hello LGs,
April of 2020 has begun & no matter where you are I am sure you must be facing the dark shadow of the COVID-19 virus. Here in Mumbai, we are in the 12th day of lockdown with another 13 to go. In such dreadful times, I can think of the most colourful place I have visited - Keukenhof.
Before visiting Keukenhof, I happened to visit Netherlands twice but in summer. Having read so much about this spring garden & see so many pictures, I carefully planned my next trip to coincide with the full bloom of Tulips.
An estimated 1.5 mn visitors visited Keukenhof in 2019. Therefore, ensure that you reach early to avoid the morning rush of tourists & spend minimal time in the queue at the Entrance Gate. I am not much of a flower-loving person but Keukenhof simply blew me away. The traditional Dutch neatness of planting the bulbs makes the entire park look like a scene from dreamland.
Every year they have a theme at the garden & an arrangement of flowers to suit. The garden is spread over ~80 acres so keep aside a full day for visiting every corner of this park. Pickup a map of the garden at the entrance to find your way around. Be prepared to walk throughout the day along the long winding paths.
There is a windmill which provides elevated views of the garden. The trick to skip the queues for the windmill is to enter the park early and directly walk to the windmill. Later in the day one may have to spend close to 20 minutes waiting to climb the windmill. Near the windmill one can also go for a boat ride which takes people around the nearby tulip fields.
Keukenhof is the second location where i have run out of spare batteries & memory cards for clicking pictures. Every corner is picturesque & each photo can be a wallpaper for your screen. Don’t just carry your phone for pictures, if you have a large sensor camera/aperture lens - do bring it!! Here are some pics from my 50mm f1.8. Its fun to shoot wide open here!
There are 4 indoor pavilions hosting some amazing flower arrangements and each one is unique. In 2 of those you can spend upto an hour clicking photos & marveling at how the Dutch are so artistic.
There is a petting zoo with some rabbits which will definitely attract kids & keep them busy for a while.
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Place : Keukenhof, Lisse, Netherlands.
Timings : Open usually mid March to mid May. (closed in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions)
How to reach : There are special bus services from Schiphol Airport to Keukenhof.
Tickets : ~19 Euros for adults, ~9 Euros for kids. Combi tickets are also available.
Eat : You can bring your own food in the garden/there are restaurants in the garden/There is a McDonalds’ in Lisse that serves the standard fare.
Notes : Carry light warm wear/jacket/umbrella for occasional rain. Weekdays can be less crowded. Weekends are too crowded here.
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