Weekly Flower update 2018 – week 17

Weekly Flower update 2018 – week 17

Good morning, Spring is in full swing at the moment, We have had a wonderful flower parade last weekend with summerlike temperatures and a lot of fields are in bloom. The temperatures are cooling down a bit and that is much needed, the flowers grow and bloom very fast at the moment…

Current status of the flowers

Well… If you picked the upcoming week for a visit you are spot on blooming. The flower fields are in bloom and Keukenhof looks absolutely gorgeous. It is pure joy to bike, drive or walk around the different flower area’s in the Netherlands. The warm temperatures caused an explosion in blooming in the fields and garden. The crocus are gone, the daffodils are still there, hyacinths are still there too and the tulips are in bloom.

For the next 2 weeks

If you haven’t picked a time to visit, this is the moment to travel. Don’t wait too long if you haven’t decided yet.. Just like we advise people to travel during the last 2 weeks of April / 1st week of May, spring 2018 is no exception. For the flower fields: In the next two weeks the daffodils and hyacinths will likely be fading away and the first tulips fields will be headed. There might be some tulip fields left over two weeks, but we have to wait and see how they are blooming with these temperatures changes. Don’t wait till the last day of season.

At Keukenhof several borders are not in bloom yet, but the majority of the park is in bloom. If possible visit in the next two weeks for an incredible color explosion in the garden.

Tips for visiting Keukenhof

Visiting on weekdays is less crowded than visiting on weekend days. If you are traveling during the weekend make sure you arrive early in the morning so you have the best experience of the Keukenhof (and arrive without much traffic jams). After 10 AM a lot of tour busses are arriving at the garden and it gets very busy.

For the people visiting after May 13 2018 -> Keukenhof will close its doors at Sunday 13th of May at 7:30 PM. I expect the flower fields done blooming (or headed) in the Netherlands by May 13th as well. If you arrive later, you have to wait until next spring season to see some spring flowers.

Make sure you have your Skip the line ticket of Keukenhof in advance when traveling by car or your Keukenhof ticket with Public Transportation. You don’t have to wait in line to buy a ticket and have your ticket on your mobile phone (or print it at home just what you prefer). The best time to beat the crowds is early in the morning or later in the afternoon. See How to travel to Keukenhof here.

Meet & Greet

Last Friday we had our third Meet and Greet at the Tourist Office of Noordwijkerhout. From 2 – 6 PM around 40 readers came over to say hi. Even some of you were visiting for the second time in a row! It was so lovely to meet all of you! I hope everyone had a great time in Noordwijkerhout for the evening flower parade and I wish you a pleasant stay with perfect holiday weather in the Netherlands.

Flower Parade 2018 – Bloemencorso 2018

Last weekend the flower parade also known as Bloemencorso traveled through the flower region. The theme of 2018 was Culture. Every year this is a festive weekend with lots of attention. Over a 1 million people visited the area last weekend! Have a look at our photo report of the 2018 flower parade.

In 2019 the Flower parade will be held one week earlier on the 13 April 2019. This is caused by Easter weekend of 20 April 2019 and Kingsday on the 27 April 2019. Theme for 2019 will be World of Movement.

Tulips from up in the air

I know many of you have a bucket list of things you would like to see and do. One of my bucket list things to do was flying above the flower fields. I never thought it would be possible until I met Pieter, a helicopter pilot in the Noordoostpolder. Pieter has been flying there over the largest tulip fields of the Netherlands for five years now. Three years ago I booked my first helicopter flight (together with my dad) and I knew immediately that this was something to share with the readers of Tulips in Holland and I have been working with Pieter since than. Have a look at his story.

King’s Day 2018

The 27th of April is a national holiday in the Netherlands and we are celebrating the birthday of our King Willem Alexander. Keukenhof and the tulip related activities and large musea are open on this national holiday. There are some other activities to do as well:

Were something orange or red,white and blue to blend in with the Dutch!
Every city has an area where people (and kids) sell stuff, from homemade cupcakes to things they have collected over the years and no longer needed. It is like one big garage sale, perfect for finding non traditional souvenirs. And if you haven’t got orange accessories yet, you will find them here.
Large cities have different festivals, Amsterdam can get extremely crowded. Travel to Leiden, Haarlem, Alkmaar, Utrecht or The Hague to have a great King Day Experience.
Eat at least one Orange Tompouce (you can find them at bakeries or at the Hema) it is a typical Dutch sweet pastry and is always eaten on or around Kings day. (The rest of the year you can only buy pink tompouces).
Most shops will be closed on Kingsday, supermarket will have adjusted opening times.
Keep in mind that most of the Dutch people have a day of on this Friday. It makes a long holiday weekend and it is a perfect time to explore the Netherlands.

Have fun!

Tickets and Tours

FAQ

Wishing you a wonderful week and a lovely King’s Day! If you have travelled to the Keukenhof already please share your photo’s on social media with #tulipsinholland.

Kind regards from Tulips in Holland,

Nienke

Source: Tulips in Holland
Photo credits: Tulips in Holland

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Weekly Flower update 2018 – week 17