Keukenhof Tulip Gardens
Well, I don't blame you. But imagine, if you will, acres of various colored tulips spreading across the landscape as far as the eye can see.
That's exactly what Keukenhof is. The biggest tulip garden in the world.
The only problem that I had with Keukenhof is that it's only open during tulip season: this year from March 23 to May 21.
I guess it wasn't that big of a deal because I went during that timeframe. But for those less fortunate than me, be sure to plan your next trip to the Netherlands during those spring dates in order to experience this great park in person.
Getting there
Arriving to Keukenhof is less than ideal. That's because there are no trains that go directly there. It has kind of separated itself from the rest of the country because of its remote location.
Not to worry though, it's still fairly self-explanatory getting there.
Since I was stationed near the Amsterdam Centraal Station, I took a train to the airport - a fairly easy task. From there, I located the bus that went to Keukenhof.
This all might sound a little difficult to find - especially in such a large airport.
Don't fret - if you purchase your Keukenhof ticket in advance, detailed instructions on where to go are printed on your ticket. So, I would definitely recommend you purchase your tickets in advance. There are different price ranges that cover the cost of the tulip garden itself as well as the various buses and trains needed to get there. Just find whichever ticket combination works best for you in your situation.
Once you get to the tulip garden, you will be directed to a free map of the place. You can use that to navigate - or you can do as I did and just go out and explore on your own without worrying about where you are or what you've missed. Sure, I probably missed areas of the park. But I was there long enough and I never worried about what was next. It was great.
There are some hidden gems in the gardens. For example, I didn't expect there to be a small petting zoo near the entrance. Nor did I expect a bush maze. But I found them both. And loved them.
People literally spend an entire day there taking pictures or exploring the different areas of the park. While my time was more precious to me, I can see the obsession. It certainly makes for a fun experience and a must-see stop if you head to Holland.
