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| Tulips, Tulips and More Tulips |
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| Theme Country 2013: United Kingdom - Land of Great Gardens |
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| Wow, just Wow! |
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| Young Pinays Sharing Their Smiles |
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| Tulips Rosalie |
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| Medinilla J'adore Dolce Vita |
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| Crocus-Jeanne D'Arc |
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| 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.
