Last year I checked another destination off my bucket list: Keukenhof. If you're a flower person, you know Keukenhof is that magical Dutch destination where people go in the springtime to see the seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in bloom. Now celebrating its 64th year, the 2013 edition opened on March 21 and runs through May 20, 2013.
Keukenhof is located in Lisse between Amsterdam and The Hague in the Bollenstreek (bulb growing) region of The Netherlands. It's situated on what was a hunting area in the 15th century, where herbs for the castle's kitchen were collected -- hence the name Keukenhof (keuken is Dutch for kitchen). The estate's garden was designed by landscape architects J.D. and L.P. Zocher (deisngers of Amsterdam's Vondelpark), and its English landscape style remains the basis of Keukenhof.
Described as the "world's most beautiful spring garden," Keukenhof encompasses nearly 80 acres of flowers, seven inspirational gardens and 100 works of art. Nine miles of walking paths make for a pedestrian friendly park (wear comfortable walking shoes). There are also 30 flower shows throughout the two-month blooming season, representing more than 600 flower growers and arrangers.
For the past decade, Keukenhof has selected a country each season to be the focus of the park. This year, United Kingdom - Land of Great Gardens is the Keukenhof theme. The United Kingdom is an important Dutch market for flower bulbs, as well as for its large number of visitors who visit the park. In 2012, 70,000 UK residents passed through the Keukenhof gates. The big attraction this season is expected to be the bulb flower mosaic, showcasing London's Big Ben and Tower Bridge. It took 60,000 bulbs to create the mosaic.
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