This seemed like the perfect topic especially as today officially marks the start of spring. There are two countries that are perfect to visit this time of year; Japan for the cherry blossoms and Holland for the tulips. So while sakura season remains on my bucketlist I have been to Holland over spring break.
An attraction not to be missed is the Keukenhof Gardens- the biggest flower garden in the world. The grounds and the varieties of flowers found here are impressive and worth the trip alone. The gardens cover about 70 acres of land and are filled with more than 7 million bulbs. And even if you aren't a flower enthusiastic I am certain you will still find these gardens stunningly beautiful (in fact its almost impossible to take a bad picture here).
Getting There
It's important to remember that the Keukenhof is located in Lisse and not in Amsterdam itself, though is is an easy 45 minutes drive away. There are numerous bus services provided which are convenient enough. What I personally did was spend my first few days in Holland in the smaller cities (Delft, Rotterdam, Nordwijk and Den Haag) with Amsterdam as a last stop. This way I got to explore the countryside with fields and rows of tulips.
To get to the Keukenhof, take a train to Leiden Central Station and then bus 854 which is a direct service from the train station to the gardens.
Here's A Bunch of Tips
1. There are a few restaurants and cafes on site but your best (and most enjoyable) option is to pack some food and have a picnic at the gardens itself.
2. Get the Holland Pass, the Keukenhof is included as one of the attractions and the dedicated lane for pass holders at the entrance is quick.
3. You should ideally allocate a day to spend at the Keukenhof. Any less and it would feel rushed.
4. Last but not least, the gardens are only open in the spring for approximately 8 weeks every year. Not exactly a tip but worth remembering.
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