Floralia Spring Flower Show & Keukenhof Gardens

Leave London St Pancras by Eurostar to Brussels. Here you connect with a local train to Antwerp, where you check into your hotel for the next four nights.

• Dinner

Travel by coach to the Floralia Spring Flower Exhibition, hosted at Groot-Bijgaarden Castle, a fairytale 12th-century castle surrounded by a wide moat with an arched bridge. Over a period of four springtime weeks, the grounds of this marvellous stately home are transformed with a magnificent display of more than 400 floral varieties, bringing an array of colour. Indoor gardens here also hold a superb variety of flowers from around the world and are a delight to see and smell.

Afterwards, you journey to back to Antwerp, where you visit the peaceful area of Berchem. This semi-independent district within the city of Antwerp is notable for its Art Nouveau townhouses, which were mostly built towards the end of the 19th century. You have some free time to explore here. Perhaps take a relaxed walk around the Brilschanspark, a leafy park which forms part of the 'green lung of Berchem' together with Wolvenberg Nature Reserve. Or, you could enjoy a spot of lunch in one of the city's many cafés, sampling some authentic local food. Belgium cuisine is often compared with that of the French, due to the proximity of the two countries. Authentic specialities here include sweet waffles, Mosselen-Friet or Moules-frites - mussels served with fries, and Stoofvlees, a hearty Flemish beef stew.

• Breakfast

This morning you discover more of lively Antwerp, as you enjoy a walking tour of the city with a local guide. The tour includes the Grote Markt, the city's main square, which is lined with wonderfully ornate, gabled buildings. The square is home to the large town hall, the Stadhuis, an impressive Renaissance structure which was completed in 1564 and holds UNESCO World Heritage status. You'll also see the famous Brabo Fountain here, a magnificent structure that depicts a Roman army captain named Brabo throwing a giant's hand. The imagery comes from a popular Dutch legend where Brabo defeated a giant in a duel and severed his hand; according to folklore, the name Antwerp comes from this very legend, loosely translating to 'hand throwing'.

You are free to continue exploring Antwerp - with time to visit the beautiful Gothic cathedral or perhaps Rubens House. You could also explore the Diamond District, where 70% of the world's diamonds are traded. Belgium is also renowned for its beer, so pausing in a welcoming beer hall for a glass or two comes highly recommended.

• Breakfast

You travel by coach over the border into the Netherlands today, for a spectacular visit to the famous Keukenhof Gardens. Also known as the 'Garden of Europe', Keukenhof boasts the title of the world's largest flower garden. The gardens only open in the spring, displaying a powerful burst of colour and providing an incredible seasonal display of tulips, crocuses, daffodils, and other flowering plants. The fantastic floral exhibitions are truly something to remember. Enjoy some time to wander through the gardens, where amongst the floral displays you'll discover tranquil ponds, sculpture gardens, greenhouses, and striking traditional windmills. There are also plenty of places to stop off for some refreshment amid the beautiful walks and footpaths.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to Antwerp station today for the train to Brussels. Here, you join your onward connection on the Eurostar to London St Pancras, where your holiday comes to an end.

• Breakfast