The gardens of Keukenhof and other Noordwijk aan Zee, Netherlands Off The Beaten Path Tips

In spring you have to visit the popular Dutch attraction, the tulip fields Keukenhof located just about 20 km from Noordwijk near Lisse.
In a huge park under the trees you can admire the world’s largest flower exhibition with its millions of blossoming tulips, narcissi, hyacinth and many other plants since 1949.
It is recomended to arrive in the early hours, because the vast parking lot is quickly filled.
There is an original windmill in the park donated by the Dutch-American ship company in 1957, today it serves as lookout tower. A walk in the park takes about 5 hours.
The newest attraction is a one hour trip on almost silent old boats driven by electric engines around the the blossoming tulip fields.

Note: In the end of April each year there is also a One Day "Bloemencorso" through the streets of the bulb-growing region. It starts in Noordwijk and ends in Haarlem, where the spectacular decorations are kept on display for another day.

Open: only for two months, mid-March to mid-May daily from 8am – 7.30pm
Entrance fee: € 13.50, boat trip € 7.50, parking fee € 6
The easiest way to Keukenhof is by car, the route is well signposted.
Public transport from Vuurtorenplein by bus no.59 to Lisse, change bus no.55 and get off at Eikenlaan.

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Website: http://www.keukenhof.nl/

After the first world war many poorly-fed hungarian children, among them also my father, were invited by dutch families. He spent several years at a warm-hearted family on a farm near Groningen. When he returned, told unforgettable fairy tales from the country of tulip fields, the windmills, the fishing boats, the clogs and from the wonderful milk, cheese and chocolate. He forgot the Dutch language soon, but the prayer Pater noster/Onzevader never!

In the late eighties I, as an expert was asked by a hungarian firm; whether it would be worth, to buy a pricey machinery from a dutch company; at that time I suddenly remembered to father's long forgotten debt, and said yes.
With the owner, who lived in Noordwijkerhout, we became friends and spent many pleasant years together both in Noordwijkerhout and in Budapest. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us since years. I miss him very much.

The weather is unpredictable here, can be anything. Don't go looking for mountains or good beaches, there are far better stretches of sand elsewhere in Europe, but peace, beautyfull countryside and ............... friends!

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Phone: +31 (0)252 372096
Website: http://www.noordwijkerhout.nl/