Netherlands in Bloom

Spring, to me, means Keukenhof.  It’s become a bit of an annual pilgrimage for our family to travel to the Netherlands and experience the beauty of the Dutch flowers.  During a long, dreary English winter I look forward for months to a visit to this seasonal park.  Each year they choose a different theme for their displays with the most dramatic being the large outdoor mosaic made entirely of tulips.  This year the theme is “The Golden Age,” celebrating the era in which Holland became a wealthy nation.  

Kids and adults love Keukenhof!  There are two large playgrounds, including one inspired by the Netherlands’ favourite bunny, Miffy.  The centre of the park houses a petting farm.  Upon entering, pick up a children’s treasure hunt to keep them busy.  There are also giant shoes to stand in, a pathway of stepping stones across the water, a maze, a boat ride, pancakes and more!  For adults, there are 800 varieties of tulips to discover (among many other flowers), history exhibits, sculpture exhibits, and more.  Personally, I love to wander through the park on a sunny day, visit the greenhouses to explore the tulip varieties and stop for a fresh waffle from the stand next the the Mill.  

The real trick is in timing your visit just right to catch the park in full bloom, plus the blooming of all the fields in the surrounding area.  We have yet to get it just right, but I’m hopeful for this year!  The park is only open from late-March to mid-May, so if you have the Netherlands on your list of places to travel I highly recommend planing your visit during that time.  

For information on planning your trip visit http://www.keukenhof.nl/en/.