The Floriade World Horticultural Expo has been held in the Netherlands every decade since its inception at the beginning of the 1960's. It returns in 2012 to a spectacular site at Venlo, in the Dutch province of Limburg.

Just over 100 miles from Venlo, across the Belgian border in Brussels, another floral extravaganza also takes place this year - this time a bi-annual event - the magnificent Brussels Carpet of Flowers, when for a week-end the Grand Place, in the centre of the city, is covered by approximately ¾ million flowers, creating the most stunning floral display imaginable.

The charming town of Valkenburg lies equidistant from Venlo and Brussels (just over one hours drive from both). Its here, at the Walram Hotel, that we base ourselves for this magnificent floral pilgrimage in August.