that sail through Russia, Egypt, China, Vietnam and Cambodia are also on offer next year.

Fargo, ND Company Plans '2012 Floriade' Trip!

2011-09-17T11:36:00.000-07:00

After a long, cold, snowy winter we patiently wait for the first crocus to poke out of a rapidly melting snow drift. But to enjoy spring-flowering bulbs next spring will require action now.

By: Darrel Koehler, Grand Forks Herald

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Darrel Koehler

Darrel Koehler

Talk about it

After a long, cold, snowy winter we patiently wait for the first crocus to poke out of a rapidly melting snow drift. But to enjoy spring-flowering bulbs next spring will require action now.

Gardeners have to plan their bulb garden, purchase or order bulbs and get them into the ground by mid-autumn. You want the bulbs to become established before winter sets in for five or more months.

There are lots of spring bulbs to choose from including hyacinths, muscari or grape hyacinths, daffodils, scilla, snowdrops and tulips. There are the traditional Darwin tulip hybrids, the parrot mix, red or yellow Emperors, cottage tulips and late or May-flowering tulips for those who can’t enough of a good thing.

You can plant bulbs just about anywhere including along the foundation, where they will get a head-start. They also work well in beds, borders and in front of shrubs. These flowers come in a range of bold and pastel colors that are sure to chase away the last of the winter blues.

Planting tips

Tulips and other bulbs prefer a light, well-drained soil. They will not thrive in low, moist areas or where water stands. They will grow well in the heavy clay soil we have in the Red River Valley if there is good drainage.

First, till the soil in your bulb bed 10 to 12 inches deep. Well-worked soil is essential to good performance of bulbs. Gardeners should plant small tulips or bulbs to a depth of 4 inches from the bottom of the hole and 4 to 6 inches apart. If you have larger bulbs, plant them 6 inches deep and 6 to 9 inches apart. There are many color combinations that work well, so experiment.

Spring bulbs can be planted anytime from September through late autumn until frost makes the task impossible. Some gardeners have even planted bulbs successfully in early November when the ground was frozen solid. Best results will be obtained if bulbs can have three weeks to root before the ground freezes. You should mulch the bed the first year, removing the mulch when sprouts pop through. If squirrels are a problem, cover the bed with chicken wire. The pests normally won’t eat daffodils, which they are said to detest.

If the bulbs are in a good location, you can leave them for several years without having to reset. In renewing a bed, dig the bulbs when the tops have begun to turn yellow. Early July would be an ideal time while you can still find the withered tops. Sort and save only healthy bulbs. Then dry well and store bulbs in shallow boxes in a cool, dry spot. Bulbs benefit from such storage and are best reset in September.

Bulbs can be purchased locally. Check bulbs for nicks or cut or if they are soft and smell like vinegar. If you order bulbs, do so soon and leave a note with your order explaining our early planting season. When planting, the bulb should be placed pointy-end down.

Tulip time

Every decade, the Floriade is held in The Netherlands, and it’s set for the spring of 2012. A Fargo-based tour company is planning a trip to this event as well as other companies. The Prairie Gardener has been told that Ron Smith and his wife, Betsy, will be on the tour. Smith is a NDSU extension horticulturist. Various stops are planned in the Low Countries, which should be a trip to long remember. More information will be available later.

Lawn care

Lawns greened up considerably after we had heavy rains earlier in the month. Lawns have had a tough year. The long winter resulted in considerable snow mold last spring. Then we had a long, cool spring that often came accompanied with too much moisture. Smothering heat and humidity followed.

Despite that scenario, lawns look good. It’s getting late to apply fertilizer, but you still have a small window if you do so immediately. You should do so before mid-September. Research indicates that the grass will be unable to efficiently use the added nutrients in time before freeze-up. Late application will also promote lush, green growth just as winter is settling in, too

If you are planning to re-seed thin or distress spots in your lawn, do that immediately, too. You want the grass seed to sprout and become established before onset of winter. Your other option is to re-seed those areas next spring just as the frost comes out of the ground. Temperatures should remain cool then and the soil will be moist so the seeds will quickly sprout.

If you are going to both replant and fertilize this fall, first seed and then apply the fertilizer. You should apply a fertilizer meant for newly seeded lawns. If we have a dry autumn, be sure to water seeded areas regularly. Also water established lawns and newly planted trees. It is especially important that conifers go into winter well-watered.

Continue mowing grass as long as it keeps growing. You might want to cut your lawn at the 2-inch or less more mark the final time. This will help ease the snow mold problem. However, don’t scalp the grass. Once leaves start to drop, keep them raked or gathered up so they won’t smother the grass.

Autumn is considered the best time to go after broad-leaf perennial weeds such as dandelion and creeping Charlie. Broad-leaf herbicides are less likely to damage non-targeted plants this time of year. Weeds are also enjoying a growing spurt, so they will take in more of the weed killer.

Don’t apply herbicide on newly planted lawns. Deal with annual weeds, such as crab grass, in spring.

Koehler is the Herald’s garden columnist. Send garden questions to him in care of the Grand Forks Herald, Box 6008, Grand Forks ND58206-6008. Tune in the weekly gardening show airing at 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays on KNOX Radio 1310 (A.M.).

Rhine, Rhône & Moselle Treasures Plus 'Floriade 2012!"

2011-09-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

Jon loves France. I was born in Hanover thus lean towards everything Germanic; so the argument over which to choose — Rhine or Rhône — for our next river cruise could have gone on for weeks.

Fortunately, we have found the perfect solution. New for 2012, APT’s 15-day Rhine, Rhône & Moselle Treasures river cruise takes in both — the Rhine through some of the most fascinating towns and beautiful rural regions in Europe, then culture and cuisine along the Rhône. There’s even a bit of Moselle and Saône, too.

Choosing which company to book our cruise with was an easy decision though — we’ve travelled with APT before. They have such an excellent reputation and we spent a glorious fortnight surrounded in luxury on a ﬁrst-class ship.

We love the look of the two Aria Class river ships featured on this trip – MS AmaCello and MS AmaDagio – and I adore APT’s exclusive Freedom of Choice Touring, which means that you can choose from a variety of sightseeing tours in selected destinations. What’s more, Jon very much likes the fact that beer and wine at lunch and dinner are included in the price.

Choice is a big thing with APT, we found, from categories of suite to the wonderful dishes served in the restaurant — the chefs are happy to accommodate any special dietary needs, too. For anything we want, we know that there will always be a crew member or our APT cruise director on hand to help everything run smoothly and make us feel really special.

With a maximum of only 148 passengers, we are sure to make friends really quickly and, if our previous APT holiday is anything to go by, the atmosphere on board should bevery convivial from the moment we join the ship in Amsterdam, having ﬂown in on the included ﬂight (there’s a wide range of UK airports from which we could have chosen to ﬂy).

On day two, our touring options include a canal cruise in a glass-top boat to admire the city’s architecture, or a visit to the renowned Van Gogh Museum. It’s a tricky decision to make, but I’ll probably visit the museum. He’s my favourite artist and I’ve always wanted to go there.

After a snooze in the afternoon – the beds are so comfortable – I’ll nip to the on-board salon ready for the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner. Opportunities to dress up are few and far between these days, so it will be great to put on a best dress, feel elegant and be fussed over. I am slightly worried that my frock will not ﬁt by the end of the cruise, though, with all that delicious food and wine.

On day three, we’ll arrive in Cologne, where we could opt for a visit to Venlo to visit the Floriade 2012 Horticultural World Expo (April 4-October 7), or a trip to the historic city of Maastricht.

After lunch, we’ll cruise to Koblenz, where we can take a lovely evening stroll. Next day, we leave the Rhine and turn into the Moselle for Cochem and Reichsburg Castle, which is one of those fantastically picturesque castles you see on postcards, perched more than 300 feet up on a rock. Jon says that he could see himself living there. . .

Next, we cruise back to the Rhine for the part of the cruise that I am most looking forward to – the beautiful Rhine Gorge, with its gorgeous medieval castles and lovely old villages.

One of Jon’s highlights follows: Rüdesheim for Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, featuring about 350 music boxes, from the delicate to big automated pianos.

There is a sightseeing tour around our next destination, Speyer, and a visit to the Technik Museum, Europe’s largest private technology museum, with more than 3,000 exhibits. I can see myself physically dragging Jonaway from the Space Flight Exhibition which includes space suits and even a landing capsule.

We change ships in Lyon – the culinary heart of France – and board MS AmaDagio. Halfway through our cruise itinerary, there is still so much to see and do — a Black Forest Tour, cheese tasting in the medievalcity of Gruyère and a French cookery demonstration.

We also soon swap rivers, to cruise along the Saône to the small town of Trévoux, where we will no doubt indulge in another of Jon’s favourite pastimes, sampling a glass or three of Beaujolais at a local winemakers.

One of the great things about an APT river cruise is that we will be able to try so many different things so easily. There’s a choice of gourmet-themed tours in Tournon, where we can sample wines or goat’s cheese. In Avignon, we’ll visit a working olive mill and enjoy a tour and tasting; and, with Freedom of Choice touring we can opt for a guided tour to the Papal Palace or visit the Pont du Gard, the incredible Roman aqueduct.

APT takes out all the worry about possibly missing something good in any of the destinations. All the best things to see and do are already lined up, so all we have to do is enjoy ourselves.

By the time we reach Arles on our last full day of river cruising – to enjoy a leisurely tour of the city’s sights – we’ll have seen and done so much. Little wonder that we are counting the days until we step aboard.

Like a private club: onboard your luxurious ship

There’s a special atmosphere on board APT’s river cruises: refined but not stuffy, efficient but friendly – some guests have said it’s like being at a private members’ club.

That’s thanks to more than 17 years’ experience running excellent European river cruises, in partnership with AmaWaterways, on some of the best ships available.

APT’s European fleet is at the cutting edge of river cruising. Aria Class vessels carry a maximum of 148 passengers in 75 suites, as well as a crew of 43. Concerto Class ships, meanwhile, are equally luxurious and aim to increase your options with, for instance, seven different dining choices.

Everything is arranged for your comfort and enjoyment. Your suite is much more than a room for the night – it’s your own spacious private retreat.

There’s a comfy bed, of course, a big wardrobe, safe, plush bathrobes and slippers, marble en suite with luxury toiletries, bottled water daily, individual air-conditioning and turn-down service. You can even pick what kind of pillow you want to complement the Egyptian cotton bed linen.

With a number of categories to choose from, all suites also have a state-of-the-art television system along with complimentary movies and music, and included wireless internet. You will love your all-weather AMA private balcony where you can sit in comfort, rain or shine, too.

Dining is a highlight of your cruise – from on-board breakfasts to fresh lunches to sparkling dinners – featuring delicious local dishes prepared by excellent chefs, and including fine wines with which to toast another wonderful day of luxury cruising.

Public rooms are as spacious and thoughtfully assembled as you’d expect, whether you want to relax or be more active. Settle down in a teak lounge chair, or perhaps in the pool or whirlpool, on the sun deck for panoramic views of gorgeous local scenery. There’s also a main lounge with welcoming sofas and floor-to-ceiling windows, and an observation lounge.

How about a game on the giant chessboard, or grab a book from the library? If you want to get more physical, there’s a walking track on the sun deck or take the lift to the fitness centre for a workout.

After sightseeing, the hair and beauty salon is the place for an indulgent massage or new hairstyle, ready for the Captain’s Gala Dinner.

Short, but perfectly formed

If you would like to experience the Rhine or the Rhône in bite-sized eight-day breaks, APT offers a choice of shorter cruises

The Enchanting Rhine: If you love beautiful scenery, historic castles and quaint villages, the Rhine is definitely the river for you. The Enchanting Rhine is an eight-day cruise from Amsterdam to Basel aboard the luxurious MS AmaCello. It incorporates some of the best sites the river has to offer, such as the stretch between Bingen to Bonn, a magnificent gorge with terraced vineyards and castle-lined cliffs, often called the "heroic Rhine".

Provence Cruising: Meanwhile, if your interest lies in delicious French food, wine and fascinating culture, choose the eight-day Provence Cruising trip aboard MS AmaDagio sailing through stunning countryside between Lyon and Marseille. Highlights of the trip include a visit to France’s culinary capital, Lyon, a French cookery demonstration, and gourmet-themed tours to an olive mill, winemaker and goat farm. Tastings are included, naturally.

Cruise details

The 15-day Rhine, Rhone & Moselle Treasures river cruise costs from £3,875 per person and can be travelled in reverse.

Save up to £680 per couple if you book by October 31, 2011.

The fully inclusive price includes ﬂights (a Eurostar option is also available), transfers, all meals and complimentary drinks with lunch and dinner, guided shore excursions, plus all tipping, taxes and port charges. Departures are from March to November 2012.

Registration opens for Floriade 2022

2011-09-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

According to The Dutch Horticultural Council, the registration for the 2022 Floriade opens. The notification of municipalities and regions for Floriade 2022 is a general description of the project. By a selection committee will then be up to five candidates invited to work out a detailed plan. This bid book should be ready by July 1, 2012. In October 2012, before Floriade 2012 Venlo, the gates close, if the Dutch Horticultural Council announce which city (ies) or region Floriade 2022 will organize.

Floriade is a once in ten years was held and six months been opened to the public . At the Floriade, the horticulture in all its aspects in a creative and attractive manner shown. The Floriade attracts private and trade visitors from around the world and has a large economic impact on the organizing region. The preceding five Floriades were successively held in Rotterdam (1960), Amsterdam (1972 and 1982), The Hague / Zoetermeer (1992) and Haarlemmermeer (2002). In 2012 is the sixth Floriade place in the Venlo region. Interested parties can an information booklet, with criteria, conditions, procedure and the ambition of the horticultural sector, obtained from thesecretariat of the Dutch Horticultural Council . The Dutch Horticultural Council is organizing an information meeting for interested parties on Friday 14 October 2011 from 10:00 to 12:00 in Venlo. Sign up for the latest information meeting October 7 at the secretary of the Dutch Horticultural Council .

Cruise in Style to Floriade 2012

2011-09-05T15:59:00.001-07:00

Take part in the 2012 World Horticultural Exposition, Floriade, in Venlo, the Netherlands, with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Referred to as the “Theater of Nature,” this global spectacle, held only once every 10 years, has the world’s most exquisite and exceptional flowers, plants, trees, and more on display. Over 100 exhibitors from dozens of countries will together pay tribute to the world of horticulture. There are five unique themed worlds, each with its own décor, and cultural programs of music, dance, literature, theater, and visual art. Each world is designed for you to see, feel, and experience nature in a constantly changing way.

With Uniworld’s two new expertly planned 2012 itineraries showcasing Floriade, you can experience nature like never before all while sailing on the elegant River Ambassador. To top it off, you’ll discover the sights and sounds of Germany’s UNESCO-designated Upper Middle Rhine Valley, and its Dutch and Belgian tributaries, uncovering the best of old and new world Europe in such exciting destinations as cosmopolitan Brussels, Venlo, sophisticated Maastricht, the gastronomical capital of the Netherlands, and so much more. Uniworld’s newest programs including Floriade 2012:

Gems of Germany, Belgium & the Netherlands with Floriade
Brussels to Cologne | 7-night cruise

Grand Treasures of Europe
Brussels to Prague | 14-night cruise and 2 nights in Prague at the superior first-class Art Deco Imperial Hotel
Floriade 2012 is only open from April 5 to October 7, 2012, so booking early to secure the best available riverview staterooms and savings is recommended. Couples can take advantage of Uniworld’s savings program of up to $2,000 by paying in full at time of booking. This offer expires on September 30, 2011.

Uniworld’s luxury, value-packed boutique river cruises include: all meals with complimentary fine wines, choice of beer, and soft drinks served during lunch and dinner onboard; captivating and fully guided shore excursions; the exclusive Epicurean Adventure Program™; Signature Lectures; all transfers on arrival and departure days; and so much more.