Ever fancied wearing orange (without going over the top, of course) and partying all day long? Ever fancied frolicking in a field full of hundreds of tulips in all colours of the rainbow plus a few more? Ever fancied listening to music in a sun-drenched park? Well then, let’s head for Holland by boat, featuring Amsterdam and its springtime festivities!
King’s Day
In Holland, on 30 April 2013, a new king was crowned: King Willem-Alexander! He’s the first male monarch to occupy the throne since 1890. This has brought with it other changes: for instance, what used to be Queen’s Day is now, of course, King’s Day!
In Holland, King’s Day is the country’s most important national festival and one of the most spectacular of the whole year. Ever since 1949 this has been the day when the reigning Queen or King has celebrated their birthday, so naturally the King’s Day is held on 27 April, Willem-Alexander’s birthday.
Throughout King’s Day or “Koningsdag”, everything and everyone is in orange and ready to party. There are concerts, fairgrounds, markets and processions along the canals; everything is laid on to make sure you have a good time! Even the royal family comes out to visit Dutch towns and villages and joins in the activities. The whole nation comes together to have fun!
Traditionally the festival begins on the evening before, in the city’s streets and bars. The city of Amsterdam transforms itself for the occasion into a huge, orange party venue. On the evening of the 27 April, you could attend one of the concerts organised in The Hague and Amsterdam town centres. The canals are thronged with decorated boats. There are quite often traffic jams, but this only adds to the enjoyment!
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a very pleasant city to visit in the spring. The people of the Netherlands are very proud of their tulips and, when spring arrives, tulips can be seen everywhere in the city. The colours, ranging from red to yellow, through pink and purple and all the colours of the rainbow plus a few more, are simply dazzling! You can also visit the tulip festival during April.
April is, statistically, the driest month of the year in Amsterdam, so leave your raincoat behind and come and make the most of the sunshine! The fine weather makes cycle outings and tours of the city all the more enjoyable.
The parks in Amsterdam are superb in the springtime. There are new leaves on the majestic trees, hundreds of flowers bloom and the sunshine puts the finishing touch to this idyllic scene. There are lots of organised activities too – plenty to keep friends or family amused.
Every year, over 300 festivals are organised in Amsterdam and the surrounding area. Spring is the start of this cultural, culinary, cinematic and musical marathon, with events taking place every weekend in April and May.
Amsterdam and its region have plenty of festive occasions that children, teenagers and adults will enjoy. There’s music, national events, opportunities to explore the natural world. It all adds up to an amazing holiday that will leave you with some wonderful memories! Hurry and get your cases packed ready to board your Pénichette® for your Dutch holiday experience of a lifetime!
Practical details: From our Loosdrecht departure base, set off for Amsterdam for a one-week cruise. And if you go in April, you can join in all the excitement of King’s Day!
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