Keukenhof | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

What to do at Keukenhof

Before you head to the gardens, charge your batteries and bring a second memory card, because you’ll want to take thousands of photos. Besides walking around the flower beds (outdoors and in several pavilions), you can also take a flower photography course, take a canal boat tour or join a guided walking tour around Keukenhof. There’s also a retro-style labyrinth where you can lose yourself.

A special corner is dedicated to the favorite Dutch children book character Miffy the rabbit, and there’s even a mini zoo. Don’t miss the more than 120-year-old mill, whose squeaking stairs lead you up to a beautiful view. If you’re obsessed with treasure hunts like I am, take a map from the entrance and enjoy discovering the secrets of the park.

History in five sentences

Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut in the 15th century, loved horticulture and had a special garden with herbs and spices for her castle’s kitchen. That’s where the name Keukenhof came from – meaning the ‘kitchen garden’. After changing ownership a few times, the area became an English-style garden in 1857 and a tulip garden in 1949. It was the idea of the then-mayor to create a special place where Dutch growers could showcase their tulip hybrids. Nowadays, more than 800,000 visitors tick off Keukenhof from their bucket list every year.

The 120-year-old mill in Keukenhof | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Best time to visit Keukenhof

Keukenhof is open only two months a year, when the spring flowers bloom – usually between the end of March and mid-May (2018 dates: March 22 to May 13). The best time to visit is in the middle of April, because in March many of the flowers are still buds.

Three challenges for Keukehof:

1. Find the tulip Walk of Fame.

2. Climb the mill for a panoramic view of the park.

3. Find your way through the labyrinth.

Practicalities

If you’re coming from the Hague or Schipol Airport in Amsterdam, look online in advance to buy a combined bus and entry ticket (Keukenhof is a perfect day trip from Amsterdam). You’ll get a free map of the park from the ticket office. There’s free Wi-Fi all over the park, so you can share your photos as you explore. The walking lanes are 10 mi/15 km long, but you can’t ride a bike in the park. You can, however, rent a bike and explore the surrounding tulip fields outside the park. More information here.

Flowers in Keukenhof | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Keukenhof | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Flowers in Keukenhof | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

A piglet at the mini zoo in Keukenhof | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Flowers in Keukenhof | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Flowers in Keukenhof | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

The post Keukenhof: where to see 800 varieties of tulips in the Netherlands appeared first on 203Challenges.

Here are our top 3 reasons to visit the Netherlands this spring:

#1 Cycling adventures

Cycling in Holland | © NBTC

One of the most important components of life in the Netherlands is cycling. Locals literally live on their fiets (bike). Bikes are used to get around in the city and between cities, transport your groceries, furniture, pets and even children.

So, it would be a shame not to explore the country on two wheels. It is indeed the only way to feel the true Dutch spirit. Rent a bike from one of the numerous rentals and hit the road. Whether you want to roam around big urban centers like Amsterdam and Rotterdam or discover the charms of the blossoming countryside, you can easily do so on a bicycle. The Netherlands has to offer 32,000 km of cycling paths that are waiting to be explored. Choose among the endless cycling roads and plan your trip with a handy cycle planner that is also available in English.

If you are in the mood for something new, why not try bicycle hitchhiking in Amsterdam? All you have to do is look for a bike with a yellow backie and shout “Backie!”.

#2 Endless fields filled with flowers

Cycling among tulips in Holland | © NBTC

In spring, the Netherlands turns into a paradise for every flower lover. March is the start of the crocus season, followed by the gentle daffodils and the fragrant hyacinths. Don’t miss on the iconic tulips that show their enchanting colors from mid-April to mid-May.

The best place to enjoy Dutch tulips is the Keukenhof or the world’s biggest flower exhibition, which is just 30 minutes away from Amsterdam. The garden is gorgeous in spring, showcasing over 7 million blooming bulbs, with a total of 800 varieties of tulips. The place is also hosting various flower-related events like a roses show, freesia show, and the world’s biggest lily show. Other major tulip farms are located in the Noordoostpolder and along the coast of the Hague and Leiden.

#3 Dutch café culture

A cafe in Holland | © NBTC

Dutch cafés are laid-back and social spaces to talk, drink and celebrate life. Most of them are located right by the famous Dutch canals or have a gorgeous green garden. Soak up some sun (which is rare and highly valued in the Netherlands) while enjoying a tasty snack and a cold beer. Opt for a traditional Heineken or one of the exquisite Belgian varieties that are among the local favorites. When food is concerned, locals worship the taste of deeply fried kibbeling (cod) that is dipped in a fresh garlic or tartar sauce. Sweet lovers can enjoy a delicious stroopwafel (a waffle consisting of two sheets of baked dough and a syrupy caramel layer in the middle) that is best washed down with a latte.

If your mouth is watering and you long for a trip across the flat and colorful fields of the Netherlands, it`s high time to start planning your Dutch trip. Happy traveling!

***

A passionate writer, journalist, and explorer, Yoana Hristova (www.yoanahristova.com) has worked and studied in Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. Currently based in Bulgaria, she is always on the lookout for great stories that inspire us to travel, grow and discover what life has to offer.

The post 3 reasons to visit the Netherlands in spring appeared first on 203Challenges.

Every year in April, Istanbul turns into the capital of tulips. This is when millions of bulbs show up in the parks and gardens of the city and transform old Constantinople into a flowery fairy tale.

In 2017, more than 26.5 million tulips of 160 varieties were planted across Istanbul.

If you are visiting the colorful fiesta that is the Istanbul Tulip Festival, here’s some useful information on where to go and what to see.

When do tulips in Istanbul bloom?

The exact date depends on the weather from year to year, but in general you can expect the tulips to start blooming at the end of March or the beginning of April. The flowers flourish for several weeks, until the beginning of May.

Tulips in Istanbul | Daxis/Flickr

What are the dates of the Istanbul Tulip Festival?

Usually, the festival spans the whole month of April. However, as you will see from the information below, you don’t need to plan your visit around any exact dates, as special events and brilliant spring flowers grace the city throughout the whole month. Although it’s called a ‘festival’, it would better be described as a rather loose series of events (like concerts, art workshops, and exhibitions) taking place mainly in Emirgan Park. The festival doesn’t have an official website, so the best way to discover what’s going on is to ask the staff at your hotel/hostel.

Why is the tulip a symbol of Istanbul?

The tulip is one of the most recognizable symbols of Istanbul. The flower was imported centuries ago from Iran, and its arrival created a real fever among locals, who competed to grow the best and most unusual bulbs in their gardens. A rare bulb could cost an absolute fortune at the height of tulip popularity in the city. Tulips made their way from Istanbul to Europe where, especially in the Netherlands, they caused a similar craze.

Tulips in Istanbul | Nezih Durmazlar/Flickr

Which parks in Istanbul have the most beautiful tulip gardens?

Emirgan Park (or Emirgan Korusu) – with its colorful pavilions, millions of tulips and other spring flowers, plus its stunning views over the Bosphorus, this park is the headquarters of the festival. Open stages pop up in April to host musicians, actors and other performers. You will also see traditional marble drawing demonstrations, calligraphy, glass blowing, and photo exhibitions.

Göztepe Park – This is the other festival hot spot, with plenty of events on its schedule. It is located on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Beykoz Korusu – This is another green oasis in the Asian part of Istanbul. Here you can enjoy relaxing walks along the Bosphorus, with the strait on one side and lush greenery on the other.

Gülhane Park – More than a million tulips are planted here every spring.

Yıldız Park – This park is located close to Yıldız Palace, hence the name. It used to be the sultan’s private hunting ground, but today its thick forest areas and Ottoman pavilions are open for visitors.

Sultanahmet Square – The square next to Sultanahmet Mosque – one of the main attractions in Istanbul – turns into a carpet of flowers in spring.

Çamlıca Hill – This hill is a secret part of Istanbul that few tourists ever visit. If you don’t mind a bit of a climb, you will be rewarded with the sight of thousands of tulips on the way up and a magnificent vista from the top.

Here’s a map of the best tulip parks in Istanbul:

Read more: Keukenhof: where you can see more than 800 varieties of tulips in Holland

11 quotes about Istanbul that explain why everyone loves it

14 smells of Istanbul that always bring you back there

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The post Istanbul Tulip Festival: the best parks to see flowers (+ map) appeared first on 203Challenges.