Floriade 2012: 400,000 tickets already sold!

The biggest horticultural event Floriade starts in April 2012. So far 400,000 tickets were sold - one fifth of the total number of expected visitors.

The separate sale of tickets for Floriade 2012 has not even started, writes daily newspaper De Limburger.

For example, the 400,000 tickets are sold to tour operators and companies that plan large-scale corporate events. Floriade calls it "a huge boost."

Florists and arrangers

A total of two million visitors are expected who will see florists and arrangers at work at the decorative floral arts show in ' the Theater of green motion.

AVALON WATERWAYS® RIVER CRUISES. PASSION. INSPIRATION. ENRICHMENT.

Thanks to increased demand for "passion travel," in 2012, Avalon Waterways is expanding its popular wine-, music- art- and holiday-vacations to include legacy themes with a NEW Jewish Heritage and NEW European History & Politics cruises.

Avalon’s new Jewish Heritage Cruise takes travelers to the museums, monuments and landmarks significant to Jewish history, including Budapest’s Jewish Museum; Regensburg’s Jewish Quarter and ancient synagogue excavations; Prague’s Jewish Cemetery as well as the Jewish ghetto of Terezin, where more than 30,000 Jews died from unconscionable living conditions. This 13-day journey begins in Budapest on October 29, 2011 and is priced from $2,249.

Another new themed offering from Avalon – European History & Politics – invites interested cruisers on three itineraries in July and August 2012: 17-day Jewels of Central Europe (Paris to Budapest, priced from $4,929; 13-day The Blue Danube Discovery (Budapest to Prague, priced from $2,589) and 12-day Central European Experience (Paris to Prague, priced from $2,489). Joining travelers on board is a diplomacy expert who has worked at the United Nations, on the NATO/Warsaw Pact and on E.U. security and economic issues. Special lectures give cruisers a unique perspective on Central Europe.

"Avalon’s inspired, 360-degree cruise experience affords travelers the chance to immerse themselves into a destination, culture and passion thanks to unparalleled land programs and world-class guides," said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways. "Our Cruise Directors and special guest lecturers also offer them a vast onboard education experience, giving cruisers the chance to soak in the history and culture of a region as they drift from village to village."

Also new for 2012, Avalon will take Tulip Time cruisers to the Floriade, an international exhibition of flowers and gardening, held every 10 years. Other popular themed vacations for the cruise line are Wine Cruises which sell-out year-over-year, including:

* 11-day The Legendary Danube (Prague to Budapest)
** November 1, 2012 departure; priced from $1,899
* 11-day Burgundy & Provence (Côte D’Azur to Paris)
** October 29, 2012 departure; priced from $2,349
* 10-day Windmills, Vineyards & Paris (Paris to Amsterdam)
** October 18, 2012 departure; priced from $2,489
* 13-day The Blue Danube Discovery (Budapest to Prague)
** July 23, 2012 departure; priced from $2,589

Art- and music-cruises are also top-selling itineraries. Avalon will bring back its Art & Impressionist Cruise, Burgundy & Provence Jazz Cruise and Magnificent Europe Music Cruise for 2012.

"We transform tourists into travelers and storytellers," said Clark. "Thanks to our affiliation with Globus, we help them truly experience each destination with guided sightseeing in every port (complete with headsets), daily port lectures, VIP access into key destinations, no waiting in lines and unparalleled cultural immersion."

Early Booking Incentive: Travelers who book select 2012 Avalon Europe cruises by August 30, 2011 can save up to $500 per person. For more information, visitwww.avalonwaterways.com or call 1.877.380.1535.

ABOUT AVALON WATERWAYS
Award-winning Avalon Waterways offers travelers the youngest, most innovative fleet of ships in Europe, China, Southeast Asia, Egypt and the Galápagos. Our travelers have inspired us to utilize more than 80 years of travel expertise to design the best river cruise experience possible. We’ve taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better-down to the last detail. Our views are panoramic and spaces large and inviting; comfort is king and dining both personal and flexible. And, thanks to our partnership with Globus, our itineraries are legendary. By design, Avalon cruisers are privy to all-inclusive access to a destination, including guided sightseeing in every port, VIP entry into key destinations and unparalleled cultural immersion and storytelling thanks to highly skilled Cruise and Tour Directors. In addition to countless trade accolades, Avalon Waterways has garnered some of the industry’s most prestigious honors: Among them, the river cruise company was voted the Best River Cruise Line in 2010 by Cruise Critic editors, picked the No. 2 Best Small-Ship Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure’s 2010 World’s Best Awards, chosen as the "Best Value in River Cruising" by Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel and featured in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2009 Gold List. Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus family of brands.

Consumers can book an Avalon Waterways vacation or request brochures by visiting a preferred travel agent or by calling the following toll free number: 1.877.380.1535. For more information, please visit www.avalonwaterways.com.

Floriade 2012 – A Theatre of Nature in Venlo

FLORIADE 2012 – WORLD HORTICULTURAL EXPO IN VENLO – NETHERLANDS:

Photo Courtesy of Floriade 2012

Floriade 2012, the Netherland’s World Horticultural Expo takes place in Venlo from 5 April to 7 October 2012.

For lovers of garden and flower shows, this is an event to look forward to as Floriade only takes place once every 10 years. And if you plan well, you can also link this to a visit to the Keukenhofspringtime tulip festival.

About Floriade 2012

Covering 66 hectares of ground, the Floriade Park will feature five themed area:

• environment
• education & innovation
• green engine
• relax and heal
• world show stage

There’ll be more than 100 exhibitors showing off their horticultural talents and wares and plenty of events to cater to all ages and interests.

From June 2011, the Floriade Roadshow will be popping up at various events and festivals in the Netherlands and Germany so that people can learn more about Floriade and the making of Floriade 2012.

Season tickets are on sale now! These will give you six months of unlimited access to Floriade.

Search for Venlo hotels, read hotel reviews and book your Venlo hotel HERE.

Getting to Venlo:

The Floriade grounds are very easy to reach by car, air or train:

By Road – The Floriade Park is located at the intersection of the A73 and A67 motorways. The new A74, the road linking the German road network with the A73 at Venlo, will be open before the commencement of Floriade.

By Train – Visitors coming by train will alight at Venlo Station and take a shuttle bus to the Floriade grounds.

By Air - If you are flying into Venlo, Düsseldorf, Maastricht, Eindhoven and Weeze are the international airports that surround Venlo.

Event : Floriade 2012
Venue: Floriade Park in Venlo
Dates : April 5 – October 7, 2012

Website: www.floriade.com

Enjoy this post? Leave a comment below and add to the discussion. Thanks!

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Watch 'Floriade 2012' glide by in a Scenic 'Space Ship'

A journey aboard one of Scenic Tours' newgeneration of river cruisers - named Scenic 'Space Ships' - is certainly a European vacation to remember.

The forward-thinking design of the company's ships was developed after Scenic Tours' founder Glen Moroney discovered two enterprising shipbuilders who wanted topush some boundaries in leadingedge river boat design.

The revolutionary 'Space-Ships' are now the largest on Europe's waterways, their 135-metre length allowing for 22 per cent more space over three decks and substantially larger lounges andrestaurants.

The addition of proper, full-size outdoor balconies where passengers can sit back and watch Europe glide by, the option of suites with one's own butler, a slew of fine dining choices and a library add a new level of heady luxury to the voyage.

For 2012, a new 'Space-Ship', the Scenic Crystal, will join the existing fleet of five tooffer passengers anunsurpassed river cruise experience.

SCENIC FREECHOICE

Forget about sneaky hidden-cost "optional extras" when taking aScenic Tours cruise.

The Scenic FreeChoice program does away with all those by including all the touring alternatives inyour upfront cruise ticket.

You choose whichever excursion suits you best and itisincluded inyour fare,often including ahearty lunch at a traditional restaurant in a quaint town.

And for more independent guests, there is the Scenic FreeTime alternative in severalports along theway.

FLORIADE 2012 - ONCE A DECADE

Forthose wholove gardens, 2012 offers a once-in-a-decade opportunity to combine that passion with aScenic Tours cruise.

It is aScenicFreeChoice activity available from Amsterdam on the Jewels of Europe River Cruise and an included day on the Romantic Rhine and Moselle RiverCruise.

From April to mid-October next year, the Netherlands plays host to the Floriade World Horticultural Expo, a rare event that captivates visitors with its exquisite flowers, plants, trees, fruit and vegetables.

This magnificent display, combined with a cultural program of music, dance, literature, theatre and visual art from all over the world, will let you experience nature using your sense of sight, sound, taste, touch and smell as you discover first-hand the influence horticulture has onthe quality of our daily lives.

The 2002 Floriade held in Haarlemmemeer, just outside of Amsterdam, attracted more than 2.1 million visitors, and the 2012 edition, to take place inVenlo and with afocus on innovative sustainable architecture, is sure to play host to even morepeople.

There will be more than 100 exhibitors from around the world, and the expo will be divided into five themed zones that will allow visitors tonot just attend ahorticultural show, but to be unified with nature in all its beauty.

And for really keen green thumbs, when in Europe you can take in the another world famous event: the spectacular Chelsea Flower Show inLondon. Highlights of this annual show include the stunning centrepiece ofthe floral marquee and gardens created by leadinggarden designers. In 2012,the show will be held in the grounds of The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, from May 22-26.

Bergen op Zoom City Weighs Floriade 2022 Bid

Bergen op Zoom think about Floriade 2022

The provinces of
Noord Brabant
and Zeeland and
Brabant town of
Bergen op Zoom
are exploring a
bid for the 2022
Floriade, the world
horticultural fair
that is held every
ten years.

The Horticultural
Council will publish
its decision at the
Floriade 2012.

Fresh Park Venlo Signs As Floriade Supplier

Fresh Park Venlo has signed a supplier agreement with Floriade 2012. The sponsorship includes the renting of a significant Fresh Park Venlo area during the opening of the World Horticultural Expo to serve as an entrance area for Floriade 2012. The land is situated opposite the Floriade Park, separated by the A73 and Venrayseweg. The area will soon be Fresh Plaza Park, consisting of a bus terminal and parking for Floriade shuttle buses, coaches and taxis. Bicycle parking and various other services such as a bus driver lounge and wheelchair rentals are also located here. Further, Fresh Plaza Park will house the ticket office for day and group tickets for Floriade 2012. Fresh Park Venlo is home to some 130 suppliers. The land will be rented from July 1, 2011 through December 31, 2012. The opening of the Greenport Lane and the new access ramps of A73 2012 Floriade visitors will not hinder the opening of Fresh Park Venlo. Sven Stimac, Director Operations of the Floriade and John Smith, Director of Fresh Park Venlo, made after the contract signing together a ride on the funicular, which overlooks the Fresh Park Venlo Floriade and the terrain. Sven Stimac: "Today is an important day for the Floriade. Not only is the land used for essential elements of the World Horticultural Expo. But in addition we now work more closely with a wonderful organization in which many companies are located in the fruit and vegetable industry.There's a lot of knowledge and experience that can draw the Floriade. " John Andrew: "It is a unique opportunity for the whole area Greenport Venlo Floriade 2012 takes place here in our front yard. Fresh Park Venlo for us as it provides great opportunities with major players in the international food world come into contact. We are very fortunate over the good collaboration with the Floriade 2012.