3/15 Dutch Masters Tour

Some questions and answers from Jacqueline, one of The Dutch Masters we will be learning from.



Hotel Aalsmeer is a pleasant and cozy family hotel, situated in the old town centre of Aalsmeer.


What once begun as a small village inn, has now grown into a 4 star hotel with 64 comfortable rooms

and 6 apartments. Since 1975 the hotel and restaurant are owned by the Family Arkesteijn.





Hotel Aalsmeer is near Amsterdam and a stone's throw away from Schiphol.

Aalsmeer is a busy village. Hotel Aalsmeer is excellent for a business or private booking.



City tax included: yes

Breakfast included: yes

Hotel Rooms: 49

Check-in time: 14:00

Check-out time: 11:00

Hotel Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Elevator, Wheelchair access, Parking, Business Center, Meeting Facilities, Laundry Service, Terrace, Pets allowed, Safe, Internet, Non Smoking rooms available.











Is it safe to drink the water?

Very safe! We drink it all the time. It is one of the safest in Europe!















Bicycles. Can they be rented from the hotel or where?

There are no bikes for rent in Aalsmeer.



There is a bus station near the school and also near to the hotel so they can take the bus to Amsterdam to go a museum.







1. Some travelers/students want to set up some side tours. Does the hotel do this? What do they offer?

The hotel does not do that. I can have a look but it might be easier if I know where people would want to go to. I do not know if there is much time for side trips beside the evenings.



2. If not how can we find a tour facility?



Anne frank house is € 9,- per person



3. Is the internet in the hotel cost in the price of the room? The have wireless internet but not included: 50 min € 5,95. 100 min € 9,95, 1 day € 15,95, week € 24,95.



4. We are checking with a couple people we buy from to see if we can have a more in depth tour of the Auction, complimentary. Our buyer is checking with Holex I believe. Any insight on that?

Holex I need to check but we have very good contact with the very friendly people from De Gooijer international (DGI) and I can also make an appointment with them also if you like. (This it is not in the coach fee, so it might have to be paid extra)



5. Several students are asking about buying books from you and supplies from the market and sending them home by mail. How will they be able to do this? The can buy books from us. We can ship them home. We use the international shipping rate without any costs.







Els took me to the supply side of the Auction after the fresh tour. We will like to go there as well.

After paying a visit to the auction and before we go to the Keukenhof, we will go to the wholesaler ‘Alflora’. We will introduce you to the manager. We also have an account there and people can buy there as long as it is cash and I will need to check what kind of cards they except.







When we talked they were having to purchase tools, according to the booklet it says they are included. That is correct but I have changed it to make it easier for them. I told them if they want to bring their own they can. They may be taken so do not bring their favorite. Yes, they can take their own, as long as they pack it in their suitcase and not hand luggage is fine.







What will happen to our finished designs?



Normally everybody takes the arrangements home. However if you are staying in a hotel, it might get a little crowded in the rooms.



Sometimes when we have Japanese groups they cannot take it home and then we bring it to a retirement home. They are very happy with it.



If some of you want to ship it home. We can send it together with the books that they want to buy at the school.

Sea Flowers Differently Cruise

Sea Flowers Differently Cruise

Come with me on this amazing adventure. The plans are fun to make for us. One thing that we are working on are visits to flower shops on the islands and a class by one of the islands destination florists.
There are gardens all over with flowers and foliage's everywhere to see, smell, take pictures of. There will be hands on workshops and presentations. You don't even have to bring your tools, we will provide them.
Join me in the tropics.
We don't go the same places twice on our trips so it is a once in a lifetime experience every time, and all you do is show up , create and have fun.
Information below or contact:
Barb Brandt
Carrousel Travel American Express
651-439-8868
cruises@hotmail.com

November 3-10, 2013


From $1,749 Per Person, Double Occupancy

Balcony Cabin

From $1,349 Per Person, Double Occupancy

Interior Cabin

Join Ardith Beveridge AAF, AFID,PFCI,CAFA as we cruise the beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean Sea on the brand new Royal Princess. This unique opportunity has been organized by Ardith through connections in the floral industry and will feature a wide variety of relevant activities to jump-start your imagination for the coming year.

Package Includes: Product Demos and hands-on workshops Create table decorations for our group Tips, Tricks & Trends sessions Group cocktail party Exclusive shore excursion with a floral scavenger hunt.

Presented in partnership with

Space is limited to 32 for this special offer.

Non-participant rates available on request. Call me today for more details:

Barb Brandt Carrousel Travel American Express

(651) 439-8868

cruisems@hotmail.com

Airfare to Fort Lauderdale by quotation.

Taxes and Port Charges are included.

Gratuities & Insurance are additional.

Itinerary: Ft. Lauderdale Princess Cay St. Thomas St. Maarten 3-Days at Sea

Upcoming class information

   April 2 and 3 there is a bridal bouquet class,advanced,only bridal bouquets. This class we will be creating some of the designs that Attila Boros from Hungary did for us in the Wedding Show. We will be creating some Bouquets in bouquet holders, finger tip bouquet and that fun one that Attila made with the ring to hold the flowers.
   Call Cheryl to sign up at 612-362-3133.
   There is a Hands on Wednesday class April 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 , the subject is Weddings on a Budget. We will show how to create Wedding Packages, then sell from there. We will create a bridal bouquet.

Dutch Masters Tour

   Time to call the credit card company to tell them you will be traveling. The ones from Minnesota, tell them you will be stopping in Chicago, then Amsterdam. You others be sure to tell them where you may be stopping so they are in the loop.
   Make copies of your passport, drivers license and credit cards, front and back. Find a safe place for the copies. In country travel with the copy of your passport, keep the original in the safe at the hotel.
   You may want to find some zip lock bags. Make a sewing kit,first aid kit,toiletry kit,mail box kit, security kit with small flashlight,mark each for easy use. Bring a bag for dirty clothes ,just in case you spill something. Better yet, wear dark clothes and bring a spot remover,in the laundry kit. I always bring a wash cloth to use in the plane restroom with my toothbrush.
   Make a packing list. Make a list of what you pack, keep it with your papers in case something is lost or misplaced. Always bring with you something to wear one day in case of lost luggage.Check on international travel sites for great suggestions.
   Do not bring anything you cannot live without, as those lovely earrings or the bracelet your kids made for you.
   Wear your most comfortable shoes to travel in, pack the pretty ones. This is no fashion show, travel light, comfortable. I usually bring a bandanna and a shawl/scarf.Research the weather, analyze the activities. When in doubt,leave it out.The theory is pack what you can carry/drag 3/4 mile uphill. There will be none of that, but think about the amount. Wear clothes a couple days in a row, and bring plenty of deodorant...tee hee.
   The camping/sports stores carry condensed toilet tissue for your nose and everything more. It is small and very useful.
   Pack you medications in a couple places, some for travel and a couple of days, then some for the trip.
   Remember some sockies for the plane travel. They will have a pillow and a blanket. Bring a snack if you like to nibble. I bring a combination of almonds, peanut butter M&M's and dried cherries,always a surprise when I put some in my mouth.
   Bring your travel attitude, if it happens,we can manage it.This is an amazing fun experience, live it, I really mean live it.

2/25 Dutch Masters Tour

   This morning I received a message from Martin from EZ Flowers in Holland. He an his company are taking us on a river cruise on Sunday afternoon, the day we arrive in Holland, April 14. I have no idea of his plans or where we will be touring.He wanted to know the hotel we are staying in and the coach company that we are using.
   I did go to target and purchased a Sea-Band motion bracelet and  Dramamine. I haven't had motion sickness, and never want to. The patches must be proscribed by your doctor.
   Be sure to make copies of your passport, drivers license and credit cards to have with you. In each piece of luggage I have my name and home address and destination address and phone number.
   I have the name and phone of the bus company. When we all have our luggage we will call them to pick us up. If they are in the pick up area for to long they are charged ,in turn they will charge us. Mark your luggage and remember we are not in a hurry. Wen we all have our hings we will call. We are in Holland we can enjoy being there.
   Genevievi had a nasty fall, was thinking about not coming. She spoke with her Doctor and will be fine by departure date. Patty had some surgery as well, and is recovering nicely...Yippee!!
   I have been looking at the travel tips web sites, they each have some good advice.
   Keep checking the weather, it is a bit of a wet chill. Bring extra socks and  nice warm sweater and windbreaker.
   Bring socks to wear on the plane, a shawl n case you are chilly,some snacks.
   See you at the Wedding Program this weekend.
AA