Location: Keukenhof

Located approximately 30 kilometres from Amsterdam and 50 kilometres from Rotterdam, the Keukenhof Gardens are one of the main attractions of the Netherlands in spring time.

The garden traces its origins back to the 15th century. Where Keukenhof is situated now, was once a hunting area. During the times of Jacoba van Beieren kitchen herbs were collected here; hence the name Keukenhof (Kitchen garden)

The current park was a section of the sizeable estate of Slot Teylingen, with beautiful untamed bushes and dunes. After the decease of Jacoba van Beieren Keukenhof fell into the hands of rich merchant families which invited landscape architects to make a design for the garden around the castle. This design, in the English landscape style, has always been the basis of Keukenhof.

At the moment the estate belongs to a Corporation. On the initiative of the Lisse mayor and a number of leading flower bulb growers and exporters, an open air flower exhibition was organised here for the first time in 1949. This expanded to an annually recurring event that has always drawn great numbers of visitors from all over the world.

The Theme for 2010 will be “From Russia with Love” The historical relationship between Russia and the Netherlands get much attention and also ‘love’ will be found as a central theme in the beautiful park.

Some programme ideas for Keukenhof:

• Visit of Keukenhof garden in combination with a visit to the Aalsmeer flower auction.
  
  
• Half day or Full day visit to the Keukenhof garden with a possibility for lunch.
  
  
• Guided stroll through the Keukenhof garden with background information on the planting and all kinds of interesting information about the garden.
  
  
• Russia in the Netherlands – Full day tour with Lunch Visit of the Hermitage Museum in Amsterdam, the only venue in the west of the magnificent State Hermitage Museum St. Petersburg, afterwards visit to Tsars Peter House in Zaandam dating back to 1632. Continue for a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens.
  
  

For more programme ideas and details please contact us.

Places of Interest & Programme Ideas

• Amsterdam
• Aalsmeer Flower Auction
• Delft
• Historic Steam Train Hoorn - Medemblik
• Keukenhof Garden
• Kinderdijk
• Nijmegen
• Rotterdam
• The Hague