19/04/24

Keukenhof celebrates its 75th anniversary

 

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This year marks the 75^th anniversary of the flower exhibition Keukenhof, and we were pleased to visit in April 2024 and offer our clients the chance to experience the very best of traditional Holland. The world-famous Garden opened its doors on 21^st March, exactly 75 years after it opened to the public for the very first time!

 

Keukenhof, also known as the Garden of Europe, is one of the world's largest flower gardens, situated in the Netherlands. It not only provides a backdrop for its 7 million spring-flowering bulbs, but is also a nice location for sculptures and other works of art that give the park an added dimension. Open for just 8 weeks each year, the organization expects that well over 1.4 million people from around the world will visit the exhibition. Keukenhof thereby provides a major contribution to the tourist and flower sector in the Netherlands.

 

During our 2024 tour, which departed on Thursday 11^th April, the weather was perfect with unusually high temperatures. With 37 passengers and 2 drivers on board, the coach was nearly full to capacity. Our staff member, Marcia, who travelled as a guest on this holiday, was keen to see Keukenhof during its 75th anniversary and have a look around our new hotel, the Carlton Beach.

 

Marcia said: "The Keukenhof holiday has been on my radar to visit for many years after customer feedback from previous trips. The gardens were simply stunning with more varieties of tulips than anyone could ever imagine, certainly a photographer's dream. The hotel's position was on the beachside and ideal for an evening stroll along the beach or a walk along the pier. Day three included a lovely heritage train ride to view the fields of bulbs in the countryside followed by the steamer on Lake Ijsselmeer. Another highlight of the trip was the open-air museum Zaanse Schans which had a working windmill, traditional houses with people living in them, and there was also a clog factory, cheese factory with samples of a variety of local cheeses and a lovely bakery on-site. The journey on the P&O overnight crossing both ways offered great food, we were spoilt for choices with a vast array of food for the evening meal and breakfast, the ship included evening entertainment of live singers, movies or lounges to relax and enjoy the crossing."

 

Our new accommodation in The Hague, the 4* Carlton Beach Hotel, is a charming property located on the seafront, just 20 steps from the beach. It is decorated in a warm and contemporary style and offers excellent leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spa, fitness centre with gym, and bicycle rental. All bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms and feature a flat-screen TV, safe, minibar, air-conditioning, and a private balcony.

 

One of our passengers, Jenny, said of the tour: “It was fabulous! Thank you so much to all concerned, especially Brian and Ben our drivers. They are a credit to your company.”

 

Another client, Susan, kindly wrote: “It was a fantastic visit, great drivers and great company of people.”

 

Congratulations to Keukenhof and all the growers for this beautiful flower heaven! Our 2025 tour to Holland will go on sale around September 2024. Marvel at the horticultural wonder of Keukenhof, enjoy a Dutch ‘Rail and Sail’ adventure past beautiful bulb fields, and journey back in time with a visit to unique Zaanse Schans, full of wooden houses, windmills, barns and workshops... All in just 5 days. This annual favourite often sells out quickly so early booking is highly recommended.

 

View our continental tours here.

 

View our horticultural tours here.