How much does it cost?

From £1,049 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,417 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes, rail travel within the Netherlands and Eurostar from London St Pancras are included in your chosen class; the £1,049 from-price is for joining and leaving the tour at The Hague without the UK portion.

Is it escorted or independent?

Escorted, with the services of an experienced Tour Manager.

What hotel is included?

Four nights at the Carlton Beach Hotel in The Hague.

The only listed departure is in December 2027.

What is not included?

The evidence lists a £195 single traveler supplement and a £150 Eurostar Plus upgrade as optional extras; only 3 of the 4 evening meals are included.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Gouda by Candlelight & The Royal Christmas Fair 2027

Five-day festive rail tour to The Hague and Gouda

Railtrail Tours runs this five-day, four-night festive tour to the Netherlands, based for the whole stay at the Carlton Beach Hotel in The Hague. After Eurostar and rail travel from London St Pancras on day 1, a Tour Manager leads the group by rail to Gouda on day 2 for a cheese tasting and the candlelit atmosphere of Gouda by Candlelight, one of the Netherlands' Christmas traditions. Day 3 combines Utrecht's canal-lined medieval centre and Dom Tower with a return to Gouda for the Gouda Cheese Experience and a stop at the Siroopwafel Factory. Day 4 stays in The Hague, with free time for museums, galleries, and the coastline before the Royal Christmas Fair fills the city centre with wooden chalets and lights. Activity level is listed as Moderate. Based at a single beachfront hotel, the trip suits travellers who want a short, festive taste of Dutch cities and food traditions in December.

What to know before you look closer

The £1,049 from-price is for joining and leaving the tour at The Hague; Eurostar and rail travel from London St Pancras costs extra, from £1,169 to £1,369 depending on class.
Only one departure is listed, for December 2027.
A £195 single traveler supplement applies, and only 3 of the 4 evening meals are included.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: The Hague
London to The Hague
Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Rotterdam, then onwards to The Hague and our hotel for four nights, the Carlton Beach Hotel, where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.
Day 2railovernight: The Hague
Gouda by Candlelight
This morning, we enjoy free time to explore Scheveningen, perhaps stroll along the seafront or relax in the hotel's leisure facilities before we travel by rail to the historic city of Gouda, world-famous for its cheese and picture-postcard market square. Here, we enjoy our lunch together accompanied by a tasting of the region's renowned cheeses before having time at leisure to soak up the magical atmosphere of Gouda by Candlelight, with festive lights, entertainment, storytelling, a Christmas market and the ceremonial lighting of the city's Christmas tree.
Day 3overnight: The Hague
Utrecht and the Gouda Cheese Experience
Today, we visit the charming city of Utrecht whose medieval centre is threaded with canals and dominated by the magnificent Dom Tower, with free time to explore. This afternoon, we return to Gouda for the Gouda Cheese Experience, including tastings, then visit the Siroopwafel Factory to learn the story behind the Dutch treat and savour a freshly baked, warm syrup waffle. On our return to the hotel, we enjoy our evening meal together.
Day 4overnight: The Hague
The Hague and the Royal Christmas Fair
After breakfast, we discover The Hague, a city of grand boulevards, royal palaces, and sandy beaches, with a day at leisure to explore museums, galleries and coastlines. We are also treated to the Royal Christmas Fair in the heart of The Hague, with wooden chalets, festive food and drink, sparkling lights, and seasonal entertainment. We retrace our steps to the hotel for our final evening meal together.
Day 5rail
Return to London
We bid farewell to The Hague and to the Netherlands, returning by rail to Rotterdam, where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2The group travels by rail to Gouda, described as 'world-famous for its cheese and picture-postcard market square,' for a cheese tasting and the atmosphere of Gouda by Candlelight.
Day 3Utrecht's medieval centre, threaded with canals and dominated by the Dom Tower, is followed by the Gouda Cheese Experience and a fresh stroopwafel at the Siroopwafel Factory.
Day 4The Royal Christmas Fair fills the heart of The Hague with wooden chalets, festive food and drink, sparkling lights, and seasonal entertainment.

Included

4 nights bed & breakfast plus 3 evening meals and 1 lunch
Eurostar and rail travel to and from the Netherlands in the class of your choice
All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,049 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,417 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes, rail travel within the Netherlands and Eurostar from London St Pancras are included in your chosen class; the £1,049 from-price is for joining and leaving the tour at The Hague without the UK portion.
Is it escorted or independent?: Escorted, with the services of an experienced Tour Manager.
What hotel is included?: Four nights at the Carlton Beach Hotel in The Hague.
When does it run?: The only listed departure is in December 2027.
What is not included?: The evidence lists a £195 single traveler supplement and a £150 Eurostar Plus upgrade as optional extras; only 3 of the 4 evening meals are included.