You can’t come to Holland and not look for tulips. Keukenhof is the most beautiful spring garden in the world ( their book says so ). The garden is in the town of Lisse, not far from Amsterdam. It was started in 1949 by the mayor of Lisse, to allow flower growers from The Netherlands and Europe to show their wares.
There are over 7 million bulbs planted every year in gardens that cover 32 hectares, making it the largest garden in Europe. It is only open from the last week in March to mid May. We just made it…3 days before closing. Some of the flowers were a little past their prime, but it is seriously beautiful here. My photos don’t do it justice, but here they are anyway.
There are other flowers besides tulips, including lilies and orchids and in a little corner I found these.
And these.
There is a windmill.
And a lively group of musicians.
There is also and animal nursery and a great playground for children, several restaurants and cafes, areas with demonstrations of flowers arranging and lots of other wonderful stuff, including a stand selling delicious hot ham rolls with sweet mustard.
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The gardens were packed with people the day of our visit. It was a fine day and a public holiday, but it was still possible to find a quiet place to enjoy the beautiful flowers.
Don’t miss Keukenhof if you come to the Netherlands.
Thanks for the lovely photos Deb – those tulips and gardens are fabulous!
By: Anonymous on May 19, 2012
at 5:35 am
It is an amazing garden, I’m so glad we went.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 19, 2012
at 4:07 pm
Amazing colours Debra and a beautifully designed garden. I love the tulip that looks a bit like an artichoke!
By: janinevasta on May 19, 2012
at 6:46 am
I don’t think I could pick a favourite tulip, they were all gorgeous.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 19, 2012
at 4:08 pm
Absolutely gorgeous photos. What a feast! Thank you Debra.
By: Mulino Dominillo on May 19, 2012
at 6:46 am
I think you and Raphael need to visit the garden.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 19, 2012
at 4:08 pm
Absolutely stunning- love your photos Debra. The colours of some of the tulips are amazing. I love the two toned ones and the frilly tulips!
By: jenny@atasteoftravel on May 19, 2012
at 7:37 am
The frilly ones are gorgeous.The almost black ones are incredible,but don’t photograph very well.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 19, 2012
at 4:09 pm
Loved our visit to this wonderful garden. Your pictures brought back images of when we were there.
By: chestercoextbutterfly on May 19, 2012
at 9:45 am
There is another beautiful area every time you turn a corner.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 19, 2012
at 4:09 pm
We were fortunate to live in Amsterdam for two years and visited the Keukenhof (the Kitchen Garden) both years. First car in the carpark at 8am so strolled this beautiful garden almost alone. Just magic. The surrounding tupils fields are also worth a visit and bike tours are available.
By: Robyn Cameron on May 19, 2012
at 10:28 am
I will definitely do that next time, hopefully the weather will be a bit better.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 19, 2012
at 4:10 pm
Thanks for the picture..
Now gone to enter “Keukenhof” in my travel wish list!!!
By: zupher on May 19, 2012
at 10:59 am
You should, it’s fabulous!
By: Debra Kolkka on May 19, 2012
at 4:10 pm
Your photography is absolute professionalism, Debra. Beautiful — thanks for sharing!
By: Karen Overton on May 19, 2012
at 3:14 pm
The gardens were far more beautiful than my photos show, but thank you anyway.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 19, 2012
at 4:14 pm
Beautiful pictures, Debra! We gave Keukenhof a miss this year because most of the weekends were just chilly and wet. I’m happy to see your pictures and the weather looks great on your visit. 😉
By: Malou on May 19, 2012
at 4:03 pm
It wasn’t a great day, but the sun came out sometimes.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 19, 2012
at 4:11 pm
WOW! They are so beautiful, so beautiful… Thank you dear Debra, love, nia
By: niasunset on May 19, 2012
at 4:29 pm
Tulips are gorgeous aren’t they?
By: Debra Kolkka on May 20, 2012
at 6:03 am
Good God, Deb, could those tulips be any more beautiful! Stunningly fabulous photos. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend.
Hugs,
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on May 19, 2012
at 4:40 pm
There are so many varieties of tulips….I want them all in my garden. Of course, I would have go get a bigger garden.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 20, 2012
at 6:04 am
Cannot but love the red and white tulips, gorgeous!
By: linneabylinneanilsson on May 19, 2012
at 10:04 pm
I can’t pick a favourite, I love them all.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 20, 2012
at 6:05 am
OMG they are all so beautiful but the varigated one is more than exquisite – so waxy and almost hand painted by a dutch artist I think .
Question have you noticed the wonderful windows in Amsterdam with their lacey curtains and spotlessly clean glass?
thanks for sharing your wonderful time in Holland
x Di
By: dianne Cant on May 19, 2012
at 10:10 pm
I have seen some lovely lace in the windows, and yes they look very clean. Perhaps I need to get someone from Holland down to do my windows.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 20, 2012
at 6:06 am
It’s a shame there’s only a “Like” button, because I LOVED this post! 🙂
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on May 20, 2012
at 2:03 am
Thanks! The tulips are heavenly.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 20, 2012
at 6:06 am
Ow, you’re up close and personal with the tulips in Netherlands. 😀 I only saw the ones on the window displays in Armsterdam. 🙁
By: rommel on May 20, 2012
at 3:14 am
What a pity, you will have to come back.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 20, 2012
at 6:06 am
Dear Debra, I have just heard this earthquake in Italy now. I am so sad to hear this. I hope and wish you are in safe and fine. My heart with you all. God be with you, love, nia
By: niasunset on May 20, 2012
at 1:25 pm
We are in Amsterdam today. I will return to Italy. Bagni di Lucca is not near the affected area. I hope there is not too much damage. Thank you for your concern.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 20, 2012
at 4:41 pm
Yes dear this is so sad… but as I heard heritage of this area got damaged… I hope people in this area are fine. You are welcome, Love, nia
By: niasunset on May 20, 2012
at 5:02 pm
Wow! What an extraordinary array of colours and varieties. Beautiful images.
By: Just Add Attitude on May 20, 2012
at 6:21 pm
Great photos! I love the showy parrot tulips (fourth one, etc.) – they look great in the garden and showy for the camera. But my favorite photo is the quiet green scene of tree and pond 🙂
By: composerinthegarden on May 20, 2012
at 10:02 pm
What beautiful posts these have been. I absolutely loved the Karte Houtstraat pictures – what a lovely place. The chemist shop is fantastic, literally, it could start a thousand and one stories. But I rather liked the notion of the house-hooks being used to hoist up nasty individuals by the nostrils – great deterrent and such fun!!
By: Jan on May 21, 2012
at 3:14 am
What exquisitely beautiful..gorgeous spring images. Love the colors. Love the unexpected windmill!
By: Marcie on May 21, 2012
at 12:07 pm
Reblogged this on sMaLL SecrET of MinE Blog and commented:
this flower always my number one priority!! i love it so much,.very lovely pic here!!! i want to be covered with TULIPS!!
By: carmoo on May 21, 2012
at 3:39 pm
Thanks for the reblog. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 22, 2012
at 9:54 am
yup,…i really enjoy it,..^^,…thanks,..
By: carmoo on May 26, 2012
at 2:33 pm
It is a very beautiful garden.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 26, 2012
at 6:02 pm
yup,..very nice,..and i really love tulips,..but,..in m`sia,..tulips is hardly been found,..T_T,..and rose is the most easiest to have,..but,..i don`t like roses,..^^
By: carmoo on May 27, 2012
at 1:31 am
Roses are beautiful too….and they smell so lovely.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 27, 2012
at 9:41 am
hee,..yup,..the smell of roses can`t b fight,..lovely,..^^ but,..the thorn,..i just don`t like it,..it`s like a torn with venomed with it,.. and i always heard,..roses are symbolize for women,..i don`t like it,..hee^^
By: carmoo on May 27, 2012
at 9:49 am
I was at Keukenhof just one month ago! It is the most beautiful place. Your photos are lovely. We were there on the day of the Bloemencorso which is a grand tulip parade. The grounds were packed with people. The day you were there looked much lighter by comparison. But I’m so glad I got to see the gardens. An absolute treat.
By: Jackie Cangro on May 26, 2012
at 1:07 am
It was busy, but I’m sure the day you were there would have been more crowded. I tried to take photos without people because the flowers are just so beautiful.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 26, 2012
at 5:47 am
Beautiful photos, Debra. Formal gardens are our favorite place to visit when we arrive in a new city.
By: jackandmarilynerickson on May 30, 2012
at 6:43 pm
These gardens are delightful, one day was not enough.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 30, 2012
at 8:58 pm
I attended a tulip festival just outside Seattle several years ago. It was so lovely and one of my favorite trips. Thanks for the beautiful pictures.
By: Damommachef on June 7, 2012
at 3:52 am
This garden is incredibly beautiful. We had a great day there.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 7, 2012
at 4:30 am