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After a busy Easter weekend, the crowds in the Keukenhof get back to normal on weekdays. Although the amount of cars and tour busses is getting higher by the day. Springtime is in full swing and travelers know their way to Keukenhof. The Keukenhof looks more stunning every day, the scent is lovely and the green flower beds are getting their color too.
The people who visited last week had a mix of weather from a very cold Easter Monday without sunshine to a perfectly sunny day on Thursday. If you are travelling next week bring your umbrella and a coat. During my photo tour this morning the wind was freezing cold. I try to remember that because of this weather the flowers can grow and blossom. 🙂 If you need a detailed weather forecast you can have a look here: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=lisse
Photo’s of today (Keukenhof) can be found here http://www.flickr.com/photos/nring23/collections/
This morning “De Pretnoten” from Lisse (a band) were playing at the windmill. Lots of people enjoyed it very much. The people of the band where having a fun time as well, getting on lots of photos with visitors.
This week there was a question about the flower field etiquette. The fields are private property so don’t cross fences, water, etc. to enter. And if you see a sign with the text “don’t enter” well don’t enter. 🙂 When officially it is not allowed to enter the fields, it still happens. When you decide to do, don’t harm the flowers or the bulbs (watch your step!), leave everything the same way you found it and don’t take anything with you. Stay to the side of the field and if you are requested to leave by anyone, just leave quickly. And remember to bring your camera for nice photo’s of fields full with flowers and enjoy the sights and scents. 🙂
Flower Parade – Bloemencorso
The parade will travel from Noordwijk to Haarlem and travels along the Keukenhof around 15.45. See www.bloemencorso-bollenstreek.nl for more information.
This map indicates the route of the parade next to Keukenhof: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nring23/4525591552/in/set-72157623787401449
Some quick tips: Travel as EARLY as possible! (Preferably opening time) Last year there was a big traffic jam to Keukenhof from 10AM. Even the roads the local people use are completely packed so no there are no short cuts. (Locals are travelling only by bike on parade day! :-)) The Keukenhof is completely filled to capacity on this day. The parade is scheduled to travel by Keukenhof around 15.45 – 16.00. It is a slow moving parade and it takes around 45 – 60 mins. A lot of tourist are trying to leave immediately after the parade. Busses are lining up behind the parade and another traffic jam is created. (solves around 18-19 hrs)
Ideally I think it is best to separate a visit to the Keukenhof and seeing the parade. Keukenhof is so packed on parade day that it isn’t fun anymore to walk through the park. If you like to see the parade and Keukenhof on one day, travel to Keukenhof early, rent a bike for the day, see the keukenhof in the morning, have lunch in the lovely town of Lisse, see the flower fields and drive back to your hotel after 6 PM to avoid the biggest part of the traffic jam.
And if you are planning to see the parade during your day in keukenhof, get a stamp on your hand before exiting the keukenhof. With the stamp and your ticket you can re-enter the keukenhof on the same day.
What to see and expect when you are traveling next week:
The daffodil and crocus fields are gone. The tulip and hyacinth fields are blooming. Inside keukenhof the flower beds are turning to color (slightly later than the fields outside), the indoor tulip exhibition is getting over the top of blooming but still nice to see.
For a recent view of the flower fields visit the photo page of Cees on https://picasaweb.google.com/117794954613548281731/FlowerFieldsAndKeukenhof2012
Hope to see you soon in Keukenhof!
