Experiencing Beautiful Keukenhof Gardens, The Netherlands

Keukenhof Gardens, The Netherlands
Keukenhof Gardens is such a beautiful place. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

 

If you love flowers, and tulips especially, then you really would love to visit Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands.

According to the website, Holland.com Keukenhof is the most famous and largest flower park in the world. It is also billed as the most beautiful spring park in the world, and from what I saw, I certainly could not argue with that claim. It is truly as impressive as it is beautiful. It is little wonder that Keukenhof is one of the top attractions in the Netherlands.

 

Keukenhof main entrance sign
The Keukenhof banner/logo above the main entrance to the gardens. Photo: James Visser.

 

Known as the ‘Garden of Europe’, the Dutch word ‘Keukenhof’ translates to English as “kitchen garden”. I was lucky enough to visit with my fiancé James, who has many family members that are from the Netherlands. It is a real pleasure to share our experience here together with the images we took of such a beautiful, popular, and immaculately kept attraction.

 

Getting to Keukenhof Gardens

Location of Keukenhof
Location of Keukenhof in the Netherlands. Image: My Wanderlusty Life.

You will find this amazing treasure in Lisse, within the province of South Holland, nestled in the midst of a patchwork of tulip fields, within an area known as Duin- en Bollenstreek (or the “Dune and Bulb Region”).

One of the many flower areas at Keukenhof Gardens
One of the many flower areas at Keukenhof Gardens. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

Duin- en Bollenstreek is a 30-km-long area that lies between the cities of Haarlem in the north and Leiden in the south. From March onwards, the polders are decorated with beautiful colors. First, the crocuses bloom and from the beginning of April the flowering tulip fields are the highlight of the season, then at the end of May, the lily fields are in bloom. There are various walking, cycling, and car routes through the bulb-growing area, which takes you past the most beautiful bulb fields. More information can be found on the region’s website.

Keukenhof Gardens are easily accessible and can be reached within half an hour from The Hague, Haarlem, Leiden, or Amsterdam. Buses are available from Haarlem and Leiden train stations as well as from Schiphol (the main international airport of the Netherlands, located close to Amsterdam). You can also book a tour from Amsterdam and many other centers or hire a car and drive there yourself.

Although the grounds are open year-round for private affairs and festivals, Keukenhof Gardens are only open to the public for 8 weeks of the year, during the spring. This is generally from around mid-March to mid-May. In 2021, this period was scheduled from March 20 to May 9 (assuming no closures due to the COVID 19 pandemic).

If planning a trip, you can always visit the official Keukenhof website to see current updates as well as order tickets. Normal opening hours for the world’s largest flowering bulb show are from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm with the last admission at 6:00 pm every day.

 

The place to appreciate a classic Dutch icon

The classic Dutch yellow tulip is a favorite with many
The classic Dutch yellow tulip is a favorite with many. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

Aside from windmills, canals, bicycles, cheese, clogs, and Royal Delftware, the Dutch are also famous for their tulips.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the Dutch are the world leaders in tulip cultivation. Indeed, did you know that the Netherlands is the world’s largest exporter of flowers, dispatching around 2 billion tulips to many countries worldwide? According to the site World’s Top Exports, the Netherlands flower exports make up nearly half (48.9%) of the world’s exported flower bouquets, worth some US$4.6 billion to the Dutch economy. That’s a lot of tulips!

Approximately 7 million flower bulbs, (including some 800 varieties of tulips!) are planted in the gardens annually in an area of 32 hectares (79 acres). Although widely known for its tulips, Keukenhof also features numerous other flowers, including hyacinths, daffodils, lilies, roses, carnations, and irises.

 

The sheer variety at Keukenhof is just second to none.
The sheer variety here is just second to none. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

A huge hit with tourists

Designed by architect Jan David Zocher in the 19th century and established officially by the mayor of Lisse in 1949, the garden has grown to become a tourist hotspot in Europe.

In addition to the extensive tulip gardens, the park features a variety of other gardens. The English landscape garden features winding paths and surprise see-through vistas. The walled area of the historical section features archival varieties. In the Nature Garden, shrubs and perennials are combined with bulb plants. The Japanese Country Garden is a non-traditional garden in a natural environment. There are also some pavilions housing rotating displays and flower exhibits.

In 2019, 1.5 million people visited Keukenhof, an average of some 26,000 visitors every day.

 

Our experience

On arrival at the gate, everyone receives a free map of the park, outlining all the main areas and different attractions. This was very handy to find your bearings and plan your time.

 

A map of Kuekenhof Gardens
A map of Keukenhof, showing the various gardens, pavilions, and canals. The colored stripes on the edges indicate the tulip fields.

 

Nicole Anderson being greeted at Keukenhof Gardens
Being greeted by two ladies in traditional Dutch dress. There are definitely tall people in Holland! Photo: James Visser.

Options to explore

You can take a guided tour through the highlights of the park and there is also an option to take a 60-minute cruise where you’ll enjoy the views of Keukenhof gardens from the comfort of an electrically powered whisper boat. To explore the area even further, you can even rent bicycles to see more of the tulip fields in this region.

We chose not to take the boat ride as we felt it would be difficult to see the flowers that well from canal height level and certainly not get as close as we could on foot.

 

A feast for the senses

As you enter and walk around the park itself, you can’t help but be awestruck by a dream world of bright colors surrounding you, not to mention a myriad of tantalizing fragrances from so many floral varieties. All of this in beautifully manicured landscapes that change in theme from one area to the next.

 

A sea of beauty... Photo: Nicole Anderson.
A sea of beauty… Photo: Nicole Anderson.

 

Such a tranquil and peaceful setting.
Such a tranquil and peaceful setting. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

 

Everyplace seemed to be a lovely spot for a photo.
Every place seemed to be a lovely spot for a photo. Photo: fellow visitor.

 

Each section had such a sea of different floral displays, many of the same colors and varieties together as well as areas where there are beautiful combinations of tulips and other flowers. Against a backdrop of well-maintained lawns, pathways, bridges, and canals, the whole experience is one you are not likely to forget.

 

Interesting sculptures appear randomly throughout the area
Interesting sculptures appear randomly throughout the area. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

 

It's so hard to put your camera down here.
It’s so hard to put your camera down here. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

 

Even though there were lots of visitors here, you never felt really crowded
Even though there were lots of visitors here, you never felt really crowded. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

 

James and I loving the tulips and other flowers abundant here
James and I love the tulips and other flowers abundant here. Photo: fellow visitor.

 

This place is a nature lover’s dream and a photographer’s paradise and I have tried to convey the scenic beauty of the park through the images shared here.

 

The walkways allowed great access to view all the flowers, water features and other attractions.
The walkways allowed great access to view all the flowers, water features, and other attractions. Photo: James Visser.

 

Nicole Anderson at Keukenhof Gardens, The Netherlands.
I could stay here all day! Photo: James Visser.

 

As we continued to explore, the time just flew. Before we knew it, lunchtime had arrived and we found a table outside the onsite restaurant, sitting next to a German couple who visit Keukenhof every year by driving across the border. The eating place was on the water with a number of curious and friendly ducks waddling and swimming past just feet away.

 

Dutch apple pie and Dutch chocolate of course!
Dutch apple pie and Dutch chocolate of course! Photo: James Visser.

 

Ducks on the restaurant deck while their friends swim by.
Ducks on the restaurant deck while their friends swim by. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

 

The indoor displays

As many as 500 growers present their prize blooms for leading flower arrangers to use in their unique shows at the park. At several spots in the park, there are pavilions that carry a name that refers to the Dutch Royal family: Wilhelmina, Juliana, Beatrix, Willem-Alexander, and Oranje-Nassau. Here is a quick run-down of the various pavilions you can visit:

 
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Willem-Alexander Pavilion

The Willem-Alexander Pavilion is the largest of the pavilions and is just tulip heaven. What most people don’t realize is that it is also Lily heaven in the last 10 days or so of each season. With over 15,000 lilies in over 300 varieties, this little-known part of Keukenhof is worth seeing if you happened to missed tulip season.

There was also a big ‘flower power’ theme at that time, depicting the 1960’s free love, which included an area displaying various camping, caravanning, and campervan scenes as you can see below.

Camping tent in the 1960s...
Camping tent in the 1960s… Photo: Nicole Anderson.

 

Keukenhof flower themed caravan
Me next to a ‘groovy’ flower-themed caravan. Photo: James Visser.

 

How's this for a combie van?
How’s this for a combi van? Photo: James Visser.

 

Oranje-Nassau Pavilion

Oranje-Nassau offers a new flower show each week. This is where the best come to be judged and the type of flowers being judged and displayed changes every week. This flower pavilion is located at the heart of the springtime garden, the place to see spring burst into flower. The shows in the other flower pavilions, the Beatrix Pavilion and the Prince Willem-Alexander Pavilion have more permanent exhibits.

The pavilions were strategically placed throughout the gardens, often beside ponds and canals
The pavilions were strategically placed throughout the gardens, often beside ponds and canals. Photo: James Visser.

 

Beatrix Pavilion

If you like orchids, the Beatrix Pavilion is the place for you. This is quite possibly the most beautiful orchid display in all of Europe. Make sure you budget at least an hour or so for the orchids as they shouldn’t be missed.

The indoor flower areas were very well displayed.
The indoor flower areas were very well displayed. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

 

Competitions for the best flowers were held in the Pavilion
Competitions for the best flowers were held in the Pavilion. Photo: James Visser.

 

The flower power theme with a love bug van was also to be seen here
The flower power theme with a love bug van was also to be seen here. Photo: James Visser.

 

Julianna Pavilion

The Julianna Pavilion teaches visitors about the history of the tulip. From the earliest trading of tulips to 17th Century tulip mania and economic bubble and the role of the tulip today as an icon of Holland and spring. You can learn more about the origin of the tulip in the historic garden.

Another shot of pavilions by the water.
Another shot of pavilions by the water. Photo: James Visser.

 

Wilhamena Pavilion

If you want to sit down and eat in a food court-like atmosphere, then Wilhamena Pavilion is the place to do so. This is where we had lunch at the restaurant beside the pond.

 

A shot of the Wilhamena Pavilion taken from across the pond.
A shot of the Wilhamena Pavilion taken from across the pond. Photo: James Visser.

 

Irene Pavilion

This includes the area and sign which was the old entrance to Keukenhof. Now it is being developed to be part of the garden and its role will be defined over the coming years. Perhaps it will be for a special annual display or yet another exhibit.

 

James and I at the old entrance to Keukenhof.
James and I at the old entrance to Keukenhof. Photo: a friendly fellow visitor to Keukenhof.

 

Other attractions within the park

As if there wasn't already so much to see and appreciate.
As if there wasn’t already so much to see and appreciate. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

 

As if you wouldn’t be captivated enough with the fields, displays, and pavilions, you can also check out the following:

Hedge Maze:

Surrounded by thick bushes and sculptures, it offers a zoo with cows and horses. Hedge Maze is highly recommended for kids.

 

The English Wall Garden close to the Maze at Keukenhof.
The English Wall Garden close to the Maze. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

 

More manicured flora, carefully positioned and grown.
More manicured flora, carefully positioned and grown. Photo: James Visser.

 

Keukenhofmolen

Molen means windmill in Dutch so Keukenhofmolen simply means the big windmill in the garden. The old windmill of the garden offers a panoramic view of the garden if you climb up there. You can also take a look at the nursery where the tulips were planted before they were moved to the gardens. This place can get really crowded as everyone fights for the perfect picture or selfie.

 

Keukenhofmolen overlooking the tulip fields
Keukenhofmolen overlooking the tulip fields. Photo: James Visser.

 

Japanese Garden:

The walk from Beatrix to the Windmill includes a hidden Japanese garden where you can walk on the fake lily pads [positioned just under the water. This is an artists’ paradise where scene and landscape would make you pick up a canvas. Here you can have tea by the greenhouses or grab some poffertjes (small bite-sized pancakes with butter and powdered sugar) from the cart near the playground.

 

Japanese Garden at Keukenhof
Taken within the Japanese Garden. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

 

You can also visit Keukenhof Castle very close by. An attraction in its own right, the Castle is a notable country house dating from the Dutch Golden Age.

 

Purchasing souvenirs and produce

Visitors to this tulip producing region can also buy souvenirs from the farmers in the tulip bulb stalls that carry a quarantine certificate, mandatory for shipments to the USA, Australia, and Canada.

In addition, freshly grown fruits and other produce were available for visitors to purchase.

 

Freshly picked oranges anyone?
Freshly picked oranges anyone? Photo: James Visser.

 

A bit of trivia

Tulips have evolved greatly over the centuries.
Tulips have evolved greatly over the centuries. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

Interestingly enough, despite its long association with the Netherlands, the tulip actually originates in the Tian Shan mountain region of the Himalayas and came to Holland via Turkey, in the 16th century, where sultans organized tulip parties each spring. According to Lonely Planet, tulips were first cultivated by the Turks and in the mid-1500s, the Habsburg ambassador to Istanbul brought some tulip bulbs to Vienna where imperial botanist Carolus Clusius learned how to propagate them. Clusius later became director of the ‘Hortus Botanicus’ in Leiden, Netherlands (Europe’s oldest botanical garden), having great success in growing and cross-breeding tulips in the cool, damp Dutch climate and fertile delta soil.

Dutch tulips also have a Canadian connection. In 1943, Princess Margriet was born in the Ottawa Civic Hospital, as the Dutch royal family was being sheltered from the war. The maternity ward was declared international territory so she would inherit only her Dutch citizenship from her mother, Princess Juliana. Each year, the Dutch royal family sends 10,000 bulbs to Ottawa for the tulip festival. Three plaques (in English, Dutch and French) sporting the Canadian coat of arms, adorn the Juliana Pavilion in Keukenhof.

 

Millions of flower bulbs to admire at Keukenhof
Millions of flower bulbs to admire at Keukenhof. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

Conclusion

Keukenhof Gardens are so significant in their scale and beauty, I would say you wouldn’t have to necessarily appreciate nature or love gardening or flowers to enjoy seeing this attraction. The tulip fields surrounding the gardens are equally impressive. As someone who regards herself as a terrible gardener (let alone farmer!) and who has little knowledge when it comes to growing beautiful plants, I just found this place to be just awesome.

It is also a very unique attraction, open for just a limited time each year, and is well worth the effort to see in person. A visit here gives you a complete understanding of why tulips are so special and such an icon for the Netherlands.

I do hope you enjoyed this piece and are interested in visiting Keukenhof Gardens and neighboring fields if you have not already done so. Please share any thoughts you might have below.

 

There were so many different combinations of colors on display.
There were so many different combinations of colors on display. Photo: Nicole Anderson.

 

Outside the main entrance of Keukenhof Gardens.
Outside the main entrance of Keukenhof Gardens. A lovely experience. Photo: James Visser.

 

This article is part of the Natural Beauty Travel Series, authored by travel writer Nicole Anderson.

Founder and Publisher at Camping for Women | Website

Outdoor adventure enthusiast that loves nature having travelled locations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

Passionate Travel Writer, Blogger and Influencer.

118 thoughts on “Experiencing Beautiful Keukenhof Gardens, The Netherlands

  • April 2, 2021 at 5:41 pm
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    We are soon getting our vaccines so are actively starting to think about where we might travel next. Not making reservations just actively dreaming again. This was a good post to use to check against our list of places to visit or re-visit. We definitely need to get the Netherlands on our travel plans. Would be perfect for spring 2022. The Keukenhof Gardens might satisfy my desire to see acres and acres of colourful flowers all in one place. Good to know they can easily be reached from different base cities. It would be lovely to tour around in an electric boat. But I might never make it to the indoor pavilions!

    Reply
    • April 5, 2021 at 10:20 pm
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      I know what you mean, Linda. It can be a lot of ground to cover but it is such a joy to do so. Now that vaccines are starting to be rolled out, hopefully the Netherlands will be really safe to travel to again and your planning for 2022 might be a great time. Don’t forget to check the website to be aware of the dates for 2022 as this is only open for a limited number of weeks each year. Best wishes for a wonderful trip.

      Reply
  • March 21, 2021 at 8:26 pm
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    I was hoping to visit Keukenhof last year, now that my daughter is old enough to sit through the bus ride to reach there and to sit in the pillion while I cycle through the fields. But then lockdown happened. I’m not sure about this year too. Probably next year, we’ll never know! The 60min cruise sounds like a good thing. Willem-Alexander Pavilion displays look impeccable.

    Reply
    • March 24, 2021 at 11:58 pm
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      Hang in there, Bhushavali! I’m sure the time will eventually come when we can all safely travel again. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts here.

      Reply
  • January 27, 2021 at 1:35 am
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    Wow, what a beautiful and cool way to spend a day! I hope to make it to the Netherlands in the next couple of years, once travel returns to some sense of normalcy. This would definitely be a fun way to enjoy a great seasonal activity!

    Reply
    • January 27, 2021 at 11:11 pm
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      That’s for sure Brian! Let’s hope things return to something resembling ‘normal’ soon. Thank you for your comment.

      Reply
  • January 27, 2021 at 12:09 am
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    Wow, the colors of the 7mio flowers (!) are absolutely amazing and I had no ideas that there are more than 800 variations of tulips. What makes me sad is that I used to live less than 3h away from Keukenhof and never visited.

    Reply
    • January 27, 2021 at 11:09 pm
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      Well, Rudy, that may be another reason to return for a holiday to visit friends/relatives and see Keukenhof at the same time! Thanks so much for reading and sharing your comment.

      Reply
  • January 26, 2021 at 10:57 pm
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    I am a huge fan of The Netherlands! I had a blast when I went. I really enjoyed reading this article. It’s insane how many tulips they seem to have. I really would love to see the Japanese Garden it looks peaceful. I will have to mark this down on my next trip there.

    Reply
    • January 27, 2021 at 12:04 am
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      That’s wonderful to hear, Stephanie. Keukenhof is the center showcasing the best of the largest tulip producing and exporting country in the world, so it is worth visiting for sure. The Japanese Garden is also very popular within these gardens.

      Reply
  • January 26, 2021 at 8:00 pm
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    Since I’m so miserably for not being able to travel, this post comes just in time. As soon as we are allowed to move just a little bit, I could simply hop across the border and visit the Keukenhof in the Netherlands. I’m sure those beautiful flowers in full bloom will cheer me up. I also love those manicured trees – they look like gigantic popsicles 😀

    Reply
    • January 27, 2021 at 12:00 am
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      I love the gigantic popsicle analogy, Renata! You are so lucky to live so near to the Netherlands and fingers crossed, travel will be safe to do again soon.

      Reply
  • January 26, 2021 at 4:26 pm
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    I often go to the Tulip Festival in my home state of Holland, Michigan. Some day I would love to go in the Netherlands. I was there but not in the spring. I enjoyed the trivia section.

    Reply
    • January 26, 2021 at 11:57 pm
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      Thank you very much, Amy. The trivia is information I came across while researching facts on Keukenhof for this article. Perhaps this might be a good excuse to return to the Netherlands, this time in the spring!

      Reply
  • January 26, 2021 at 11:40 am
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    Tulips are one of my favorite flowers! Keukenhof Gardens isn’t a place I had heard of before reading this, but now I know I need to visit. It is definitely added to my travel bucket list. I didn’t know the history behind tulips and where they originated from before this either, so it was a lot of fun to learn so much about one of my favorite flowers.

    Reply
    • January 26, 2021 at 11:54 pm
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      Tulips are among my favorite also, Erica, and I’m so happy you liked this post and are wanting to visit Keukenhof. Knowing a bit about the history does add a greater understanding of what makes this flower so special in the Netherlands.

      Reply
  • January 26, 2021 at 1:15 am
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    Oh wow, the flowers are all so beautiful. I have always had a love for the look of a tulip, but I had no idea that it came in so many colours. I am absolutely in awe of the red and white tulips that you shared a picture of. They are so gorgeous! Thank you for sharing all of this with us. I’ve never been to the Netherlands before, but I REALLY want to go someday in the future.

    Reply
    • January 26, 2021 at 11:51 pm
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      Thank you so much, Britt. I’m sure you would love to experience this for the tremendous variety there. Hope this pandemic ends soon to allow us to travel more again.

      Reply
  • January 25, 2021 at 8:13 am
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    How awesome, I love the look of these gardens and also the Flower Power theme! Posts like these really demonstrate the wonderful things there are to see in Europe, and how one actually doesn’t even need to travel too far to experience some magical moments. I have never been to the Netherlands, but it would be such an easy trip from England that I’ll have to put it on the bucket list.

    Reply
    • January 26, 2021 at 11:48 pm
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      You are lucky to live so close to the Netherlands, Kat. As you say, it would be an easy trip to make when spring comes and I’m sure you would love to see this in person. Thank you for reading and sharing and I hope you might be able to visit soon.

      Reply
  • January 24, 2021 at 2:25 pm
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    I visited Keukenhof back in the spring of 1998, and the gardens and flower fields were spectacular. Your beautiful photos brought back so many memories! I’ll never forget the view looking out over the massive tulip fields that were arranged in thick stripes of color — such a gorgeous place to visit.

    Reply
    • January 24, 2021 at 11:40 pm
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      So happy this served as a wonderful reminder of your visit, Carrie Ann. It is definitely a place that makes an impact and stays with you. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts here.

      Reply
  • January 24, 2021 at 2:19 pm
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    Loves your thoughts about this place and it seems to be awesome in images. I will definitely try to visit this summer.

    Reply
  • January 24, 2021 at 8:38 am
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    So beautiful! I totally miss the flowers and greenery here. Tulips are always special, I wish I could visit these gardens soon…

    Reply
  • January 23, 2021 at 11:35 pm
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    The flowers are so beautiful and they have lots of varieties. I am from Canada and they send us flowers every year because Canadien Soldiers liberated Holland at the end of WW2. But the gardens are amazing would definitely visit them if I have the chance.

    Reply
    • January 24, 2021 at 5:01 am
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      That’s another piece of interesting information relating to the Dutch tulips, Steven, in addition to the Canadian connection I mentioned in the trivia section above. Just another dimension to appreciate and thank you for sharing this information with us.

      Reply
      • January 25, 2021 at 1:08 am
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        It’s my pleasure, I always like the story of the Netherlands and the surrounding countries.

        Reply
  • January 23, 2021 at 8:55 pm
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    The Netherlands has always been on my go/to list. Will surely visit this country once I have enough funds. Also, the tulip gardens are gorgeous!

    Reply
    • January 24, 2021 at 4:58 am
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      The Netherlands is certainly a special country to visit for many reasons, Nilakshi. It’s great that you loved this spot also.

      Reply
  • January 23, 2021 at 9:12 am
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    I haven’t been to the Netherlands yet. I find Keukenhof Gardens so relaxing! I love flowers a lot. I’ll definitely visit this place once the pandemic is over.

    Reply
  • January 23, 2021 at 3:46 am
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    This is high on my bucket list. I would love to visit the fields of tulips one day!!

    Reply
    • January 24, 2021 at 4:54 am
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      It sure is a sight you don’t forget in a hurry, Nikki. The Dutch are so great at growing these.

      Reply
  • January 22, 2021 at 6:53 pm
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    Whoa what a beautiful place. I love tulips. I can imagine how happy you would have been when visiting this place.

    Reply
    • January 24, 2021 at 4:53 am
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      Yes, I really was, Yudith. I had been looking forward to it for a while and was really happy when we could plan a trip for when it was open to visitors.

      Reply
  • January 22, 2021 at 2:25 pm
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    Wow, this place looks INCREDIBLE! I would love to be able to travel here one day and see it all for myself.

    Reply
    • January 24, 2021 at 4:51 am
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      Hopefully, you will be able to once it is safe to travel again, Emily. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts.

      Reply
  • January 22, 2021 at 9:52 am
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    When people talk about the blooms and the beauty of the Netherlands from this point of view, it’s obviously no joke! Wow, this leaves me breathless!

    Reply
    • January 24, 2021 at 4:50 am
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      I felt exactly the same way, Cristina! Thank you for reading and leaving such a lovely comment.

      Reply
  • January 22, 2021 at 8:54 am
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    I can see myself hanging in the gardens a lot. The flowers are so pretty!

    Reply
  • January 22, 2021 at 8:37 am
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    Okay wait, does this place actually exist? It looks like a scene from a fantasy movie, it’s just too gorgeous! I hope this pandemic ends soon as I am itching to visit this place. Thank you for sharing those beautiful shots of the tulip garden along with the other scenic views.

    Reply
    • January 24, 2021 at 4:48 am
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      Thanks so much, Ej! It does look perfect in many respects but I can assure you that it is all real. I’m so happy you love this and hope that you will visit and see it for yourself as soon as it is safe to travel.

      Reply
  • January 22, 2021 at 3:06 am
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    Wow-what incredible photos! Thank you for sharing your experiencing beautiful Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands. I love the Japanese Garden. What a peaceful and tranquil ambiance. Thank you for sharing 🙂

    Reply
    • January 24, 2021 at 4:43 am
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      You’re so welcome, Elizabeth. Having spent some time living in Japan, the Japanese Garden was also of interest to me. The whole experience was just lovely.

      Reply
  • January 22, 2021 at 12:52 am
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    Keukenhof Gardens is so beautiful! I knew that the Netherlands had gorgeous areas, but I had no idea just how beautiful.

    Reply
    • January 24, 2021 at 4:42 am
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      They certainly do, Claudia, and many more beautiful outdoor areas as well. So pleased you liked these gardens.

      Reply
  • January 22, 2021 at 12:51 am
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    Every photo here makes me more and more positive that my family’s next trip overseas has to be to this area. It’s so beautiful!

    Reply
  • January 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm
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    I think everyone wants to visit Keukenhof. It’s really pretty! Like you said, it’s hard to put the camera down. Growing up, I read a cartoon series where beautiful fairies lived inside the tulips. Since that time I wanted to go to the Netherlands to see the fairies inside the tulips. Of course now I know there are no fairies in the tulips, but a trip to Keukenhof is still in my dream list. Keukenhof is still calling my name, and I think those manicured trees are another attraction in the area that ones can’t skip.

    Reply
    • January 21, 2021 at 9:29 pm
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      I love the story/cartoon series about the fairies in the flowers, Umiko. They would have lots of places to occupy and hide at Keukenhof! Thank you so much for your comment and I hope you are able to make it there soon.

      Reply
  • January 20, 2021 at 5:28 am
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    This is definitely a place I have always thought that I will someday visit. I love this kind of gardens and flower fields. We also have a tulip fields in California but I’m sure they are nothing compared to this. I love all the different variants of tulips and how beautiful they are.

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    • January 21, 2021 at 9:25 pm
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      Thank you, Paula. The Dutch are definitely the world leaders in this respect and it’s so lovely to see what they produce as well as learn about the process and the history. Very beautiful indeed.

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  • January 20, 2021 at 4:40 am
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    Wow truly a feast for my senses. So refreshing seeing the different colors of Tulip. We were to explore more of Netherlands last summer but had to call off the trip. This October we plan to be there if all is fine. Keukenhof Gardens is now added to my list of places to include. Thanks for this fascinating journey. Would now love to see it in person.

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    • January 21, 2021 at 9:22 pm
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      Unfortunately, Keukenhof Gardens won’t be open in October, Subhashish, as this is not when the flowers bloom. I hope you will be able to see it in person during the springtime within the March-May period one year. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.

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  • January 18, 2021 at 8:31 pm
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    I still can’t believe the number of times I have been to the Netherlands and I never even touched the Keukenhof Gardens. I keep missing it. And I really want to go there. Well, so does the wife as she is into her gardening but I really want to go there as a photographer and I am sure I can be very creative here with the lens. I didn’t know the tulip comes from Asia, that did take me by surprise when I read that!

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    • January 21, 2021 at 9:19 pm
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      Many people (myself included) didn’t know about the origins of the tulip, Danik. As a photographer, this place would definitely be such a fabulous place for you, as much as your wife would love it for her gardening interests. Hope you both will be able to visit on a future trip and thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts here.

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  • January 18, 2021 at 3:51 pm
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    Reading this post got me back to my own visit to Keukenhof. I made it there just 2 days before it closed. Though the blooms were there, a lot was harvested. Nonetheless, I loved the place for its colors. The big windmill and those canals become so bright with those blooms. And yes, even that flower exhibition has such artistic creations. Lovely post on how to explore this and also, that little trivia that you have shared.

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    • January 21, 2021 at 9:14 pm
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      Thank you so much, Ami. It is indeed such a favorite and popular attraction in the Netherlands and I’m so pleased you got to see it before it closed for that year.

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  • January 18, 2021 at 3:30 pm
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    I always wanted to visit Keukenhof but sadly I visited Holland during winter and Keukenhof Garden was closed then. It is great to see such lovely, colourful pictures of the place. It is great to know that you had a wonderful time there. I am surely going to visit the place sometime during the spring someday.

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    • January 21, 2021 at 9:12 pm
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      That sounds great Shreya! I’m sure you will love the experience every bit as much as we did.

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  • January 16, 2021 at 11:09 pm
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    I haven’t yet seen the ever famous tulips in Netherlands. It’s definitely on our bucket list to go to, potentially next summer with our campervan. All that green oasis and the variety of flowers, we’re so looking forward to Spring and all it’s blooms already. The winter this year has been extra cold so this floral inspiration is just the pick me up we needed to look forward to the coming months. Thanks a lot!

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    • January 21, 2021 at 9:10 pm
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      You’re so welcome Marielle. Heading there with your campervan this summer sounds like a great idea. Hopefully, the pandemic will be more under control then and best wishes to you for a wonderful trip.

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  • January 15, 2021 at 9:02 pm
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    This must have been amazing to go see in person. Even the pictures look wonderful. I do love tulips and there are so many different ones there.

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    • January 21, 2021 at 9:07 pm
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      Thanks, Melanie. It is an amazing place for sure. The varieties and numbers are impressive.

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  • January 15, 2021 at 4:35 pm
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    I really liked reading about your experience. We visited there in 2018. We loved the park and it has so many beautiful flowers not only tulips…

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    • January 21, 2021 at 9:04 pm
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      That’s wonderful to hear, Monidipa. While tulips are obviously the main focus in the Netherlands, there are certainly a number of other flower varieties, the main ones being mentioned above within this article. So pleased you liked this post and thank you for sharing your experience here as well.

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  • January 14, 2021 at 6:40 am
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    This place looks beautiful and really, really inspiring. You’ve given me some ideas for Spring and summer!

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    • January 14, 2021 at 9:21 pm
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      That’s really great to hear, Nkem. Thank you for reading and for leaving your comment.

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  • January 13, 2021 at 7:01 pm
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    I have heard so much about Keukenhof gardens and tulips blooming festival that I really want to visit this amazing place. When everything gets well again, I would definitely head to this tulip blooming season. Good to know that here so many people visit, but still this garden doesn’t get crowded. Also I loved the sculptures in between. Also those colorful combi-vans are too cute.

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    • January 14, 2021 at 9:20 pm
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      Although so many people visit this iconic Dutch attraction, Yukti, the size of the property allows you to spread out very effectively. Depending on the time and day, the pavilions can get crowded as can the dining/eating outlets as you would expect. But our experience was good and people spend most of the time outdoors admiring the main focus of the gardens themselves. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.

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  • January 13, 2021 at 8:14 am
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    oh I miss greenery! It looks so beautiful and so refreshing even on my laptop screen after all the dullness of snow outside

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    • January 14, 2021 at 9:15 pm
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      I can understand what you mean, Lyosha. Winter won’t last forever thankfully! So pleased you enjoyed this post.

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  • January 13, 2021 at 1:49 am
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    The pictures are absolutely beautiful and inviting. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful post with us.

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    • January 14, 2021 at 9:12 pm
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      You’re so welcome, Marje. I’m so happy you liked the article and photos. Thank you for your lovely comment.

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    • January 12, 2021 at 6:31 pm
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      That’s for sure, Indya! A very lovely place to spend some time. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.

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  • January 11, 2021 at 5:44 pm
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    You have such a good eye and couldn’t go wrong with how beautiful all these flowers are blooming. It’s enlightening for hopefully our world is blooming out of the 2020 gloom.

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    • January 11, 2021 at 9:15 pm
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      Thanks so much, Sara. I certainly hope that the terrible pandemic will be under control very soon.

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  • January 11, 2021 at 2:21 pm
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    I love tulips and have been planning a visit to a Netherlands for a long time to admire them. Keukenhof Gardens seems to be perfect place with so many flowers, color, shapes. And it’s great to know that there are a flowers shows each week. This combi van is also so sweet!

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    • January 11, 2021 at 9:14 pm
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      I loved the combi van as well, Agnes! Aside from being really cool, it just fits into that environment so well. Hope you will be able to realize your plan to visit the Netherlands soon. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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  • January 11, 2021 at 8:26 am
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    Love your images! Keukenhof Gardens is really beautiful. The best time to visit Keukenhof Gardens is during Spring. You can fully enjoy the beauty of the tulips during the spring season.

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    • January 11, 2021 at 9:12 pm
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      That’s for sure! Thanks so much for reading and sharing the benefit of your knowledge here.

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  • January 11, 2021 at 1:54 am
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    Wow, all those tulips! What a beautiful sight! Nature is amazing, and the gardens look amazing!

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  • January 11, 2021 at 12:38 am
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    What a beautiful place! The Netherlands is on my bucket list, for sure, and I’m so glad to know a specific place to visit when I finally do make it there!

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    • January 11, 2021 at 9:10 pm
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      Thank you, Heather. So good to know you are wanting to visit Keukenhof Gardens as part of your desire to see the Netherlands.

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  • January 9, 2021 at 11:16 pm
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    Such a beautiful post, I have always wanted to visit Keukenhof Gardens, and definitely, it’s on our bucket list . Thank you for sharing such a detailed description of the place with pictures, will save this post.

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    • January 10, 2021 at 8:40 pm
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      You’re very welcome Nisha and thank you for your lovely comment. So pleased you liked it and that you hope to tick this off your bucket list in the future.

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  • January 9, 2021 at 2:33 pm
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    I have never visited Keukenhof. But with your blog, it was like a virtual tour. Thank you for sharing.

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  • January 9, 2021 at 2:47 am
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    A feast for the senses for sure! I am from Michigan and Holland, Michigan has a big tulip festival each year. I would love to go to the Netherlands and see the tulips there. I didn’t know about the Japanese garden either

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    • January 10, 2021 at 8:37 pm
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      If you visit, you might also be able to trace some relatives, Molly! I hadn’t heard about the annual tulip festival in Michigan and I’m sure you would love to experience the original one in Holland as well. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your knowledge of the Michigan festival.

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  • January 9, 2021 at 1:53 am
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    I have always thought it would be amazing to visit these gardens. I work in a greenhouse and can only imagine how impressive the Keukenhof Gardens are in comparison.

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    • January 10, 2021 at 8:32 pm
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      I’m sure you would just really love visiting here, Marysa! So much to see outdoors as well as indoors. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.

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  • January 9, 2021 at 12:24 am
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    Tulips are one of my favorite flowers. I will be adding this place to my bucket list of places to go. It is very beautiful and the tulips are so very colorful!

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    • January 10, 2021 at 8:30 pm
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      I loved the amazing array of colors also, Jessica. Hope you also enjoy a visit there in the future.

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  • January 8, 2021 at 7:04 pm
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    I’ve been to the Netherlands twice but both times in autumn. The only tulips I saw were the dried bulbs sold at the flower market. I would really love to visit Keukenhof when the tulips are in full bloom. Good to know that it’s easily accessible by public transports, and that there are so many other things to see and do beyond the tulip fields.

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    • January 10, 2021 at 8:28 pm
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      Thank you very much, Ummi. If you make it back to the Netherlands, Keukenhof Gardens would definitely be worth a visit.

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  • January 8, 2021 at 4:20 pm
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    I am a floral designer so this place looks like heaven on earth to me!

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    • January 10, 2021 at 8:27 pm
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      Wow, Monica! Keukenhof Gardens would provide even more dimensions for appreciation, given your profession. I’m sure you would love this much more than the average visitor and probably provide a lot in the way of inspiration and ideas. So happy you liked this.

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  • January 8, 2021 at 4:01 pm
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    What a wonderful place! Thank you for sharing some facts, there were many things I didn’t know. The Netherlands in general is on my bucket list. You took nice photos.

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    • January 10, 2021 at 8:22 pm
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      I’m so pleased you like the facts included in this article, Francia. Thank you for your lovely comment.

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  • January 8, 2021 at 3:42 pm
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    This looks absolutely beautiful.

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  • January 8, 2021 at 3:29 pm
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    I can only imagine the incredible smells that this garden must hold! Truly beautiful, and still hard to believe that these vibrant colors are natural creations from the earth. I visited the Netherlands in the winter months so I was never able to catch the flowers that I had heard so much about, I’m hoping to see them the next time I go. Thanks for sharing!

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    • January 10, 2021 at 8:20 pm
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      Thanks so much, Chloe. The one thing that is so hard to convey in writing or photos is those smells you refer to, which of course were just lovely. There’s so much to love about the Netherlands and it’s great to know you would plan to see these gardens on a future trip.

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  • January 8, 2021 at 8:41 am
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    I’ve been to the Netherlands over a dozen times but have not yet made it to these beautiful gardens. I think I now know which one it’ll be for my next trip! It looks like such a tranquil place to visit. And the vibrant colours are positively inspiring with those fields of tulips. All that was missing for me was a freshly made stroopwafel 🙂

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    • January 10, 2021 at 8:17 pm
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      Ah, but you can actually get the famous stroopwafel there, Jamie, and probably at more than one of the food outlets! So pleased you now plan to visit Keukenhof Gardens when you next get back to the Netherlands.

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  • January 8, 2021 at 3:37 am
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    Absolutely breathtaking! Adding to my bucket list!

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    • January 10, 2021 at 8:13 pm
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      I’m sure they would, Samantha. Many families just loved being there. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.

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  • January 7, 2021 at 11:46 pm
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    The photos of the gardens were absolutely breathtaking!

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    • January 10, 2021 at 8:12 pm
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      Thank you very much, Elisa. It is certainly such a unique and beautiful place when the flowers are all in bloom.

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