KEUKENHOF – THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SPRING GARDEN IN THE WORLD
author: Ana Boneva
“You are prettier than a bouquet in May,
That is what you always say
And from my lips, as huney sweet,
Like a bee, you sipped in greed.”
from the collection of poems “Sea of Love” by Ana Boneva)
Better than a bouquet in May turned out to be the gardens of the Keukenhof in the Netherlands. They work only 8 weeks a year from March 21 to early May. During this period, they managed to attract over a million visitors. What makes these tulip-strewn fields the most beautiful spring garden in the world?
1. Quantity = Quality
The tulips in Keukenhof are over 7 million, and each flower is fresh, beautiful, with a wonderful shape and color. The entire park is covered with all the colors of the rainbow, including colorful tulips
2. Uniqueness
Each year the gardens are arranged according to a different theme. In 2024 , the Keukenhof celebrates 75 years. from its opening and the theme was “Celebrating Memories” and “Flower Classic”. Other previous themes are “World of Colors”, “Flower Power”, etc.
3. Variety
In addition to tulips, there is a wide variety of other flowers (daffodils, hyacinths, etc.), as well as trees. For example, there are over 100 species of fruit trees, with cherry trees bloom beautifully and create a unique atmosphere in the park.
4. Diversity
In addition to flower gardens, there are canals with water along which visitors can take a boat ride, contemplate beautiful lakes or directly enter them on separate stone slabs, as well as fountains with crystal clear water. Especially beautiful is the Mill, which dates back to 1892. and was transferred to the Keukenhof in 1957.
5. Entertainment for all ages
There are several excellent playgrounds here, including a small zoo with pets. Also interesting is the labyrinth of tall bushes, which everyone can walk around, get lost and finally find their way back.
6. A wonderful place for photos
It is a real paradise for photographers, except for the day of the Flower Parade, when it seems that there are more people than flowers and shooting landscapes alone is a challenge.
7. Variety of events and festivals
The park can be open for only 8 weeks, but each of them offers different events, such as. celebrating the Easter holidays there, there are days dedicated to the Dutch cultural heritage, others to romance, some fairy-tale character like Miffy the rabbit visits the gardens, etc.. Probably the most spectacular festival, however, is the Flower Parade, when large platforms in various shapes made of flowers pass through the boulevard in front of the gardens.
8. Keukenhof is a sensation
Keukenhof are not only flower gardens, but a variety of sensations that remain vivid memories in every visitor.
Personally, my memories were drowned by the rain that fell on us at the very beginning of the flower parade and prevented my family from enjoying it. But my children’s memories are more cheerful and colorful, remembering the descent with ropeways like Tarzan, a picnic with French fries on the ground and, most of all, jumping on the pebbles on the river like frogs.
Keukenhof is a colorful emotion of the 5 senses, which deserves not only to be seen, but also experienced.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT KEUKENHOF:
Location: The picturesque Keukenhof gardens are located in the province of South Netherlands, south of Haarlem and southwest of Amsterdam in an area called Duin-en Bollenstreek – The Region of Dunes and Bulbs.
How to get here: There are regular bus lines from Amsterdam, from Amsterdam Airport, from Haarlem and from Liden. It can also be reached by car, and there is a large paid parking.
Working hours: from 20.03.2025 to 11.05.2025, every day from 08:00 to 19:30 Ticket
price: 19.50 euros (for adults) and 9.00 euros (for children from 4 to 17 years old)
Additional Information: https://keukenhof.nl/en/
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