We had been talking about visiting the Dutch bulb fields for years but somehow it never reached the top of the list. I decided this was the year to go for it… I googled different itineraries and in the end decided that Saga’s was the most interesting. As well as channel tunnel or ferry, you could fly from a range of local airports. It was a river cruise and as well as a day at Keukenhof Gardens we had chance to see smaller towns like Hoorn an Enkhuisen as well as spending some time in Amsterdam. An added bonus was the optional tour to the open air museum of Zannse Schans with its old houses and windmills, as well as a visit to Bataviawerf with the reconstruction of a C16th Dutch East India vessel.

The weather was cold and dull most days but the bulb fields were wonderful – rows of brightly coloured bulbs, every colour under the sun and looking like a rainbow. Most are grown for bulbs rather than flowers, so the flowers get removed to encourage bulb development. By mid April, some fields had already been deheaded,

Keukenhof Gardens is the show case for the bulb growers and planted with 7 million bulbs every year, The gardens are only open for eight weeks each year so do get very busy. The displays were wonderful.

My full report with all the pictures can be found here:
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/otherh...and/index.html

Great report and lovely photos. How were the crowds at Keukenhof during your visit?

We arrived early 'to avoid the worst of the crowds'.... There were long queues to go in. The gardens are so huge that you aren't really aware of the crowds unless you are queuing for tickets for the boat trips, to go up the windmill or for food.

We followed the building of the Batavia from the laying of the keel up. We still go occasionally with the grandsons. Nice to hear a tour takes people there.
Lelystad also has a large area of wetlands with ancient breeds of horses, cattle and European bison as well as millions of birds.
The town itself is not that great though.

It's a shame the weather wasn't better for you (and me) but I am glad you enjoyed your trip.
Come again and see some more of the country!

The group enjoyed the Batavia more than we expected to and all felt it was a well worthwhile visit. I would have liked longer there. Our boat was berthed at Lelystad for the night and the only other option was the retail park, which was a non-runner as far as I was concerned.

The wetlands sounds interesting too.....