Enter our competition for a chance to win a colourful springtime visit for two to Holland

Step into springtime in one of the most stunning gardens in all of Europe with a free trip to the Dutch Bulbfields at Keukenhof flower gardens with DFDS. Transport yourself from the hustle and bustle of daily life to Keukenhof’s blooming landscape gardens, just outside Amsterdam. The gardens attract more than a million visitors each year to see the stunning bursts of colour in the extensive flower displays that fill the 79 acre site.

Each year the designs on display in the gardens are changed to fit a different theme and this year the theme is Dutch Design, to mark 100 years of the Dutch De Stijl movement, based on straight lines and primary colours. The bold work of Piet Mondrian is the best known example of this style.

You’ll start your journey to the Dutch Bulbfields on an overnight mini cruise sailing from Newcastle to Amsterdam with DFDS. The company’s cruise ferries are equipped with four restaurants, including the Explorer’s Steakhouse, an all-you-can-eat world-food buffet in the 7 Seas restaurant, the ‘Little Italy’ pasta and pizza restaurant, and the fine-dining Blue Riband à la carte restaurant. There are also a number of cafes and bars, as well as live music from a house band and acoustic troubadour. Other on-board facilities include a shop, a casino, a cinema and a Kidz club to keep children entertained.

On arrival in Holland you will join a direct coach transfer to Keukenhof and receive free entry to the mesmerising flower gardens. You can explore the gardens at your leisure for up to three-and-a-half hours, taking in the breath-taking views, including an 80,000 bulb mosaic based on Mondrian’s most famous work, which forms the centrepiece of this year’s displays.

Highlights of the events taking place during the eight week flowering period at Keukenhof from mid-March through to mid-May include:

• Daily flower arranging demonstrations in the Oranje Nassau Pavilion

• 7 to 9 April: Keukenhof Flower market – a must for keen gardeners, offering a chance to get your green fingers on a host of unusual bulbs and get expert advice on planting techniques

• 22 April: Flower Parade – dozens of illuminated, colourful floats decorated with a variety of flowers parade through the gardens en route to nearby Haarlem. Book early for access to this hugely popular event

• 13 to 14 May: Romance at Keukenhof – stirring classical music and costumed performers create an atmospheric experience for visitors during the two-day festival

• 3 to 15 May: The world’s largest Lily show

After your visit to the flower gardens, you’ll join a coach transfer back to the ship for another exciting night of entertainment and fine-dining on board.

To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize, simply answer the question below.

What is the name of the garden in Holland you’ll visit as part of this prize?

a) Kew Gardens

b) Kylemore Abbey Gardens

c) Keukenhof Gardens

Email answers, together with full contact details, to competitions@northernecho.co.uk. The closing date is Monday, February 27, and usual Newsquest competition rules apply. Full T&Cs are on the Northern Echo website: thenorthernecho.co.uk

* The Dutch Bulbfields mini cruise offer starts from £114 per person based on two people sharing an inside cabin. The offer is available on selected departures from March 23 until May 15 and can be booked at dfds.co.uk/bulbfields.

Terms & Conditions – Win a trip to the Bulb Fields of Holland with DFDS

Entry

• Competition close – 22nd March The winner will be selected at random.

• Entrants must be UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man residents aged 18 years or over in possession of a valid passport.

• Only one entry is permitted per household for the duration of the competition (i.e. only one entry from the same name, postal address and/or e-mail address).

• There is no purchase required to take part in the competition. Your statutory rights are not affected.

• Employees of DFDS Group and its subsidiaries may not participate.

• Prize winners will be notified via email to the email address supplied at registration with either a gift certificate or unique code or email authorising the prize and instructions on how to make your booking.

Prize

• Mini Cruise crossing for two foot passengers travelling with DFDS on its route from Newcastle to Amsterdam.

• A standard inside cabin will be provided (subject to availability).

• The prize includes coach transfers from the port of Ijmuiden to Keukenhof gardens, plus entry passes for the gardens.

• Travel on selected departures between 23rd March and 15th May, with all bank holidays excluded.

Third Party Arrangements

• This competition is open to all residents of the United Kingdom aged 18 years and over except employees of any companies associated with the competition, including DFDS, and their families and friends and agencies and persons connected in any way with the organisation & promotion of this competition. Residents of other countries are excluded from entry. The winner will be required to provide photo ID to prove they are over 18.

• No cash alternatives will be offered in whole or in part for any prizes offered.

• DFDS reserves the right to change the prize to a prize of equal value, should circumstances require this.

• This prize is valid for travel up until 15th May (inclusive), excluding bank holidays.

• On confirmation of travel dates, representatives of DFDS will make a reservation for the winner and their companion for the crossing. However, this prize is subject to date restrictions, availability and restricted space. Limited availability during public holiday and festive periods.

• When dates of travel have been confirmed by the winner, then these dates, names, or the prize cannot be altered in anyway. If the winner chooses not to travel on the dates he/she confirmed, then the prize will become void.

• It is the winner’s responsibility to ensure that the winner & their companion have the necessary travel insurance cover required and that their passports have the correct validity.

• All meals, travel and other expenses, apart from those stated as included in the prize, are at the expense of the winner and their companion.

Draw terms and conditions

Bookings will only be accepted subject to these Terms and Conditions.

• These Terms & Conditions are in addition to and, should be read together with DFDS General Booking Terms & Conditions of Carriage. For more information visit dfds.co.uk/terms

• The prize is non-transferable.

• Prize is for two foot passengers only.

• Prize must be declared at the time of booking and cannot be redeemed retrospectively.

• Prize cannot be used in conjunction with any offer or discount.

• Alterations to a confirmed booking cannot be made.

• No refunds are allowed on lost or unused prize.

• The prize elements have no equivalent cash value and cannot be exchanged for cash.

• For the avoidance of doubt, the prize excludes any associated costs and expenses which may be incurred by the winner.

Prize provider and promoter

This promotion is being undertaken by the Northern Echo in association with DFDS (DFDS Newcastle Ltd), International Passenger Terminal, Royal Quays, North Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE29 6EE, United Kingdom, Registered Company No: 313486, who will provide an overnight return ferry crossing on the DFDS route from Newcastle to Ijmuiden.

Components of the prize will also be provided by:

• Brouwers

• Keukenhof

Doubt or disagreement

In case of doubt or disagreement about the competition terms, DFDS will determine the interpretation and settle questions according to its own judgment. On this occasion or on the basis of the execution of the competition, insufficient publication, or other conditions, compensation claims cannot be exercised against DFDS, which also reserves the right to carry out changes or additions to the rules without notice. To raise a dispute on a DFDS competition email uk.marketing@dfds.com.

Liability

The use of the page and features of the competition website, as well as material and information contained on it, is used entirely at the user’s own risk. DFDS does not accept any responsibility for loss of data and/or changes in the user’s systems as a consequence of participating in the online competition. On the basis of the execution of the online competition, compensation claims cannot be exercised against DFDS.

Personal information

DFDS will protect any information provided in the contact forms on this site. The information will not be forwarded to any third parties other than participants in the prizes. DFDS will handle your information in full compliance of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Further information

The contact data you submit is processed with full confidentiality. The information is not forwarded to any third party, but may be used by DFDS in future marketing campaigns, which you can easily opt out from by clicking on the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom. For further information please contact uk.marketing@dfds.com.

The organisers reserve the right to publish the winner’s name and photo publicly in any format, for advertising or other purposes, on the internet or otherwise. The winner cannot claim anything in return or challenge such an action, other than relinquishing their prize. Only the organisers shall have access to such information.