Friday, 26 April 2013

One Sunny Day in Keukenhof, Holland

Tulips, Tulips and More Tulips

Theme Country 2013: United Kingdom - Land of Great Gardens




Wow, just Wow!


Young Pinays Sharing Their Smiles

Tulips Rosalie

Medinilla J'adore Dolce Vita



Crocus-Jeanne D'Arc




Bloemencorso


Hopefully it would be a fine weather – been wishing and telling it to myself when we agreed on the date, April 20, Saturday to meet up. I would be meeting a dear FB friend in person on her free day after attending a conference in Amsterdam.
And my wish was granted. What a fine, sunny Saturday morning to be in Lisse, NL, the tulips center in Holland where this world’s famous Keukenhof is located. Another girlfriend booked our tickets online which saved us most probably long hours of waiting at the main entrance as it was a Saturday, and on that especial day, the Bloemencorso or floral parade would take place. (Our experience of waiting for that floral parade is another story.) Combination ticket per person costs about 27.50 from Amsterdam with bus and entrance ticket to see 7 million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths as described in one info about the park.Theme Country for this year, 2013: United Kingdom - Land of Great Gardens.
About the Keukenhof and especial events during this awesome floral shows from 21 March to 20 May, 2013:  Source: www.keukenhof.nl
History of Keukenhof
Where Keukenhof is situated now, was a hunting area in the 15th century. Herbs for the kitchen of the castle of Jacoba van Beieren were also collected here; hence the name Keukenhof.
The current park was a section of the sizeable estate of Slot Teylingen, with beautiful untamed bushes and dunes. After the decease of Jacoba van Beieren Keukenhof fell into the hands of rich merchant families. Baron and baroness Van Pallandt invited landscape architects J.D. and L.P. Zocher, designers of the Amsterdam Vondelpark, to make a design for the garden around the castle. This design, in the English landscape style, has always been the basis of Keukenhof.
At the moment the estate belongs to a Foundation. On the initiative of the Lisse mayor of that time and a number of leading flower bulb growers and exporters, an open air flower exhibition was organised here for the first time in 1949. This expanded to an annually recurring event that has always drawn great numbers of visitors from all over the world. This is how Keukenhof became the park that we now know.
The park is 32 hectares wide and has 15 kilometres of foothpath. Keukenhof has surprises in store for visitors of all ages. Be sure to bring your camera along on this unique experience. The park is filled with blooming tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other spring bulbs. At Keukenhof you can gain inspiration and relax in the beautiful surroundings!
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 Some tips: Try to visit on a weekday to avoid other million of tourists wanting to pose with millions of spring flowers. Get your tickets on line to be able to use the express lane at the main door. 
Get a good weather forecast before you plan your trip. Nothing is so frustrating than visit this beautiful park on a rainy day. 
Avoid the Bloemencorso day! It is better seen in photos posted by other people with better cameras and lucky to get higher grounds to view the floral parade. 

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