byronelaine

I am organizing a trip for the spring that includes Normandy, Bruges, and Amsterdam for a group of friends . On our bucket list is to see Keukenhof Gardens and fields of tulips in bloom. Keukenhof is open for a good 2 months, but when is the best time to see this event? And does anyone know a drive that shows off the fields of flowers? Many thanks.

bluestar

Generally, mid to late April is a good time to do the <i>bloemenroute</i>.

Here is route map from National Geographic:
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com...therlands-map/

and some details of the route:
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com...nds-road-trip/

This is a Condé Nast article from May 2010 (pdf file):
http://www.magazine.org/asme/magazin...aveler1168.pdf

spaarne

I've been to Keukenhof several times over the years. Here is a photolog of my 2008 trip, http://tinyurl.com/y8hltjl.

I recommend end of April. Blooming depends on the weather but end of April has usually been very colorful. Be flexible because it can rain. Go in the afternoon after the sun opens the flowers for the day. Also, you have a chance to see the Bloemencurso (flower parade), probably the last Saturday in April. The floats are left on display in Haarlem on the Sunday after the parade and there is a street festival.

When you are done with the flowers, be in Amsterdam on April 30 for Queen's Day, http://tinyurl.com/yln3hrp.

illnative

We were at Keukenhof on April 17 in 2009 and it was a great time. Almost all the tulip beds were in full bloom. Most of the early early flowers were gone though. We thought it was a perfect time - but I enjoy the tulips the most.

PalenQ

Avoid weekends IME at Keukenhof as it was extremely crowded one Sunday I ventured there but once during the week must less hectic - on Sunday there were long waits to get into the hothouses - the marquee attractions of the show as growers spotlight certain types of blooms in several huge hothouses.

As for a drive thru the flower fields how about tiptoeing thru the tulips and other flowers?

I took at train from Amsterdam via a change in Haarlem to Hillegom's train station - an elevated platform right in the heart of the flower fields and then I walked on side roads with little traffic right along the heart of the fields (not into them which is Verboten) a few miles to the Keukenhof and later returned to Amsterdam by taking the bus from the gardens itself to Leiden's train station - these buses go all the time. If time look around dreamy Leiden as well for a few hours - lots of old facades lining canals, a thriving pedestrian shopping street, etc.

byronelaine

Wonderful information and the photo link is fabulous. Many thanks.